KNOXVILLE -- Tuesday media day comments from Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer:
"We're obviously just really glad to get a win over Marshall, and I think we saw some progress in our team as we continue through the season. I think part of that progress has been the improvement of some of our young players who have really made a push since spring practice, the summer, and, certainly, the fall camp.
"Probably the most obvious has been LaMarcus Coker's continued progress, and that's good to see. He's bringing some dynamics of speed to our offensive football team, and I think he'll continue to be a nice complement to all the backs along the way during the course of the year.
"Another guy that has improved is Josh McNeil - who's seen a significant amount of time and continued to improve, mostly from a maturity standpoint, learning how to practice and do all the little things to help him be a really outstanding player.
"We've really been after our defensive front, and now you can see Wes Brown getting some significant playing time, Demonte' Bolden is really playing hard and fast, and hopefully both of the guys will continue on that path. A couple other young guys, Rico McCoy and Jacques McClendon, they kind of join Lucas Taylor, who's made some significant progress, Austin Rogers, Jonathan Crompton, and those guys have improved. We're hopeful that they'll continue on that path.
"The team has basically continued to improve. I really believe that there's a lot of football out there to be played, and the team that continues to improve and can stay healthy during the course of the year is going to have the best chance to have the kind of season that we're all looking for.
"Our punter, Britton Colquitt, was obviously a big factor in the last ballgame. I think that he can be a tremendous weapon for us during the course of this season if he can continue to be consistent and continue to mature as a football player and have that tenacity and mental toughness that it takes to be a difference-maker in this league -- a punter or kicker has to have that same mentality of any player on the team.
"Right now we're leaning a lot offensively on our quarterbacks and receivers. They are playing exceptionally well, and it's great to have guys that understand what we're trying to do and are making plays for us. There are still areas that they need to improve in, but if we can build on that with the rest of our offensive football team than I'm going to be really pleased.
"Memphis is always a tough battle. If you look at the last several years and the scores of the games that we've played, they've been real physical games and real close for the most part. Offensively, the spread offense seems to be the kind of thing that we're seeing a lot more of. Their quarterback (Martin Hankins) being new to the system, from the standpoint of being a new starter, is doing really well. He can definitely throw the football and run the ball, and he runs their offense very well. Their wide receivers are playmakers, and Joseph Doss is a really fine running back. He got 77 yards on us last year, so they certainly have our full attention.
"Defensively, they have our attention, but we're also not sure what we're going to get and how much of what. We've just discussed that you can only put 11 players out there, and our group is pretty experienced. During the course of the game, we'll have to get a feel of what they're trying to do and how much they're going to hang on to what they were doing - which is exactly the opposite in many ways of what (Memphis) coach (Tommy) West has done before. I think it'll be a real challenge for our offensive football team from a focus and recognition standpoint for understanding what we're going to be getting from their scheme and attacking their personnel.
"Kicking, which is always a key element, will be a really good battle between the punters. Michael Gibson is an exceptional punter as well, and our punter can certainly make a difference in this game. This team has been responsive, we've challenged them about some things that we want to do better, and we had a really nice practice on Monday. The attitude is there and our leadership is continuing to grow even in the absence of Justin Harrell. I hear them challenging the rest of the football team, which is really positive. We're a fairly young team, and we're continuing to mature and making progress in the areas that we need to make progress - but there's still a long way to go."
BIG ORANGE TAILGATE TOUR ROLLS INTO MEMPHIS FOR ITS FIFTH SEASON!
Former Vols Aaron Hayden and National Championship Team member John Finlayson scheduled to attend
All Vol fans, friends and alumni of the University of Tennessee are invited to join the Tennessee National Alumni Association from 8-10 a.m. Central time Saturday in Memphis at the Mid South Fairgrounds (940 Early Maxwell Blvd.) to kick off the fifth season of the Big Orange Tailgate Tour.
The pre-game event begins three hours before kickoff and is conveniently located near the site of Saturday's 11 a.m. game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. There will be a tailgate-style breakfast buffet, along with plenty of Rocky Top and fun for the entire family. In addition to food, fun and Rocky Top, participants can look forward to listening to the UT Pride of the Southland Band, cheerleaders and a special appearance by Smokey!
Scheduled to attend will be former Vols Aaron Hayden (RB, 1991-94) and 1998 National Championship team member John Finlayson (TE, 1998-01). Both will be there to meet fans and reminisce.
There will be game-specific spirit buttons and beads available, too. Door prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes.
All participants who pre-register for a tailgate tour stop will be automatically entered into a drawing for an autographed football. The drawing will occur at the end of the event. Cost to eat is just $15 for adults and $8 for children (3-12). Admission to the fair is free with a game ticket.
To pre-register or for more information, please go to www.utalumni.utk.edu (click on Tailgate Tour logo) or call the National Alumni Association office at 865-974-3011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (ET).
The Tennessee Alumni Association's Big Orange Tailgate Tour stop in Memphis is made possible by the generous support of Memphis sponsors, Bartlett Mortgage/Bank of Bartlett, Turner Dairy and the Tennessee Sports Zone. CONTACT: Kris Phillips (865-974-3011 or 865-599-5898).
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)