University of Tennessee Athletics
First Day in Pads a Hit for Vols
August 09, 2005 | Football
Aug. 9, 2005
Photo Gallery | Fulmer's Comments | Practice Highlights
Close to 40 plays of scrimmage work Tuesday highlighted Tennessee's opening session in pads as fall drills continued at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
"We were able to get just a ton of really good work in," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "It will be great film study for us and as we always say, you really want to improve from your first scrimmage to your second."
Tennessee's first full scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
"I think the kids have had a heck of an attitude about coming out here and working to get better," Fulmer said. "That's been one of the key factors, that and being talented enough to get it done."
The coaching staff continues to evaluate its quarterback chase between lefty Rick Clausen and right-hander Erik Ainge.
"They're just running neck and neck," Fulmer said. "Both of them are doing a lot of things well and that allows us to go pretty fast.
"We're as far along inserting (the game plan) and being pretty good at it as we've been in a long time from an execution standpoint, on both sides."
Among Tuesday's scrimmage stars, according to the head coach, were Gerald Riggs Jr. and a pair of incoming freshmen tailbacks, Montario Hardesty and LaMarcus Coker.
"It was good to see them full speed because you can't really tell until you're out there full speed and you can see what you've got. I think both of those guys are going to help us and complement us pretty well."
Wednesday's schedule starts early, with a 7:20 a.m. practice followed later in the day by a second workout in the baseball outfield. Only a pair of two-a-day practice dates are scheduled, the other being Aug. 17.
Tennessee opens its playing season Sept. 3 by hosting UAB in a 12:30 p.m. kickoff.
