University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee vs. Syracuse
September 01, 2001 | Football
Sept. 1, 2001
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Tennessee 33, Syracuse 9
Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.
TENNESSEE HEAD COACH PHILLIP FULMER
"We had an outstanding effort on defense. I didn't like the big play, but when you play tight like we do, you have to expect that every once in a while.
"The offense was not as good as we would have liked. We have to execute better. We had some good things on the first play, but that can either be a blessing or a curse.
Syracuse did a good job of scheming us. It was a good experience for Casey (Clausen).
"I was pleased with the special teams. Dustin (Colquitt) did a great job. He got better on his kickoffs as the game went along and the timing on his punts was good.
"It was a momentum swing to hold them to three points. The safety was good as well."
On Travis Stephens: "Travis got yards inside and outside. He has worked hard in practice. We just need other folks to continue stepping up and help like today."
On Rashad Baker: "I really didn't get to see the play until the end. I was talking to Randy (Sanders) and turned my head. I knew what defensive scheme we were in."
TB TRAVIS STEPHENS
"I'm happy to get the opportunity to play and start. I want to play my best every time. I've gained size, experience and strength.
On fumble: "I got carried away swinging the ball and bad things happen when you do that. I'm comfortable with any play that's called in the huddle."
DE WILL OVERSTREET
"It was a big test for us to not give up seven and hold them to three after the turnover. It was a pretty tough day. We had a lot of help from the secondary. A lot of those were coverage sacks. Everyone was doing their job. It was team effort on the sacks."
TB COREY LARKINS
"The last time I scored a touchdown was in the third game of my senior year in high school. We want to be very versatile in the backfield. The only thing I asked for was an opportunity and that's what I got."
OG FRED WEARY
"The first play of the game, that was a big play. We were kind of not in sync in the first half, but we got it going better in the second. Syracuse did a lot of things on defense that we had to account for. That hurt us in the running and passing game."
SYRACUSE HEAD COACH PAUL PASQUALONI
"Tennessee is a very good team and is very athletic. I thought we fought hard. I don't think the score is indicative of how well our defense played. The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. Coming in here, we knew we had to play a nearly mistake-free game. We can't squander opportunities. We had the ball inside the 20 and had a motion penalty. Those kinds of mistakes hurt us. The snap over the head really hurt. I think they had three one-play scores."
"We were better on special teams, covering kicks and punting it well. We just shot ourselves in the foot too many times. It was tough duty at times for our defense. The onsides kick was also tough. We knew going in it would be difficult. We know the consequences of playing this type schedule. A lot of teams wouldn't attempt this type schedule. We're all big boys. Maybe we'll be a better team in the end. It's frustrating for the players and the coaches. You get the ball in position and you have to get something out of it."
"It was noisy, but you still have to play. You have to function. The kids aren't doing it on purpose. We're not going to panic. They did the right thing be deferring. I would've done the same thing. Tennessee got the field position advantage first. I seen games where one team scored that quickly and it ended up 7-6 or 10-7."
RB JAMES MONGRO
"I think the offense did a good job. We just didn't execute when it came crunch time. I think we did a pretty job blocking up front. No matter how much you do, unless you get a victory, none of it matters.
"We had great respect for their defense. They were big up front and very athletic. We thought we could run right at them. We came out fired up and went after them."
DE DWIGHT FREENEY
"We practiced all week with crowd noise. I don't think it had any effect on us. I thought we came out focused and the crowd was out of the game.
"Basically we have 10 more games to play with three non-conference games and the Big East schedule. We have the whole season ahead of us, and who's to say we can't win them all. I thought the defense played really well except for the last few plays of the game. We have to polish that up."
