Fulmer excited, apprehensive about freshman quarterbacks: Schaffer under center to open Vols ’04 campaign
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Fulmer says he considers freshmen Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer co-starters, but announced Friday that Schaeffer will take the first snap for the 14th-ranked Vols. He will be the first true freshman in the Southeastern Conference to start an opening game since 1945. Fulmer plans to get Ainge into the game early.
“There is some apprehension also sprinkled in there. But it is exciting,” Fulmer said.
“I think the people are going to really enjoy watching these young players play, but at the same time they are going to have to patient with them to some degree because there will be some freshmen mistakes.”
The atmosphere around the team has been invigorating since Fulmer bucked his usually conservative approach by promoting the freshmen ahead of sixth-year senior C.J. Leak and junior transfer Rick Clausen, who was trying to succeed his brother, Casey, a starter from 2000-03.
Leak, whose younger brother Chris is the starting QB at Florida, has moved to tight end.
While UNLV is not an SEC foe, Fulmer has warned that the Rebels are dangerous, especially after their upset at then-No. 14 Wisconsin last season. The Vols are expecting the UNLV defense to blitz and use movement and different fronts.
“If I was UNLV getting ready to play us with freshmen quarterbacks, I’d probably plan those blitzes to see how they handle the pressure,” Tennessee offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said. “I expect them to come after them and try to rattle them.”
Fulmer has complimented the freshmen for their poise so far, but not even Tennessee legend Peyton Manning started his first collegiate game. It will be exciting enough when the newcomers run through a giant T formed by Tennessee’s marching band during the pregame festivities.
“The first time I did that I was numb for an hour. They don’t have that luxury. They have to run through there and get ready to play ball,” said Sanders, a Tennessee quarterback from 1985-88.
UNLV will also use two quarterbacks — 24-year-old senior Kurt Nantkes, father of a 5-year-old boy and newborn girl, and sophomore Shane Steichen. Nantkes started last year but missed some playing time and spring practice with a strained pubic bone.
The Rebels, 20-point underdogs, are down four starters because of preseason injuries.
“It is the worst injury situation I think I have ever had in my career,” UNLV coach John Robinson said. “We will get a couple of them (back) as the season goes on. We have a chance as the season goes on to probably be a better team than we have been.”
The Rebels finished last season 6-6.
The Vols are hoping to rebound from last year’s 10-3 season that ended with a disappointing loss to Clemson in the Peach Bowl. Tennessee’s offense ranked 67th in the NCAA, and the running game was 70th.
Ainge and Schaeffer offer some different strengths. Schaeffer, of Deerfield Beach, Fla., has been impressive with his speed and elusiveness. Ainge, of Hillsboro, Ore., has a strong arm and sees the field well, coaches say.
Ainge is the nephew of Danny Ainge, director of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics and a former Celtics player.
Colleagues have given Sanders and Fulmer mixed reviews about going with the freshmen.
“I’ve had some call and kind of applaud the decision. I’ve had some call and say ‘good luck’ because they understand how hard it is to play with a true freshman,” Sanders said.
“I think everybody understands the difficulties and the mistakes they are going to make. But I think a lot of people admire the courage of coach Fulmer to go ahead and make the decision.”