Fulmer still fuming after Tennessee's loss at UCLA

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Several days after Tennessee's overtime loss to UCLA, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer was still seething about it.

``I guess we got the luxury of feeling like crap,'' Fulmer said of the team's mood in practice on Wednesday. ``I've got to be honest with them, I was really upset.''

The 27-24 loss on Monday to the Bruins dropped the Volunteers from The Associated Press Top 25 poll after being ranked 18th.

Fulmer said he was especially upset because there were so many mistakes in areas that the Vols have worked on repeatedly during practice, like not being drawn offsides and the kicking game. Tennessee twice was drawn offsides by UCLA's offense on third down and had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown and three missed field goals.

``Nobody spends the time that we spend on kicking. For some crap like that to happen to us, it's angry. It makes you mad,'' Fulmer said.

He said he was not blaming the players for the problems at UCLA because ``bottom line is it starts with us. It starts with me and starts with us as a coaching staff and we'll go from there.''

The Vols have worked on correcting many of the mistakes made during practice this week while also taking time to prepare for their next game against UAB on Sept. 13.

First-year offensive coach Dave Clawson said Thursday that it stings whenever players and coaches have put a lot of preparation into a game and suffer an embarrassing loss.

Clawson, who was head coach at Richmond for four years before joining the Vols staff, said he coached on many teams that have suffered losses similar to the one at UCLA but has found that the successful teams find ways to bounce back.

``It's painful, and it stings. Nobody's more disappointed than we are, and nobody's harder on us than we are. But the effort is to fix the mistakes so you don't lose another football game for the same reasons.''

The Vols found themselves in a similar situation last season, losing their season opener at California 45-31. They went on to suffer lopsided losses at Florida and Alabama before winning their last five games and playing for the Southeastern Conference championship.

Tailback Montario Hardesty said the players were down about the loss and the mistakes as well but know they can change things on the practice field.

``As practice went on, as guys started to pick up, the mood picked up,'' he said. ``We have UAB and a good SEC stretch coming that we can prove we are still a good team.''