University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes - Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt
November 23, 2002 | Football
Nov. 23, 2002
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Tennessee Head Coach Phillip Fulmer
"We're really glad to get the win. Our kids prepared well. We did it in a tough way offensively. We didn't have any big plays, but we took care of the football and had very few penalties. It's a yeoman's effort, I guess you would say."
"Our defense got the shutout for the second year in row. It was just a heck of an effort by our defense. We held them to less than 200 yards, and that's a good day for anyone."
Tennessee Defensive Back Julian Battle
"We knew he (Dan Stricker) was the key to their offense, so we wanted to limit him to as many big plays as possible."
"We shut them out last year, and we began to think about it as the game progressed. We just wanted to get the shutout like we did last year."
"(Dustin) Colquitt always does a good job punting for us. It really changes your (offensive) play calling when you are back up like that. We were just able to pin our ears back and go after them."
"We knew (Dan) Sticker was their main threat on offense and we just keyed in on him. Wherever he went, we always had an eye on him."
Tennessee Tailback Back Cedric Houston
"I think I am running the ball a little bit harder and our offensive line is doing a better job blocking."
"I think in the last couple of games our offensive line has just come out in the first half and dominated. They have helped get the momentum going for our offense."
"Coach (Fulmer) said during the week that we were going to come out and run the football."
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Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson
On Benji Walker:
Jay was hurt during the second or third play of the game when he was hurried on a throw. It hurt him a lot in the first half, but he felt better in the second half. Benji was playing well though, so we left him in.
On Kwane Doster:
Kwane did not do well in warm-ups. He couldn't turn and he couldn't put pressure on his ankle. It wasn't fair to him and it could've been dangerous.
On Vanderbilt's penalties:
It's frustrating. We've struggled with that all year long. We've worked hard on it, but it happens when you put people in situations where they're not used to playing.
On the Vanderbilt seniors:
They have worked extremely hard. Hunter Hillenmeyer has played well on defense. Jim May and Jamie Byrum have played nearly every snap this season. Everyone wrote off Rushen Jones and he's come back to play well in the second half of the season. Without them it would have been really tough this season.
On Dan Stricker:
They had three guys on Dan all the time and three guys with a bad attitude. Dan had a great career. You can't say enough about how has handled himself and has dealt with all the records. Dan is a champion.
On Tennessee's offense:
It was hard to stop their running game. They have a great offensive line and the short passes kept us honest.
Dan Stricker
It's really tough to put into words all of the emotions of five seasons as a Commodore. We've had a lot of adversity and it makes young men into real adults. I've made some really good friends and had some good times here and that's what college football is all about.
(On the Vanderbilt backfield:) I think we ran out of crutches for the backfield. We've lost four running backs and three fullbacks. The guys in the game really battled. You have to give them credit.
When Benji (Walker) came in the game we were able to move the ball, nothing against Jay (Cutler). Hopefully he (Benji) can battle next year and give some leadership that will desperately be needed.
We believe, though it's hard to believe some times. They are going to have to get some good recruits because they are losing a lot of talent with 28-plus seniors leaving. It's almost bittersweet to end like this.
