University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS SET TO VISIT RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM IN ADVANCE OF MONDAY'S OUTBACK BOWL
December 30, 2006 | Football
Dec. 30, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- Tennessee held its final full practice in advance of Monday's meeting against Penn State with a 75-minute morning workout at the University of South Florida. The Vols then visited Clearwater Beach for lunch before staging a brief walk-through at Raymond James Stadium, site of this week's game.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer said Montario Hardesty would get the start against the Nittany Lions, although LaMarcus Coker and Arian Foster would see plenty of action.
"All three of our tailbacks, we consider them starters," Fulmer said. "All of them will play. It might depend on what play or situation we are in as to who gets the call, so to us it's not a big deal.
"I'm really hopeful that Coker gets back into the groove he's been in and that Arian Foster comes to life. He was so important to us early in the season."
Coker leads the Vols with 660 rushing yards this season, followed by Hardesty at 382 and Foster at 257. UT averaged 110.1 yards per game rushing and how the unit does against a tough Penn State defense -- which allows only 87.8 rushing yards per game -- will go far in determining Monday's victor.
In addition to the Outback Bowl pairing, Arkansas takes on Wisconsin just up the road in the Capital One Bowl, also Jan. 1, and then Florida plays Ohio State one week later in the BCS Championship Game. The SEC and Big Ten conferences meet every year in the Outback and Capital One bowls.
"I'm really glad we have three outstanding matchups between the Big Ten and the SEC," Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno said earlier in the week. "All three should be great games."
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE VOLS
The Vols were scheduled for a team appearance at Bowl Beach Day at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort Saturday after practice. Tennessee players and staff also had the option to attend the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens at the St. Pete Times Forum Saturday night. On Sunday, Fulmer will attend a 10 a.m. press conference at the Quorum Hotel prior to the team's final walk-through practice at USF.
