University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes
September 25, 2004 | Football
Sept. 25, 2004
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
TENNESSEE POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Phillip Fulmer: "I'm really glad the win is behind us. Louisiana Tech is a good team. I think Coach Bicknell is one of the best young coaches in the country. [Ryan] Moats is for real, as we've all seen. He's a back that we'll see playing on Sundays [in the NFL someday]. It took us a little while to get accustomed to [Louisiana Tech's offensive scheme]. Once we went to more zone and got our safeties involved a little earlier, that helped us."
"I think we're going to play with [Ainge and Schaeffer] all year long. We'll need both of them. Brent [Schaeffer] will have his day too. They're a thrill-a-minute, those two."
"We started slow and gave up too many yards early. The last two and a half quarters, we played really good defense. We still have a lot of work to do, but there was progress today. There's some firepower out there [for us on offense] with the line doing what they're doing, the receivers and those quarterbacks."
TB Cedric Houston: "I just tried to run hard and get in the end zone since I hadn't been there in so long. I just tried to run hard and score. It felt good to get out there and break some long runs. I think the blocking had a lot to do with that."
QB Erik Ainge: "I think Louisiana Tech played their hearts out. A couple of breaks early gave us the momentum and then we took it from there. Our offensive line has played great all season but I think tonight they showed how good they can be."
"You've got to be patient as a quarterback. Coach Fulmer and Coach Sanders did a great job calling plays tonight, and Rick and Jim Bob did a great job signaling fast. We got in and out of the huddle fast, and that's what helped our offense get going. We showed we can [play with] finesse and we can get after people between the tackles."
"I think we have the best receiving corps in the country and I stand by that. We can put about eight guys on the field and have confidence in every one of them."
OL Cody Douglas: "When a team comes out against us in a three-man front you have no other choice than to run the ball. If you can't run against that, something's wrong. We want to come out and establish the run every game. Running the ball let us set the tone for the game. It had a great effect on the passing game. It let a lot of receivers get out there one-on-one. Anytime you see holes like that it lets you know we're doing something right. We have a great group of backs."
WR Chris Hannon: "I think we did a pretty good job but not at first because we started slow. Eventually we got the running game going and just had to go from there. [On his comfort level with the freshman quarterbacks Ainge and Schaeffer] It feels really natural. They're not playing like freshmen. They're playing like veterans. I'm proud of them. A lot of teams come in here trying to pressure them and blitz them, but they know what to do."
DB Jason Allen: "I knew before the game we had to go out there and hit Louisiana Tech in the mouth. We've got to tackle better and do a better job of lining up. We improved on that in the second half. In the first half we didn't play as well as we're capable. In the second half we made some adjustments and played hard-nosed Tennessee football. I really don't care who's playing [in the defensive backfield]. All I care about is getting four guys out there giving 110 percent."
LOUISIANA TECH POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Jack Bicknell:"I never felt we were out of the game, even at the end. It was very competitive out there. I was proud of our guys. I thought we played hard.
"I think we came together as a team. I thought we did a great job. We had a rinky-dink turnover on a screen pass and that hurt. Tennessee is a great offensive team that can really run the football. I didn't say this before the game, but I was scared to death about their ability to run the ball.
"I was happy with the way Matt Kubik played. He had a few mistakes that experience will cure. He can be a good player.
"Tennessee has a good defense. You're not going to run it down their throats. They did a good job.
"Moats had one good run, but Tennessee did shut him down. You have to be able to win on the outside. You need to show you can win the 1-on-1 battles on the outside. If you don't, you're in serious trouble.
"We want to be balanced offensively, balanced toward what works. We have a big offensive line, two big tight ends and a good running back. If they take away the run, you have to be able to go to the pass. You can't win against teams like Tennessee and Miami if you can't.
"I'm concerned about Donald Allen. I want to decide calmly about what to do at quarterback rather than right after this game. I have to look at the film.
"Eric Ainge is absolutely amazing. He's a tremendous player. He looks like a fifth-year senior. I saw last week he wasn't just a freshman. The Tennessee coaches have done an unbelievable job getting him ready. There are some exciting days ahead of Tennessee."
Ryan Moats RB: They are not as fast as Miami was, but they are more physical and they are stronger. They made some adjustments in the second half and were able to shut the run down. In the first half it did not seem like they were respecting the run. They seem to play their base defense and then they started to stack the box after halftime. They have a good linebacking corp. They are strong.
Danny Horwedel PK (local stand out from Oak Ridge): I got my first action last week against Miami when I attempted the field goal. But this was my first start of the season. It was real exciting coming back home and playing in front of family and friends. I kind of miss the place a little, but it was exciting just to get a chance to play and do something.
On news he would get the start: "I was real excited after coach told me I would start. I was first on the depth chart when we started fall practice, but I had a couple of bad practices. I am back on track and this past week coach told me I would get the start. This was a date I had marked on my calendar ever since last year when I signed my letter of intent."
Matt Kubik QB: "I have prepared myself all season to ready to come in when I am called, whether it was after the first series or in the fourth quarter in a clean up roll. I keep myself in the game so I am prepared if I am called. Even though you are the second string guy you have to prepare like you are a starter."
On Tennessee shutting down the run: "They changed p their defense a little toward the end of the first half and into the second half as they gave us more of a two safety look and five down lineman. They kind of confused us a little bit on the runs, but I think Ryan (Moats) still did a great job and he is a tough kid. I think we will ride him for the rest of the season and get some wins."
On La. Tech receivers and their play in tonight's game: "I think our receivers did a great job tonight. I honestly feel like these guys could play with any team in the country. They have some serious speed. I think a lot of those guys are 4.3 or 4.4 speed guys. And if we are going to get man coverage like we did tonight, those guys have the confidence that they can get the job done."
