University of Tennessee Athletics
UT-Kentucky Set for Evening Kickoff on ESPN2
November 17, 2008 | Football
Nov. 17, 2008
The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Tennessee's Nov. 29 season finale against Kentucky is being televised by ESPN2 and kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. UT has made two previous appearances this year on ESPN and one on ESPN2.
The Vols lead the series against the Wildcats 71-23-9, having won the last 23 consecutive games against their northern neighbor for the nation's longest active streak against the same opponent. Kentucky's last triumph in the series was by a 17-12 margin in Knoxville back in 1984. Three of the last four games in the series have been decided by six points or less, with UT winning 37-31 in 2004, 17-12 in 2006 and a 52-50 thriller in four overtimes last season in Lexington.
Other game being televised over the Thanksgiving weekend involving SEC teams include a pair of Friday games and five additional Saturday contests. Friday's twin bill features Mississippi State at Mississippi in the Egg Bowl on Raycom Sports (12:30 a.m. Eastern) and LSU at Arkansas on CBS (2:30 p.m. Eastern). Saturday's scheduled games are Georgia Tech at Georgia on CBS (noon Eastern), Auburn at Alabama on CBS (3:30 p.m. Eastern), and Vanderbilt at Wake Forest on ESPNU (7 p.m. Eastern).
Two additional Saturday games, Florida at Florida State and South?Carolina at Clemson, are part of the ACC television package and will be picked on a six-day selection. The Florida game will be televised at either 3:30 p.m. Eastern or in prime time (7:45 or 8) on ABC or ESPN, and the South Carolina game will be televised either at noon or 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or Raycom.
SLADE FINALIST FOR NATIONAL SECONDARY COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
Tennessee veteran assistant coach Larry Slade is one of three finalists for the FootballScoop Defensive Back Coach of the Year Award presented by Muscle Milk, it was announced Monday.
Slade is in his 10th season with the Vols and this year's unit might be his best ever. Tennessee has been among the nation's leaders all season in interceptions, currently standing 11th nationally with 15 interceptions.
Slade teaches man-to-man technique as well as anyone in the business. Over his career, he has coached a number of players who have gone on to become excellent NFL defensive backs. One of his current Vols, Eric Berry, might be the next to make it big on Sundays. Berry currently is tied for the national lead with six interceptions and leads the country with 220 interception return yards.
Key Tennessee Secondary Stats:
7th nationally -- Total defense (275.6 yards per game)
15th nationally -- Scoring defense (18.1 points per game)
7th nationally -- Passing defense (164.0 yards per game)
11th nationally -- Interceptions (15)
"The FootballScoop set of awards is unique from other `Coach of the Year' awards in that there is no other outlet that focuses on position coaches and coordinators", said Scott Roussel, president of FootballScoop. "Nearly every other `Coach of the Year' award is solely for a head coach."
Finalists have been chosen for the 14 awards from the following areas: offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, strength and conditioning, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, Div. I-AA coordinator, Div. II coordinator and Div. III coordinator.
Others in the running for secondary honors along with Slade are Wake Forest's Tim Billings and Vanderbilt's Jamie Bryant. The Vols play at Vanderbilt this Saturday.
UTSPORTS.COM INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH Phillip Fulmer BEFORE VANDERBILT GAME
1. How did your team use the bye week to help prepare for Vanderbilt?
A -- "We did get started on some preparation work versus Vanderbilt. But more importantly, we had a chance to do some fundamental work while also physically and mentally getting some rest after nine straight football games. We needed that. We were quite banged up in a lot of places. The young, healthy guys got the work and Walter Fisher, Dan Williams, Ellix Wilson and Gerald Jones -- a number of guys like that who had injuries -- took some time off."
2. Sunday night you named Jonathan Crompton the starting quarterback for Saturday at Vanderbilt; what went into that decision?
A -- "We've obviously struggled at quarterback more than anybody would like, especially us. This is an ongoing process, but Jon has the most experience and we certainly will see what happens during the course of the week."
3. What did B.J. Coleman show you at quarterback for the during Thursday's junior varsity win against Hargrave Military Academy?
A -- "He did a good job. He managed the clock, controlled the offense and threw the football well. B.J. will get his opportunities in this ballgame against Vanderbilt."
4. Vanderbilt beat Kentucky this past Saturday to become bowl eligible. Do you think that adds any sort of special factor to this in-state rivalry game?
A -- "This has always been a very tough and hard-fought football game. Being in-state and divisional rivals and regardless of the record of either team -- when we've been doing well or when they have -- it's always a tough battle."
5. What do the Vols have to do this week to make sure they are ready for Saturday's game?
A -- "We've got to do a great job defensively of controlling their offense, particularly their quarterback. Both quarterbacks are guys who can run and make plays; we will have to do a really good job there. And then offensively, we must find a way to move the ball and score some points. It's been a tremendous struggle. And finally, we have to play the kicking game well."
