University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Continue Bowl Preparations; Move Into Georgia Dome
December 30, 2003 | Football
Dec. 30, 2003
FULMER ON GEORGIA DOME MEMORIES
ATLANTA - The final phase of Tennessee's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl practice schedule began here Tuesday as the Vols relocated to the Georgia Dome, site of Friday's match-up against Clemson.
UT is very familiar with the 11-year-old multipurpose facility, having split four games in the dome over the previous six seasons. The Vols won the 1997 and 1998 SEC Championships before losing the 2001 SEC title game and 2002 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Maryland defeated Tennessee 30-3 exactly one year ago Wednesday.
"I have good memories as well (as bad)," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Those two championships were earned here, but I guess the toughest loss I've had was that LSU game because it meant so much.
"Last year wasn't good and I told the team that. I think they've been very serious about it as I have and, hopefully, it will carry over into the game and we'll play well."
Fulmer also was optimistic about the return of offensive tackle Michael Munoz, who injured his calf in Saturday's practice and has been sidelined since.
"He had a pretty significant calf injury that is getting better every day," Fulmer said. "Michael's played a lot of football for us and whether it's today or tomorrow, or if he has to come back Friday, Michael says he'll be ready to play."
Two other injured Vols, linebacker Marvin Mitchell and defensive end Turk McBride, might be game-time decisions regarding their availability. Mitchell injured his knee in bowl workouts in Knoxville, while McBride is recovering from thumb surgery earlier this month.
"We've been very fortunate," Fulmer said of the team's injury situation. He added that the physical nature of UT's practices leading up to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl were necessary.
"Football is a contact game and I think it just depends on the experience of your team. With the youth of this team, we needed to do all we could."
Former Tennessee offensive guard Bernard Dafney made an appearance at Tuesday's practice, speaking with the team and visiting with the coaching staff prior to the workout. A Los Angeles native, Dafney played at UT in 1990-91 before a seven-year NFL career with the Oilers, Vikings, Cardinals, Steelers and Panthers.
