 | | Rick Clausen was named SEC Player of the Week after guiding the Vols to a 30-27 overtime win at LSU. | SERIES HISTORY
For the third straight week, the Vols face a conference opponent whose head coach is in his first year with his respective team. Rebels head coach Ed Orgeron has guided UM to a 1-2 start in 2005. Next week's contest marks the first meeting between Orgeron and UT head coach Phillip Fulmer. The Vols' and Rebels' most recent meeting came last October in Oxford, Miss. Tennessee posted a hard-fought, 21-17 victory in that game, as Gerald Riggs Jr. rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown and Parys Haralson logged a career-high 10 tackles. UT leads the all-time series with Mississippi 42-18-1, dating to 1902. The Rebels have not defeated the Big Orange since posting a 13-10 win in Knoxville in 1983. The Vols have won their last 11 games vs. Mississippi. Tennessee's Magnolia State natives include senior defensive end (and two-time team co-captain) Parys Haralson (Flora), sophomore defensive end Xavier Mitchell (Long Beach), sophomore wide receiver/holder Casey Woods (Starkville) and freshman center Josh McNeil (Collins). CLAUSEN LEADS DRAMATIC SECOND-HALF COMEBACK IN RETURN TO LSU; NAMED SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tennessee senior quarterback Rick Clausen was elected as a team co-captain prior to the season, and this past Monday at LSU he showed the country why. Clausen made his first appearance at LSU's Tiger Stadium since the 2002 season, during which he was a freshman signal-caller for the Tigers (he transferred to UT in 2003). In leading the Vols back from a 21-0 halftime deficit, Clausen was 18-of-28 passing for 180 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown in the second half. In the game, Clausen completed 21-of-32 passes for 197 yards. He directed all of Tennessee's scoring drives, including Gerald Riggs Jr.'s 1-yard TD run in overtime for the game-winner. Clausen was also 4-of-5 passing on third-down plays for 53 yards Monday. As a result, Clausen garnered SEC Player of the Week acclaim, marking the second time in his career he received the league's weekly honor. He previously won the award after leading UT to a come-from-behind win over Kentucky in Knoxville in 2004. FRESHMAN TAYLOR REVS UP VOLS' RETURN GAME
True freshman wide receiver Lucas Taylor made his collegiate debut this past Monday at LSU, and the native of Carencro, La., breathed some much needed life into the Vols' return game. Entering the LSU game, Tennessee's longest punt or kickoff return this season was 18 yards. Taylor had kick returns of 25 and 20 yards while finishing with 65 yards on five returns (three punt, two kickoff) under the lights in his home state. FULMER NOTCHES 125th CAREER HEAD COACHING VICTORY
The Vols' comeback win at LSU Monday gave UT head coach Phillip Fulmer his 125th career victory as a head coach. Fulmer has spent his entire head coaching career at Tennessee and owns an overall record of 125-32. Fulmer ranks ninth on the SEC's all-time wins list and needs 12 more victories to tie former LSU coach Charlie McClendon for eighth place. McClendon won 137 games from 1962-79. HALFTIME REVIVAL IN BATON ROUGE
After one half of play in the LSU game Monday, the Tigers had posted 200 yards of total offense to Tennessee's 90 yards. LSU also held a 21-0 lead at the break. However, after halftime (including overtime), Tennessee racked up 230 yards of total offense while limiting the Tigers to just 56 yards. The Vols outscored LSU 30-6 after the half. In 10 first-half drives, UT managed no points, two fumbles, an interception and seven punts. But the Vols made the most of their seven drives after halftime, posting four touchdowns, a field goal and punting just once. The Vols' rallied to overcome a 21-point deficit, marking Tennessee's largest comeback since it spotted Kentucky a 21-point lead in 2001 and came back to post a 38-35 win. DAUNTING RUSHING DEFENSE
The Volunteers defense has not allowed a team to rush for 100 yards all season. UT limited UAB to 53 rushing yards and held Florida to 68 yards on the ground. LSU's 98 total rushing yards are the most by a Tennessee opponent this season. Tennessee ranks first in the Southeastern Conference with a rushing defense that allows an average of just 73.0 yards per game. Joseph Addai of LSU gained 84 rushing yards against the Vols, marking the best rushing output by an opposing player all season. REGGIE WHITE No. 92 RETIREMENT RECOGNITION
Former Tennessee All-America defensive tackle Reggie White (1980-83) will have his No. 92 retired by the University of Tennessee during an on-field recognition prior to the Mississippi game Oct. 1. White, who passed away last December unexpectedly, will be represented by his wife, Sara, and other family members. He becomes just the fifth Vol to have his jersey number retired, joining four men -- Clyde Fuson (62), Bill Nowling (32), Rudy Klarer (49) and Willis Tucker (61) -- who died during World War II. Peyton Manning (16) and Doug Atkins (91) will also have their numbers added to that list at recognition ceremonies before the South Carolina and Vanderbilt games, respectively. This will bring UT's total of retired numbers to seven. FOUR VOLS RANK HIGH ON SEC POSITIONAL TACKLES LIST
