University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Unbeaten Despite The Missing Half-Dozen
September 27, 2004 | Football
Sept. 27, 2004
A 3-0 record and top 10 rankings in both major polls have Tennessee fans wondering what the next few weeks may bring.
Here's something to chew on. How solid might the Vols look right now if six additional starters from a year ago were on the field for Saturday's SEC showdown against Auburn?
That's right, six players who saw considerable playing time in 2003 as starters and key reserves -- and have not used up their eligibility -- could be in the rotation for Tennessee if not for an assortment of circumstances.
"You have to deal with each individual situation," head coach Phillip Fulmer said after Monday's practice at Haslam Field. "You think about the what-ifs but that's part of football. Injuries are part of football and, hopefully, you don't have suspensions and things like that.
The missing half-dozen is composed of wide receiver-turned-defensive back James Banks (injury), defensive tackles Greg Jones (redshirt) and J.T. Mapu (mission), tight end Victor McClure (medical), linebacker Kevin Simon (injury) and cornerback Antwan Stewart (injury). Add key substitute Marvin Mitchell (injury) from the linebacking corps and the list grows.
"We've been talented enough in past years to overcome significant injuries to people," Fulmer said. "But it's making us really have to work at it, particularly at linebacker right now.
"We're young, we're growing and we're fighting every day to be better. You've got two choices -- you can sit around and worry or you can go back to work and do something about it. And that's what we're all trying to do as players and coaches."
The Vols practiced in full pads for 90 minutes Monday to begin Auburn preparations.
INJURY UPDATE
(Auburn Week): Probable -- WR Tony Brown (calf), DE Karlton Neal (shoulder); Questionable -- DE Jason Hall (ankle), DE Jared Hostetter (ankle); Out -- TE Jake Finlayson (back), DB Antwan Stewart (knee); Out for Season -- DB James Banks (knee), LB Marvin Mitchell (knee), LB Kevin Simon (knee).
ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY TO MAKE SEVENTH VISIT
ESPN College Gameday will broadcast live from the UT campus for the seventh time Saturday in conjunction with Tennessee's SEC clash against Auburn. Gameday hosts Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit last visited Knoxville in November 2002 when the Vols played Miami (Fla.) for Homecoming.
Tennessee owns a 6-7 overall record in contests for which Gameday is on-site, including 2-4 in Knoxville. Auburn is 1-3 all-time when playing with Gameday on-site, including 0-2 on the road.
This week's game, which kicks off at 7:45 p.m. Eastern time, also marks the 32nd occasion that an SEC school has hosted the show -- tops among all conferences.
MUNOZ NAMED SEC OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK
Tennessee's offensive line continues to reap the early season awards as senior tackle Michael Munoz was named Monday the Southeastern Conference's Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Munoz joins teammate Jason Respert as 2004 recipients of the weekly honor, and early statistics seem to justify their acclaim. Tennessee currently leads the SEC in team total offense, rushing offense and passing efficiency.
A Mason, Ohio, native and senior captain, Munoz has started all 40 games in which he has appeared. He is on the 2004 Outland and Lombardi award watch lists and joined Kevin Burnett earlier this year as the first Vols since J.G. Lowe in 1924-25 to be elected UT captain in consecutive years.
