University of Tennessee Athletics
TUESDAY MEDIA DAY COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH PHILLIP FULMER
October 24, 2006 | Football
Oct. 24, 2006
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"Obviously, it was great to get the win over Alabama. I really see our team continuing to gel, and it was obvious in this last ballgame with the defense picking up the offense and the offense coming back and playing as well as it did to get the win.
"Our defense has really improved, and it had a long way to go because of the injuries that we had with Justin (Harrell) and a really outstanding player in Inky (Johnson). We don't want to continue to belabor that point, but it has taken us some time, and it's really been good to see the response of the defensive line. Turk (McBride) has been leading the way, and the ends have finally been becoming a factor. For the last half of the season those defensive line guys, and particularly the defensive ends, are going to have to be very important part of any success that we have.
"The linebackers are playing well, I think even better than we thought they might. Marvin Mitchell has done an extremely good job, and Jerod Mayo, as he gets healthy, continues to be a big-play guy for us. He's really struggled with that ankle.
"The defensive backs have been real consistent. It's been a process, and a slower-than-anybody-would-like process maybe, but in this last ballgame against Alabama they really did a good job. The goal now is to continue on that path.
"It was good to see our punt return (team) contribute to the win. We've been working hard on that, and we've had our struggles with that, but it's another area that as we try to find ways to help us win the game that it turns out to be a very important part - and it was an important part of that win.
"Offensively, bouncing back from the first-half turnovers was good to see. It was another big test for us. There wasn't panic or a sense of frustration or anything, it was just a matter of going back out there and doing a yeoman's job to be successful.
"Our guys have been very responsive, and I think a lot of that can be attributed to the energy and the way that the staff has gone about approaching this team and this season, and more importantly the team's response to that.
"South Carolina is a great challenge for us. I think we'll have to play one of our best games of the year to win the game. Each week you face different kinds of challenges, and South Carolina certainly presents a number of problems. Versus our defense, their ability to run the ball with (Cory) Boyd and (Mike) Davis, (quarterback Syvelle) Newton's ability to make plays, particular turning scramble-type plays into big plays for them is a very big concern for us, and their wide receivers are exceptional players. For us to do well, we've got to prevent the big play and play really good assignment and fundamental football.
"Offensively, it's another set of challenges in that you're going to get multiple looks from them. We should have some carryover from the last few games that we've played. You look at their defensive football team, and they're only giving up 14 points per game, and that's quite impressive. They have a lot of ways to pressure you. We've got to see how they play us, and as a team be prepared to go into a very hostile environment. Manage, as we say, the 'poise for the noise.' Find our balance offensively, and on both sides of the ball execute very well.
"The kicking game is an area that we want to continue to try to win. They have a very fine kicker in Ryan Succop who we recruited and looked at for a long, long time, but we just weren't in a position (to bring him in) with (punter) Britton (Colquitt) and (kicker) James (Wilhoit). He's done very well as their kicker and their punter, and our kicker and punter will have to take the challenge, which I believe they will and they are capable of doing.
"During the course of the season our team has overcome a lot with the injuries, and the latest being (running back LaMarcus) Coker. Not only that position has to step up, but other people at other positions have to step up when you lose a really good player like Coker has been. We play a tough schedule, along the way we've struggled with depth at spots and youth at spots, but they've done a really good job of gaining experience, gaining confidence and fighting through those injuries and the schedule to get to the point that we are now.
"I think that we have a very good fighting spirit. We came back to work (Monday) and put the Alabama win behind us and went right to work on South Carolina. We've really come a long way since fall camp as a team. The challenge now is to focus our energy and our attention to one game at a time as we go through this stretch starting with South Carolina and prepare ourselves to the very best that we can possibly do. Not only prepare ourselves well, but go and play well as a team to win the football game."
`BIG ORANGE TAILGATE TOUR' ROLLS INTO COLUMBIA; 800 ALUMNI, FANS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND
The 2006 "Big Orange Tailgate Tour" continues this weekend in Columbia, S.C., and all Vol fans, friends and alumni of the University of Tennessee are invited.
The Tennessee National Alumni Association hosts its third stop of the season prior to Saturday's UT-South Carolina matchup, and the two-hour pregame event begins at 4:45 p.m. The location is Seawell's Catering, across the street from the fairgrounds and Williams-Brice Stadium.
There will be a tailgate-style buffet, along with a big screen television with Vol highlights and other football games being shown.
In addition to food, fun and "Rocky Top," participants can look forward to listening to the UT Pride of the Southland Band, cheerleaders and a special appearance by Smokey. There will be game-specific spirit buttons and beads available, too. Door prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes.
All participants who pre-register for a tailgate tour stop will be automatically entered into a drawing for an autographed football. The drawing will occur at the end of the event.
Cost to eat is just $15 for adults and $8 for children (3-12).
To pre-register or for more information, go to www.utalumni.utk.edu (click on Tailgate Tour logo), or call the National Alumni Association office at 865-974-3011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time.
FORMER VOLS QB MARTIN GUEST SPEAKER FRIDAY
Former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin is the featured speaker at the Carolina Touchdown Club's luncheon meeting at Seawell's on Friday.
Social and buffet luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m., followed by the program at 12:30 p.m. All Tennessee alumni and fans are invited to attend. Reservations are requested by calling (803) 771-7385 prior to Friday. Tickets are $20 each.
For more information, please contact Cal Seawell at (803) 771-7385.
