University of Tennessee Athletics
Fulmer, Vols Host Media Day for Kentucky Game
November 14, 2000 | Football
The home football season draws to a close Saturday as Tennessee squares off against traditional rival Kentucky for the 96th time, the longest of any Tennessee rivalry.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer addressed the media at Neyland Thompson Sports Center about the conference's leading offensive team today. Kentucky leads the Southeastern Conference in total offense at 447 yards per game.
"We will be seriously challenged this week as we play Kentucky who has the No. 1 offense in the Southeastern Conference," Fulmer said. "That is very much a challenge for our defensive football as well as being a challenge for our offensive team to score points and help keep Kentucky off the field as the best we can."
Freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen leads the conference in passing with 335 yards a game and leads the NCAA in completions per game at 29.7.
"Kentucky has an outstanding passing attack. That is obvious from the numbers they put up," Fulmer said. "They have big-play people all over the field. They do a good job of protecting the quarterback."
The Wildcats opened the season with two consecutive wins but have since dropped seven straight games. Practice in preparation for the Wildcats will not be taken lightly though.
"I know they are somewhat disappointed in their record but they took Georgia to the wire and South Carolina to the wire," Fulmer said. "They scored 31 points on Florida so they are certainly a capable football team. Our team will have to prepare this week in a serious manner to get ready to play."
The Kentucky game will also give Vol fans a chance to say goodbye to 21 seniors who will be playing their last game in Neyland Stadium.
"I am excited about the chance to honor the seniors and all that they have accomplished," Fulmer said. "I hope the fans will come out and support them at the Vol Walk and during pre-game when we announce them for their last run through the 'T'." They have quite a record here."
