University of Tennessee Athletics
INTERVIEW OF COACH PHILLIP FULMER BEFORE VANDERBILT GAME
November 13, 2006 | Football
Nov. 13, 2006
1. Give us an update on your quarterback situation, with Erik Ainge trying to return to action and share duties with Jonathan Crompton.
A - "Erik didn't play Saturday, so we are hoping the extra rest and treatments he is receiving will have him close to 100 percent for Vanderbilt. If not, Jonathan Crompton has done a nice job for us and will be the guy."
2. How will the improved depth at tailback -- where Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty and LaMarcus Coker play -- help Saturday?
A - "It should affect us in a positive way. LaMarcus returned earlier than expected from his injury and did a nice job in the Arkansas game. His dynamics and speed and ability to make a guy miss are a plus for us. We look for good things from all three players."
3. Comment on the overall balance of the Southeastern Conference, widely recognized this year as best in the nation top to bottom.
A - "Week in and week out in the Southeastern Conference, you better be ready to play. This year, I have seen more balance to the point where injuries and other factors have made a difference. We're trying to return some banged-up players and I hope we get back on track."
4. Describe the challenge the Vols defense faces Saturday when Tennessee travels to Vanderbilt.
A - "Vanderbilt is a good offensive team, starting with the quarterback who is doing an outstanding job. They can run the ball well when they spread out, and their receivers are very talented. Vanderbilt is a tough challenge."
5. What will it take for the Vols to post a win over the Commodores Saturday at Vanderbilt Stadium?
A - "We need to start playing our brand of football again on both sides. We need to be aggressive and efficient. It's crucial that we not give up the rushing yardage we have done the last couple of games."
UT-KENTUCKY FINALE SET FOR AFTERNOON KICKOFF
The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Tennessee's Nov. 25 close to the regular season against Kentucky is being televised by Lincoln Financial Sports and kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. This will mark the Vols second appearance in as many weeks on LFS, which took over this season as the SEC's regional network from Jefferson-Pilot Sports.
Tennessee plays at Vanderbilt this Saturday in a Lincoln Financial telecast.
Tennessee leads the series against Kentucky 69-23-9 and has won the last 21 consecutive meetings in a row -- an active streak second only to Notre Dame's 43 straight wins over Navy. The Vols have won 10 straight over UK in Neyland Stadium, although two years ago UT trailed by nine entering the fourth quarter before rallying for a 37-31 victory.
Kentucky's last win in the series, which at 101 games is the third-longest in the SEC behind Auburn-Georgia (109) and Ole Miss-Mississippi State (102), was 17-12 in 1984.
Other SEC games being televised Thanksgiving weekend are LSU vs. Arkansas in Little Rock on CBS (Friday, 1:30 p.m. Central), South Carolina at Clemson on ESPN or ESPN2 (noon Eastern), Florida at Florida State on ABC (noon Eastern) and Georgia Tech at Georgia on CBS (3:30 p.m. Eastern).
