KNOXVILLE -- Better practice performance continues to be the buzzword for Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer.
The Vols worked for 90 minutes Wednesday at Haslam Field as preparations continued for Saturday’s SEC matchup at South Carolina. UT stands 6-1 overall and 2-1 in league, but Fulmer knows there is improvement to be had.
“I talked to them at the end about trying to be a better practice team,” Fulmer said. “There were some really good things that came out of practice, but there is another level.
“Sometimes with all the new plays or the new looks, that sort of thing, you’ve got to slow down more than you’d like to. Hopefully, we’ll get those things corrected and get back out here tomorrow and really look much sharper.”
Tennessee has shown great discipline thus far in 2006, having committed only 32 penalties for 235 yards -- both league lows. The Vols also have allowed only five sacks, another conference leading figure, and pace the SEC with a 92.3 percent scoring rate inside the “orange” zone.
One area that has lagged, however, has been special teams. Results were better Saturday against Alabama, but the focus remains squarely on punt and kickoff return teams.
“We worked hard on the kicking game today,” Fulmer said. “We’ve been getting better at it and with every challenge comes an opportunity.
“We’ve been very inconsistent in some areas and sometimes a little over-aggressive. But I think we did see a positive result to our focus (of late).”
HEFNEY THIS WEEK’S CAREacter STAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
South Carolina native Jonathan Hefney was named this week’s CAREacter Star Athlete of the Week for his on-field performance and commitment to off-field success.
A Rock Hill product, Hefney enters Saturday’s contest against his home-state school with interceptions in each of his two meetings against the Gamecocks.
"Jonathan Hefney is one of our best football players,” head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “He's got tremendous attitude and work ethic, really fine ability, and now with the experience he's had playing both safety and corner for us, he has really grown into a fine football player.
“He's taken over our return duties and did a really fantastic job in the last ballgame for us. We're thrilled he is here and thrilled with the success he's having.”
That success includes off the field marks as well. The political science major has been a frequent visitor to boys and girls clubs in the Knoxville community, and always has an encouraging word of support for his younger fans.
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)