Florida Gators
Leave it to Bruce Pearl to pull the best quote of the week out of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer.
The UT men’s basketball coach had the microphone and jumped at the chance to pump up the crowd at the “Big Orange Blast” on the World’s Fair Park site Thursday night. When Pearl asked Fulmer about the status of quarterback Jonathan Crompton, Fulmer grabbed his own opportunity to pump up the crowd.
Fulmer first assured the fans Crompton and his swollen ankle were just fine for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. showdown with No. 4-ranked Florida.
He then implored the fans to come out in force, be loud and help Tennessee “kick some Gator butt.”
Pearl went crazy. The crowd went crazy.
Fulmer’s hoping for more of the same today at Neyland Stadium.
“It’s always an emotional ball game and the stakes are so high,” he said after UT’s walkthrough at Neyland Stadium on Friday. “The chatter (trash talk) is just a part of it sometimes. I’m just glad my guys didn’t participate in any of that.”
The Vols have been reminded more than a few times this week of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes saying UT “quit” during a 59-20 loss in the Swamp last year.
It obviously ended up on a UT bulletin board somewhere and fans took notice as well.
“I would think the setting (Saturday) will be unbelievable,” Fulmer said. “We have the greatest fans and the greatest support around. We need to give them plenty of reasons to continue to cheer.”
Clawson’s Call: UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson confirmed what many saw last Saturday: tight end Brandon Warren was open on at least a couple of pass plays in which Crompton decided to throw elsewhere.
“That’s something you’d like him to see,” Clawson said of Crompton.
Clawson, however, was far from critical of Crompton’s performance. Actually, his assessment was quite complimentary.
“The positives far outweigh the negatives, but our job and our goal is to never miss a read,” Clawson said. “It’s never going to be never, but that’s what our goal is.”
More Effective Morley?: Safety Demetrice Morley had difficulty and missed at least two tackles against UAB as a direct result of a cast on his injured right hand.
This week, he has been practicing with a smaller cast to increase his effectiveness this week against the Gators.
“He had two opportunities to make plays in the open field (against UAB) and he didn’t make either one of them,” Fulmer said. “They cut the cast down quite a bit, and he shouldn’t be favoring it. It shouldn’t be sore anymore. In this ballgame, you’ve got to go play, let it go.”
Morley will wear the smaller cast today is expected to need the cast for at least a few more weeks.
No Guarantees: Defensive coordinator John Chavis said he feels like Tennessee is in better shape defensively than it was a year ago against the Gators.
But that improvement, Chavis said, doesn’t guarantee a better performance against Florida.
“There’s no guarantees it won’t happen again like that,” he said. “If we knew those things, we’d just go cut bait and go fishing or do something else.
“It’s preparation, it’s experience, it’s getting your guys on the field. We’ve played the same offense. It doesn’t matter who they had running it. We’ve played it well, and we’ve played it awful. Last year, we were not very good. I’ve always said that what you see on that field is my responsibility, and I accept that. But I certainly like the maturity of this defense, and for us to say that I can guarantee you it’s not going to happen again … if you’re in the business long enough, you know what, it’s going to happen again.”
Food Drive: The 17th Annual Tim Kerin Memorial Drive takes place Saturday. Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, volunteers, staff and the students of the UT Ministers Council will be collecting donations and distributing an orange and white UT Power Towel for a suggested $5 donation.
SI Legends: Former Vols Jeff Hall (11-12:30), Joey Kent (noon-1:30) and David Leaverton (1-2:30) will be at Calhoun’s on the River signing autographs.
Drew Edwards contributed to this report.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 74
FlaVol2 writes:
Go Phil! crank those Vol youngans up. Thay can do it.
ravensearay writes:
CPF is right...TN has the best fans in the country........Get behind the team.....Support them and be loud....We will win this game!!!!!!!!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Let's go Big Orange! Humble those Gayters this weekend. THIS IS YOUR HOUSE!!!!!!
conchybong writes:
Fat Phil Foolmer is going to choke on his pregame pork sandwich just thinking about the beatdown Tebow is going to put on his sorry behind
RockyTopVolFan writes:
I smell Gator on the grill!
I hope our Tennessee Vols are going to put a large can or two of "Rocky Top Whoopass" on the Gators this Saturday afternoon on CBS, you can get it at Neyland.
Good luck Volunteer players, coaches, and fans. May we have a glorious day on Saturday.
Vanquish the Gators!
FlaVol2 writes:
conchybong: The Vols need positive support. Are you in the game or just all heat and humidity. You sound like a Gator supporter - are you?
jdpvol writes:
lets go vols, not in our house not in a million years, never, over my dead cold body, don't ever give up , don't ever quit. If they even think that they can come to Knoxville and win, smack the phooey out of them, make any offspring they might ever have fill the pain. Go Vols.
txvolsfan writes:
I guess Gator fans don't have jobs, they have waaay too much time to post on our site..
