University of Tennessee Athletics
MAHELONA NAMED 2005 LOMBARDI SEMIFINALIST
October 18, 2005 | Football
Oct. 18, 2005
HOUSTON -- Tennessee defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona highlights the list of 12 college football standouts named as semifinalists for the 36th Rotary Lombardi Award, presented by Wachovia Bank. This year's dinner, which benefits the American Cancer Society, will be held on December 7 at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Downtown Houston.
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Mahelona anchors a Vols defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this year. The Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, native has at least one tackle for loss in 13 of his 18 UT games played, including two during Tennessee's 30-27 overtime win at LSU. The senior captain was an All-America pick last season by The Sporting News after leading the SEC with 181/2 tackles for loss for a combined minus-81 yards.
Founded in the weeks following the death of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi from cancer in 1970, the Rotary Lombardi Award presented by Wachovia Bank has annually delivered upon the mission set forth by Marie Lombardi when she first granted the use of her late husband's name. Her only stipulation was that all net proceeds from the event be donated to the American Cancer Society, and over $3.1 million has been generated since that time.
VOLS SEE OPPORTUNITY AT ALABAMA
Tennessee knows it must fight through the heart of what has become a brutal schedule if the 2005 season is to play out on a positive note. The Vols travel to fifth-ranked Alabama Saturday for an SEC clash that marks UT's fourth encounter this season with a top-10 opponent.
"I think our team certainly understands the magnitude of the game and the fact that every game stands on its own," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We should count our blessings that we have a chance to be in a game like this with an opportunity like we have."
The Vols have won nine of their last 10 meetings against Alabama and have not lost to the Crimson Tide in the state of Alabama since 1991. But Tennessee stands 3-2 this year to Bama's 6-0 record and first place standing in the SEC Western Division.
"Out of the fires of adversity there's a lot of extraordinary accomplishment that can be had," Fulmer said. "That's the way I'm expecting our team to approach it. We've always been fighters -- as a staff and as a football team. And we expect that we'll go down there and fight our rears off to get a win versus Alabama."
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Central time.
SEC-TV FEATURES FORMER VOLS KICKER FUAD REVEIZ
SEC-TV visits Thursday night with former Tennessee kicker Fuad Reveiz, whose post-Volunteer days included an 11-year career with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers. This former Big Orange great now serves as president of Reveiz and Co., which includes a custom home construction unit, a custom embroidery operation, and a business specializing in Spanish language marketing.
While on "The Hill," Reveiz was a three-time All-SEC performer, setting an NCAA record for percentage of field goals made from beyond 40 yards and establishing a number of school records.
Hosted by Dave Neal, SEC-TV is a live, weekly, half-hour Southeastern Conference studio program originating from FSN South's Atlanta headquarters. The program airs at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.
