University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS NEED WIN OVER MEMPHIS TO KEEP BOWL HOPES ALIVE
November 07, 2005 | Football
Nov. 7, 2005
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Tennessee's drive for a 2005 bowl game begins in earnest Saturday when the Vols host Memphis. UT stands 3-5 and must win its last three games to qualify for its 17th consecutive bowl appearance.
The Vols' bowl run is the third-longest active streak behind only Michigan's 30 in a row and Florida State's 23.
Tennessee has lost four straight since an Oct. 1 win over Mississippi, but all four games have been tight entering the fourth quarter. UT trailed Georgia by six, Alabama by three, led South Carolina by five and was tied with Notre Dame. And four of Tennessee's five losses this season have come to teams ranked in the top eight nationally at the time of the game.
"Our kids have fought hard and played some tough teams," head coach Phillip Fulmer said before Monday's practice. "We look forward to these last three. Right now our whole focus is on a Memphis team that we realize is going to play its rear off against us. We need to play our rears off and get back in the right column."
Tickets priced at $45 apiece are available for Tennessee's final two home games, either by visiting the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket office, calling 656-1200 locally and (800) 332-VOLS (8657) outside the Knoxville area, or by accessing the utsports.com Web site.
INJURY REPORT (Memphis Week): Probable -- LB James Turner (knee); Questionable -- C Richie Gandy (knee), WR Chris Hannon (knee), DT Turk McBride (ankle), TB Ja'Kouri Williams (knee); Doubtful -- DE Xavier Mitchell (shoulder); Out -- Jerod Mayo (knee).
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP UNO GET COOKIN' AGAIN
In an effort to raise money for its student-athletes, the University of New Orleans athletics department has put together the "Getting New Orleans Cookin' Again," campaign making stops at college football games this fall. The tailgating tour comes to Knoxville Saturday for the UT-Memphis game.
Members of the UNO athletics department will be on hand for a New Orleans-style pre-tailgating party and serving up chicken and sausage jambalaya for donations to the Privateer Athletic Foundation Hurricane Relief Fund.
The "Getting New Orleans Cookin' Again" tent will be located in Humanities Plaza next to Joe Johnson Greenway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds go to help UNO student-athletes stricken by Hurricane Katrina. The fundraising effort has already made stops in Lafayette, La., Jonesboro, Ark., Troy, Ala., Birmingham, Ala., Auburn, Ala., and Louisville, Ky.
The Privateers are also pre-selling trays of chicken and sausage jambalaya for a donation of $200 per tray. Each tray serves 20-25 people. Pre-sale orders are limited and can be made through Wednesday. For more information or to reserve your tray of jambalaya, please call John Barranco at (504) 289-0779 or E-mail him.
UT-VANDERBILT SET FOR AFTERNOON KICKOFF
The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Tennessee's Nov. 19 contest against Vanderbilt is being televised by Jefferson-Pilot Sports as part of a split telecast and kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. The game marks Tennessee's third appearance on the SEC's regional broadcast network this season.
The Vols lead the all-time series 67-26-5 heading into the 99th meeting. Tennessee has won 22 consecutive games against their cross-state rival -- the second-longest active winning streak in Division I-A -- and 14 straight inside Neyland Stadium. Vanderbilt's last win in the series was by a 28-21 count in 1982 in Nashville. The Commodores last won in Knoxville 17-14 in 1975.
JP Sports' other telecast is Kentucky at Georgia to selected parts of the Southeast with a 12:30 p.m. Eastern time kickoff. CBS Sports has Alabama at Auburn beginning at 2:30 p.m. Central time and either ESPN or ESPN2 will show LSU at Mississippi beginning at 6:45 p.m. Central.
VIDEOSEAT PAY-PER-VIEW CARRYING SATURDAY'S GAME
Tennessee's Homecoming date against Memphis at Neyland Stadium is being televised Saturday on a pay-per-view basis across the state by VideoSeat. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Eastern time.
The announcing team for the telecast will be Bob Bell calling the play-by-play, with former Vol wide receiver Terence Cleveland handling the color analysis.
Tennessee leads the overall series against Memphis 18-1, including a 49-28 triumph in the team's most recent meeting four years ago. The Vols have won three straight against the Tigers since dropping a 21-17 decision in 1996.
Fans should contact their local cable system to order the game and receive pricing information. The game also is being made available to Tennessee DirecTV (Channel 783) and Dish Network (channel announcement to come) subscribers as well as C-band dish owners. Home satellite dish owners (large C-band dishes) located outside the service areas of the participating cable systems in the state may order the game by calling (800) 887-8277.
Per SEC rules, ESPN has the option to offer the game to fans outside the state via the ESPN GamePlan package.
INTERVIEW OF COACH Phillip Fulmer BEFORE MEMPHIS GAME AT NEYLAND STADIUM
1. Describe the progress of tailback Arian Foster, a freshman who has rushed in two consecutive games for over 100 yards substituting for the injured Gerald Riggs.
A - "Arian has done a heck of a job for us. He's got toughness and the ability to make the first guy miss. He's also becoming a better blocker, all indications that he will become a very good back for us."
2. Where do you feel the most progress was recorded in the Vols' performance last Saturday against Notre Dame?
A - "Our defense continued to play well. Offensively, we are running the ball pretty well. Trouble is, we are not making enough plays, and that has been our downfall. Progress is coming slow on offense, slower than we like."
3. Trace your long-standing friendship and association with Memphis coach Tommy West, a former Vols tight end.
A - "We go back to our college days. We were friends then and have maintained our close friendship. He was on the staff here for a while. Tommy is an outstanding football coach and an excellent person."
4. What do you expect from the Memphis offense, led by the All-America tailback candidate, DeAngelo Williams?
A - "He is a really fine player, and they do a good job of getting him the football a lot of different ways. I expect his best effort. The defense will have to play well to contain him."
5. How tough will it be for Tennessee to move the ball against the Memphis defense in Saturday's Homecoming game?
A - "They are very multiple. You've first got to figure what they are in and what they are trying to do. They will give you problems bringing extra players and taking chances. We've got to take advantage of whatever opportunities they allow us."
