University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Concentrate on Special Teams in Annual Kicking Scrimmage
August 25, 2001 | Football
Aug. 25, 2001
KNOXVILLE (Aug. 25) -- Tennessee used its last practice before Syracuse game week preparations begin to hone the perennially important kicking game. The Vols drilled on the finer points of special teams play for about two hours under the late August sun bearing down on Upper Hudson Field as Saturday morning turned to afternoon. The Volunteers covered scenarios on the kickoff/return, punt/return, extra point/block and field goal/block teams.?
"As we've done for the 10th year, we had a very important day devoted to the kicking game," Fulmer said. "We want to be sure to cover all the scenarios that might come up. The kicking game is one-third of what we do."
Fulmer also commented on the race for the starting positions at punter and placekicker.
"Dustin (Colquitt) has separated himself," Fulmer said.? "He's had as consistent a camp as any punter we've had. I'm very encouraged by what he's done this fall. I feel good about Alex Walls and what he's done in the past. I have great confidence in Alex."
The Vols the 2001 season Sept. 1 against the Syracuse Orangemen in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Neyland Stadium to be televised by ESPN2.
The Vols lead the series 2-0, but Saturday's contest will be the first ever between the two schools in Knoxville. Tennessee won the last meeting 34-33 at Syracuse in the 1998 season opener that began the Vols' perfect 13-0 campaign and the national title.
Tennessee throttled Syracuse's 1-2 running punch of Larry Csonka and Floyd Little to win the 1966 Gator Bowl by an 18-12 count.
Henderson Named One of Nation's Top Five Players by USA Today
Tennessee defensive tackle John Henderson was named as one of the "Five Best Players in the Country" by USA Today in its recent college football preview section.
The national newspaper declared that Henderson was "the Vols best defensive lineman since Reggie White." Henderson, a senior from Nashville, captured the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman last season after recording 12 quarterback sacks.
USA Today also listed Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, Oregon State running back Ken Simonton, Texas receiver Roy Williams and Oklahoma linebacker Rocky Calmus.
Tennessee was also mentioned in USA Today's "Five Best Saturdays" for the 2001 campaign. The Vols' Sept. 15 game at Florida and Oct. 27 game against South Carolina at Neyland Stadium were listed for those dates. The other three dates singled out were Oct. 6, Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 that includes the SEC Championship game.?
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