University of Tennessee Athletics
Phillip Fulmer Press Conference Quotes
October 19, 2004 | Football
Oct. 19, 2004
Fulmer Opening Statements | Fulmer Answers | Cody Douglas
Coach Fulmer | Coach Chavis | Coach Sanders
COACHES COMMENTS
TENNESSEE-ALABAMA GAME WEEK
Comments of University of Tennessee Head Football Coach Phillip Fulmer: "We were glad to get our preparations started for Alabama yesterday after a good, tough and hard-fought win over Mississippi. Without a doubt, our players certainly understand the challenge we have playing this really fine Alabama football team.
"It is a team that is No. 1 in rushing in the Southeastern Conference, averaging more than 30 points per game and has the No. 1 defense in the Southeastern Conference, averaging holding people to a little over 13 points per game. They have 50 three-and-outs in seven games, which is very impressive. They have the No. 1 pass defense in the SEC, averaging giving up right around 100 yards per game. They are first in third down defense and, at the same time, have forced 17 turnovers.
"It's a very, very fine football team, with an excellent kicker, punter and return people. They have the No. 1 kickoff return team in the country. It's a great challenge for us.
"I personally, and I think our team does, too, have a great respect for the series. As I always do, I spent some time yesterday talking about the history of the series. It's always a tough and hard-fought football game. It took everything we had to get a win last year.
"We're glad to be back home. We'll have to do all we can to slow them down rushing the football. I'm not sure how to do that just yet, because nobody else really has. It will be a great challenge for our defensive football team.
"Offensively, we'll have to be much better as far as our efficiency in the last game. We'll have to take care of the ball and not give Alabama any help that way. We'll have to score touchdowns and not field goals in the game. We'll have to make some plays. It's a game that Dustin Colquitt and James Wilhoit will have a big part in. We really expect nothing less than a great football game.
"I told our team yesterday that I don't have a crystal ball and don't know what will happen, but I like this team very, very much. We have fought hard through injuries and close games. They've shown they are physically and mentally tough. The challenge this week and the rest of the season will be the final judge of this team. We've improved in several areas. There's still work to do. All season long, I have been pushing and pushing, trying to get the second team and some third teamers ready to play. Over the season, it's paid off for us. We still need that to happen.
"We had an incident Sunday night we will not be distracted by. Their focus and the staff's focus will be on the game we have to play. Irresponsible behavior will, although there was no malicious intent in it, will not be acceptable. I prefer to talk about the other players on this football team and they good things they're getting done.
"At the beginning of the year, nobody gave us a chance to do anything and we certainly still have our challenges. This team has been a lot of fun to coach and fun to watch play.
"I was asked about the BCS. I'm not worried one bit about it or, right now, who we don't have to play, because of injuries or otherwise. I'm only worried our team that is trying to beat a really fine Alabama team."
More Questions and Answers from Coach Fulmer:
1. Describe the qualities that allowed the Vols to bring the ball downfield against Ole Miss and score the winning touchdown in last Saturday's 21-17 victory.
A -- "This team has great character and a great sense of determination. We didn't play real well offensively for a couple of periods. Thank goodness, the defense did. But those drives at the end of the game were real character drives. I'm proud of the win and proud of our team for its tenacity."
2. What are your impressions of the Tennessee-Alabama series, dating from your time as a player (1969-1971) and including your coaching career?
A -- "I have such great, fond memories of the rivalry, going back to the playing days. Back then, it was always our biggest rivalry. It still is, even though our Eastern Division schedule has great significance. It's always been a hard-fought series, clean and revealing of two standout teams. We need a victory Saturday to keep our position in the division race."
3. How has Alabama managed to overcome the loss of its star quarterback and tailback and reached this point of the season with a 5-2 record?
A -- "They've done an incredible job, the way they run regardless of who is playing tailback. Run the ball well, and you win games. Defensively, Alabama is playing well, also, number three in the country. Typical of Alabama, this team plays great defense."
4. Describe the offense Alabama coach Mike Shula will put on the field against the Vols Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
A -- "With limitations they have had because of injuries at quarterback, they have placed emphasis on running the football. They do it very well. They are talented on both sides of the ball, and they play the kicking game well."
5. Defensively, do you expect Alabama to perform Saturday in a manner consistent with the grudging tradition of the Vols-Crimson Tide series?
A -- "We'll get a great effort from their defense. They can shut anybody down. We need to get people healed and to play our best game in order to beat Alabama."
