Now is time to turn things around : govolsxtra.com

It's back to game week for Tennessee's football team.

A season-opening loss to UCLA in overtime was six days and some 1,900 miles ago when Tennessee returned to the practice field Sunday night.

As the Vols prepare for their home-opener Saturday against UAB (TV: WVLT, 12:30 p.m.), coach Phillip Fulmer is ready to move ahead. But he's not exactly ready to forget what happened last week just yet, either.

"We're moving toward UAB, but I don't feel any better today than I felt on Monday night after the football game," Fulmer said Sunday night during his weekly teleconference. "That's what I expect to see from our team as far as our responsiveness."

According to Fulmer, the Vols responded well during two days of practice last week.

And if recent history is any indication, the Vols should respond on the field, too.

Last season, the Vols had mountain-top highs with unexpected wins over Arkansas and Georgia and sea-level lows in blowout losses to California, Florida and Alabama.

By the end of the season, Tennessee hung in long enough to represent the East Division in the SEC championship game against LSU.

While no one is predicting the Vols will beat Georgia and Florida in the regular season, Tennessee's players aren't ready to write off the season after one loss.

That's what 2007 did for the Vols, says senior guard Anthony Parker.

"I think the guys who have been through it and actually played through it, I think that allows us to lead the younger guys . . . out of that situation, getting them on the right track," he said.

Although the Vols are 0-1 - and by virtue of their open date this weekend, the only winless SEC team two weeks into the season - Parker says it's important for the Vols to approach Saturday's game like they're 0-0. That would be the same approach if Tennessee opened with a win.

"Yeah, it hurts, and it's a bitter taste in your mouth, but you've got to realize there's 11 games ahead of you," Parker said. "And you've got to play all 11 like you didn't lose any games and you didn't win any games."

For the Vols to get on the winning track, they need to correct mistakes in all phases of the game that added up to the three-point loss. Fulmer said Sunday night he also wants the team to be more coachable and make strides toward finding an offensive identity against UAB (0-2).

But according to Fulmer, the early indications have been positive.

"I think we're responding the right way," he said. "We all learn from our history, our past. I don't like being in this situation, and I don't think the players like it either. Each team has its own personality, its own leadership, its own merit. I believe this team has good leadership and good ability and will respond accordingly."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

Now is time to turn things around

Last year showed Vols it can be done