Colleges

Outback coaches happy with focus on game

By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
Published December 28, 2007

Off-the-field activities associated with bowl games are supposed to be a reward, yet sometimes they can also be a distraction.

But that apparently isn't an issue in Tampa.

The Outback Bowl has "done a good job minimalizing our obligations," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday.

Case in point: Wednesday night's Outback Steakhouse team welcome dinner. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said events such as that often run two hours, but with this one, "We were in and out in an hour."

Why is this important?

Because both programs (and most nowadays) are doing all they can to have a regular game-week itinerary. Too many events could throw that out of whack.

"I learned from (Penn State coach Joe Paterno) that you don't do everything scheduled," Fulmer said.

READY TO RUN: Badgers running back P.J. Hill, who rushed for 1,080 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season despite missing 13 of the team's last 15 quarters with a leg injury, appears to be 100 percent healthy and will play next week.

"P.J. has been doing very, very consistently," Bielema said.

A sophomore, Hill already has 2,649 career rushing yards.

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND: Fulmer isn't happy that six of his players were ruled academically ineligible for the Outback Bowl, but at least publicly he isn't making a big fuss about it. He also refuses to make any excuses for the absent players, the most notable of which are linebacker Rico McCoy (one of the team's leading tacklers) and receiver Lucas Taylor (73 catches, 1,000 yards).

"Accountability starts with the player," Fulmer said. "They have to get it done."

PEOPLE TO KICK WITH: Vols freshman placekicker Daniel Lincoln, who has made 21 of 28 field goals this season and was an honorable mention Associated Press All-SEC pick, grew up 90 miles north of Tampa in the southwest part of Ocala. As of Thursday, he had secured about "17 or 18" tickets for family and friends.

The number, though, is "steadily climbing," Lincoln said.

ODDS & ENDS: The Badgers are 9-3 in bowls since 1993. That gives Wisconsin a higher winning percentage (.750) than Ohio State (.538) and Michigan (.500) during the same stretch. Two of the Badgers' three losses in that span were at the Outback Bowl (1998, 2005). ... At a bowl function Wednesday, Bielema said someone pronounced his name "bulimia." It's BEE-luh-muh.

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 22:30:23]