Vols looking to start new streak over Vanderbilt

By

Posted 5:30PM on Thursday, November 16, 2006

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer called it ``rock bottom.'' A loss to Vanderbilt a year ago that ended the Volunteers' long winning streak over their in-state rival was one of the lowest points of Tennessee's 5-6 season. This year the No. 22 Vols (7-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) have rebounded, but they are not forgetting the loss as they travel to Vanderbilt (4-7, 1-6) on Saturday. Led by star senior quarterback Jay Cutler last season, the Commodores rallied to win 28-24 on Earl Bennett's 5-yard touchdown catch. The Vols then moved inside the Vanderbilt 20 in the final minutes, but Rick Clausen had two passes go incomplete and his third was intercepted with no time remaining. ``You can't take anything away from Vandy in how they beat us last year. That's one thing that we know. It's not like we gave them a victory. They beat us last year. That makes it even worse,'' Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge said. ``It puts the fire in your stomach even more.'' Tennessee comes to Nashville after losing back-to-back games to LSU and Arkansas. Ainge started at LSU but missed all of the Arkansas game with a sprained right ankle, but he appears to be ready to return to the field Saturday and help rejuvenate the Vols' offense. The Commodores' season ends against Tennessee, and they will miss out again on going to a bowl game. Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson called last year's win a ``great memory.'' It was the first for the Commodores over Tennessee since 1982. ``I am sure they will be fired up about last year. We will be fired up about last year,'' he said. ``But it all comes down to getting ready in practice this week and playing this week's game.'' The win gave the Vanderbilt players confidence. ``Tennessee fans can't be quite as obnoxious, or haven't been able to do so. But that's something that has to be backed up,'' Vanderbilt safety Ben Koger, of Brentwood, said. ``We don't want it to look like a fluke, so we're going to have to be ready to go this weekend.'' The Vols finish the regular season at home against Kentucky next week, and then they will wait to see which bowl invites them. Tennessee's defense allowed 903 total yards in the losses to LSU and Arkansas while the offense which has been one of the most productive in the SEC this season only mustered 514 total yards. ``The thing I want is for us to get our groove back,'' Fulmer said. ``We're capable of being a darn good football team if we're playing on all cylinders.'' Getting back on track offensively and defensively after two losses is foremost for Tennessee, and playing a team that beat the Vols a year ago is extra motivation. ``It stayed with us for a long time because I know those guys over at Vanderbilt circled the date on the calendar when they get to play the University of Tennessee. They have great fans, but this is the University of Tennessee state, and I know they get sick and tired of always hearing about us and that win last year for them was major,'' Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo said. ``I just feel like we need to come back and win these next three games not only Vanderbilt and Kentucky but a bowl game and set a foundation for next year.'' On the Net: Tennessee football: http://www.utsports.com Vanderbilt football: http://www.vucommodores.com