 | | Head coach Phillip Fulmer begins his 14th season at the helm of the Volunteers. | SERIES HISTORY
Vols head coach Phillip Fulmer is 11-1 versus current members of Conference USA. Fulmer-coached squads have outscored C-USA opposition 371-182 (30.9-15.2 ppg). Four Vols are natives of the state of Alabama, including Jason Allen, Wes Brown, Arron Sears and Jayson Swain. Tennessee receivers coach Pat Washington served as a graduate assistant coach on an Auburn staff that included current UAB offensive coordinator Pat Sullivan in 1987 and 1988. Washington (1982-85) and Sullivan (1968-71) are both former Auburn quarterbacks. Vols tight ends/offensive line coach Greg Adkins and UAB defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt both served as assistant coaches at Troy (then known as Troy State) from 2001-02. The Vols enter this season having won their last 10 season openers (with a 25.0-point average margin of victory). LEAGUE MEDIA PICKS VOLS TO WIN 2005 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Tennessee received 37 of 87 votes cast by media attending last month's 2005 Southeastern Conference Football Media Days to win the 2005 SEC Championship. In addition, nine Vols were named to the media's preseason All-SEC squads, including first-teamers Jason Allen, Parys Haralson, Jesse Mahelona, Gerald Riggs Jr. and Arron Sears. Cody Douglas, Omar Gaither, Kevin Simon and James Wilhoit were all selected as second-team honorees. 10 VOLS GARNER COACHES' PRESEASON ALL-SEC ACCLAIM
Four Tennessee Volunteers--tailback Gerald Riggs Jr., offensive lineman Arron Sears, defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona and defensive back Jason Allen--garnered first-team Preseason All-Southeastern Conference honors as voted on by the league coaches. Tennessee ranked third in the SEC with 10 total players named to the three teams, while UT's four first-team selections trailed only Auburn's six. A pair of Vols offensive linemen made the second and third teams, respectively, in Cody Douglas and Rob Smith. Defensive end Parys Haralson and linebackers Kevin Simon and Omar Gaither were each placed on the second-team defense. Placekicker James Wilhoit earned second-team special teams recognition. LB DUO SIMON, GAITHER ON BUTKUS AWARD WATCH LIST
Tennessee linebackers Kevin Simon and Omar Gaither were both selected for the 2005 Butkus Award Watch List, which was released by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. (DACO) Aug. 25. The Butkus Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker. The Vols' senior tandem is among 65 players on the initial watch list. Seven SEC linebackers are included on the list, but Tennessee is the only school with multiple candidates. RIGGS NAMED TO WALTER CAMP AWARD WATCH LIST
The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced Tennessee tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. as one of 40 "players to watch" for its prestigious Player of the Year award, the nation's fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. The watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early November. The 2005 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 119 Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on the ESPN/Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December. AINGE NAMED TO DAVEY O'BRIEN AWARD WATCH LIST
Tennessee sophomore Erik Ainge is among 33 college quarterbacks included on the preseason watch list for the 2005 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, presented annually by the Davey O'Brien Foundation. The O'Brien Award is the oldest award in the country for college QBs and is named in honor of the late Davey O'Brien. Semifinalists, as voted on by the O'Brien Selection Committee, a nationwide panel of sportswriters and commentators, as well as former O'Brien Award winners, will be announced in November. MEACHEM NAMED TO BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST
Tennessee sophomore wide receiver Robert Meachem is one of 31 preseason candidates for the 2005 Fred Biletnikoff Award which is given annually to the nation's top collegiate wide receiver. Meachem played in all 13 games for the Vols last season, hauling in 25 passes for 459 yards and four touchdowns. He led Tennessee in receiving yards and yards per catch (18.4). His four touchdowns tied for second on the team. WILHOIT NAMED TO LOU GROZA AWARD WATCH LIST
Tennessee junior James Wilhoit is one of 30 collegiate kickers who have been placed on the preseason watch list for the 14th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl. The award is named for NFL Hall-of-Fame kicker Lou Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Wilhoit is among just three SEC kickers on the Groza watch list. HARALSON NAMED TO HENDRICKS AWARD WATCH LIST
Senior defensive end Parys Haralson is among the 24 players included on the preseason watch list for the 2005 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, presented annually by the Hendricks Foundation to the nation's top collegiate defensive end. A native of Flora, Miss., Haralson is two-time Tennessee co-captain who tallied 43 tackles, seven sacks and 21 QB hurries as a junior last season. He has 30 career TFLs and 12.5 sacks to his credit. MAHELONA TABBED FOR OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST
