Meachem stands out in Tennessee opener with 2 TD catches

By

Posted 6:33PM on Thursday, September 7, 2006

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee's Robert Meachem ran a few yards too long on his route, came back for the ball to catch it, shook off the defender and raced 42 yards to the end zone. After halftime, he did it again, this time for an 80-yard touchdown. Meachem had the best game of his career in a 35-18 opening win over California last week. He wasn't perfect, but the No. 11 Volunteers aren't complaining. They've been waiting for Meachem and the other receivers to have that kind of game. They host Air Force on Saturday. ``We don't have anybody on our team that works harder in practice to be a good player than Robert Meachem does,'' coach Phillip Fulmer said. ``He's unselfish. He plays on several special teams. He's going to block. He's going to catch it. He doesn't mind going over the middle to do it.'' Fulmer said he was happy with Meachem's performance so far. ``He deserves it. He had a tough year last year,'' he said. Last season was tough for all the receivers. One of the reasons given for a 5-6 finish was a lack of production and execution by the receivers. They had trouble catching the ball and struggled with sore ankles and knees that slowed them down. Fulmer fired receivers coach Pat Washington and moved Trooper Taylor from running backs to receivers hoping the change would help. The coaches decided on a plan to play fewer receivers in games to create better chemistry with the quarterbacks. Some of the receivers lost weight in the offseason. They had to catch 100 balls a day, and they practiced catching tennis balls shot out of a machine. ``This group can get a lot better but it takes day-by-day, one game at a time and believing in each other,'' Meachem said. ``If you believe all your brothers and all your coaches are right there with you and you have God right there with you, you can't lose.'' Meachem, of Tulsa, Okla., was part of the 2003 signing class that also included Jayson Swain of Huntsville, Ala., and Bret Smith of Warren, Ark. Meachem and Smith were high school Parade All-Americans while Swain was one of the best receivers in his home state and played in the U.S. Army Reserve High School All-Star game. They were supposed to rejuvenate the Vols' receiving corps. Meachem didn't play in 2003 after having knee surgery, but he's led the Vols in receiving yards the last two years. Swain has been second in catches and yards both years, and Smith has caught nine touchdowns in his career. Both Swain and Meachem have dropped about 20 pounds from last year. ``I lost a lot of weight. I could move again. The last two years I was 220. Carrying all that weight, I had my back hurting and my ankles hurting,'' Meachem said after a practice this week. ``I'm about 204 today after sweating. I'll probably be 208 in the morning.'' Last weekend's game was what has been expected of the receivers. After Meachem's breakaway touchdowns, Swain got in the act by catching a ball on the run for a 50-yard scoring play. ``It's been a while, but it felt good. Hopefully I can get in there a couple of times this week and in the weeks to come,'' Swain said. Smith suffered a concussion during the Cal game and will play this week if he is able to practice. Meachem finished the game with a career-high 182 yards on five receptions. He had 383 yards for all of last season. ``My confidence level is sky-high because I have no pressure on me. I don't stress anymore. I just try to let the game come to me,'' Meachem said. Taylor marked down Meachem's grades after the game for running too far on his routes. ``I was a little disappointed. He went a little deep on his route, but he made a play. He's probably the only guy to get a minus on a touchdown,'' Taylor said. Quarterback Erik Ainge wasn't upset. ``I walked up to Robert Meachem after the game and I said, 'You and me were due for something like that, weren't we?' He said, 'Absolutely. Keep it coming,''' Ainge said. ``That's how the game is supposed to be played.'' On the Net: Tennessee football: www.utsports.com (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)