Vols Looking to Improve During Open Date Week; Host Florida Sept. 16 In SEC Opener

Tennessee returns to the practice field Tuesday hoping to build on the Vols' 19-16 victory over No. 23 Southern Miss last Saturday. The Vols moved up to No. 11 in this week's ESPN-USA Today-Coaches Poll and to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer said he hopes his team can use the extra week to improve as well as prepare for No. 5 Florida who comes to town Sept. 16 in the SEC opener for both teams.

"I think it is a good time for us to have an open date to get back to fundamentals and evaulate what we can do. The first thing we have to do is fix our problems."

After reviewing the Southern Miss game on tape, Fulmer said the Vols must improve offensively and take better advantage of the field position that the defense and punter David Leaverton offered.

"I am glad to get the win," said Fulmer. "Our defense showed some speed and quickness, the offense is young and we have to long ways to go. The biggest concern is that we did not take advantage of the field position the defense gave us. I though going in we had a chance to be good in the kicking game and it was solid. Even after playing a game we are still a young football team."

As for the Vols' quarterback derby, Fulmer said he and his offensive staff will evaluate the progress of Joey Mathews and A.J. Suggs, who played in the season opener, as well as freshman Casey Clausen. Clausen has missed most of the preseason with a sore shoulder, but began throwing again last week.

"I want to wait to have a chance to sit down with the staff and talk about it," said Fulmer. "Neither guy played super. They did not play great and neither one played just terrible. We will evaluate it and see where we are to see what we have to do. We are not going to stick our head in the sand. Our goal here is to win football games and the guy who is most efficient in helping us do that will be our quarterback."

Florida defeated Ball State 40-19 in its season opener in Gainesville. The Gators host Middle Tennessee State this Saturday.