University of Tennessee Athletics
ROAD SUCCESS NECESSARY FOR CHANCE AT EAST TITLE
October 04, 2006 | Football
Oct. 4, 2006
Tennessee returns to the Southeastern Conference races this weekend in Athens, Ga., and just in the nick of time. Florida and Georgia have the early advantage in league play but Saturday's affairs in the Eastern Division could tilt things back toward the Vols.
As long as the Sanford Stadium atmosphere doesn't get in the way.
"I don't want our guys to go down there and get shocked in any way," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Understand the intensity of the game, understand the crowd and understand that it's the 70 of us and a few loyal fans. Everybody else will cut your heart out to win the game -- that's the way you have to play.
"I believe they understand. I hope they do. It's how emphatically you tell them (that counts)."
UT stands 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the SEC, garnering a No. 13 national ranking from Associated Press and No. 14 by the coaches. The Vols are the only team in the league to have completed their non-conference slate for the 2006 regular season. And while the 4-0 mark against outside foes was impressive, it has left Tennessee seemingly far behind in the conference standings.
The Vols' only result in league play was a 21-20 loss to Florida back on Sept. 16. The Gators (3-0) host LSU (1-1) on Saturday afternoon before Tennessee's clash with Georgia (2-0).
Tennessee remains the SEC's best road team since divisional play began in 1992. The Vols are 43-13 (.768) in away games, just edging Florida's 48-15 (.762) record and ahead of Auburn's 36-22 and Georgia's 39-24-1.
In fact, UT is the only school since 1992 never to have had a losing season on the road. The last five years, Tennessee's road records in league play have been an impressive 2-2, 4-0, 3-1, 3-1, and 4-0.
Kickoff Saturday is 7:45 p.m. Eastern time.
FORMER VOL ANDY KELLY TO FEATURED ON ESPNews' THE HOTLIST THURSDAY
Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback and current New Orleans VooDoo signal-caller Andy Kelly will be interviewed on ESPNews' The Hotlist, Thursday at 5:40 p.m. ET/4:40 p.m. CT. Kelly will discuss his return to the VooDoo, his thoughts on this year's Tennessee squad and the big game against Georgia this weekend.
Just yesterday, in an effort to build on the success that the New Orleans franchise experienced in their first two seasons, the VooDoo signed FB/LB Dan Curran, QB Andy Kelly, OL/DL Mike Landry, WR/LB Tremaine Neal and WR/DB Calvin Spears for the 2007 season. The VooDoo was forced to suspend operations for the 2006 season due to facility, housing and staffing issues associated with Hurricane Katrina. Click here for the complete release.
JOHNSON NAMED VolSCHOLAR OF THE WEEK
Georgia native Inquoris Johnson is this week's VolScholar of the Week, as selected by the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center.
The Atlanta native was injured earlier this year in the game against Air Force and is out for the season. Yet Johnson remains on track to graduate early with a degree in political science. He is a member of the Thornton Center 40+ Club, having earned 40 or more credit hours in one year.
MEACHEM SELECTED VOLS `CAREacter STAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK'
Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem was selected the team's "CAREacter Star Athlete of the Week" for his outstanding off-field success.
The Tulsa, Okla. native is a junior who already is making an impact in the East Tennessee area. He has been a frequent visitor to boys and girls clubs and enjoys the team's work in the community.
On the field, Meachem is the SEC leader in receiving yards per game and ranks third in Division I-A). He is half of the nation's top receiving duo with teammate Jayson Swain (955 yards). Meachem already has three 100-yard games this year and four for his career.
The wideout scored two TDs in each of first two games this year and is averaging 21.4 yards per catch, hauling in 27 for 577 yards. His 182 yards versus California were the most in game for a UT receiver since Kelley Washington's 197 against Rutgers in 2002. He stands as the Vols leading active receiver with 1,419 yards (81 receptions).
Every week the UT football coaching staff selects one student athlete as UT's "CAREacter Star Athlete of the Week" based on five criteria. As a reward for their accomplishments, these student-athletes will be recognized each week by their local media and presented with a T-shirt and a letter acknowledging them as UT's "Star Athlete of the Week."
