Game notebook: Vols show fashion sense with orange pants

PASADENA, Calif. - Tennessee donned orange pants and white jerseys for Monday's game against UCLA in the Rose Bowl.

The Vols broke out the unusual combination for the first time since 1992.

UT went all orange in two recent games - against LSU in the SEC Championship Game last season and against Memphis in 1999.

The pants used in those games were solid orange. UT's new pants have two white stripes down the leg.

Season Starters: Junior Dan Williams and senior Demonte Bolden started the game at defensive tackle.

The two had been competing for the two starting spots with senior Walter Fisher. Fisher entered the game in UT's third defensive series.

Adam Myers-White started the game at strongside linebacker where he has been competing with fellow senior Nevin McKenzie.

It didn't take McKenzie long to get in the game or make an impact.

McKenzie entered the game on UT's third defensive play. On UCLA's next-to-last drive of the first half, McKenzie returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown.

As expected, senior Anthony Parker and junior Jacques McClendon started the game at offensive guard. Junior Vladimir Richard played late in the first quarter.

In Attendance: NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin was in attendance. The longtime Vols fan was seen visiting with some of UT's official party before the game.

Former Vol receiver and Austin-East High School star Joey Clinkscales was at the game scouting for the New York Jets.

Former UT assistant basketball coach Silas McKinnie was also in attendance scouting for the Detroit Lions. McKinnie coached under Wade Houston.

Former UT quarterback and California native Casey Clausen was on UT's sidelines.

Bowling Partner: Former UT assistant athletic director Gus Manning was in attendance. Manning is a consultant to UT's sports information department.

Manning's first game in the storied stadium was the 1945 Rose Bowl when Southern Cal beat UT 25-0.

"It's got a lot of history to it, but I don't think it's the best stadium we've ever played in," Manning said from his perch in the press box.

Manning attended 608 consecutive UT games before missing the 2005 Kentucky game after suffering a fall on the way to Lexington. Manning hasn't missed a UT game since.

For Kicks: UT's blocked punt against junior Chad Cunningham in the first quarter was the first since Britton Colquitt had one blocked against Alabama in 2006.

Until Monday, UT had never had a punt block returned for a touchdown under Phillip Fulmer, who became head coach in 1992.

Go West, Vol Fans: UT assistant athletic director John Currie estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Vols fans made the trip to California for the UCLA game.

UT dispersed all of its 8,000-ticket allotment, Currie said. That includes tickets that were used by the official travel party.

Tribute: Senior tailback Arian Foster wore jersey No. 30 to honor injured fullback David Holbert, the senior who suffered a devastating knee injury in spring practice and will not play this season.

Vol Stars: UT's players spent 45 minutes seeing the sights in Hollywood on Sunday afternoon.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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