University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Show Defensive Prowess During Final Preseason Scrimmage
August 24, 2005 | Football
Aug. 24, 2005
Photo Gallery | |
Defensive intensity and a solid running game -- Tennessee trademarks during the Phillip Fulmer era -- were on display as the Vols wrapped up their third and final scrimmage Tuesday night at Neyland Stadium.
"To even have a chance to win a championship, you've got to be darn good on defense," Fulmer said. "I think we're headed in that direction.
"With our speed and our depth, I'm really pleased right now. If we can carry the kind of attitude we have so far into the season and play that way, we'll find a way to get enough points to help us win."
Fulmer said he thinks there are big plays to be had by his offensive unit, although those big plays have been at a premium over the last two scrimmage sessions.
"I thought we were much more sharp and consistent running the football, even though you couldn't always tell with the tackling," Fulmer said in reference to the no full-contact rules in place for the defense Tuesday night.
"We got what we intended to get out of the scrimmage and that was to extend them some with different situations, make it like a ballgame. We wanted to have kicking situations, substitutions, the 25-second clock -- and with all those things I was really, really happy."
Offensively, Arian Foster carried 10 times for 53 yards and a touchdown to lead all ball-carriers. Gerald Riggs Jr. added 36 yards on 16 tries.
The quarterback duel saw Rick Clausen finish 14-of-16 for 91 yards, while Erik Ainge completed 9-of-19 for 132 yards and an early interception by Roshaun Fellows.
Defensive stalwarts were linebackers Jerod Mayo and Kevin Simon, each finishing with seven tackles. Mayo had three sacks to lead all Vols, while defensive end Jason Hall added 21/2 sacks. Linebacker Marvin Mitchell was third on the team with five tackles.
Tennessee opens its season Sept. 3 with a 12:30 p.m. Eastern time kickoff against UAB. Jefferson-Pilot Sports is providing the regional telecast.
Starters Off: Anderson, Brown, Clausen, Douglas, R. Foster, Hannon, Meachem, Riggs Jr., R. Smith, Sears, Toeaina
Def: Allen, Fellows, Gaither, Hall, Haralson, Harrell, Hefney, Mahelona, J. Mitchell, Simon, Stewart
Scrimmage injuries: None.
Did not participate: LB Rico McCoy (foot), DB Jarod Parrish (knee), C David Ligon (ankle), OL Kirk Swearingen (ankle), TB Montario Hardesty (quad bruise), TB Ja'Kouri Williams (knee), DB Jonathan Wade (hip flexor), DT Matt McGlothlin (head), C Richie Gandy (knee), DE Jared Hostetter (knee).
| Rushing | ||
| No. | Name | No.-Yds.-TD |
| 21 | Gerald Riggs Jr. | 16-36-0 |
| 27 | Arian Foster | 10-53-1 |
| 10 | Erik Ainge | 9-(-27)-0 |
| 22 | LaMarcus Coker | 8-13-0 |
| 43 | David Yancey | 6-26-0 |
| 16 | Rick Clausen | 5-(-21)-0 |
| 30 | David Holbert | 2-6-0 |
| Receiving | ||
| No. | Name | Rec.-Yds. |
| 9 | Bret Smith | 4-41 |
| 13 | Chris Hannon | 3-16 |
| 3 | Robert Meachem | 3-60 |
| 21 | Riggs Jr. | 3-15 |
| 85 | Casey Woods | 3-19 |
| 86 | Brad Cottam | 2-33 |
| 88 | Jake Finlayson | 2-16 |
| 27 | Arian Foster | 2-11 |
| 81 | Josh Briscoe | 1-6 |
| 30 | David Holbert | 1-8 |
| 87 | Justin Reed | 1-10 |
| 84 | Austin Rogers | 1-5 |
| 43 | David Yancey | 1-10 |
| Passing | ||
| No. | Name | Comp.-Att.-Yds.-TD-INT |
| 10 | Erik Ainge | 9-19-132-0-1 |
| 16 | Rick Clausen | 14-16-91-0-0 |
| 14 | Bo Hardegree | 3-3-22-0-0 |
| 15 | Jim Bob Cooter | 1-2-5-0-0 |
| Defensive leaders/Big Plays: | ||
| Jerod Mayo 7 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 TFL; Kevin Simon 7 tackles, 1 TFL, .5 sack; Marvin Mitchell 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL; Jason Hall 4 tackles, 2.5 sacks; Jason Mitchell 4 tackles, 1 TFL; Demetrice Morley 3 tackles, 1 PBU; Tony McDaniel 3 tackles; Antonio Reynolds 3 tackles; Omar Gaither 2 tackles, 2 PBU; Vladimir Richard 2 tackles, 1 sack; Roshaun Fellows 1 tackle, 1 interception, 1 PBU; Inquoris Johnson 1 tackle, 2 PBU; Parys Haralson 1 tackle, 1 sack. | ||
| Kicking (Field Goals) | ||
| No. | Name | Made - Missed |
| 25 | James Wilhoit | 36, 44, 47, 27, 30, 48, 52 - 28, 52, 48, 48 |
| 47 | Britton Colquitt | 34, 38, 38 - 38 |
| Punting | ||
| No. | Name | No.-Yds.-Avg. |
| 47 | Britton Colquitt | 8-297-37.1 |
