University of Tennessee Athletics
UT-Mississippi State Set for Afternoon Kickoff
October 01, 2007 | Football
Game time for Tennessee???s Oct. 13 matchup at Mississippi State has been set for 1:30 p.m. Central time. The game was not selected for telecast by any of the Southeastern Conference???s television partners, but will be available on the Vol Radio Network.
Tennessee leads the series 26-15-1 and looks to match its longest-ever winning streak against the Bulldogs. UT has won the last four meetings -- two in Knoxville, one in Starkville and one in the 1998 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Tennessee won five consecutive meetings between 1925-34. The Vols??? last visit to Davis Wade Stadium resulted in a 35-17 UT win.
Televised league games for the Oct. 13 weekend are Alabama at Ole Miss on Lincoln Financial Sports (11:30 a.m. Central), LSU at Kentucky on CBS (3:30 p.m. Eastern), South Carolina at North Carolina on ABC (3:30 p.m. Eastern), Georgia at Vanderbilt on ESPN2 (5 p.m. Central) and Auburn at Arkansas on ESPN (6:45 p.m. Central).
INTERVIEW OF COACH PHILLIP FULMER BEFORE GEORGIA GAME SATURDAY AT NEYLAND STADIUM
1. How specifically did you make use of the extra practice time last week to get ready for Georgia? A - "It will be a big help. We needed time to heal and to get a start on Georgia. From a fundamentals standpoint, we worked really hard to correct the things we were doing wrong."
2. Four games into the season, what scenario will it take to get the Vols into the Eastern Division title picture of the SEC? A - "The SEC race is wide open. There's a lot of football to be played. But this is the time of year when you say what you mean and mean what you say. We are going to the practice field to get ready for Georgia and eliminate the problems we have had. Don't turn the ball over, and don't give up yardage opponents haven't really earned with missed tackles and the like. We need to use the kicking game to our advantage."
3. Explain how young players are moving up on the depth chart, fulfilling hopes that this year's recruits could provide important help. A - "Kenny O'Neal for one who is getting ready to help. He brings speed to the receivers corps. One guy I'm really excited for is Nevin McKenzie, who moved from the defensive backfield to linebacker. He's fast and a good tackler."
4. How will Georgia's highly-regarded running game test the Tennessee defense? A - "Both backs are really special. They find places to run and have excellent speed. We've got to respond by being in the right places and winning at the line of scrimmage. Holding their running game down is our first challenge."
5. How will the Vols test Georgia's defense in Saturday's game at Neyland Stadium? A - "We've got to attain balance in our offense and move the ball more in the running game. Erik Ainge is the key to our football team, and the receivers are doing well. We've got to find balance and score enough to win the game."
InSIDe the Vols -- The first 10,000 people Saturday through Gates 10 and 21 receive the 2007 Official Trading Card Sets, courtesy of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.
