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UT was banged up and not playing well before Sept. 11. Now it's healed and ready for Florida.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 1, 2001
GAINESVILLE -- Eight weeks ago, Tennessee was a football team in trouble preparing to face a Florida team that had dominated its first two opponents and was in search of a challenge.
Vols sophomore quarterback Casey Clausen had thrown for 136 yards in each of the first two games and admittedly was struggling. Three of Tennessee's top players -- All-America defensive tackle John Henderson, wide receiver Donte' Stallworth and fullback Troy Fleming -- were injured.
Wide receiver Kelley Washington, a Biletnikoff Award finalist, was trying to learn the system.
But when terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11, the game was postponed two days later. It has made all the difference for Tennessee.
"Overall, it probably helped us some because it was really obvious that Donte' Stallworth was not going to be able to play," Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer said. "Fleming wasn't going to be able to play. John Henderson was out basically from the ankle injury in the Syracuse game. We were banged up then. The time has probably also helped our kicking game.
"And certainly it helped Casey. We have played three tough road games, probably nothing like we'll see down there. So, yeah, it probably helped us some."
The Florida players said they wouldn't have it any other way.
"I look at it as a challenge," senior safety Marquand Manuel said. "You can't back down from opportunities. Coach Spurrier is always talking about how he wants the good players to play, he doesn't want anybody to have any excuses. We're all sorry about the incidents that happened Sept. 11 and we had to move the game back. Now it's just another opportunity to go out there and play."
"I like it right now," receiver Jabar Gaffney said. "They are playing their best ball right now and we are coming in playing good ball. They always say that the only reason we beat them is because we catch them early and that they are always hot at the end. This is what they wanted and we have to go out there and play them now."
The downside, Fulmer said, is the Vols have played six straight games and many players are nursing nagging injuries.
But Tennessee's improvement is noticeable. Over the past three games, Clausen has thrown for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns. During that span, Stallworth has 19 catches for 439 yards and seven TDs. Washington has played into the national spotlight with 54 catches for 857 yards.
Even the much-maligned defenders have improved. In the first six games, the defense had four interceptions; in the past four, it has seven.
"I think if we would have played on the 15th, (wide receiver Eric) Parker and Donte' were out and big John was banged up," Clausen said. "It gave us a chance to get healthy. It gave our offense a chance to get together. These last couple of weeks, we have been clicking and really playing well."
Stallworth, who needs 92 yards to become the 10th Vols player to gain 1,700 career receiving yards, said there is no doubt the postponement has worked in the Vols' favor.
"Selfishly for me, it's a big advantage," Stallworth said. "We have had some guys that were inexperienced that have had a chance to get almost a whole year of playing time in. We think we have a much better shot now."
Tailback Travis Stephens leads the SEC with 1,201 yards and eight touchdowns. Tennessee has gone from a predominantly run-oriented offense, with Stephens as the workhorse, to a much more balanced attack. Clausen's numbers in the past three games: 62-for-94 for 861 yards.
"Tennessee is extremely balanced offensively," Florida defensive coordinator Jon Hoke said. "They became balanced as the season progressed. Casey Clausen has done a nice job of progressing in their offense and they have allowed him to go out and make some more plays."
Now the question is whether Tennessee has improved enough to beat Florida at home. The winner takes the SEC East and plays for the SEC title Dec. 8 in Atlanta.
"Obviously, we realize the great challenge we have in front of us to come down and play a very talented, well-coached Florida football team," Fulmer said. "We know we have to play well to come out with a win."