Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer thanked those who have been supportive during UT’s 2-4 start, including athletic director Mike Hamilton and members of the Board of Trustees.

“Mike has been very supportive,” Fulmer said Wednesday. “We meet every so often, scheduled, to talk about different things and stuff.

“Obviously we’ve got problems that we’re working through,” Fulmer said, speaking of his team, “but he’s (Hamilton has) shown great confidence and … looking forward to the future.”

Fulmer said those talks involved the ongoing plans for a new football practice facility.

“We talked about our new building that we’re raising money to build,” Fulmer said.

Fulmer went on to say that he’s concerned with UT’s rocky start, but that he hopes to turn things around in the final six games, beginning Saturday against Mississippi State.

“There’s concern. I’m not going to sit here and say there’s not,” he said. “There’s concern by everybody who loves Tennessee football or Tennessee athletics about where we are and having an opportunity here to still turn the season around and so on. I just couldn’t have been more pleased, and also with some of the friends that I have that are at the trustee level. Those folks have been really good.

“Contrary to what you might read sometimes.”

Step Back: Center Josh McNeil said he was surprised that Georgia didn’t back a safety out of the running box after Nick Stephens hit receiver Denarius Moore for a 60-yard gain.

“It was a little surprising to see they still had nine in the box on the next drive,” McNeil said. “We have to show that we can consistently pass and really hurt teams with the pass before they’ll back up and respect the pass more than they have been.”

Injury Update: Defensive tackle Walter Fisher (toe) did not practice again, although Fulmer said the senior remains doubtful for Saturday’s game.

On Tuesday, defensive coordinator John Chavis said he was hopeful Fisher would play.

If Fisher, who wore a walking boot, is unable to play Saturday, reserve Victor Thomas and converted defensive end Andre Mathis would likely see more snaps.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.