University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS EXPECT MAYO TO CONTRIBUTE IN MONDAY'S OUTBACK BOWL
December 31, 2006 | Football
Dec. 31, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- Tennessee wrapped up its final day of preparations for Penn State and the Outback Bowl with a brief walk-through Sunday afternoon at the University of South Florida. The Vols normally walk through at the game site on the day before playing but had to alter their schedule because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted the Seattle Seahawks at Raymond James Stadium.
Tennessee wears white uniforms Monday and dresses in the visitors' locker room. The Vols paid a visit to the Seahawks setup on Saturday while visiting the stadium and made themselves familiar with the surroundings. Penn State played in the first Outback Bowl ever contested in Raymond James Stadium, defeating Kentucky 26-14 on Jan. 1, 1999. Monday marks UT's debut at the facility.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer visited one last time with media members at the Quorum Hotel, saying earlier Sunday that he expects sophomore linebacker Jerod Mayo to see his most extensive playing time since injuring his knee Nov. 18 at Vanderbilt.
"He's better," Fulmer said of Mayo, who stands third on the team with 82 tackles and leads the Vols with 12.5 tackles for loss (minus-51 yards) and five sacks (minus-40 yards). "Jerod is a great football player and we have missed him.
"Rico McCoy has done a fine job for us, but he's a freshman. Jerod is feeling better and we expect him to play significant snaps for us Monday."
Kickoff on Monday is set for 11 a.m. Eastern time, with the Vol Network and ESPN carrying the action.
