University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Imitate Crowd Noise for Wednesday's Practice
December 29, 2004 | Football
Dec. 29, 2004
Coach Chavis | Chavis on A&M QB Reggie McNeal | Chavis on defense
Chavis on Mahelona
LB: K. Burnett | DT: J. Mahelona | DB: J. Allen
IRVING, Texas - During Wednesday's 90-minute practice at Texas Stadium, the 15th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers simulated the crowd noise that certainly will be heard during the 69th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic.
Tennessee fans will be outnumbered Saturday when the Vols meet home-state favorite Texas A&M in front of a sellout crowd at the Cotton Bowl stadium.
"We're used to playing in tough road environments," said head coach Phillip Fulmer. "Texas A&M will likely have the home-crowd advantage, but it will be up to us to handle that to be successful in this game."
Tennessee's only loss outside of the Volunteer state this year was a 38-28 loss to Auburn in the SEC championship game. The Vols won in front of sellout crowds at Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina, and also toppled in-state foe Vanderbilt in Nashville. Under Fulmer, Tennessee is 53-20 (.726) away from Neyland Stadium.
The Vols' success on the road this season has come with a defense that was one of the youngest in the SEC. That defense will be tested by the Aggies offense, lead by versatile junior QB Reggie McNeal.
"It's challenging," said Fulmer of the Aggies' offense. "I think Dennis (Franchione) does a great job. He always had when we played him at Alabama. He does a great job using their personnel with the open sets and making you defend the field."
Defensive coordinator John Chavis echoed Fulmer's comments saying his young defensive unit has benefited with the extra practice time to deal with an offense like Texas A&M's.
"The truth of the matter is we were a young defense but we can't use that anymore," said Chavis. "We've had a full season to grow up and mature. We've had good preparations. I think our guys knew we need an outstanding week of preparation because we're going to have a big challenge on our hands. They have taken the approach that the concentration has to be there in practice and it has shown."
Kickoff for the 69th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic is slated for Saturday, Jan. 1 at 10:10 a.m. The game will be televised nationally on FOX Sports. The game is sold out.
