University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Open Date Notebook
September 11, 2003 | Football
Sept. 11, 2003
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FULMER INTERVIEW WITH BOB KESLING
* Tennessee is 2-0 for the ninth time in 12 seasons under head coach Phillip Fulmer. The Vols have only begun a season 3-0 on three occasions under Fulmer (1992, 1998, 2001).
* The Vols are coming off an open date before the Florida game for the seventh time in the last eight years. The 2001 season was the only exception due to the Sept. 11 attacks. UT is 20-9-0 after an open date since 1990, but just 2-7 against Florida.
* Tennessee hits the road for the first time this season to face the Gators. UT has won three straight road games, including going 11-1 on enemy turf in its last 12 dating back to 2000.
* Despite starting slow in the first two games with just seven first-quarter points, the Vols have kicked it up a notch in second and third stanzas with a total of 42 points in those periods.
? Florida is the first ranked team Tennessee faces in 2003. The Vols are an impressive 33-20 against ranked teams under head coach Phillip Fulmer despite dropping their last five meetings.
Stat Leaders
* Cedric Houston leads the SEC in rushing and ranks fifth nationally averaging 160.5 yards per game rushing. He also leads the league and ranks 11th nationally in all-purpose yardage at 176.0/game.
? Vols have registered a conference-leading 10 sacks in two games, including a season-high six versus Marshall. It was the most since recording nine against Southern Miss in 2000.
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* Tennessee leads the SEC in rushing defense, allowing just 43.5 yards per game. The Vols limited Fresno State to -1 yards rushing in the season opener.
* Dustin Colquitt leads the SEC and ranks third nationally with 47.1-yard average, 4.5 yards ahead of SEC's second place punter. Colquitt was named the SEC's Special Team Player of Week (Sept. 8) after career best 50.8-yard average against Marshall.
* Sophomore linebacker Kevin Simon has recorded at least 10 tackles in each of the first two games and leads the Vols with 22 total hits (13 solo). Simon also leads the club in sacks with 3.5 and tackles for loss with four.
Fulmer on Simon
" Kevin has played exceptionally well in two ball games. It's remarkable how fast he's picking things up. He's a very fast, intense linebacker and a guy that's worked really hard to get himself back into physical condition and shape to play. He's been a big part of what we've done defensively."
