University of Tennessee Athletics
Mathews Named Starting QB; Captains Named
August 25, 2000 | Football
Mathews, from Sevierville, has two years of back-up experience under his belt and is three of seven passing for 47 yards in eight appearances, with one interception. All of Mathews' completions have been for more than 10 yards (1999 vs. Georgia - 10 yards; 1999 vs. South Carolina - 21 yards; 1999 vs. Kentucky - 16 yards). Suggs, from Powder Springs, Ga., enrolled in the spring of 1999 and participated in spring drills after graduating from high school early. Clausen, from Northridge, Calif., also graduated from high school a semester early, enrolling in January 2000 to participate in this spring's drills. During this fall's practice, Clausen has been hampered by recurring soreness in his shoulder.
"We're excited about announcing Joey Mathews as the starting quarterback in the first ballgame and we're anxious to see him continue to grow," Fulmer said. "Certainly between he and A.J. Suggs, there's not much separation, so A.J. will get opportunities to play in the course of the first game.
"It was a really tough decision. Both of them have their strengths and weaknesses; both are young guys and we'll continue to work with them. But I think Joey's earned the right to be the starter."
Coming on the heels of yesterday's scrimmage, the Volunteers drilled for 90 minutes in shorts and helmets today at Lower Hudson field in preparation for the annual kick scrimmage to be held Saturday morning at Upper Hudson.
Tomorrow's kick scrimmage officially ends fall drills and game-week preparations begin Monday for Southern Mississippi.
2000 Football Captains Named
Head coach Phillip Fulmer announced that Wide Receiver Cedrick Wilson, Linebacker Eric Westmoreland and Punter David Leaverton have been elected team captains.
"Our heavy losses left us lacking from a leadership standpoint which was something that concerned me greatly," Fulmer said. "One of the keys we discussed during the spring was to find leadership. The three captains elected by their teammates will provide the leadership we need to be successful in the 2000 season."
Wilson, a native of Memphis, enters his senior season with 97 career receptions for 1456 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has seen action in 38 consecutive games since his arrival in 1997. He has been named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation's top collegiate receiver.
Westmoreland, a native of Jasper, will be a three-year starter for the Vols as he enters his senior campaign. He had made 23 consecutive starts at linebacker until he had to sit out two games last season due to injury. He has 170 career tackles and has returned two fumbles for touchdowns. He has been named to the watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Leaverton of Midland, Texas, will handle the punting duties for a third time as he enters his senior season. He is also expected to handle kickoff duties for a second year. He has a career punting average of 40.5 with a long of 71. He has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times, and will compete this season as a post-graduate having graduated in December 1999.
