Saturday, December 23, 2006
Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol.26
Welcome to the Christmas Edition of Coach Scooter’s College Football Diary! It is great to be back, what have I missed? Well, we have a few things to get to on the CFD today so let’s get rolling before I get caught up in another of the stimulating backyard conversations I have with our next door neighbor, the pillar of the community, Rik Chiddix. By the way, when I asked Rik what he wanted Santa to bring him, he chuckled and said, “All I want is a 12 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer and for the Old Lady to dress up in her tight little Waffle House waitress uniform for a little "scattered smothered and covered" after the kids have been put to bed. Gee, thanks, Rik, for sharing that with me...
Vols Outback Bowl Preparations
Wednesday was Getaway Day for Tennessee as the Vols concluded the Knoxville portion of their Outback Bowl practices and departed campus for the holiday break. The team is off until reconvening Christmas night in Tampa, Fla., site of its Jan. 1 meeting with Penn State.
“Our focus has been good,” head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “I think we’ve had good preparation here in Knoxville. I hope they have a safe trip home and a good time with their families, but I hope their mindset doesn’t change while they’re home and we are ready to go to work on the day after Christmas in Tampa.”
Fulmer said the bowl site schedule would mirror that of a normal game week, with only a slight exception.
“We’ll have one day extra so we will end up having two Tuesdays in the framework of our approach,” he said. “We’ll treat it with meeting times and practice times just like a game week. All this here in Knoxville has been a bonus.”
That extra preparation will be necessary against what expects to be a fierce Penn State squad, one that finished 5-3 in the Big Ten Conference and fielded one of the nation’s top defenses.
“I think they are outstanding,” Fulmer said. “They are No. 5 in the country in scoring defense and that’s not an accident; you don’t do that by accident. They’ve only given up 26 points in the last four ballgames against good opponents. They’re good, and their linebackers are as good as anybody we’ve played in the conference.
“As I told our football team -- not to take anything away from Kentucky and Vanderbilt – we’re getting back into the real deal when we play these guys.”
Former Tennessee star Bill Bates was a featured guest at this morning’s practice. Bates started four years (1979-82) at safety for the Vols before playing 15 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys.
“It was great to have Bill Bates come by practice today,” Fulmer said. “He’s one of our heroes who played great here and played great in professional football. He brought his whole family by and spoke to the team about work ethic, character and what it takes to be a good player.”
Tennessee’s Outback Bowl practice schedule in Tampa begins Tuesday at the University of South Florida. The Vols will practice at 1:30 p.m. each of the first three days, at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 29 and at 10 a.m. on Dec. 30 before holding an afternoon walk-through on New Year’s Eve.
Because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 31, UT will walk-through at Raymond James Stadium on an earlier date during the week.
Kickoff on Jan. 1 is 11 a.m. Eastern time.
VOLS TOAST 15 FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Sunday was another banner day for Tennessee football on the academic front. Six Vols graduated and nine more were honored for ongoing excellence in academic pursuits during Sunday’s team banquet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Volunteer Achiever Awards went to Michael Frogg, David Yancey and Eric Young for excellent class attendance, consistent use of available resources and a mastery of difficult majors. Frogg is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, Yancey in nuclear engineering and Young in psychology.
Six others were named to the Thornton Center 40-Plus Club for their successful completion of at least 40 credit hours over the past academic year. Honorees were Jeff Cottam, Kris Fant, Antonio Gaines, Montario Hardesty, Austin Rogers and Kirk Swearingen.
In addition to these success stories, six Vols went through graduation ceremonies Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena. Cory Anderson, Stanley Asumnu, Drew Tardy, Todd Vinson, Ryan West and James Wilhoit (masters) all received degrees from UT President Dr. John D. Petersen.
In 2005, Tennessee placed 30 student-athletes on the SEC Academic Honor Roll to lead all conference schools. It was the highest number in program history for the third consecutive season, topping the 22 who were selected in 2004 and the 20 who made the last in 2003.
JOHNSON UNDERGOES SURGERY IN MINNESOTA
Tennessee junior defensive back Inquoris Johnson underwent surgery Thursday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
UT head athletics trainer Jason McVeigh reported that Johnson was doing well after the lengthy procedure and is recovering. McVeigh said Johnson’s doctors expect the Atlanta native to be released from the hospital by early next week.
Johnson sustained what McVeigh called a traumatic injury while making a tackle late in the Vols’ Sept. 9 win over Air Force. Initial surgery was performed the next day at UT Medical Center. Since then, Johnson has been receiving daily physical therapy by the UT Sports Medicine staff.
Johnson, who had an interception, two additional pass breakups and 10 tackles in his two games played, served as an honorary team captain for Tennessee’s 16-13 win over Alabama on Oct. 21.
(Thanks - John Painter, UT SID Office)
Vols Recruiting
As many of you know, the Vols got a commitment from five star player, Eric Berry, of Fairburn, Georgia, last week. Berry’s father, James, played during the Johnny Major’s era at running back. Good to see we have another Berry coming to Knoxville! Although Berry is the #1 rated CB and overall #14 rated player in the nation, it looks as if the Vols might give him a chance to show what he can do on the offensive side of the ball.
Berry’s commitment makes three five star players coming to Knoxville as Wide Receiver, Kenny O’Neil, and Athlete Bret Vinson have committed to the Vols. Unfortunately, UT lost Harrison Smith of Knoxville Catholic, as he committed to Notre Dame on Friday.
