University of Tennessee Athletics
Volunteers Go Through Last Major Workout
December 30, 2004 | Football
Dec. 30, 2004
Coach Fulmer | Fulmer on A&M QB Reggie McNeal | Fulmer on secondary
Fulmer on Clausen | Fulmer on fun team | Fulmer on road game feel
IRVING, Texas - Tennessee staged its final major workout in preparation for the 69th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic at Texas Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The Volunteers (9-3) worked for around 90 minutes in shorts and shoulder pads.
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer is once again relying on the leadership of his senior class to rally his team. Fulmer feels a win in the final game of the season over a talented Texas A&M squad would be a fitting tribute to this special group of players.
"It is a great time for them," Fulmer said. "You would like to believe they have a chance to go out on top. This could be their third 10-win season. You would love for that to be the case. They have been incredible leaders for this young football team. Our captains particularly, but really our whole senior class has been special."
The Southeastern Eastern Division Champions will be looking to snap a two-game bowl losing streak on Saturday. Tennessee has dropped four of its last five bowl games including its last appearance in the Cotton Bowl in 2001 against Kansas State.
"I hope they are more focused," Fulmer said. "Not that we weren't focused before, but we didn't get it done the last couple of years. We have to play well against a really good team. I think they are certainly aware of that."
Among those in attendance at Thursday's practice were former Vols' players Preston Warren and Bill Bates. Warren played for Tennessee from 1987-90. Bates played for the Volunteers from 1979-82 before embarking on a 14-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Bates also accompanied Tennessee officials, including UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, earlier in the week to the visitation for the family of the late Reggie White. White, a former Tennessee consensus All-American, passed away early Sunday morning. In tribute to White, the Volunteers will wear a patch with an orange cross and his jersey number 92 on their helmets in Saturday's game.
Tennessee spent Thursday morning touring historic Cotton Bowl Stadium. The Volunteers got their first look at the site of their New Year's Day matchup with the Aggies. The Volunteers will have a short walk-through at Texas Stadium on Friday before returning to the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1 for the first bowl game of 2005.