Senior defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona is one of 36 standout linemen from around the country who have been nominated for consideration in the preseason for the 2005 Outland Trophy as announced by the Football Writers Association of America. The Outland Trophy has been awarded to the best interior offensive or defensive lineman in college football since 1946. The winner is selected by the FWAA's All-America Committee, which selects the association's 25-man team and picks three Outland Trophy finalists. Tennessee's former Outland Trophy winners include Steve DeLong (1964) and John Henderson (2000). Henderson was also a finalist in 2001. ALLEN, MAHELONA ON NAGURSKI AND LOTT WATCH LISTS
Seniors Jason Allen and Jesse Mahelona are among 50 players named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and 42 players tabbed for the Lott Trophy Watch List. Awarded to the best defensive player in college football, the Nagurski Trophy has been a staple of the FWAA's awards since 1993. It is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Former Vols Al Wilson and John Henderson were finalists for the Nagurski Trophy in 1998 and 2000, respectively. Former linebacker Kevin Burnett was on the Watch List last season. The Lott Trophy -- named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott -- goes to the college defensive player of the year who has the biggest IMPACT (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity) both on and off the field. Last year marked the award's inaugural season. It is sponsored by the IMPACT Foundation of The Pacific Club. TENNESSEE BOASTS TRIO OF PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAS
Three different Vols earned 19 preseason All-America honors from various publications.
DB Jason Allen - Athlon, CBSsportline.com, Lindy's (2nd), Nationalchamps.net, Playboy, Rivals.com (2nd), Sports Illustrated, Street & Smith's
DE Parys Haralson - Athlon (2nd), Sporting News (2nd)
DT Jesse Mahelona - Athlon, Blue Ribbon, Lindy's, Nationalchamps.net, Playboy, Rivals.com, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Street & Smith's VOLS FARE WELL IN PRESEASON POLLS
According to most national college football publications, Tennessee enters the 2005 season as a top-5 team and a championship contender. After last season's 10-3 season was capped off with a 38-7 rout of Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, the Volunteers enter the 2005 campaign ranked as high as No. 2 (Athlon Sports and Sporting News) in the national preseason polls. VOLS PRAISED IN ANNUAL BIRMINGHAM PREVIEW
Tennessee is rated first in "overall football strength" among all SEC teams in the 59th annual Birmingham News SEC Football Preview, as voted on by the league's 12 sports information directors. The Vols received eight first-place votes for overall football strength. UT was also picked to repeat as SEC Eastern Division champion. In addition, senior linebacker Kevin Simon was voted the conference's most underrated player, senior defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona was voted the league's best defensive lineman, senior defensive back Jason Allen was voted the league's top cornerback and junior kicker James Wilhoit was tabbed as the SEC's top placekicker. Tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. was selected as the SEC's second-best Heisman candidate, and quarterback Erik Ainge and inside linebacker Simon were voted the second-best players at their respective positions. NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
Since 1989, Tennessee has a 60-13-1 (.818) record in non-conference games. Only five of those defeats have been in the regular season (Notre Dame in 1990 and 2004, at UCLA in 1994, at Memphis in 1996, and Miami [Fla.] in 2002). The other eight losses came in bowl games. Under head coach Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee is 43-10 (.811) against non-conference foes. Fulmer's home record against non-conference teams is a daunting 29-2, with the two setbacks coming vs. Miami (Fla.) in 2002 and Notre Dame in 2004. QUARTERBACKS
Returnees Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen have battled neck-and-neck throughout the preseason for the starting job under center ... Ainge set a new UT freshman record by throwing 17 TD passes in 2004, while Clausen stepped into the starter's role late last season and led Tennessee to the SEC Championship Game and a 38-7 rout over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl ... Vols fans will also follow the race for the No. 3 spot between Bo Hardegree and Jim Bob Cooter ... Highly touted incoming freshman Jonathan Crompton will redshirt this season after undergoing shoulder surgery Aug. 10. TAILBACKS
