Fulmer: Vols further along than anticipated
Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer says his No. 15 Volunteers are further along that he anticipated. "I feel like we are a little bit ahead," Fulmer said Monday, eyeing Saturday's opener at No. 12 California. "I'm ready for it, and I think the players are darn sure ready." He said junior tailback Arian Foster is especially eager for the game. Foster finished last season with a fumble in January's Outback Bowl, and Penn State returned it for an 88-yard TD in a 20-10 Nittany Lion victory. "He was the last one to leave the stadium in Tampa," Fulmer said. "He stood there and looked everybody in the eye, and I think he used it as a motivational tool for the offseason work and practice.
"He established himself as a really good back in spring practice. He's proven himself physically tough and mentally better." Foster, after a 2006 season plagued with injury and off-field incidents, has established himself as the No. 1 back for the Vols, followed by sophomore Montario Hardesty. The two combined for 22 carries and 125 yards in last year's season-opening 35-18 win over Cal. Meanwhile punter Britton Colquitt is still day-to-day with a quadriceps pull suffered in last Tuesday's scrimmage. Fulmer anticipates Colquitt to be ready Saturday, but the junior punter will take minimal reps in practice this week.
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