University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes
November 15, 2003 | Football
Nov. 15, 2003
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TENNESSEE COACH Phillip Fulmer: "It was a good step for us to get one down. Our goals are still alive to play in the SEC Championship game with two games left to play.
"Offensively this was the best showing we had for execution. Through the first three quarters, before we took our starters out, we had the complete performance we've been looking for, except for the returns. We played very consistent until the starters left. We had no turnovers for the third game and that always gives you a chance to win.
"I hated to give up those two last scores, but we had to give our second and third teams some playing time. We have to work on our coverage. It's been good so far, but we have to get that corrected before it bites us. Today was terrible on special teams. We knew they were good, but we didn't play as well as we should have.
"Chris Hannon had a great day. Casey (Clausen) is more confident with him. He's making progress. We got him in on punt returns since the two we have now are seniors. He learning more everyday. He had a big day today.
"Casey is a competitor. Things looked strange out there a couple times and he made fine plays to keep drives alive. He makes all the throws."
TENNESSEE PLAYERS
Casey Clausen - "I think today was a good game for us. We wanted to come out and start fast - we've talked about that all yearlong - and I think today we did that. We came out and we executed, and when we had opportunities to make plays, we made those plays. I think as a team, this was probably the best game we've played all year. Hopefully we can build on that and continue to get better."
On wide receiver Chris Hannon's three-touchdown performance - "The past three or four weeks -going back to the week of practice before Auburn - really stepped us his game. Obviously that all starts on the practice field, and he's worked real hard. Today he really stepped up and made big plays. I think he's only going to continue to get better."
On his own five-touchdown performance - "All the credit goes to my teammates. It's my job to get us in the right plays and get us in the right formations. I just went out and played and had fun. The guys around me really stepped up today and made some big plays. We threw the ball down the field and got some touchdowns; that's always a good thing. Today was a fun day."
Chris Hannon - "I've been practicing really hard, like Casey said. And when you practice hard, good things come to you. I didn't even know I was in the record books until someone told me that I had tied a lot of people (for touchdown receptions in a single game).
Gibril Wilson - "It was a great win by us. We took care of business and got a great victory. I think (as a defense) we're just growing up. We're not giving up big plays. When we're solid, we're pretty good. I think guys are just growing up and making plays and being where they're supposed to be."
Jayson Swain - "I feel pretty good. We expected to go out there and make some plays. I was trying to get into the end zone because I haven't gotten in there yet. We need to start off fast. That's what we did today. We had a mindset that we could run the ball and throw the ball."
Kevin Burnett - "We still have some things we can pick up, but we're making steady improvement. We wanted to come out here and make a statement that even though we won a big game last week, we were going to come out to play. We just have to get it going and keep our momentum. We shied away from mistakes. The biggest thing is can we take our rhythm week to week? We want to compete for whatever's out there. If I lose focus this game there's no reason to watch the other scores (of SEC East rivals)."
MISSISSIPPI STATE POSTGAME QUOTES
MSU COACH JACKIE SHERRILL: "We gave up some easy touchdowns, some we should have been able to bat down. Tennessee kept doing what was successful. When you look at them, you see they're trying throw more instead of run. Casey put the football where he had to have it.
"Casey throws the deep ball very well, the fades, the seams and the dig routes. Casey is a lot better than some of the people in Tennessee give his credit for. They had good protection and Casey did a good job getting out of trouble. He made a lot of moves and did a great job making people miss him.
Nick Turner has all the tools. We have to get the ball in his hands. We thought we could do some things in the return game. We got behind and had to adjust our game plan. You can't have the interceptions and the fumble. The blocked punt was a great effort by their guy. It was a simple protection. Other than the punt block, we played well in the kicking game.
"Kevin Fant wants to pay every down. I thought about taking him out, but kept wanting to go back in."
MISSISSIPPI STATE PLAYERS
Nick Turner RB: "They kept making big plays on offense. You could see it on the sidelines as everybody's head was down. We kept playing as a unit, but we couldn't make the plays we needed to make to put it in the endzone to stay in the game."
(Comments on his punt and kick returns): "We worked hard all week on setting up the wall. Coach told me to stretch the field and use my vision. With that I was able to make plays."
Kevin Fant QB: (On the touchdown to Brandon Wright) "Everything was just clicking at the time. We were moving the ball later on too, but certain mistakes will just kill you. You just have to play a complete game."
"Not to take anything away from Tennessee because they are a great team, but we just have to be more consistent, especially, if you want to beat people. Their offense came to play today. We were able to move the ball against their defense, but you could say their defense would bend at times but wouldn't break."
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