Senior defensive tackle Justin Harrell currently leads all Southeastern Conference defensive ends/linemen with an average of 6.0 tackles per game. Senior co-captain Jason Allen ranks second in the SEC among defensive backs with 8.7 stops per game. Seniors Omar Gaither and Kevin Simon are tied fifth among SEC linebackers with 8.0 tackles per game. The four Vols seniors combine to average 30.7 tackles per game. RIGGS POISED TO JOIN ELITE 100-YARD-GAME COMPANY
Senior tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. has tallied seven career 100-yard games, including four in the Vols' last seven contests, dating to last season. Riggs needs just three more 100-yard outings to join the six Tennessee rushers who have surpassed the century mark in at least 10 games during their respective careers. Current Tennessee Titan Travis Henry holds the UT career record with 15 100-yard games. The other backs with double-digit 100-yard games are: Jay Graham - 14; Jamal Lewis - 13; Johnnie Jones - 13; Reggie Cobb - 10; James Stewart - 10). SIX VOLS HAVE ALREADY EARNED BACHELOR'S DEGREES
Tennessee ranks tied for fourth in the Southeastern Conference and tied for 10th nationally with six players on its current roster who have already earned their bachelor's degrees. The Vols' graduates include Jason Allen, Rick Clausen, C.J. Fayton, Richie Gandy, Jason Mitchell and walk-on Sam Wantland. 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 LEAGUE MEDIA PICKS VOLS TO WIN 2005 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Tennessee received 37 of 87 votes cast by media attending the 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 EARN COACHES' PRESEASON ALL-SEC HONORS
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. NUMBER SWAP
Preseason All-SEC performers Kevin Simon and Gerald Riggs Jr. highlight the list of Vols who are donning new numbers in 2005. Simon is wearing No. 2 instead of his old No. 5. Riggs switched from No. 31 to No. 21. Other Tennessee players with new uniform numbers include: No. 63 Ell Ash, No. 47 Britton Colquitt, No. 67 Cameron Mayo, No. 7 Jerod Mayo and No. 75 Anthony Parker. 10 SEASONS = 101 VOL VICTORIES
Tennessee's 100th series meeting against Kentucky to end the 2004 regular season resulted in the Vols' 100th overall victory in the last 10 years -- a figure that leads the SEC. The Vols are 101-25 since the start of the 1995 season and assured themselves of ending this season as the conference's top team over the last 10 years for the second year in a row. Tennessee went 99-26 in the 10-year period that ended after 2003. Florida sports the second-best record in the last decade, entering the 2005 season at 96-30. Georgia follows at 88-35 and LSU at 81-40. Auburn is 80-42 over that span. Other SEC schools in order: Mississippi 69-49, Alabama 69-52, Arkansas 69-52, Mississippi State 52-64, South Carolina 49-64, Kentucky 43-71 and Vanderbilt 25-87. NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
Since 1989, Tennessee has a 61-13-1 (.820) 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 20-2, with the two setbacks coming vs. Miami (Fla.) in 2002 and Notre Dame in 2004. QUARTERBACKS
Senior Rick Clausen enjoyed a career game Monday night at LSU, returning to the school at which he began his college career and leading the Vols to a comeback win in overtime ... Clausen came off the bench in the second quarter and finished the game 21-of-32 for 196 yards and one TD ... He also ran for a score on his way to SEC Player of the Week honors ... Clausen's efficiency stands at 126.71, which ranks ninth in the SEC ... Sophomore Erik Ainge was the starter at LSU but left the game after a nasty hit in the second quarter ... Ainge completed 7 of 19 passes for 54 yards ... Clausen has recorded 413 yards and two TDs through the air, while Ainge has thrown for 258 yards and two scores ... highly touted incoming freshman Jonathan Crompton is redshirting this season after undergoing shoulder surgery. TAILBACKS
Senior tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. ran hard and determined during the win at LSU Monday, particularly in the overtime period, during which he was responsible for all 25 yards of offense and the game-winning TD ... Riggs averages 95.0 yards per game and a healthy 4.5 yards per carry this season ... He scored his first two TDs of the year during Monday's win ... Riggs has also developed into a receiving threat this season, having recorded seven receptions for 38 yards ... Redshirt freshman Arian Foster has gained 34 yards on nine carries through UT's first three games ... True freshman Montario Hardesty made his playing debut Monday and gained four yards on two carries ... Fellow freshman LaMarcus Coker has yet to see his first game action. WIDE RECEIVERS
