TENNESSEE POSTGAME NOTES

Oct. 22, 2005

Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery

Noting Tennessee

· Tennessee fell to 3-3 (2-3 SEC); Alabama improved to 7-0 (5-0 SEC)
· The Vols entered the game ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll and No. 18 in the USA Today rankings; Alabama was ranked No. 5 in both polls.
· Tennessee is 1-3 in its four games against top-10 teams thus far in 2005, but the Vols are 6-4 in their last 10 road games against top-10 opponents.
· Tennessee returns to action Saturday vs. South Carolina at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. (7:45 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN2).
· Today's contest marked the first time in the Fulmer era that Tennessee played in a game that was scoreless at the half.

Tennessee-Alabama Series

· Tennessee trails the all-time series vs. Alabama 44-37-7 but has won nine of the last 11.
· Today's contest marked the third meeting between UT head coach Phillip Fulmer and Alabama head coach Mike Shula. Fulmer holds a 2-1 edge vs. Shula.

Phillip Fulmer's Record

· Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer's record now stands at 126-34 (.788) in 14 seasons with the Vols.
· Fulmer now owns a 10-3 record against Alabama and a 33-10 record vs. SEC Western Division teams.
· Fulmer owns a 3-1 record in Tuscaloosa. Tennessee is 4-3 all-time in Tuscaloosa.

Under Center for the Vols

· Senior quarterback Rick Clausen made his fourth start of the season and completed 11 of 17 passes for 144 yards.
· Clausen's performance today saw him eclipse the 1,000-yard passing mark on the year and the 2,000-yard passing mark for his career.
· Sophomore signal caller Erik Ainge lined up under center for UT's last first-quarter drive. The drive ended with a punt. Ainge also entered the game for the final play of the game, throwing an interception on a hail-mary attempt.
· The Vols have played multiple quarterbacks in 13 of their last 19 games.
· Tennessee allowed no sacks in the game.

Foster Productive in Vols' Backfield

· Redshirt freshman Arian Foster set career-highs for carries (14) and yards (53). Foster's longest rush of the day went for nine yards.

Noting the Defense

· Fumbles: Making his first career start, sophomore defensive back Inquoris Johnson caused a Tide fumble in the first quarter (Johnson's first career forced fumble); it was recovered by senior defensive end Parys Haralson (Haralson's fourth career recovery and his second in as many games vs. Alabama). Junior linebacker Marvin Mitchell forced a fumble on a third-quarter Alabama punt return.
· Passes Defensed (2): I. Johnson (1), Karl (1)
· Senior linebacker Kevin Simon tied for game-high honors with 11 tackles.
· The Vols forced Alabama to punt on the Tide's first possession of the third quarter, marking the first time this season Alabama has not scored on its first possession of the second half.
· Senior linebacker Kevin Simon eclipsed the 200-career tackle mark during today's game, and sophomore defensive back Jonathan Hefney logged his 100th career tackle.
· Today's game marked the end of UT defensive back Jason Allen's streak of 26 consecutive starts. A native of Muscle Shoals, Ala., Allen is out for the season with a hip injury suffered against Georgia Oct. 8. In his last two games vs. the Tide, Allen totaled 27 tackles.

Haralson Getting His Hands on Opposing QBs

· Senior defensive end Parys Haralson, who entered this weekend as the SEC's active career sacks leader with 16.5, recorded 2.5 today to raise his career total to 19 sacks. Haralson finished with seven tackles, 2.5 TFLs and a fumble recovery.
· Haralson, a two-time team co-captain, now ranks tied for fourth on Tennessee's career TFL list with 39.5 (tied with Dale Jones, 1983-86).

Miscellaneous Notes

· Today's attendance was 81,018.
· Freshman returner Lucas Taylor's second-quarter punt return of 20 yards matched Tennessee's longest punt return of the year (a 20-yarder by Taylor at LSU).
· Taylor's 41-yard kick return in the third quarter was UT's longest return (kick, punt or interception) of the season. The return led to a UT field goal.
· Sophomore wide receiver Robert Meachem is the only Vol with multiple receptions in every game this season.
· Junior placekicker James Wilhoit - the SEC's active career scoring leader - raised his career point total to 192 with three points today.
· Tennessee has allowed just one passing touchdown this season and none in SEC play. The Vols gave up their lone passing score in the opener vs. UAB.

Vols Tabbed for 7:45 p.m. ET Start on ESPN Family of Networks Next Saturday

· Tennessee's game vs. South Carolina next Saturday in Knoxville will be televised nationally on ESPN or ESPN2. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET.
· The Vols hold a 19-2-2 all-time edge in the series vs. the Gamecocks.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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