University of Tennessee Athletics
Post Game Quotes
October 21, 2001 | Football
Oct. 21, 2001
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TENNESSEE LOCKER ROOM
Head Coach Phillip Fulmer: "We are really pleased to come down here and play like we did and win. Alabama played its heart out and you've got to give them lots of credit. I have great respect for Alabama's program.
On going for the touchdown instead of the field goal in the 4th quarter:
" I didn't really want to give them the chance to go back down the field.
"We've been a pretty good ball possession team this year. We're pretty good up front compared to last year."
QB Casey Clausen: " The game was on the line and we needed someone to step up and make a big play and the defense stepped up.
"I felt we played today how we are capable of playing. We had some players come back today and we had some players make some big plays."
TB Travis Stephens: " The defense (Alabama's) played really well. They hit pretty hard. I stuck in there. I am pretty tough, too.
"This was a big game for me. Hopefully I'll have some more like this."
TE Jason Witten: " Coach said that you dream about these games the third weekend in October. It was time for someone to step up and luckily it was me.
On his touchdown play:
"They had to worry about Donte' (Stallworth) and Kelley (Washington). The middle of the field was poen and Casey just threw it to me.
"I just worked on doing something after the catch. You have to look at guys going at your ankles and make them miss. I think I did a good job of that today."
ALABAMA LOCKER ROOM
Head Coach Dennis Franchione: "That was a game, that was a rivalry game. The kids played their hearts out. They had two plays in the fourth quarter that put the game away. The third down conversion was excellent. They made third and longs five times. We needed to get a stop on one of those plays.
On Tyler Watts:
"He's a hard-fighting young man. He's very gritty. I don't think you realize the hits he takes in the passing game. He missed a few throws that he usually makes. We ask a lot of him and he did well.
"We play as a team. We're a better offensive team than last year. A lot of things we do solid but we also have a lot to work on. We keep going and giving the effort and playing as a team. I think we are going in the right direction.
"I told the kids that we played very hard, very physical. We fought to the end. We are very proud of that. We're close to getting there and we are getting there.
"That (coming back from an early deficit) typifies how our kids play. They responded well and kept their focus. It felt like a fourth quarter game."
QB Tyler Watts: "We didn't play good enough. We have to play all four quarters.
" We have an off week. We have to bounce back and be ready. We can't dwell on this."
