University of Tennessee Athletics
Fulmer Q & A - UNLV
August 30, 2004 | Football
Aug. 30, 2004
1. It's accepted they are talented, but what concerns you most
about the Vols' dependence on frosh quarterbacks Brent Schaeffer and Erik
Ainge?
A-"They are talented. At this point they have handled things
and gotten better. I just hope they aren't intimidated Sunday night by
106,000 fans screaming at them and I hope they don't do something outside
our scheme that loses field position or allows UNLV to score. There is a price
you pay when you use freshmen. Potential means you haven't done it. Right
now, Brent and Erik have potential."
2. How has the squad progressed at this point as far as being on schedule
for Sunday's opener?
A- "I like the way we have met our problems and tried to solve
them. The quarterback situation is at the point we have our two best players
in line for action Sunday night. At defensive tackle we don't have depth
but I am comfortable with our starters. The secondary has good competition and
has made strides. So I feel our main concerns have been addressed. Now we will
see what we can do in a game."
3. With emphasis placed elsewhere in fall drills, has the kicking game,
featuring punter Dustin Colquitt and placement specialist James Wilhoit, remained
strong?
A- "That's a weapon we've got to put to good use.
Everybody in the kicking game needs to help lift up the rest of the team. Dustin
and James are two guys who have been in the trenches."
4. How will the scheduling of the UNLV game for Sunday night affect
the Vols' game preparations?
A- "It really hasn't affected us much. Playing on Sunday
allows us to have two Thursday-style practices in which we cover just about
everything. It will be much tougher on UNLV. They have to fly home and then
get ready to play again next Saturday. We have an open date after this game.
Playing on Sunday will benefit us because of the extra practice we get."
5. Summarize the strengths of Coach John Robinson's UNLV team
the Vols meet Sunday night at Neyland Stadium.
A- "UNLV has an outstanding punter and an excellent punt return
man. They have 25 seniors and 27 juniors. They're an older, experienced
team. Their tailback is fast and they have a receiver who can get the ball away
from anybody. They have a complicated scheme on defense, which oculd be tough
on freshman quarterbacks. This is serious business, an important game and certainly
not an easy one. I have great respect for coach Robinson, who is one of those
men in the profession you look up to."
