University of Tennessee Athletics
December 27 Practice Report
December 29, 2000 | Football
DALLAS - Tennessee began preparations for the 65th Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 11 Kansas State without the services of six key players among 12 who have not made it to Dallas due to travel complications. The stranded players are OT Reggie Coleman, DB Andre Lott, WR Eric Parker, TB Travis Stephens, LB Dominique Stevenson, and WR Cedrick Wilson. Coach Phillip Fulmer optimistically hopes that all will be able to make it to Dallas tonight, but is not certain of that.
The absence of the players caused the Vols to adjust the lineups for practice. OG Will Ofenheusle filled in on the offensive line, while WRs Eric Locke and Bobby Graham picked up the slack. Defensively, Buck Fitzgerald and Tad Golden strengthened the secondary for the absence of SS Lott while at linebacker Robert Peace filled in for Stevenson.
All in all, Coach Fulmer was pleased with the practice.
I thought the kids came back really into it, said Coach Fulmer. They picked up the slack for those that weren't here. The young guys stepped up and got some good work in. We didn't let the missing players distract us from getting our work done. I have to be pleased with our first workout here. We had a really good conditioning work today.
The Volunteers are practicing this week at SMU's brand new football facility. The setting met with Coach Fulmer's approval.
It's a great facility to practice in. It's unbelievable how good of shape their fields are in at this point in the season, said Coach Fulmer.
Tennessee worked out for 90 minutes in full pads in chilly conditions in Dallas. The temperature was in the low 30s, with a brisk wind. The weather is supposed to improve closer to game day on January 1. No injuries were reported following the workout.
The Vols enter the game on a six-game winning streak. Considering Tennessee's youth, senior running back Travis Henry is especially pleased to be playing in a New Year's Day bowl game.
When we were 2-3, a lot of people thought it was over for us, said Henry, who rushed for 1,314 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2000. We just fought hard to get back in the hunt for a New Year's Day bowl. We knew what we had to do, and we came together starting with the Alabama game. Quarterback Casey Clausen came in and gave us the leadership we needed on offense. We started rolling as a team from there.
The Vols continue their Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Classic preparations with a 1:45 CST practice on Thursday at SMU.