Gifted senior tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. compiled more than 1,100 rushing yards last season despite splitting carries with the departed Cedric Houston ... Riggs now appears primed to shoulder the load as UT's "showcase" back and maintain the impressive 5.7 yards-per-carry average he posted as a junior ... Junior David Yancey and redshirt freshman Arian Foster are battling Ja'Kouri Williams, Montario Hardesty and LaMarcus Coker for backup time. WIDE RECEIVERS
Tennessee returns four receivers who tallied at least three TD catches and averaged more than 13 yards per catch in 2004 ... Sophomore standout Robert Meachem averaged a team-best 18.4 yards per reception last season ... Senior C.J. Fayton racked up 94 yards and one TD during UT's Cotton Bowl win over Texas A&M ... Bret Smith led the Vols with five TD receptions a season ago, and Jayson Swain's 29 receptions in 2004 are more than any other returning wideout ... Senior Chris Hannon has nine career TDs to his credit ... With little to no experience to their collective credit, backups Casey Woods, Bill Grimes and a bevy of newcomers also look to emerge as playmakers. OFFENSIVE LINE
The Vols averaged 4.7 yards per carry and netted 2,418 yards on the ground last season but now have to fill the void left by two departed starters ( Michael Munoz and Jason Respert) ... Three returning veterans -- Rob Smith, Arron Sears and Cody Douglas earned preseason All-SEC honors ... Sears is targeted for left tackle and Douglas for right guard, while Smith could move from his left guard position to center because of preseason injuries to David Ligon and Richie Gandy ... Senior Albert Toeaina is slated to line up at right tackle, and Ramon Foster looks to get the nod at left guard if Smith makes the move to center ... Names such as Eric Young, Anthony Parker, Ell Ash, Michael Frogg and Steven Jones make the second-string appear solid. DEFENSIVE LINE
Tennessee's defensive front, in the opinions of some publications, enters the season as the best in the nation ... Preseason All-America candidates DT Jesse Mahelona and DE Parys Haralson will wreak havoc along the line of scrimmage ... Haralson's 21 QB hurries last year tied the UT single-season record, and Mahelona recorded a mind-blowing 18.5 TFLs and five sacks ... Senior DE Jason Hall has 50 career tackles, and junior Justin Harrell closed out last season by earning Defensive MVP honors in the Cotton Bowl ... Junior Turk McBride posted 13 "big plays" on defense in 2004 ... Sophomores Antonio Reynolds, Jared Hostetter and Xavier Mitchell will see action, as will heralded newcomer Demonte Bolden. LINEBACKERS
Senior MLB Kevin Simon is eager to lower the boom on opposing ballcarriers after sitting out nearly all of 2004 with an injury ... Fellow seniors Omar Gaither (92 tackles in 2004) and Jason Mitchell (57 tackles in 2004) are penciled in to start at the strong and weak sides, respectively ... Junior Marvin Mitchell is the backup at MLB, while Jerod Mayo, Ryan Karl and Jon Poe should also see playing time as backups. SECONDARY
Big Orange fans breathed a sigh of relief when Jason Allen announced his intentions to return for his senior season ... The Preseason All-America candidate has moved to his favored corner position and will look to post numbers similar to last season's (123 tackles, seven passes defensed as a safety) ... Sophomore Roshaun Fellows appears to be the game-one starter at right cornerback, while Jonathan Hefney and Antwan Stewart occupy the free and strong safety positions, respectively ... Others sure to see action in the defensive backfield are Jonathan Wade, Corey Campbell and Inquoris Johnson ... Incoming freshmen Demetrice Morley and Antonio Wardlow have also worked themselves into contention for playing time. SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior placekicker James Wilhoit is still riding the momentum of his game-winning FG vs. Florida last season and is sure to come through with more clutch kicks in 2005 ... Freshman punter Britton Colquitt fills the vacancy left by his older brother and appears to more than ready for the job ... The elusive Jonathan Hefney is the Vols' No. 1 punt returner, while Gerald Riggs Jr. will field kickoffs along with Hefney ... Inquoris Johnson is listed as a backup returner for both punts and kickoffs. WORKING OVERTIME
Since the NCAA established a tiebreaker system for Division I in 1996, Tennessee is 4-1 overtime contests. The Vols have won the coin toss three times and chosen to play defense twice. The only time UT chose offense after winning the toss was against Florida in 1998. Tennessee has played the second and third-longest overtime games in NCAA history at six (Arkansas 2002) and five periods (Alabama 2003). | Date | Opponent | OTs | Coin Toss | Game Winning Play | Final Score | | 9/19/1998 | Florida | 1 | W (off) | Hall 41 field goal | 20-17 W | | 9/30/2000 | at LSU | 1 | W (def) | Royal 25 pass from Davey | 31-38 L | | 10/5/2002 | Arkansas | 6 | L (off) | Witten 25 pass from Clausen | 41-38 W | | 9/27/2003 | S. Carolina | 1 | W (def) | Banks 4 pass from Clausen | 23-20 W | | 10/25/2003 | at Alabama | 5 | L (off) | Clausen 1 run (2pt conv.) | 51-43 W | | 
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