University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS, VANDERBILT HAVE HISTORY OF TIGHT CONTESTS
November 16, 2005 | Football
Nov. 16, 2005
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Tennessee continued practice preparations for Saturday's SEC visit from in-state rival Vanderbilt with a 90-minute workout at Haslam Field. The Vols need to make the most of what amounts to a three-game series if they hope to qualify for a postseason bowl for the 17th consecutive season.
"You've got 11 opportunities and every one of them is important," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I've never played in a game that wasn't important. The ones you lose are the worst. We've got 30-something losses in 14 years and every one of them are terrible. They're terrible.
"Vanderbilt is a very important football game, as is Kentucky."
Tennessee has won 22 in a row over the Commodores, yet five of the last 10 meetings have been decided by seven points or less. That includes UT's narrow 38-33 triumph a year ago in Nashville in which Vanderbilt nearly rallied from a 28-6 deficit.
"The kids have had good practices this week," Fulmer said. "Obviously, we've got a number of guys who are limited but we expect to be almost at 100 percent of the guys who haven't had surgeries. The guys who played last week should be able to play this week."
The Vols, 4-5 overall and 2-4 SEC, are coming off a 20-16 victory over Memphis and need wins in their last two games for a chance at extending their current bowl streak to 17. Vanderbilt enters at 4-6 overall and 2-5 SEC after Saturday's 48-43 loss to Kentucky.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. Eastern time, with Jefferson-Pilot Sports carrying the telecast.
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).
`GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT' AT SATURDAY'S GAME
The Tennessee Volunteers are asking fans to support the Give the Gift of Sight program Saturday by donating used eyeglasses at the fan information booths around Neyland Stadium. Give the Gift of Sight, a charitable foundation affiliated with Lens Crafters and Pearle Vision, has helped more than four million people since 1988 by delivering free eye care and prescription glasses to people in need around the world.
This used eyeglass collection drive is part of a nationwide community service effort called "Lift up America." Lift up America joins several corporations with professional and college sports teams to encourage people to lend a helping hand to others in need. The Tennessee Volunteers are proud to be a part of this national effort to celebrate the giving season.
Fans who wish to donate used prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses and reading glasses can simply bring them to Neyland Stadium for Saturday's UT-Vanderbilt game and deposit them in specially marked Give the Gift of Sight eyeglass collection bins. Fans can also give cash donations to stadium volunteers wearing special Gift of Sight ID badges and carrying official Gift of Sight donation boxes.
`SPECIAL SPECTATORS' VISITING NEYLAND STADIUM SATURDAY
A group of "Special Spectators" is attending the UT-Vanderbilt game Saturday to experience college football at Tennessee.
Youngsters from East Tennessee Children's Hospital and UT Medical Center will be in attendance as part of the Vols' participation in Special Spectators, a national non-profit organization that coordinates visits by student-athletes to a children's hospital and arranges for patients to experience the excitement of a college football game.
Special Spectators is a nonprofit organization that creates a day for seriously ill children surrounded by a college sporting event. The day is filled with activities including a special tailgate party, attendance at a game and participation in game day traditions.
Tennessee student-athletes participate with the Special Spectators program throughout the year by visiting children at local hospitals. While at UT, the Special Spectators also will attend the Vol Walk and tailgate at Tennessee Park.
The Special Spectators visit was made possible by the Knoxville chapter of the National Football Foundation.
For more information or to set up an interview with the children, contact Tiffany Carpenter at (865) 974-1361 or (865) 567-1171. For more information about Special Spectators, contact Blake Rockwell at (773) 327-8160.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY'S 2005 HOME FINALE
Tickets for Saturday's UT-Vanderbilt game at Neyland Stadium remain on sale for $38 through the utsports.com Web site or by visiting the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket office. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. Tickets also are available by calling 656-1200 locally or (800) 332-VOLS outside the Knoxville calling area.
On game day, tickets will be available for purchase at the Neyland Stadium Gate 21 ticket office beginning at 8:30 a.m. until game time.
In addition to the jersey retirement of former Vol great Doug Atkins prior to kickoff, Tennessee's senior will be recognized with a final run through the "T." Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.
