TENNESSEE POSTGAME NOTES

Sept. 2, 2006

Noting Tennessee

Tennessee (1-0) won its 12th consecutive season opener ; California falls to 0-1.
The Vols entered the game ranked No. 23 in both the Associated Press poll and the USA Today rankings; California was ranked No. 9 in the AP poll and No. 12 in the USA Today listings. It was the only matchup between two top-25 teams on the opening Saturday of the season.
Today's victory marked the first time since Oct. 9, 1999, that the Vols defeated a top-10 opponent in Neyland Stadium (No. 10 Georgia 37-20)
Tennessee returns to action Saturday vs. Air Force at 7 p.m. ET.

Tennessee-California Series

Tennessee now leads the all-time series vs. California 2-1, dating to 1977. All games have been played in Knoxville. The teams meet again next season at California.

Phillip Fulmer's Record

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer's record now stands at 129-37 (.777) in 15 seasons with the Vols.
Fulmer owns a 3-1 record against teams from the Pac-10, and today's win is his 40th career victory over a ranked team, as well as his 14th win over a top-10 foe.

Ainge Has Career Day in Season Opener

Junior quarterback Erik Ainge made the 12th start of his career and completed 11 of 17 passes for a career-high 291 yards and four touchdowns.
Ainge opened his junior campaign in impressive fashion, hooking up with Robert Meachem on a 41-yard play-action pass on the Vols' first play from scrimmage.
After rolling to his right midway through the first quarter, Ainge found Chris Brown from 12 yards out for the first UT touchdown of 2006. The TD was the second of Brown's career - first since South Carolina in 2004 - and the first touchdown by a Vols' tight end since Brown's against the Gamecocks.
Ainge and Meachem hooked up again for a 42-yard touchdown to put UT up 14-0 in the second quarter. It was Meachem's first touchdown since 2004 against Kentucky and second career TD. The scoring play also put Meachem over 100 yards through the air.
The duo struck again on the second play of the second half, as Meachem broke a tackle on the right sideline and took an Ainge pass 80 yards for his second touchdown grab of the game.
Senior game-captain Jayson Swain also got into the touchdown act with a 50-yard reception in the third quarter from Ainge.
Ainge tossed four touchdown passes for the game, the most scoring strikes by a Vol since Casey Clausen threw five against Mississippi State in 2003.
Tennessee allowed no sacks in the game and had no plays that resulted in negative yards.

Meachem Powers Offense, Delivers One of UT's Best-Ever Performances by a Receiver

Meachem posted one of the best statistical games for a Vols' wide receiver in school history, catching five passes for 182 yards.
He became the first UT receiver since Jayson Swain at Vanderbilt in 2004 to haul in multiple touchdowns. His second touchdown was also the 15th play of 80 yards or more in school history and ties for the ninth-longest pass play ever for the Vols.

Noting the Defense

Sophomore linebacker Jerod Mayo recorded his first career sack, bringing down California quarterback Nate Longshore for a nine-yard loss in the second quarter. He picked up his second sack two plays later, and Mayo added his third later in the game to become the first UT player with a hat trick since Kevin Simon against Marshall in 2003.
Ryan Karl, making his first career start at LB, led the Vols with a career-high nine tackles.
Numerous returning Vols set new career highs for tackles: Karl (9), J. Mayo (7), M. Mitchell (7), Gaines (2)
Passes Defensed (9): I. Johnson (1), Karl (1), J. Mayo (1), M. Mitchell (1), Morley (1), Stewart (1), Wade (3)
Senior safety Antwan Stewart intercepted Longshore for his third career pick and first since 2003 against Kentucky.

Miscellaneous Notes

Today's attendance was 106,009.
The Vols donned striped pants for the first time since the 1996 Citrus Bowl against Ohio State.
Michael Frogg, Antonio Reynolds and Ryan Karl all made their first career starts for the Vols.
Montario Hardesty's 43-yard rushing touchdown was the first of his career.
Junior placekicker James Wilhoit - the SEC's active career scoring leader - raised his career point total to 234 with five points today.

Vols Tabbed for 7 p.m. ET Start on VideoSeat PPV Next Saturday

Tennessee's game vs. Air Force next Saturday in Knoxville will be televised by VideoSeat. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Vols won the only previous match-up against the Falcons, a 34-13 victory in the 1970 Sugar Bowl.

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