Tennessee vs. UNLV - Post Game Notes - University of Tennessee Athletics

Sept. 6, 2004

Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery

Noting Tennessee

Tennessee improved to 1-0 (0-0 SEC); UNLV falls to 0-1 (0-0 MWC).
UT is now 14-0 against the eight teams that make up the Mountain West Conference
Tonight's game marked the first Sunday home game in Neyland Stadium history. It was the Vols' fifth time playing on Sunday with the most recent being Jan. 2, 2000, against Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Vols entered the game ranked: Associated Press No. 14, USA Today/ESPN No. 15.
Tennessee does not play next week and will return to action Sept. 18 against Florida at Neyland Stadium.

Season-Opening Tidbits

The win gave Tennessee its 10th consecutive season-opening win, improving to a 15-1 record in the last 16 season debuts.
Tennessee owns an 80-22-6 all-time record in 108 season openers.
The Vols improved to 84-15-5 in home openers.

Tennessee-UNLV Series

Tennessee now leads the series 2-0 (2-0 at Knoxville).
Both meetings between Tennessee and UNLV have been held at Neyland Stadium as season-opening games.
In the inaugural meeting, the Vols, ranked No. 2 at the time, defeated the Rebels 62-3 at Neyland Stadium in the 1996 season opener.
Tennessee has outscored UNLV 104-20 in the two meetings.
Tonight's attendance: 108,625 - Third-largest in Neyland Stadium history
Tonight's attendance is the most since Tennessee-Florida Sept. 21, 2002.

Phillip Fulmer's Recor

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer improved his record to 114-28 in 13 years with the Vols.
Fulmer has guided the Vols to a 12-1 record in season openers.

Schaeffer Makes History

Brent Schaeffer became the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for an SEC team since freshmen were reinstated to play in 1973. He was the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener in Tennessee history.
Schaeffer scored in his second series as quarterback on a 1-yard run to the right side.
Schaeffer's first-quarter score was the first touchdown by a true freshman since Bret Smith caught a 15-yard pass from C.J. Leak against Georgia in 2003.
Schaeffer's final numbers were: 7-of-10, 123 yards, one touchdown, one rushing touchdown.

Ainge Shows Good Aim

Freshman Erik Ainge made his debut with 3:08 remaining in the first quarter following a missed field goal attempt by the Rebels.
Ainge connected with C.J. Fayton on his third pass attenpt for a 43-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.
His scoring strike was the first passing touchdown by a true freshman since James Banks connected with Derrick Tinsley for a 33-yard score at Georgia in 2002.
Ainge's final numbers were: 10-of-17, 118 yards, two touchdowns.

Fast Facts

The Vols' only turnover came on the game's fourth play, a fumble by Schaeffer on the UT 28-yard line.
Tennessee had 513 total offensive yards, the most since amassing 535 versus Mississippi State Nov. 15, 2003
Corey Campbell's interception with 10:39 left in the second quarter was the third of his career, with the others coming Oct. 11 against Georgia and Oct. 25 at Alabama in 2003.
Robert Meachem's third-quarter touchdown catch from Schaeffer was his first career catch for Tennessee.
Tennessee recorded two sacks tonight: Parys Haralson (-8) and Jason Hall (-7)
Tonight's game marked the first career start for eight Vols: TE Justin Reed, OG Rob Smith, QB Brent Schaeffer, FB Cory Anderson, OT Jesse Mahelona, DT Justin Harrell, CB Roshaun Fellows and SS Brandon Johnson.
Other Vols making debut appearances were QB Erik Ainge, TE Chris Brown, FB David Holbert, DB Jonathan Hefney, DB Antonio Gaines, DB Ellix Wilson, TE Brad Cottam, DE Antonio Reynolds and OG David Ligon.
Tennessee wore 1970s-style white uniforms with an orange shoulder to honor the hundreds of lettermen in attendance for the game

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