University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Headed West For Season Opener
August 30, 2007 | Football
The Tennessee football team wrapped up its preparations for the California game Thursday afternoon with a 90-minute workout inside the Neyland Thompson Sports Center. The Vols walked through every aspect of special teams play in the early portion of practice before fine-tuning the offense and defense in 11-on-11 drills to close the workout. After practice, head coach Philip Fulmer reminded the team about the significance of being a Tennessee football player.
???I just challenged our guys to be the kind of football team that???s representative of this great program that we have and the men that have worn the orange and white in the past; and to play with passion and energy.???
Fulmer also stressed that the players forget about last year???s victory over the Golden Bears.
???They get that message constantly,??? Fulmer said. ???That???s the way we operate. Last year is not going to affect this year that much either way. Megaphones, cowbells, Gator chomps, all of that doesn't matter if you???re mature and tough, and we've taken that approach. They've got 11 on the field, that???s all. Are they better than our 11????
Question marks do remain for the Vols with less than two days remaining before kickoff. Fulmer mentioned the second team and the wide receivers as groups that will get their answers on Saturday.
???That???s fun. That???s what college football is all about,??? Fulmer said. ???You recruit them, you coach them and develop them, and you see where they are. We???re about to see against a good team where we are.???
Quarterback Erik Ainge, who broke the little finger on his throwing hand Monday, practiced with the team and is still expected to start under center on Saturday night.
???Erik is fine,??? Fulmer said. ???He took every snap in practice. He threw the ball well. I didn't see any issues with that. I appreciate his toughness. We took a couple of days to let it settle down, and it???s worked out well.???
On the injury front, Fulmer said he expects all 79 players on the dress roster to participate.
The Vols departed campus for Berkeley, Calif., shortly after the workout. The team will hold another walk through Friday afternoon in California???s Memorial Stadium before resuming its regular game day routine on Saturday.
Tennessee???s football season gets underway Saturday night at 5:13 p.m. Pacific time. The Vol Radio Network and ABC will provide coverage of the game.??
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| Larry Slade?? |
On Thursday of every game week, UTsports.com will sit down with a member of the Vol team or coaching staff to preview a key element of the upcoming game. This week, sports information graduate assistant Tony Williams spoke with defensive backs coach Larry Slade about the Cal offense, wideout DeSean Jackson, and the challenge facing his inexperienced secondary.
What is unique about Cal???s offense?
???I think the thing that is very tough about them is that they can run the football. That makes it tough, because now their play-action pass is very real. Then, you put outstanding athletes with that and it makes things very difficult.???
Why is their offensive scheme successful?
???Again, they have the ability to run the football. They gave great athletes who can make plays in the play-action game, and then they can line up and go drop back when they need to. They???ve got three quality receivers and an outstanding tight end to throw to.???
What makes DeSean Jackson such a special player?
He is one of the guys that is unique in college football today. He is not the biggest guy in the world, but he is extremely fast and extremely quick. And he is fearless. That doesn???t always go together with little guys, but he will go get the football regardless of where it is. He sees himself as a playmaker, and he makes the big plays.???
What is the biggest challenge in preparing for Cal???s passing game?
???The big thing in our role in the secondary is to stop the big play, whether it is run or pass. We???ve got to be disciplined because of the ability they have to run the ball, and the play action off of it. They come up with a lot of big plays if you???re not disciplined because you run up to the line of scrimmage.???
Are you comfortable with the personnel matchups going into the game, considering the lack of experience Tennessee will be putting on the field?
???We are young, but I am comfortable, extremely comfortable. The guys had an outstanding spring and a great fall. It will be a test for us, but we???re looking forward to going out there and playing with these guys.???
