University of Tennessee Athletics
Weekly Football Press Conference Coaches' Quotes
October 30, 2001 | Football
Oct. 30, 2001
Comments from University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer at Oct. 30 press conference prior to Saturday's (Nov. 3) game against Notre Dame (2:30 p.m./NBC)
"Coming out of the South Carolina with a win was a real plus for our team. I'm proud of our win. It was a really tough and physical game. Coming out of the game, we have a lot to improve on. It's one of those deals where you're pleased but not satisfied by any stretch of the imagination with certain portions of the game. It's good to be working with a win, but our team has to get better.
"More specifically, our offensive line did not play at the level it did versus Alabama. There are protection issues, whether it was the quarterback on a couple of occasions, or our offensive line or a running back picking up things. We had to lean entirely too much on Travis Stephens, Donte` Stallworth, Kelley Washington and Bobby Graham making plays. I expect us to be a better executing football team by the end of this week. I want us to be better and more consistent, to get where we need to be to reach our potential offensively.
"Defensively and in the kicking game, even though we have to get our punter straightened out, we're flying around good. I'm encouraged about those areas of improvement as we go through the year.
"Notre Dame is a very exciting setting to go and play against a good Notre Dame team. They have a really good offensive team. They've just been unbelievable the last three games running the football. They have a really good sound defensive football team. They gave up some big plays to Boston College or we would be playing them with a four-game win streak.
"We expect and anticipate a really tough battle in a tough place to play. We're having to prepare for Carlyle Holiday and any changes they might with their quarterback situation. That was a little tough on the first day of practice and we should at better at it today.
"When you put an athletic, mobile quarterback in the mix, the option attack, their inside run with talented tailbacks, their talented wide receivers and a big, huge offensive line, that presents its share of problems. It's a tough scheme. We'll have to be at the top of our game to be able to get that slowed down.
"Defensively, they're really tough. They're a big eight-man front team, who will load up to stop the run. They have good people and a very aggressive style. Their kicking game is very good.
"We'll have to be at our best. We're getting some people back and healthy. We're playing hard. Offensively, particularly, I expect us to play a lot smarter and handle a tough environment. We have to bow our necks and get ready for a very important game."
