University of Tennessee Athletics
Gaines Ruled Out For Season
September 10, 2007 | Football
Tennessee head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh reports that an MRI revealed senior defensive back Antonio Gaines suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament Saturday and will miss the rest of the 2007 football season.
Gaines had made the first two starts of his career -- at California and in Saturday???s home opener against Southern Mississippi -- and turned in a career-best six of his seven tackles for the year in the Cal contest. The Covington native appeared in 12 of Tennessee???s 13 games last season.
McVeigh said a surgery date is not yet determined.
The Vols practiced for 90 minutes Monday at Haslam Field...One correction of note and then a cool note as payback...The last pair of Tennessee receivers to both top 100 yards in a game was at the 2002 Florida Citrus Bowl and not at the 1997 SEC Championship Game, as previously reported...Jason Witten (125) and Dont?? Stallworth (119) turned the trick in UT???s 45-17 win over Michigan...Official game stats from bowls didn???t count back then, but that???s the last time the Vols turned the 100-yard receiving double...Kudos to UT student assistant Derek Satterfield for that correction...To return the favor, here???s a good one...Tennessee redshirt freshman Daniel Lincoln is the first Vols placekicker to start his UT career with four made field goals since Carlos Reveiz began 6-of-6 in 1985...His first miss was in the season???s fourth game, a 51-yard attempt at -- Florida Field...Reveiz is the uncle of current Vols linebacker Nick Reveiz, who recovered a fumble Saturday against Southern Miss... The Vol Network announced Monday that Tennessee???s Sept. 22 home game against Arkansas State will be available on VideoSeat pay-per-view...The particulars for ordering and viewing the game are similar to Saturday???s UT-Southern Miss telecast...In the first quarter this season, Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge is a combined 17-for-21 passing for 201 yards and two touchdowns...Tailback Arian Foster is average 5.94 yards per carry -- second-best in the SEC and 15th nationally among backs with at least 30 attempts...Tennessee???s defensive line made 29 tackles against Southern Miss after making only 12 at Cal...Freshman Eric Berry is third on the team with 12 tackles, trailing only linebackers Jerod Mayo and Rico McCoy with 14 apiece.
INTERVIEW OF HEAD COACH PHILLIP FULMER BEFORE SATURDAY???S GAME AT FLORIDA
1. Explain the dramatic improvement the Vols appeared to make from the California game to the Southern Miss game last Saturday.
A - "After our loss to California, it was only natural to get back to the practice field after identifying our weaknesses and then work to get better. We were much better on defense. Offensively, later in the game, we did a good job of putting Southern Miss' defensive players on the ground. The second units on both sides of the ball played better."
2. Do you believe that playing two strong teams at the start of the season will provide momentum that will help against Florida Saturday?
A - "The coaches and players did a good job of improving from the first game to the second game, and we hope that momentum will continue against Florida."
3. How has competition for playing time helped bring out improvement in the offensive line?
A - "It was great to see members of that second unit involved in putting together a drive for a score. It not only creates competition, but allows us to use more players who can perform with confidence. That could be important in the hot weather we will face at Florida."
??
4. How much has Erik Ainge's own dedication to improvement helped develop his confidence as the Vols quarterback?
A - "Erik played outstanding football for us last year before he was hurt. I thought he was playing as well as anybody in the country. He worked hard in the off-season and continues to do so. Now he is running our no-huddle offense real well and getting the ball to receivers quickly."
5. Playing Florida, what will be the chief concerns of the Vols as they open the SEC season at Gainesville on Saturday?
A - "Florida is good on both sides of the ball and strong in the kicking game as well. We're concerned with the speed and talent they have everywhere. It will be our 11 and their 11, and we will see how we match up. They spread the ball around on offense, and they are very aggressive defensively. We've been tested in two tough football games, and it should make us a better team."