I'm loving Phil's emotion and fire we haven't seen in a while. Hope it rubs off on the team. If they are not fired up then they never will be with the big mouth Gators flapping their gums in the wind.
GO VOLS
SKIN'EM BOYS
TXVOLSFAN
pammyvol1000 writes:
okay if Phil can say "butt" .. I can say it..
GO VOLS...let's kick some gator butt!!
Today was collegiate day at work.. Lot's of Dawgs but some Vols and Gators as well.. It was a fun day to see everybody wear their colors and talk a little smack.. All in fun of course.. People love the game.
Can't wait to see Arian run right over some gators tomorrow.
mempuss writes:
We can win this game! I for one will be there yelling my a** off until i can no longer talk. Lets get wild! Lets get crazy! Lets get loud! Lets get mean! And Lets kick some Gator butt!
rickhillal#577233 writes:
The first two plays of the game will tell you how set the Vol players are to beat their opponent and how prepared the coaches are to change game plans that aren't working. I want to see determination in the faces of the players, not a lot of wasteful jumping up and down and slapping each other on the back -- save the energy for the fourth quarter.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
My comment thingamagigger is't working it seems, at least on the screen.
Triton1 writes:
GOOOOOO VOLS!!!!!
EHSvols23 writes:
There's a new special tomorrow at Neyland Stadium:
Lunch Special:
Fried Gator with Stuffed Orange Crushed Tebow
Side: Bowl of Gator Tears
Price: A Loud & Proud TN fan
(Note: All fairweather fans need not order.)
GO VOLS
Moaninglikeheck writes:
I think this was an attempt to upgrade it, also allows you to directly reply to comments.
bustervols writes:
Hey.
RJ_Vol writes:
After the dazzle of day is gone,
Only the dark dark night shows
to my eyes the stars;
After the clangor of organ majestic,
or chorus, or perfect band,
Silent, athwart my soul, moves the
symphony true.
Walt Whitman
I can hear the Big Orange Symphony True warming up! Get to campus early. Go to the Vol Walk. Yell so loud that people watching on TV at home will have to bolt down their sets. Florida's time is over. It's our time. DeeeeeeeeeFense. Stomp. Stomp. DeeeeeeeeeeFense. Stomp. Stomp.
RJ_Vol writes:
Just checkin' out the reply feature...Test.
hixsonvol writes:
I really hope the D is fired up from Spikes comments this week and hit some Gators hard tomorrow.
I really think tomorrow is a crossroads for the UT football program. A win gets us some respect back and helps the team's confidence and could lock in a few big recruits. However, a loss could be devastating with all of those recruits there, not to mention the serious shots that will be taken at CPF's job. We really need this win bad for a lot of reasons! Go Vols! An upset of Florida on national TV will be sweet!
Vina_Dude writes:
GATOR!!!!!!!!!!
TWO WORD!
FEAR THIS!
THE VOLS!
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
This new comment thing is nice. I like...I like.
VolinCalif writes:
Hix
A win dosen't get us some respect again it would send us to the NC. Just you watch, Beat Fl and we will run the table.
Vol in Calif
VolinCalif writes:
By the way I like CPF's new Battle cry.
Kick some Gator Butt.
Go Vols.... err. Kick Butt Vols
Vol in Calif
pammyvol1000 writes:
VolinCalif,
Me too! Kick Butt, Kick Butt.. Kick Butt..
and oh..kick some butt too.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
We got the talent to beat the gators. Just have to come out swingin', execute, & play sound defense. I know...easier said than done.
pammyvol1000 writes:
RJ,
It works.. your post reminds me of the song " We will, We will Rock you.. :)
OakyVol09 writes:
What has happened in the past, is just that the past. Tomorrow is a new day and our boys have the potential to win this game. I wish them all the best of luck. Remember what you have been taught and go at it as hard as you possibly can. If we do that, we WILL win this game.
GO VOLS!!!
OakyVol09 writes:
And those of you fortunate enough to be able to see the game in Neyland. Remember to show the players (and recruits) how loud and rowdy the Vol fans can be. Let those players know that even if we do not like the coaches, we ALWAYS are behind the players who give their all for the Orange and White.
GO VOLS!!!
RJ_Vol writes:
The terrible towel! RichRolling, do the street vendors have them? I'm in if I can find one. I had to quit using shakers back in the early 80's(as a kid)...I "connected" with a few Ole Miss fans behind me.
Gators, welcome to BIG ORANGE COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lt4vols writes:
Can you imagine Knoxville and the thrill all over VOL Nation if the Vols win this game? I WANT TO BE THERE TO CHEW UP, SPIT OUT, AND phooey ON ANY THING THAT LOOKS LIKE A GATOR ON SATURDAY NIGHT !!!!!!!!!! Any body care to join me?
