Starting a freshman quarterback can mean a team is rebuilding,and playing two quarterbacks can often mean a team has problems atquarterback. Starting two true freshmen quarterbacks should be acause for disaster, however, that has not been the case forTennessee coach Philip Fulmer.
Fulmer, in his 13th season with the Volunteers, is the longesttenured coach in the Southeastern Conference after JackieSherrill’s departure from Mississippi State last season.
Fulmer made the decision to play quarterbacks Brent Schaefferand Erik Ainge, who for the most part do not look likefreshmen.
Schaeffer, the first true freshman quarterback to start a seasonopener in the SEC since 1945, accounted for 152 yards of totaloffense (123 pass, 29 rush), two touchdowns (1 pass, 1 rush) andthrew 7-for-10 passes against UNLV. Ainge completed 10-of-17 passesfor 118 yards and two touchdowns in the same game.
“That’s really about as good as you could hopefor,” Fulmer said after the game. “I think the teamaround them lifted them up. I don’t think there was pressurefor them to win the game.”
In addition to splitting time, the Volunteer running backs alsoshared carries.
Starting tailback Cedric Houston rushed for 97 yards on 12carries before leaving in the third quarter with an injury. GeraldRiggs filled in, rushing for a game total of 79 yards on 13 carriesand one touchdown. Corey Larkins also was in the rotation, rushingfor 49 yards on nine carries.
The freshmen quarterbacks fared better in their debuts thanTennessee’s defense. The defense, at times, had troublestopping UNLV’s running backs, who collectively ran for 164yards.
In his first start, cornerback Brandon Johnson led all tacklerswith nine stops and two forced fumbles. Corey Campbell, making hisfourth career start, picked off his third career pass while makingfour tackles. Jason Allen, the veteran of the secondary with ninestarts, made five solo tackles. Redshirt freshman Roshaun Fellowsadded five tackles in his first start.
Playboy Magazine preseason All-American Kevin Burnett led thelinebackers with eight tackles. Jason Mitchell made six stops andKevin Simon added five.
The defensive front four saw tackles Jesse Mahelona and JustinHarrell make their first career starts, while ends Parys Haralsonand Karlton Neal made their 11th and eighth respective starts. Theline accounted for all three sacks in the game.
All-America punter Dustin Colquitt led the SEC and ranked sixthnationally with a 45.3-yard punting average in his junior year.
Placekicker James Wilhoit placed four of his seven kickoffs intothe end zone for touchbacks. He missed his only field goal attemptof 44 yards.
