University of Tennessee Athletics
'LAST TACKLE' HIGHLIGHTS VOLS' THANKSGIVING DAY PRACTICE
November 24, 2005 | Football
Nov. 24, 2005
Tennessee staged its annual "Last Tackle" ceremony at the end of Thursday's Thanksgiving Day workout, honoring 23 seniors who will be playing their final game for the Vols Saturday at Kentucky.
UT practiced for 75 minutes at Haslam Field before head coach Phillip Fulmer gathered the squad and honored each senior individually with his "Last Tackle."
"The 'Last Tackle' is a tradition here that's been going on a long time," Fulmer said. "It's just a way at the end of the season to honor the seniors and say a few words about them. The few words you can say, the kids know 50 times more things.
"It's a fun thing but it's also a serious thing in that you get to say some special things and hug their necks one more time."
Tennessee tries to end its season on a positive note Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium, a place the Vols have won the last 11 times dating to Kentucky's 21-10 home victory in 1981. Fulmer said Erik Ainge will get the start at quarterback for the Vols in place of Rick Clausen, who injured his knee on the game's final play last Saturday.
"Erik will be the quarterback," Fulmer said. "We've really limited Rick this week and hopefully he will be available."
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. Eastern time, with the Vol Network carrying the radio broadcast and Jefferson-Pilot Sports handling the telecast.
INJURY UPDATE (Kentucky Week): Questionable -- QB Rick Clausen (knee), DE Xavier Mitchell (shoulder), LB James Turner (shins).
FINLAYSON TABBED VOL SCHOLAR OF THE WEEK
Senior tight end Jake Finlayson is this week's Vol Scholar of the Week. A Selmer native, Finlayson was a member of the 2004 Academic All-SEC team and graduates in May with a degree in civil engineering.
"The fact that he has played at this level and will earn a rigorous degree in civil engineering shows a total commitment both on and off the field," said Dan Carlson, educational director in the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center.
Jake has appeared in nine games for Tennessee this season after missing all of 2004 with a back injury. He is the younger brother of John Finlayson, who played for the Vols from 1998-2001 and was a three-year starting tight end.
