University of Tennessee Athletics
Weekly Football Press Conference Coaches' Quotes
November 13, 2001 | Football
Nov. 13, 2001
Phillip Fulmer Press Conference
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Comments from University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer at Nov. 13 press conference prior to Saturday's (Nov. 17) game against Kentucky (12:30 p.m./Jefferson-Pilot)
"The Memphis game was a good win for us, with a lot of good things coming out of the game. Casey Clausen played well. Donte` Stallworth and Travis Stephens and the run defense, were the obvious things that were very encouraging. For three quarters, we played as well as we've probably played all year on defense.
"Regarding the seven- or eight-minute span in the fourth quarter, we've worked like heck and I think we're on a good track to turn that negative into a positive. This team has been responsive to what we've asked of them, to learn from our situations and get better. In a lot of ways, it's a blessing in disguise for us as we get ready for this challenge we have versus Kentucky.
"All our attention is turned to Kentucky. They've played very well the last four games, against Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, scoring 56 points with an incredible amount of passing yards and touchdowns. They have our attention. The focus and attention has to be solely on them.
'Offensively, they spread you out all over the place and throw it very well. They have the capability to run it very well. Lorenzen is really good, a strong, big and mobile guy. Their offense presents a lot of challenges to our defensive football team. The wide receivers, Abney and the group of them, are very exceptional. Derek Smith is one of the best tight ends we've seen this year. They'll play him in a lot of places. It's a tremendous challenge.
"Defensively, they have an aggressive eight-man front style. Dennis Johnson is a big-time player. The linebacker, corners and safeties are active and athletic guys. They have the best punter and punt returner in the conference. It's a challenge that demands our attention.
"We've played some really tough games on the road. We've shown the poise and the patience to get it done. Going into this game, as we try to every week, some keys will be our opportunities to run the football, take advantage of our opportunities in the passing game and to minimize our mistakes. That's one thing we've done very well in the last several weeks, as far as busts, penalties and turnovers on offense. We have to do that in this game.
"Defensively, we'll have to do a great job of mixing our pressures and zone looks against them. As always, we have to stop the run first and account for Lorenzen in the scramble. We'll have a lot of good work at that today and tomorrow. He can make plays going down. He's a very dangerous quarterback. It will take a lot of discipline on our part to get that done. They have a bug physical offensive line. Rushing the passer can wear you out. We'll have to play a lot of people and plan to do that, just as we have all year.
"As I told the team yesterday, it's a great challenge for us. It will take a team effort to get it done on off, defense and the kicking game to play well and get a win in Lexington."
