University of Tennessee Athletics
SATURDAY'S MATCHUP 'WHY YOU COME TO TENNESSEE'
November 02, 2006 | Football
Nov. 2, 2006
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer says his Vols need to stay "focused, hungry and humble" heading into Saturday's Southeastern Conference matchup against 13th-ranked LSU. UT is ranked eighth in the polls but is smack in the middle of a challenging stretch of games.
"I reminded them how they got here, what it took to get here," Fulmer said after Thursday's practice at Haslam Field. "They were very attentive to that.
"I told them they haven't been preparing for this game the last three days; they've been preparing for this type of game since January. This is why you come to Tennessee, to have a chance to play in these kinds of games."
The Vols, 7-1 overall and 3-1 SEC, have won two of their three matchups this season against top-10 opponents, claiming double-digit wins over California and Georgia sandwiched around a one-point loss to Florida.
"The significance of this game requires an attention to detail in practice that is going to carry over to Saturday," Fulmer said. "We have to be focused, hungry and humble. It's a big challenge, a tough challenge for us."
Fulmer updated the media on the progress of injured quarterback Erik Ainge and the status of reserve signal-caller Jonathan Crompton.
"Erik did practically everything today and that's a real plus. He was much improved from yesterday. We still don.t have a solid say on exactly what we're going to do but it certainly looks like he's going to be able to play. Jonathan is talented. He's done extremely well and he's ready to play.
"Either one of them, I expect to do the job and do well."
LSU, 6-2 and 2-2, leads the nation in total defense, allowing only 211.6 yards of offense per game. Fulmer says it's not the ideal situation for either an injured quarterback or one with just four collegiate pass attempts.
"Jonathan, with his experience level against the No. 1 defense in the country, that's not exactly how you want to start your career. Erik being a little on the gimpy side, that's not exactly the kind of defense you want to go against.
"But that's where we are and I think we can make it into a positive with how we play."
GAME CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED
Fulmer named offensive tackle Arron Sears, offensive guard David Ligon, defensive tackle Turk McBride, linebacker Marvin Mitchell and deep snapper Ryan West game captains for Saturday.