Senior C.J. Fayton leads the Vols this season with 14 catches for 161 yards and one TD ... Fayton set a career-high with eight catches vs. the Tigers ... Junior Bret Smith leads the Vols with two receiving TDs this year after hauling in an 8-yard scoring strike from Rick Clausen Monday night ... Sophomore Robert Meachem averages 15.4 yards on his seven catches this year ... Senior Chris Hannon had six catches Monday to give him 10 on the year (with a 9.7-yard average) ... Sophomore Chris Brown is the only Vols tight end to catch a pass this season; he has five receptions for 43 yards. OFFENSIVE LINE
Anthony Parker (center) and Eric Young (left tackle) made their first career starts Monday at LSU, filling in for injured vet Richie Gandy and junior Arron Sears (who moved to right guard in place of Cody Douglas) ... Douglas came off the bench and saw significant action during Monday's win ... Sears played every line position except center against LSU, once again proving his immense versatility ... Sears was on the field for all 85 of the Vols' offensive plays vs. the Tigers ... Ramon Foster is the projected starter at left guard vs. Mississippi (his lone previous start came against UAB in the season opener) ... Rob Smith will likely get the start at center vs. the Rebels ... The Vols average 91.3 rushing yards per game and are gaining 2.9 yards per attempt. DEFENSIVE LINE
Tennessee's defensive front, in the opinions of some publications, entered the season as the best in the nation ... Thus far, the unit has lived up to the hype, allowing just 73.0 rushing yards per game (leading the SEC) and recording eight sacks ... Senior co-captain Parys Haralson logged three TFLs at LSU, including two key sacks of Tigers QB JaMarcus Russell ... Senior defensive tackle Justin Harrell totaled six stops vs. the Tigers and leads all SEC defensive linemen/ends with 6.0 stops per game ... Harrell forced an LSU fumble and leads the Vols' front seven with 18 tackles on the year ... Senior end Jason Hall recovered his first career fumlbe Monday night ... All-America defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona has two sacks this season ... Junior tackle Turk McBride suffered an ankle injury Monday and is doubtful for UT's game vs. Mississippi. LINEBACKERS
Senior linebackers Omar Gaither and Kevin Simon both have 24 tackles this season to rank tied for second on the team ... Gaither leads the squad with 4.5 "big plays" on defense ... Simon forced a fumble at LSU Monday night, giving him two for his career ... Senior Jason Mitchell has 11 stops on the season, and sophomore Ryan Karl leads the Vols with four special teams tackles. SECONDARY
Senior defensive back Jason Allen leads the Vols with 26 tackles this season ... Allen led UT with eight stops at LSU ... Sophomore safety Jonathan Hefney made five tackles vs. the Tigers and turned the game around with a key interception in the second half ... Hefney returned his second career interception 26 yards to the LSU 2-yard line ... Freshman cornerback Demetrice Morley intercepted LSU's hail-mary pass attempt at the end of regulation, marking his first career pick ... Junior defensive back Jonathan Wade played well, recording four tackles and recovering a fumble ... Wade will get the start opposite Allen against Mississippi. SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior placekicker James Wilhoit hit a clutch field goal to force overtime Monday and is now 2-of-4 this season on field goal attempts ... Punter Britton Colquitt is averaging 37.8 yards per punt ... Tennessee's kick-return average stands at 15.8 yards, and elusive true freshman Lucas Taylor appears to have earned a spot as one of UT's top returners. UP NEXT
Tennessee remains in Knoxville next weekend to play host to SEC Eastern Division rival Georgia. Last season in Athens, Ga., the Vols posted a 19-14 victory to snap the Bulldogs' four-game win streak in the series. Tennessee leads the all-time series 18-14-2, dating to 1899. The Vols have also claimed victory in 10 of their last 14 tilts with UGA and boast a 9-7-1 advantage in games played in Knoxville. Under head coach Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee is 9-4 vs. Georgia and averages 26.8 points per game against the Bulldogs. Excluding Tennessee, Georgia is the most-represented state on UT's 2005 roster. The following 10 Vols all hail from the Peach State: Ben Greene (Jonesboro), Bill Grimes (Douglasville), Jason Hall (Marietta), Inquoris Johnson (Atlanta), Cameron Mayo (Dalton), Anthony Parker (Jonesboro), Jarod Parrish (Summerville), Chris Scott (Lovejoy) and walk-ons Stephen Darville (Rome) and Roy Olasimbo (Riverdale). OVERTIME SUCCESS
Since the NCAA established a tiebreaker system for Division I in 1996, Tennessee is 5-1 overtime contests. The Vols have won the coin toss four times and chosen to play defense three times. 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 | | 9/26/2005 | at LSU | 1 | W (def) | Riggs 1 run | 30-27 W | | 
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