Vols resume Vanderbilt preparations

Tennessee ended a quiet weekend by returning to the practice field Sunday night for a 90-minute workout inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.
The Vols were off Saturday for the first time since Sept. 6. Focus now shifts to the 2008 season’s remaining games against rivals Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
“These guys know how to practice,” head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “They actually make me feel better out here for the hour and 40 minutes we spent — particularly the defensive side of the ball. They had outstanding energy.”
Tennessee is looking to close out Fulmer’s UT career with a couple of victories, hoping to add to the coach’s win total of 150 against just 52 losses during 17 seasons.
Next weekend’s opponent, Vanderbilt, is coming off a 31-24 win Saturday night at Kentucky.
“We’re a little bit ahead because of the open date,” Fulmer said. “We came out tonight and, not having played, were in shorts and shoulder pads. We got in some good tackling and good fundamental work as well as a lot of work on Vanderbilt.”
Saturday’s kickoff is at 11:30 a.m. Central time in Nashville, with Raycom Sports and the Vol Network carrying the action.

Coleman shines in Vols’ JV win over previously unbeaten Hargrave

B.J. Coleman completed 22-of-31 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns while Sam Edgemon rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown to lead Tennessee past Hargrave Military Academy, 37-21, in the lone junior varsity game of the 2008 season Thursday at Neyland Stadium.
It was just the second JV game for Tennessee since 1992. The Vols defeated Hargrave 37-20 last season at Neyland Stadium. The Tigers entered this year’s game 10-0 on the season looking to close out a perfect 2008.
“It feels good to hurt right now; I haven’t hurt in a long time,” said Coleman, a Chattanooga product. “Anytime you can get any kind of game experience, it’s important. The receivers played their hearts out today; they did a great job getting their hands on the football. When they did, they made something happen.”
Nashville’s Ben Bartholomew scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, while Monroe, La., native Ahmad Paige led the team with five receptions for 93 yards. Maryville’s Tyler Maples caught four passes for 77 yards.
Huntingdon native Chris Donald led the UT defensive effort with 10 tackles, including one for a loss.
Tennessee capitalized on two-straight turnovers by the Hargrave offense in the third quarter. Cookeville’s Tyler Wolf picked off a pass at the UT goal line and returned it 71 yards into Hargrave territory. Cleveland’s Tanner Shamblin hit Nashville-native Ben Lehning on a 14-yard scoring pass to cash in the miscue.
After a Hargrave fumble on its next possession was forced and recovered by Kingsport’s Phillip Tritapoe, Bartholomew punched in a score from 15 yards out two plays later to give Tennessee a 30-13 lead early in the third frame.
The Vols’ final score came on a 1-yard run from Pulaski’s Edgemon midway through the fourth quarter.