TENNESSEE POSTGAME NOTES

Nov. 18, 2006

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Noting Tennessee

Tennessee improved to 8-3 (4-3 SEC); Vanderbilt fell to 4-8 (1-7 SEC).
The Vols entered the game ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll and No. 23 in the USA Today rankings; Vanderbilt was unranked.
Since the SEC expansion in 1992, Tennessee owns the best road conference record in the league with a 46-14 (.767) mark. This season, Tennessee is 3-1 on the road in the SEC with wins at Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Tennessee returns to action Nov. 25 when it hosts Kentucky at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast regionally on the Lincoln Financial Network. Vanderbilt's season came to a close today.

Tennessee-Vanderbilt Series

Tennessee leads the all-time series vs. Vanderbilt 68-27-5 (.705) dating to 1892. That record includes a 34-17-4 (.655) mark for the Vols in Nashville.
Today's contest marked the fifth meeting between UT head coach Phillip Fulmer and Commodores coach Bobby Johnson, with Fulmer boasting a 4-1 advantage.

Phillip Fulmer's Record

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer's record now stands at 136-40 (.773) in 15 seasons with the Vols.
Fulmer now owns a 13-1 record against Vanderbilt, an 88-29 mark against SEC teams, and a 54-17 record against the SEC East.

Cutcliffe's Magic Number = 30

Under offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, Tennessee has scored at least 30 points in seven of its 11 games this season.
Under Cutcliffe (who was the offensive coordinator from 1993-98 before returning to the post this season), Tennessee has scored at least 30 points in 54 different games; UT owns an impressive 52-2 (.963) record when that happens.

Ainge Returns to Starting Role

Junior quarterback Erik Ainge made his 21st career start for the Vols. He now owns a 16-5 career mark as a starter. Ainge did not play last week at Arkansas due to an ankle injury suffered at South Carolina Oct. 28.
With 266 passing yards today, Ainge moved past Tee Martin into fifth place on UT's all-time passing yardage list with 4,671 yards.
In the first half, Ainge completed 11 consecutive pass attempts. He previously completed 15 straight passes vs. Air Force Sept. 9 for a streak that ranks second on UT's all-time list (behind Tee Martin's streak of 24 straight completions in 1998).
Ainge's second-quarter touchdown pass to Jayson Swain was the 17th touchdown Ainge has thrown this year, tying his season-high set in 2004. It was the 39th scoring toss of Ainge's career.

Big Orange Receivers Producing Big Plays

Junior wide receiver Robert Meachem led UT's receiving efforts with seven catches for 95 yards and one touchdown today.
Meachem's fourth-quarter touchdown was his 10th of the season and the 16th of his career. Today's performance moved him into second place on UT's single-season receiving yardage list with 1,149 yards on the year. He also moved past Larry Seivers into sixth place on the Vols' career receiving yardage list with 1,991 yards. He is the only Vol with a catch in every game this season.
Senior wideout Jayson Swain caught a 6-yard touchdown pass with 0:17 remaining in the second quarter. It was Swain's 10th career touchdown and his third against Vanderbilt. He tied a career-high with six catches today, and his six touchdowns this season are a season high.
Junior tight end Brad Cottam caught a 45-yard pass in the third quarter, marking the longest reception of his career (it was his 12th career catch).

Tailback Production on the Rise

Redshirt freshman LaMarcus Coker -- a native of nearby Antioch, Tenn. -- gained 126 yards on 10 carries today. He scored on an 8-yard touchdown run in the second quarter before breaking loose for an 87-yard scoring scamper in the third quarter. His second touchdown of the day tied for the fourth-longest run in UT history and was his third career rushing touchdown (the fourth overall touchdown of his career).
Today marked Coker's third career 100-yard game. He also rushed for triple digits against Marshall and Memphis.
Fellow redshirt freshman tailback Montario Hardesty made his second straight start and his fourth of the season. He totaled 52 yards on nine carries.

Midstate Native Wilhoit Plays Final Game at Vanderbilt Stadium; Scores Career-High 15 Points

Senior placekicker James Wilhoit -- a native of nearby Hendersonville, Tenn. -- set a career-high with four field goals and 15 points tonight. He entered today's game as the SEC's second active career scoring leader with 301 points (Auburn placekicker John Vaughn entered the weekend with 305 career points). Wilhoit now has 316 points in his career and moved into third place on UT's all-time scoring list.
Wilhoit's 57 career field goals rank third all-time at Tennessee; he trails Fuad Reveiz (71) and Jeff Hall (61).
For his career, Wilhoit has 41 points against Vanderbilt, marking his highest scoring total against any opponent. His second-highest scoring total against any foe is 31 career points vs. Alabama.
Wilhoit's 15 points today are the most by a Tennessee kicker since Alex Wall scored 17 vs. Wyoming in 2002.

Noting the Defense

Redshirt freshman linebacker Rico McCoy led the Vols' defensive efforts with a career-high eight tackles, including three TFLs. Junior linebacker Ryan Karl, a native of nearby Franklin, Tenn., tallied five stops, including one TFL.
Junior free safety Jonathan Hefney intercepted a Chris Nickson pass in the fourth quarter to set up a Robert Meachem touchdown catch. It was Hefney's fifth interception this season and the ninth of his career.
Senior cornerback Jonathan Wade intercepted a Chris Nickson pass in the fourth quarter to set up a field goal. It was Wade's fourth interception this season and the sixth of his career.
Senior cornerback Jonathan Wade logged his 100th career tackle today.

Miscellaneous Notes

Today's attendance was 39,773.
Tennessee's game captains tonight were seniors David Ligon, Turk McBride, Marvin Mitchell, Arron Sears and James Wilhoit.
The Vols had a pair of one-play scoring drives today (an 87-yard run by LaMarcus Coker and a 17-yard catch by Robert Meachem).
Tennessee seniors Jim Bob Cooter (quarterback) and Drew Tardy (wide receiver) saw action on UT's final possession of the game.
Today's contest was the Vols' eighth game this season in the state of Tennessee. Next week's home game vs. Kentucky will be UT's ninth game in the Volunteer State this season.

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