Comments of Alabama Head Football Coach Mike Shula:
OPENING COMMENTS: "This will be our biggest challenge defensively all year. They have a good running game, good speed, and good speed at wide receiver, and even though their quarterbacks are young, they have guys that can throw it, probably better than what we have seen all year.
"Eric (Ainge) has done a nice job of coming in. As we know, it is a monumental task to come in and play as a freshman at that position. He has good size, a good throwing motion, he has shown to be very accurate at times, and he can move around in the pocket or scramble to make yards that way, or he can move around in the pocket and buy time for his receivers to get downfield and make some plays. Last week was a good example.
"They lost the lead and you watch him and his demeanor and he never loses his composure. It didn't faze him at all, and he did a nice job with that touchdown drive to get the lead again."
1. You have had numerous penalties in regards to holding. Is that more of a technique thing or is it a mental thing?
A -- "It is both. You have to keep your hands inside and obviously you can't grab. Some of the penalties we have had have been kind of down the field, which really doesn't make sense to me. If we are making yards and then to suddenly have your hand outside to grab or hold, and even though that is aggression and we don't want to take away from that, we have to be smart. We have to play within the rules."
2. How much has this rivalry grown since you were a player?
A -- "I think it was big back then, but I think it is big now. But I learned a lot from last year's game by watching our kids and their kids, and our fans and their fans, and it is battle between two good football teams in the SEC."
3. Why has your team been so successful running the football despite the lack of an obvious passing game?
A -- "I think our backs, first Ray Hudson and now Ken Darby, have done a great job. Our offensive line has come together and played better each week. They have made good adjustments. We have three seniors up there, but two of them are first time starters at their positions and even though Evan Mathis is a three-year starter, this is his first year at the left guard position. Danny Martz is a first-time starter at the right guard position. So it was important for us to come together quickly early in the spring, and then in training camp. We have two good backs even with Ray out, now Darby and Tim Castille have come in and it has been a nice fit."
4. Do you feel that you will need to establish more of a passing game this week so that Tennessee does not crowd the box?
A -- "We definitely need to be more balanced, that is for sure. Each week we say that, and we haven't been as balanced as we thought we were going to be the last couple of weeks. We have had good success running the ball, and we have been real close in the times that we have thrown it. I think if we hit on some of the passes that we had called, I think we would all be talking in here about having more balance the other direction. I think we would like to be better balanced, but we are going to play to our strengths and be as balanced as we can."
5. Do you see a trend in the SEC along the lines of playing multiple quarterbacks in a game?
A -- "It has been interesting, because defensively we have faced it a lot with teams that play multiple quarterbacks. Some are similar in what they do, and then some are totally opposite. But I think it is a trend by coaches to use their resources the best they know how, and I think when you have two different talents at the position, whether it is a guy that is a drop-back passer, or a guy that can move around in the pocket, you almost have to have two different game plans defensively. In Tennessee's case, I think the two guys are similar, although Brent Schaeffer does move around a little bit more. We have to take a look at what each guy is doing when he is in the game and see if they are doing things the same, or are they doing them differently. I am not sure if it is a trend that is going to continue, but I think it depends on the athletes that each school has a chance to recruit and trying to make the most of them."
6. How has your team been able to overcome injuries to get to this point in the season?
A -- "I think we have had more leadership this year, and that started at the beginning of the season and it has gotten better as the season has gone by. As we have had the injuries, it has gotten even better. Guys realize that when you have injuries that everyone has to do their job, but our guys are not trying to do too much, either. I think each guy has kind of quietly gone about his business and is doing his job better, and is trying to find a better way to help our football team win."
7. What are your thoughts about this year's Tennessee team offensively and defensively?
A -- "They are solid defensively. They have collectively probably the best front four. They can rush the passer and they have a real good change of direction. They have done a nice job for those linebackers in freeing those guys up to make plays. Secondary wise they have real good speed. Their scheme allows their safety's to play aggressive and yet not give up big plays, while defending the run. They also do a good job of mixing their coverages.
"Special teams-wise they have two of the best kickers in the league in their punter and kicker. They have good speed on returns and on coverage.
"Offensively, they like to run the ball at you, and then move around and take shots down the field because they have talented receivers and they have talented quarterbacks. What we expect is just a mix of all of those things. They are going to try and keep us off balance and utilize their talents the best way they can."
