University of Tennessee Athletics
Weekly Football Press Conference Coaches' Quotes
October 02, 2001 | Football
Oct. 2, 2001
Comments from University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer at Oct. 2 press conference prior to Saturday's (Oct. 6) game against Georgia (Noon/CBS)
"We're really proud of our team's win and effort against LSU. We don't have any time to enjoy it, because our full attention has to be turned to a really fine Georgia football team. I was very pleased with our attention to detail yesterday in practice and the focus seems to have completely shifted into preparation for Georgia. There are many challenges we have. One is their no-huddle style of attack. That makes it challenging.
"Here at home, it should be more difficult for them to manage that although it's very important that our people, as knowledgeable about football as they are, make it difficult for them as they can along the way. More importantly, the challenge is on the field with Musa Smith, who is a very fine tailback.
"I'm impressed with their quarterback, even though he's very youthful. He's completing 62 percent of his passes, has a very strong arm, makes all the throws and is a guy who seems very in control of their offense. It will be important for us to pressure him and try to take him out of his rhythm. Their wide receivers are excellent, Damien Gary and Terrence Edwards. They use the tight ends very well and they're outstanding blockers and receivers. They have a really solid offensive line. There are plenty of challenges for our defensive team.
"They have a very fine defensive front with plenty of athletic ability, speed and size. They have a group of linebackers who can all run exceptionally well. They're good hitters. In the secondary, their corners will get right up in there and challenge you as well as anybody we've played. Their safeties are good cover guys and outstanding run support guys. You throw in a really solid kicking game with Billy Bennett and Jonathan Kilgo and good returners and a good coverage team. We're playing a very good Georgia football team.
"There are a lot of people that deal with injuries across the country. As we have in the past, I fully expect that our other players will step up. I thought Constantin Ritzmann played his best football game since he's been at UT and played like a starter. This is his opportunity to come into the game and be the starter. I was very pleased with what Omari Hand did, coming into the LSU game without a lot of practice time because of an ankle injury. He played like a starter. We can overcome the tough loss with Will Overstreet being out at defensive end and I expect that everybody else around them to raise their level of play to another degree.
"Jason Respert had the same surgery Fred Weary did and is out for the season. It's a great loss, but it is an opportunity for some young guys to step up. Chavis Smith had a good day yesterday. I expect Reggie Coleman to be ready, but Anthony Herrera is ready to play some if not being back in the starting mix. Sean Young had his best day on the practice field since he's been here. I fully expect those guys to step up and do a good job for us. Injuries are a part of the game. The teams that can overcome those injuries, as we have in the past, are the teams that will continue to do well and win. Don't look for any drop-off.
"It's a huge game for us. This team has shown a lot of character and fight to this point, following the lead of this outstanding group of seniors. We're working very hard on all the things we need to correct from the previous three games and particularly last week. We're looking for more continued consistency from our offensive team. We have to have somebody else to step up and help Kelley Washington. Travis Stephens continues to play with a purpose. Troy Fleming coming back was huge lift for us. The young backs continue to do better for us and will contribute down the road. We're moving in a positive direction defensively. We have to keep carrying this football team in a lot of ways, flying around and making plays and getting our hands on more balls. Getting more takeaways is one of our goals going into this game.
