University of Tennessee Athletics
Tuesday Press Conference Quotes
October 28, 2003 | Football
Oct. 28, 2003
FULMER PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO | 
Comments from Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer's Oct. 28 press conference previewing Saturday's game (4 p.m. - VideoSeat) against Duke.
"We are really pleased with the win, the effort, and the plays that were made in the Alabama game. There were a lot of great efforts to get that done. I'm really serious about the need to move forward. We have five big weeks of football that will really determine the success of this season, starting with Duke. As I told the team yesterday, this is the time of year we must continue to improve. If you're not careful at this time of year, the little things will start slipping. We're not a team that does all those things well enough all the time that we can let anything slip. We'll need extra special efforts toward the fundamentals and the things that will help us get better.
"The veteran players, the seniors, are in the same category as the young players we're trying to push to improve. We're fortunate we've had a number of young guys who continued to improve along the way. That's our challenge and our goal as we go into this last five-week stretch, starting this week against Duke.
"Our complete attention was turned yesterday to Duke. I thought the players did a good job of coming out and being focused on practice, having the energy and the pep in their step to start their preparation. We watched Duke against N. C. State. It was a heck of a football game. It was 28-21. They turned it over at the half and had a chance there. They basically ran out of time at the end of the game, driving to tie or win the game.
"They're third, I think, in the ACC in rushing. That gets your attention. They have a running back who had 125 yards against a good N. C. State defensive team. They are No. 1 in the ACC in being able to control the ball. There's a lot to look from our team's perspective.
"Offensively, they've made some changes after the change in coaches. Coach Roof is trying to put his two cents worth into things, as a defensive coach, that give people problems. All of a sudden, you have formations, motions, and the option, that take work to defend. You have three different quarterbacks playing.
"Defensively, they're much the same as they have been, very multiple in itself. There are some challenges. N.C. State had 46 yards rushing in the game. We're going to have to do a great job of being focused on this game and attacking their style, not letting them make a big play along the way if we can help.
"They're very dangerous in the kickoff returns. Our focus is on improvement, on Duke, on a mindset of being a better football team, and everybody being accountable to each other and playing with the intensity, effort and with more consistency than what we've had to this point in the season. There have been flashes of brilliance at times on both sides of the ball. We need to more consistency so we can become the kind of team we want to become as we face this next five weeks."
On the Month of November:
"We've always said, 'they remember what you do in November,' and that's very true. We've been a good November football team. We've got some big challenges ahead of us this season, but if we can meet those challenges we have a chance to have a very respectable season."
On the Georgia-Florida Matchup:
"I'll be pulling hard for the Gators. That's hard to do and even hard to say, but I'll be pulling hard for the Gators. We'll be taking care of our business first. I don't even know what time they play."
On Robert Peace's 16-Tackle Performance vs. Alabama:
"It's probably the his best game since he's been here. Robert had one of those really great seasons. He played exceptionally well against South Carolina, and has had a great season. I said after the ball game it looked like he made 100 tackles. He was in on a lot of plays. He's intense. He's healthly for the first time in a couple of years. He's smart--knows the defenses inside-out and he's a good technician. He's a tough guy and plays special teams."
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COACH FULMER:
1. Comment on Casey Clausen's heroic performance in the closing minutes of regulation and through five overtimes of the Alabama game.
A - "That might have been Casey's best game since he came to Tennessee. It was an unbelievable effort by Casey, who never had any doubt he could pull it off. He saw everything that was going on, and he took a lot of hits. He was our leader in the huddle and on the sidelines."
2. Mark Jones made crucial yardage after a catch in the Alabama game. Is that a quality that makes him a favorite target?
A - "Mark Jones has stepped up for us throughout his Tennessee career. He's stepped up on offense, on defense and on special teams. He stepped up Saturday as a receiver. Yes, he gets yardage after the catch and is one of the best we've ever had here when it comes to that."
3. How can the epic victory over Alabama help the Vols for the remainder of the season?
A - "Before the Alabama game, we talked about it being a crossroads game. We either could go up or down, based on the result. I feel we are now on an upper swing, with the SEC championship possibly still out there as well as a chance for a BCS bowl. We can have a very respectable season. We always say around Tennessee, they remember what you do in November. We have a chance for a strong November run."
4. How do you plan to get the Vols ready for what shapes up as a difficult Homecoming assignment Saturday against Duke?
A - "Duke is going through a transition that seems to be working to its advantage. There has been a coaching change, and now the Blue Devils are rejuvenated and excited. We need to get over the physical aspect of having played five overtimes, and we need to be ready for a team that can be tough on you."
5. Explain the factors that allowed Duke to nearly upset North Carolina State last Saturday.
A - "It was a combination of things. Duke was excited, playing under a new coach, Ted Roof, whom I have known for a long time. He tried to get his players motivated. And it worked. They obviously were motivated. He added some options to the offense. North Carolina State wasn't accomplishing much and also made mistakes in the kicking game. Next thing you know, Duke is trying an onside kick. We don't want to get ourselves in that situation Saturday."
