Vols ready to ‘keep score’ as opener against Cal looms

Cal coach said Golden Bears could play two different quarterbacks against Tennessee Tennessee had just one full practice remaining Friday morning to prepare for Saturday’s visit from ninth-ranked California at Neyland Stadium. Head coach Phillip Fulmer welcomes the regular season opener and says his players feel the same way.“I told them we could count the off-season, spring practice, the summer and our fall camp pretty much as a success, but now is when they keep score,” Fulmer said. “This is the time that really matters.“They are darn sure tired of practicing against each other and looking forward to a game and I am too. We’ve got to be really sharp on both sides of the ball.”The Vols will have to deal with California’s multiple looks on offense and a stout defense. The Golden Bears announced Tuesday that sophomore Nate Longshore would open the game at quarterback. A Canyon Country, Calif., native, Longshore completed 8-of-11 pass attempts for 131 yards and one touchdown in limited action last year before suffering a season-ending injury.“Trying to figure what they are and what they are going to be offensively might take us a little bit from a defensive standpoint,” Fulmer said. “We’ve prepared for both and we’ll see what happens with that.“Offensively, I can’t wait to see us play. We’ve done some very good things in the preseason.”Fulmer announced Wednesday that 2006 signees Cody Pope, Stephaun Raines and Gerald Williams were denied by the NCAA Clearinghouse. He said the staff was looking into options for the three as far as prep schools, junior college and the like.“With that settled, it will give me the opportunity to help a couple of the young guys on our football team for one year,” he said. “From that standpoint, it’s a good thing.”California head coach Jeff Tedford made his quarterback decision after a competitive camp on the Berkeley practice fields.“Nate’s going to start the game,” Tedford said. “They both have had great camps. Somebody’s got to take the first snap; Nate will take the first snap. He feels great. It’s very possible that both (Longshore and senior Joe Ayoob) will play; we’ll see about the flow of the game.”Kickoff Saturday is set for 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. The Vol Network has the radio broadcast, with ESPN providing television coverage.