Fans warm up cold game day at Neyland Stadium

If they gave out long-distance awards at the Tennessee-Kentucky football game Saturday, Keith and Tina Henson would be shoo-ins for the championship.

They traveled from Anchorage, Alaska, to witness the Vols' 28-10 victory.

This was a combination trip. The Hensons, originally from the West Tennessee town of Henderson, came early for Thanksgiving with home folks. They found Knoxville's cold, damp weather almost spring-like.

"I've worked on the North Slope when it's minus-50," said Keith, a projects manager with BP Oil. "This time of year, there's only five hours of sunshine a day in Anchorage."

Even though this was his first Vol game in the flesh, Henson said his colleagues understand the concept of Big Orange Country.

"My office cubicle is all orange and white," he said. "Plus, my Jeep has an orange Power-T on it."

n The miserable conditions certainly put a damper on tailgating activities. The large parking lot west of Neyland Stadium, normally full of revelers, was virtually empty. Two hours before kickoff, only 14 tents had been erected.

The first was set up by Dusty Johnson, whose specially rigged "Big Orange Tailgating" van was being readied by 11 a.m.

"We're cooking jambalaya, hot dogs and shrimp," said Johnson, who was named 2008 UT Tailgater of the Year in a Food City promotion.

n One of the hottest clothing items for fans was a $12 T-shirt commemorating Phillip Fulmer's departure as head coach.

The front read, "Thanks Coach, 1 1/29/08." The back listed some of his teams' many accomplishments.

"We can't keep them in stock," said Audrey Williamson, manager of the Rocky Top store on the Cumberland Avenue Strip.

n J.C. Spotts of Lexington, Ky., will have to wait at least one more year to see if the Wildcat curse gets broken.

The last time he came to Knoxville for a game was in 1984. That was also the last time Kentucky won (17-14). Saturday's Vol victory advanced the streak to 24 in a row.

n Well-wishes to Fulmer were seen in and around Neyland Stadium.

Outside, an orange and white banner proclaiming "Thanks, Phil" was tied across a large electrical switch box.

Inside, one fan carried a poster touting "Fulmer for Heisman."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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