Among the prospects to keep an eye on are several five star players who are still looking at the Vols. They are:
WR Terrance Toliver of Hempstead, TX
DT Marvin Austin of Washington, DC
SLB Chris Donald of Huntingdon, TN
CB Ronald Johnson of Muskegon, MI
WR Ahmad Paige of Sterlington, LA
WR Demetrius Byrd of Poplarville, MS
Going into this weekend, the Vols were eighth in national recruiting, according to Scout.com. Here is a look at the top ten:
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. USC
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Nebraska
7. Illinois
8. Tennessee
9. Michigan
10. Georgia Tech
On Rivals.com, the Vols climbed as high as second last week, but were third as of this morning. Here is a look at the top ten:
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Southern Cal
5. LSU
6. Notre Dame
7. Georgia
8. Nebraska
9. South Carolina
10. Michigan
Last week, I received a great email from a huge Vol fan named Tony, and wanted to show what he had to write. Tony mentioned several things, which I put in parentheses:
(Recruiting) - Getting Marvin Austin would be great-- somehow I think we won't; but what about Chris Donald-- the five-star LB. from Huntington TN? We gotta get him! Notre Dame or UT Hope it's us!
(Outback Bowl) - The Outback? Let’s hope Joe's apparent quick recovery doesn't fire them up too much. The Big Orange should win -- edge at QB, receiver, and DB---at least. But I do remember the 92 Fiasco Bowl @ 94 Citrus.
(David Cutcliffe) - Have you heard anything about Cutcliffe? Ivan Maisel --a Bama alum wants them to offer Cut. Hope not, David did a heck of a job with Ainge and the overall team -- brought some discipline.
(Eric Berry) - I don't think James Berry (Eric Berry’s father) played against BC he was a true freshman. Glad we got him- it paid off double!
GO VOLS!
Thanks for the email Tony! Here are my responses to your observations:
I think we have a great chance to get Chris Donald. I spoke with a friend of mine who writes for Rivals.com and he told me Chris is leaning towards the Vols and his interest is high. You never know until signing day, but it is looking good now. We already lost Harrison Smith to the Irish, so the gates out of Tennessee need to close now. Also, I have heard good things about Demetrius Byrd, a WR out of Poplarville, Mississippi who has the Vols high on his list of schools he would like to come to. Stay tuned!
I think the Vols have the better team going into the Outback Bowl and should win. However, never underestimate a Joe Paterno team. They are not in a bowl game because of their name only, this is a good football team and the Vols better be ready and bring the A game. Interestingly enough, UT has beaten Penn State twice in the regular season (31-11 in 1971 and 28-21 in 1972), but the Nittany Lions have beaten the Volunteers in past season play, (42-17 in the 1992 Fiesta Bowl and 31-13 in the 1994 Citrus Bowl). A Big Orange win means a 10 win season, plus we can look forward to a great recruiting class and momentum into the 2007 season.
I spoke with a source at UT and he said David Cutcliffe is staying in Knoxville so not to worry about him leaving. That is good news because the offense can thank him for the rebuilding job and the glory we all experienced last year.
I got a call from my college football contact at the Atlanta Journal and he told me Eric Berry is the AJC Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback/safety, rushed for 1,544 yards and passed for 1,008 during his senior season. During his four-year career, Berry compiled a 37-5 record as starting quarterback. He amassed 3,532 passing yards and 4,491 rushing yards rushing and on defense, he intercepted 16 passes.
(Picture courtesy of Brant Sanderlin - AJC)
Coach Scooter’s Christmas List
Because football season is almost over, I got to thinking if Santa Claus read my column, what would I ask him to bring me for Christmas? Here is my list; let me know what you think:
1. I would enjoy another October afternoon of sitting in Neyland Stadium when Alabama or Georgia comes to town and just taking a minute to look around the place and soak in what the experience of the day means; from the leaves turning color to seeing the Vol Navy floating down the Tennessee River.
2. I must request just a day to once again watch Peyton Manning set his feet and throw a long pass to Joey Kent; watch Charlie Garner or Jay Graham break off a long run; Al Wilson or Leonard Little breaking through blockers to disrupt the opponents offense; and finally, Santa, could you please bring me another day of watching Jeff Hall or James Wilhoit make a game winning kick?
3. Less end zone antics; more little girls in UT cheerleader outfits walking with their parents towards the stadium. Less BCS; more shots of Smokey on the sidelines. Less rap music; more of the post game of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band playing the Tennessee Waltz.
4. Seeing other Vols in orange when you are in an opponent’s stadium high fiveing and hugging, knowing we are all in this together. And for that matter, when the Vols win on enemy soil, having them run over to the Tennessee section so they can hug the fans, and in return, the fans tell them how proud they are of them.
5. Santa, if you have connections, could you please get a message to General Neyland and tell him on behalf of all Vol fans everywhere, we all want to say thank you for what he built over 80 years ago. Due to his hard work and dedication, everyone who is a member of the Big Orange Nation has something they can put their heart and soul into for 365 days every year.
Well, Vol fans. That is my column for the week! I look forward to getting back to the computer next week for more recruiting news, as well as the latest in the Outback Bowl preparations. Until then, rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!!
