University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS LOOKING TO EXTEND WIN STREAK AGAINST VANDERBILT
November 14, 2005 | Football
Nov. 14, 2005
Tennessee tries to extend Division I-A's second-longest winning streak over a major opponent in an uninterrupted series when Vanderbilt visits Neyland Stadium Saturday.
The Vols have won the last 22 meetings against their in-state rival, dating to Vanderbilt's 28-21 win in Nashville in 1982. Only Notre Dame's 42 consecutive wins over Navy, extended this past weekend in South Bend, Ind., stands as a longer series streak in major college football.
"It is a great historic rivalry," said Phillip Fulmer, who grew up in the Middle Tennessee town of Winchester. "I tell the team every year what has gone into the tradition of our games with Vanderbilt. The juniors and seniors can probably recite for the others what I am going to say about it at our team meetings.
"It's important for our players to understand that. There are a lot of other things of importance this week, but the history of Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt is a huge part of the rivalry."
Nebraska owned the second-longest streak active Division I-A streak until earlier this month, having won 36 in a row over Kansas. But that run ended Nov. 5 with a 40-15 Jayhawks' victory in Lawrence, Kan.
Fulmer expects the same type of intensity by the Commodores Saturday.
"It hasn't changed in forever," he said. "We've got to make them match our intensity. We've got to play really, really well."
The Vols also have won the last 14 in a row over Vanderbilt inside Neyland Stadium, dating to VU's 17-14 triumph in 1975.
Tickets remain for Saturday's game, priced at $38. They can be purchased at the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket office, by accessing the UT athletics Web site at utsport.com, or by calling 656-1200 locally or (800) 332-VOLS outside the Knoxville calling area.
INJURY REPORT (Vanderbilt Week): Probable -- OG Cody Douglas (knee); Questionable -- LB Omar Gaither (knee), DT Turk McBride (ankle), LB James Turner (hamstring); Doubtful -- DE Xavier Mitchell (shoulder); Out -- LB Jerod Mayo (knee), TB Ja'Kouri Williams (knee).
UT-KENTUCKY SET FOR JP SPORTS AND AFTERNOON KICKOFF
The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Tennessee's Nov. 26 contest at Kentucky is being televised by Jefferson-Pilot Sports and kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. The game will mark Tennessee's fourth appearance on JP Sports and second in as many weeks after this Saturday's UT-Vanderbilt date.
The Vols lead the all-time series against Kentucky 68-23-9 heading into the 101st meeting. Tennessee has won 20 consecutive games against its border-state rival -- the third-longest active winning streak in Division I-A -- and 11 straight inside Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky's last win in the series was by a 17-12 count in 1984 in Knoxville. The Wildcats last won in Lexington 21-10 in 1981.
Other SEC teams involved in televised games that weekend are Arkansas at LSU on CBS (Friday at 1:30 p.m. Central), Florida State at Florida on CBS (Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern) and Georgia at Georgia Tech Saturday on either ABC or ESPN. ABC/ESPN has elected to use a six-day option for that game, with possible start times of 3:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. on ABC, or 7:45 p.m. on ESPN. The decision will be made Sunday.
INTERVIEW OF COACH Phillip Fulmer BEFORE VANDERBILT GAME AT KNOXVILLE
1. How will the coaching staff get across to the squad the historical significance of the Vanderbilt series, a key rivalry in development of the UT football tradition?
A - "It is a great historic rivalry. I tell the team every year what has gone into the tradition of our games with Vanderbilt. The juniors and seniors can probably recite for the others what I am going to say about it at our team meetings. It's important for our players to understand that. There are a lot of other things of importance this week, but the history of Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt is a huge part of the rivalry."
2. With Vanderbilt eyeing an end to UT's string of 22 straight victories, how can the Vols' dominance become a factor in Tennessee's motivation this week?
A - "I would expect we will be motivated, for one thing, obviously, to keep the streak alive and, secondly, to continue to try to qualify for a bowl. Our pride will be a motivating factor as we try to get the most out of this season that is still available to us."
3. Comment on the contribution over the last few years of the Vols' seniors who will be making their last appearance at Neyland Stadium.
A - "They have contributed a great deal. They are a good bunch of seniors, and they will go on to do well, whether in athletics, business or some other field. It's hard to tell them goodbye and thanks, but the crowd Saturday will have an opportunity to thank them one more time. It will be a special time."
4. What are the qualities that make Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler an all-star hopeful and a probable high choice in the NFL draft?
A - "He's a real special player. I've said for a couple of years Jay Cutler is the best quarterback in the league. He's a big guy who sees the field well, can run, can escape, can do some things with the option to take the pressure off. He's a real fine player who has a couple of receivers who also contribute."
5. What will it require defensively for the Vols to cope with the Vanderbilt offense, which has overall quality in addition to a great quarterback in Jay Cutler?
A - "We need to do a good job of mixing our coverages and mixing our defensive front. We need to disguise things as we go through the game. We don't want to let Jay Cutler draw a bead on exactly where to go. He is extremely capable."
