Vol Quarterbacks Still Competing

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said Wednesday that no decision has been made and no time table established for announcing the starting quarterback for this weekend's game against Northern Illinois.

"Obviously, we've got problems that we're trying to fix in a couple of different spots," Fulmer said. "We're particularly trying to evaluate the quarterbacks and make a good decision from that standpoint. We're not quite there yet, but we're making strides that way."

Junior Jonathan Crompton and sophomore Nick Stephens are sharing the reps as first-string quarterback this week. Crompton has started the season's first four games.

"Both of them are competing and we're doing some things with Gerald (Jones)," Fulmer said.

"Both of them are really working. But we've been a good practice team; it's what we've done in the game that counts and we've got to make that carry over.

"We're certainly not going to give up on anybody, regardless of what happens."

Fulmer said he has been impressed these last two days with the defensive tempo that has carried over from last weekend's fine performance at Auburn. Tennessee limited the Tigers to just 226 yards of total offense in a 14-12 loss.

"I really like the way those young ends (Ben Martin and Chris Walker) are playing, I really like the way Gerald Williams is playing. Those guys are making some significant progress. And LaMarcus Thompson in the absence of Ellix (Wilson) -- Ellix not being 100 percent this week; I do think he will be available for the game -- has shown some progress. And Daryl Vereen moved to linebacker. He came back and looks like a very fast linebacker rather than a limited safety. "Building that depth is really good."

Also returning to practice this week has been junior tight end Jeff Cottam (back), who Fulmer expects to see at least limited work in Saturday's game.

The Vols host Northern Illinois in a 7 p.m. Eastern time kickoff at Neyland Stadium.

UT-NORTHERN ILLINOIS ON PAY-PER-VIEW Saturday's Tennessee-Northern Illinois game is being televised on a pay-per-view basis across the state of Tennessee. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern time (6 p.m. Central).

The announcing team for the game telecast will be Randy Smith (play-by-play) and former Vol and NFL quarterback Pat Ryan (color analysis).

Cable systems across the state of Tennessee are scheduled to carry the telecast from the VideoSeat pay-per-view service. The game also is being made available as a pay-per-view event to Tennessee Dish Network subscribers and DirecTV subscribers. Channel numbers and ordering information for home dish owners will be forthcoming next week.

ESPN GamePlan is expected to offer the contest to fans living outside the state of Tennessee via the ESPN GamePlan package. The game will be blacked out on ESPN GamePlan in the state of Tennessee and cannot be ordered as part of ESPN's package.

UT WELCOMES FANS TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAME

The University of Tennessee welcomes football fans to campus Saturday.

Kickoff for the Volunteers' game against Northern Illinois is scheduled for 7 p.m. Neyland Stadium gates open at 5 p.m. This is the first meeting between the teams.

The traditional Vol Walk from Gibbs Hall to the stadium starts at 4:45 p.m., and the Pride of the Southland Marching Band leaves the music building at 5:20 p.m.

The university also welcomes families of UT students on campus for the Parents Association's Family Weekend. Activities occur on Friday and Saturday.

Interstate closed near campus

As always, fans driving to the game are encouraged to arrive early. Interstate 40 is closed between Hall of Fame Drive and James White Parkway downtown, but all of the exits that lead to campus remain open.

Eastbound motorists have access to several exits: Alcoa Highway (exit 386B) to Neyland Drive, 17th Street (exit 387) to Cumberland Avenue or Henley Street (exit 388) to downtown. The last eastbound exit is 388A, James White Parkway.

Westbound motorists should use Hall of Fame Drive (exit 389) to Neyland Drive.

After the game, fans traveling westbound on I-40 should stay in the left lanes to avoid traffic delays where I-640 merges with I-40. Local traffic should use alternate routes westbound, including Middlebrook Pike.

For more information about the I-40 closure, visit Here or SmartFix40.

Game day policies remain same
Under state law, no smoking will be allowed anywhere inside the gates of Neyland Stadium. No one inside the gates will be allowed to leave and then be readmitted.

Only fans with permits can park on campus. UT encourages fans to use shuttle buses from the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and the UT Agriculture Campus.

A no-fly zone extends over the stadium from one hour before the game until one hour after it ends, prohibiting flights within a 3-nautical-mile radius and lower than 3,000-feet altitude, except as authorized by air traffic control.

Solicitation near stadium gates and along Phillip Fulmer Way is prohibited.

UT reminds visitors that all items, including purses, are subject to search at the gates. Certain items remain prohibited inside the stadium, and those items cannot be stored at any stadium gate.

Prohibited items include the following:

• alcoholic beverages• cans, bottles or coolers• radios without headphones• open umbrellas• video cameras• stadium seats with arms• large bags or parcels, including backpacks and large purses• weapons of any kind, including pocketknives
Fans are allowed to bring the following items inside the stadium:
• cushions and seats without arms• diaper bags that accompany infants• small cameras, pagers, cell phones and binoculars

For those driving on campus, Peyton Manning Pass, Middle and Lower Drives, Estabrook Drive and Phillip Fulmer Way from Middle Drive to Tee Martin Drive will be closed 30 minutes before kickoff. Directional parking will be used in Area 9 and Lots 4, 5A and 5B.
For more game day information, please visit UT Game Day.

www.utsports.com