University of Tennessee Athletics
Vinson Cleared For Vols, Will Play Saturday
September 10, 2008 | Football
Sept. 10, 2008
Tennessee head coach Philip Fulmer announced some good news at the end of Wednesday's practice.
Sophomore defensive back Brent Vinson has been cleared to play.
"Brent Vinson is all squared away academically, that's good news," Fulmer said. "He will play (on Saturday). I don't know how much, but he will definitely play. It could be a little. It could be a lot. It allows us a little more flexibility to play Dennis (Rogan) at safety some and rest some guys."
Fulmer said that Wednesday's workout was a good mental day and that the team looked sharp on both sides of the ball.
"We had a good mental day today," Fulmer said. "The humidity and yesterday's practice inside took a little bit out of us from a physical standpoint but I thought that the mental side was positive. I am looking forward to seeing the tape."
The Vols practiced for almost two hours at Haslam Field as they prepare for Saturday's matchup at Neyland Stadium with UAB at 12:30 Eastern time. Fulmer said the team is preparing "as well as (they) can" and that the Vols "look better in some areas than (they) did at UCLA."
"My goal is to take care of the football and that we don't beat ourselves," Fulmer said.
InSIDe the Vols Blog -- Curious about the new clock rules this year in college football? Go to "InSIDe the Vols" on the UTSports.com Web site and check out the instructional video explaining all there is to know about the 25- and 40-second playclock.
Football Schedule Magnets -- The first 5,000 fans to enter Gates 10 and 21 Saturday for the Tennessee-UAB game are receiving 2008 UT football schedule magnets, courtesy of Image Matters.
LIVE FOOTBALL CHATS BEGIN FRIDAY -- JOHN WARD FIRST GUEST
Click here to ask your question.
Beginning this week, UTsports.com will host a live one-hour chat with a member of the Tennessee football family every home football Friday from 1-2 p.m. Eastern time. This Friday's guest is UT legend John Ward, the longtime "Voice of the Vols."
As the official play-by-play man for Volunteers football and men's basketball games from the mid 1960s until March 1999, Ward endeared himself to Tennessee fans throughout the world for his spirited and memorable calls on the Vol Network.
Ward, elected unanimously to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, also is a member of the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. He received the 1999 Distinguished American Award from the East Tennessee chapter of the National Football Foundation & Hall of Fame, from which he also received the Amateur Football Award in 1980. He was recognized at a special session of the Tennessee State Legislature in June 1999, served six terms as the first president of the SEC Broadcasters Association and has garnered a host of additional honors during his storied stay on Rocky Top. Big Orange fans from around the world are encouraged to log on to UTsports.com and submit questions, which may be submitted in advance of Friday's live session or through the duration of the chat. Due to time constraints, it may not be possible to answer all questions. All submissions require the accompaniment of the submitter's name, city and state or nation.
Dr. Rob Hardin is the moderator for UT's Live Football Chats. Hardin is an associate professor in the Sport Management program at Tennessee. He teaches and conducts research in the areas of collegiate athletics and sport communication. He also assists the UT?Sports Information Office with game-day operations.
Visit UTsports.com for more information. Just a few more days until ... it's Live Chat Time in Tennessee!
SHARE YOUR GAMEDAY PHOTOS USING `YOU T SNAPSHOTS'
Click Here to submit.
In addition to the introduction of a Gameday Blog and Live Chats on home football Fridays this season, UTsports.com also is proud to present "You T Snapshots" -- a new opportunity for fan interactivity on the official Web site of Tennessee athletics.
"You T Snapshots" offers Big Orange fans an opportunity to share their gameday experiences -- both at home and on the road -- with the rest of the Vol Nation by providing an avenue to E-mail photos directly from their digital cameras, phones and other electronic mobile devices to be displayed on UTsports.com.
Fans are encouraged to snap photos of themselves and their friends at their pregame tailgate, from their boat on the Vol Navy or from their spot along the famous Vol Walk route. Do you have a great view of the team bursting through the "T" from your seat in Neyland Stadium? E-mail your best gameday photos to snapshots@tennessee.edu.
Then check the "You T Snapshots" link on UTsports.com on Mondays following the games to see if your photo appears on the Gameday Gallery. It's a great way to re-live the excitement and pageantry of a Tennessee Volunteers' football game.
Remember the E-mail address: snapshots@tennessee.edu.
FORMER VOLS FOOTBALLER ENSLEY DIES
Jerry Ensley, a defensive wingback on Tennessee football teams from the early 1960s, died Sunday in Morristown. He was 67.
The Morristown Citizen Tribune reports that Ensley had been battling a series of health issues. He lettered for the Vols in 1960, 1961 and 1962 under head coach Bowden Wyatt. A native of Chandler, N.C., Ensley had a career highlight midway through his senior season when he intercepted two fourth-quarter passes to help preserve a 23-0 shutout of Wake Forest.
Ensley went on to help coach Morristown East High School to its only state championship in football in 1969. Affectionately known as "Kojak," he was a beloved teacher, coach, school bus driver and colleague.
Most recently, Ensley served faithfully as the "medicine man," delivering medicine to shut-ins on behalf of Minnis Drug Store. He attended Morningside Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Tina Daugherty Ensley; his mother, Hazel Ensley; daughters, Carole, Lisbeth and Kristen Ensley; son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Rebekah Ensley; grandchildren, Annie, Eli and Adeline Ensley; sister, Frieda Smith and husband, Gerry; brother, Richard Ensley; and nephews, Richard, Jerry, James and Greg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Morningside Baptist Church Building Fund.
-- Courtesy Morristown Citizen Tribune.