VolinCalif writes:
O Vol09
We haven't been that bad in the past. Bad thing happen when you're playing catch-up, but you know that. We use to get cought in that mode with Bama now it's FL. The coach at UT didn't much matter. The Bear seat the trend and SS followed suit. Kick Butt Vols
RJ_Vol writes:
Edit: Drop the "g". Sorry, RichRollin.
bluetick writes:
I will be eating Valium for this one so my nerves aren't shot! Pass the Crown Royal plsssssssssssssss.
bowser writes:
Phil is asking the fans to do something that he can't do. But, he knows the fans can make a difference. Cheer them on through 3rd and 9, cheer them on though officiating seems a crime! Cheer them on and on again, just like these Vols can be CHAMPS again. The fans CAN make a difference.
jmsbolt writes:
Yea its in our hands (the fans) this is our team ,our house, our game to lose!!!
LETS GO BIG ORANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need William Wallace in an orange kilt!!!!!
jeremyinitalia writes:
It seems Chavis has lost his swagger. Complacency and a resignment to the status quo have set in...This is when it is obvious a change of scenery is in order, for him and for the Vols. I still think he can coach, but hte constant challenge and fire has been lost to comfort in Knoxville.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
Unless I run into an awfully friendly scalper, I'll not be in the stadium (not a HORRENDOUSLY unacceptable tragedy because we got ribs to smoke in the morning). I miss the days of going free, but I guess everyone has to graduate or flunk out at some time....
swampbuggy writes:
I stopped attending games in Knoxville years ago because of the fans. They get whipped into a feeding frenzy and get crazy. The surgeon from Florida who was thrown over the wall and injured for life is a friend, I was there when a small girl got hit in the head with a bottle that required stitches and a friend of mine had the windows in his new Buick broken out and orange and white paint poured on the leather seats.
Ask a fan from any other school in the SEC and they'll tell you the worst fans in the conference wear orange and white.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
are all the new recruits already here and at this rally?
mempuss writes:
feeding frenzy for gator meat! YUMMY!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
You can't spell upset without UT. WWL spots a teeny weakness in the Florida offensive line and gives this one to the Vols by the space between two Volunteer Navy yachts tied up on the Tennessee River. Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.
bluetick writes:
I'll have to argue for LSU swampbuggy. Try wearing orange and sitting in the student section once. I can tell you it's a nightmare!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
Matt Hayes of Sporting news: I don't want to say Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer is in trouble in Knoxville, but that contract extension he recently signed doesn't mean squat. It was, more than anything, a fitting way to honor one of the SEC's best coaches over the last quarter century. I can assure you, folks, it wasn't a vote of confidence. Here's what the $3 million a year extension means: If Fulmer's teams are successful and win championships, he earns his money. If his teams slump further from national relevance, the extension simply is a sincere gesture of gratitude--a big, fat market-protected 401K--for a guy who doesn't get nearly enough credit for what he has accomplished in the meat grinder that is the SEC. Not a bad deal, really.
All that said, this is where the ol' warhorse bows his back and his teams play lights out. This Florida-Tennessee rivalry--the game that, like the Vols, has dipped from national relevance--screams upset. You can have Timmy Terrific; I'll take Phabulous Phil and his old style "Pound the Rock" mantra against an overrated Florida run defense.
conchybong writes:
Tim Tebow has dingle berries better than Crompton
jcorange98 writes:
ut 23 uf 10
Volnut writes:
You have poor fans from any school and for the episodes that happened to visitors to Neyland, I can only bow my head in shame. BUT... Let's not throw blame at other venues when The Swamp has been far worse for more years than I can remember. Point in case 2001 several vol fans parked together at a local Park and Pay and every vehicle that had UT stickers/tags/decals was vandalized. Windows were broken out of my new truck (left flags on, MY Fault) sides keyed, as well as the other vehicles parked in the same location.
Had to call down a group of Frats for yelling obscenities at my Wife and daughters.. (mind you they were Phi Kap Brothers). Once in the stadium it was worse. I was totally ashamed for my family to be in such an atmosphere and it was much worse AFTER the game... MUCH worse. Cokes were thrown, hotdogs, and trash as we walked out. Cussed all the way to my truck which was TRASHED by UF faithful, so don't play HIGH and Mighty and point fingers or throw stones when you live in a GLASS HOUSE yourself.
You and I both know, that's no way to conduct oneself but it happens and for that one can only apologize to the opposing fans and hope these encounters cease to become black marks on our Universities. For your not wanting to attend Neyland is understandable if these events occurred but to throw stones and your venue is just as bad or worse is hypocritical to say the least.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
UT is 1-7 against Top 10 teams in Neyland Stadium since 2000.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
God bless coach Pearl for getting out there and inspiring our troops in these big games. Florida can do just fine losing this game, but we cannot. This is a must die game for us. Period.
Volnut writes:
Typo, sorry *Pi Kappa Phi brothers. A little too much Glenlivet.
OrangeAppeal writes:
When CPF said we have the "greatest fans" I don't think he was speaking of those orange-n-blue gator fans that masquerade on this site as negative, CPF-hating Vol fans.
e.g. TDTN, KPV, etc.
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