Tennessee's Foster gets shot at redemption

By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Published January 1, 2008

TAMPA - He is, by many accounts, the University of Tennessee's resident free spirit.

Arian Isa Foster the first name means "water bearer" is a Southern California-born philosophy major, which in itself might sound alarms among the more conventional. But his flair for the ostentatious stretches to the locker room, where he routinely jukes and jokes before games.

"I'm really outgoing and flamboyant and all that," said Foster, arguably the most unheralded running back in Vols history. "I just like to have fun, and I don't think my personality should change before games."

But change it did; not necessarily before games, but before the 2007 season in general. Tennessee's self-proclaimed "social butterfly" flitted off into a cocoon of introspection. The kid raised to think outside the box seemed to confine himself within one.

"I kind of stayed to myself," Foster said. "Not standoffish, but kind of reserved."

All because of one rainy New Year's afternoon in Tampa.

Foster's two fumbles in the '07 Outback Bowl led directly to 10 points for Penn State, which won by 10.

"It's hard to get last year out of our craw, to be honest with you," Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said as recently as Monday.

The costliest fumble occurred at the Nittany Lions' 12-yard line with 10:01 to play, when Foster lost the ball upon being wrapped up from behind by Dan Connor. Cornerback Tony Davis scooped it up mid-stride and returned it for an 88-yard touchdown.

Just like that, the Vols' leading rusher, who hadn't lost a fumble all season, had a rep for putting the ball on the ground. He also had all the incentive he would need to forge ahead with the most regimented, reclusive offseason of his life.

"(The change in demeanor) was very noticeable with Arian," senior tight end Chris Brown said.

Today, the 215-pound junior can cap his most rewarding college season by finding atonement in an Outback Bowl sequel of sorts.

"I think I took last year's Outback Bowl loss harder than anybody on that trip," he said. "I put the loss solely on my shoulders, and kind of made a vow to myself I wasn't going to let that happen again and made it fuel for this year."

The fuel has helped Foster generate 1,162 rushing yards, 12 TDs and five 100-yard games this season. In a manner that totally belies his personality, the San Diego native has quietly put himself in position to become the Vols' all-time rushing leader.

He enters today's game against Wisconsin with 2,363 career rushing yards, only 715 shy of Travis Henry's career mark at Tennessee. Should Foster avoid injury and the NFL's enticements, he could easily surpass that mark in '08.

"Arian's just had a fantastic career here at Tennessee, sometimes possibly even underappreciated some," Fulmer said.

"I do think that fumble really hurt him, basically going in to win the football game and all of the sudden you've got a 14-point swing. And he, I think, reached a maturity level after that that he had not previously gotten to as far as his consistency and his preparations."

Foster's offseason transformation transcended football. In addition to repressing his social vibe, he earned a 3.17 GPA in the spring semester and became "religious" about working out.

The payoff came quickly. In a 45-31 season-opening loss to California in his home state, Foster tallied 226 all-purpose yards, including 117 on three kick returns.

"He's always been a guy that works very hard and is really skilled," senior quarterback Erik Ainge said.

"He's matured a lot in the last couple of years. He's real smart now in the sense that he doesn't just go out there and try to be athletic. ... If I were to call something wrong, he would know what I meant."

Today, Foster won't repress himself. Before the game, he'll likely crack wise on a teammate, or contort to the rhythm of a rap song thumping in his ears. It is, after all, who he is, and one can't ever completely change a free spirit.

But one can change perceptions, and legacies. Foster has the unique chance to do that today.

"I kind of had a reputation after (the Penn State loss) as being a fumbler when (those were) the only (fumbles) I had that season, and I've only had one fumble this year," he said.

"It's in the back of my mind, but I'm not really thinking about it. It will be fun to go out there and be on that stage."

Joey Knight can be reached at (813) 226-3350 or jknight@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 31, 2007, 20:18:58]