Tennessee Postgame Notes

Nov. 8, 2008

Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery

Noting Tennessee

Tennessee's record falls to 3-7 (1-5 SEC); Wyoming improves to 4-6 (1-5 MWC) on the year.
The Vols entered the game unranked in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls; The Cowboys were also unranked in both polls.
Tennessee returns to action Nov. 22 when it travels to Nashville, Tenn., to face Vanderbilt. Kickoff and television have not been set yet.

Tennessee-Wyoming Series

Tennessee now leads the all-time series with Wyoming 2-1, dating to 1999.
UT now owns a 15-1 all-time record against teams from the Mountain West Conference.

Phillip Fulmer's Record

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer's record now stands at 150-52 (.743) in 17 seasons with the Vols.
Fulmer now owns a 54-15 (.783) against non-conference opponents.

Creer and Poole Lead UT Tailbacks

Injuries prevented UT's two leading rushers, Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty, from playing Saturday so the Vols were led by sophomore Lennon Creer and true freshman Tauren Poole.
Creer made his first career start Saturday. Creer's start broke senior Arian Foster's streak of 23 consecutive starts. Foster was one short of tying Jay Graham for the most consecutive starts by a tailback in the Phillip Fulmer era. Foster did not play because of a thigh bruise.
Creer's 23-yard run in the third quarter was the longest rush by a UT tailback since his 45-yard rush for a touchdown against UAB. The Tatum, Texas native finished the game with 82 yards on 16 carries.
Poole has appeared in every game this season but prior to this afternoon had only carried the ball against UAB and Mississippi State. Poole finished the game with 44 yards on a career-high 11 carries.

Noting The Offense

Jonathan Crompton saw action for the second consecutive game after taking over starter Nick Stephens in the second quarter. The junior signal caller finished the game 11-of-27 for 91 yards and one touchdown.
Sophomore Gerald Jones put the Vols on the board with an eight yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. It was the Tulsa, Okla., natives team-leading fourth touchdown catch of the season. He finished the game with a team-leading five receptions for 37 yards.
Lucas Taylor had three receptions Saturday and now has 113 for his career which puts him alone in 10th place on UT's career reception list

Noting The Defense

Senior defensive tackle Walter Fisher forced his first career fumble and just the fifth of UT's season in the second quarter. Dennis Rogan recovered the fumble. Coincidently, Rogan had UT's other fumble recovery this season.
UT's defense is credited with giving up 13 points but Wyoming scored six points on an interception return for a touchdown and scored its other touchdown after the Cowboys intercepted a pass and returned it to the Tennessee four-yard line.
Junior defensive back Marsalous Johnson started his second game of the season at cornerback after Rogan moved to safety for the suspended Demetrice Morley.
Junior linebacker Rico McCoy had 10 tackles to lead the team for the third consecutive game in tackles.
Senior defensive tackle Demonte' Bolden finished with new career-highs in tackles (7) and TFLs (3).
Junior defensive end Wes Brown had a career-high eight tackles.
Senior defensive end Robert Ayers was credited with two TFLs today. He now has 11.5 on the season and 10.5 if you don't include sacks. The 10.5 TFLs not including sacks is the ninth highest single season total in Tennessee history.

Rogan Climbing UT's Season and Career Kick Return Lists

Dennis Rogan returned three kickoffs for 80 yards. He now has 25 kickoff returns this season for 619 yards (24.8 avg. KOR). The 25 returns is tied for seventh on UT's season list and the 619 yards is fourth on the season yardage list.
Rogan's career kickoff return yardage is 1,002 which is fifth all-time.

Miscellaneous Notes

Attendance: 99,489
Tennessee's captains tonight were defensive end Robert Ayers, offensive tackle Ramon Foster, wide receiver Lucas Taylor, linebacker Ellix Wilson, tailback Montario Hardesty and safety Eric Berry. They were named permanent team captains in the week leading up to the Mississippi State game (Oct. 18).
Berry wore jersey No. 29 today to honor former Vol defensive back Inky Johnson. Johnson was injured in the Air Force game in 2006 and was unable to continue to continue his playing career. Johnson still serves the Vols a student coach.
2008 Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion Santana's El Nino, made his appearance before kickoff of Saturday's homecoming game. The trainer for Santana's El Nino is Link Webb of Lewisburg, Tenn., and is owned by Michael and Ann Jones of Lafayette, Ga.

University of Tennessee Athletics