University of Tennessee Athletics
TENNESSEE POSTGAME QUOTES
October 08, 2006 | Football
Oct. 8, 2006
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TENNESSEE COACH/PLAYER QUOTES
Head Coach Phillip Fulmer: "I could not be more elated with our staff and our team for the way we handled ourselves tonight. It was a heck of an effort when we were down by 17 in first half. I did not think we could slow them down and we overcame that. We got a short field two or three times and it helped us to take momentum. Our defense came up big to get the ball back a couple of times."
"We have been working very hard on our punt block. We had a six-block called and we were able to block it. The drive at the end of the first half made a difference. At halftime there was some serious butt chewing going on."
Jonathan Wade
"We knew coming out of halftime that we had to step it up. We dug down deep and made plays. Our team is full of playmakers and they showed up in the second half. We knew in the second half we had to work on getting turnovers. Turnovers are the key to success on defense."
Erik Ainge:
"It was an all-around team effort tonight. Our defense played well and our special teams came up with a few big plays. Offensively we were balanced. I can't say enough about our offensive line and the great job they did. Half of them didn't practice this week and yet they didn't miss a step. The offensive line's effort made everything possible."
"We knew we could make plays and move the ball on Georgia. After our defense put up a few stops, we knew we were going to win. I'm not surprised we put up 51 points, we practiced and prepared hard for this and we knew what to do. The coaches did a good job putting in the game plan and we executed."
GEORGIA COACH/PLAYER QUOTES
Head Coach Mark Richt:
"We were just not able to stop them. We had turnovers deep in our territory and a blocked punt for a touchdown. There was not enough good to offset the bad."
"There were some good things. The receivers were making plays, and our offense was moving the ball well. The defense ran up against a good offense. Our defense was certainly put into some bad situations, but Tennessee still drove the ball. We have a long way to go."
"We were so hot and cold. It was just too inconsistent. We need to become consistent in a positive way, or we will not be able to make a run at the championship."
"I don't feel like we got enough pressure on the quarterback at times. He was able to take a second and third look. When you evaluate the whole thing the one thing that sticks out is the four turnovers to zero (turnovers)."
"There was excitement on the return teams. On the kickoff returns it was either feast or famine. The return by Mikey (Henderson) was tremendous. We almost got a block on that one too. That's Coach Fabris doing a wonderful job."
Senior safety Tra Battle:
"At this point we have to stay optimistic. Since I've been here all but one year there has been a tie in the East, so we have to stay confident get ready for the coming weeks."
"I believe we still have a shot at the SEC Championship. This is one of things you have to live with. There are so many great teams in the SEC. Just like in the Arkansas-Auburn game today, you just have to be ready every week."
Senior linebacker Jarvis Jackson:
"On Monday it will be a recuperation day. We will look at film and see what we did wrong because 50 points is a lot. We were #1 in the country on defense coming into this game so we definitely have to work on some things."
"We're just going to take it one day and one game at a time. We have to concentrate on being the best team in the stadium at any given time. Our team stayed together and we have to build on that."
Senior quarterback Joe Tereshinski III "We hadn't come out firing like we did in the first half all season. But, somewhere we just lost our focus and turned the ball over too many times. The SEC Championship is still up for grabs and we have a lot to play for. We worked hard tonight but made a bunch of mistakes. It was a different team that came out of the locker room in the second half."
