KNOXVILLE (April 8) -- A pair of touchdown runs by Cedric Houston left head coach Phillip Fulmer feeling better about the Tennessee running game after a 50-play scrimmage Thursday at Neyland Stadium.
The senior tailback found the end zone on runs of 4 and 10 yards in a scrimmage that was largely controlled by the defense. The first and second units each ran 20 plays.
"The running game has picked up," Fulmer said. "I thought Ced hit it really well and I thought that (tailback David) Yancey hit it really well. I didn't think Jabari (Davis) had his best day running the ball, but he certainly made some good perimeter blocks out there on the sprint-out passes."
Thursday's action did little to help determine the identity of next fall's starting quarterback as C.J. Leak and Rick Clausen continued their duel.
"Right now we've got a real battle going on heading into the last week (of spring practice)," Fulmer said. "Both of them, at times, have done some good things, but neither one has pulled away from the other.
"Like I said at the start of the spring, I'd like to have a starter named by the end of spring practice, but I can't do that right now. I'm hoping by next week that one of them will distinguish himself. But at this point, we make some good plays and then we make some plays that really aren't very good."
Clausen did toss a pair of short touchdown passes to Robert Meachem, who continues to earn high marks from Fulmer, along with fellow wide receiver Jayson Swain.
The Vols made just one turnover, but it was a costly one as linebacker Omar Gaither scooped up a fumble and turned it into a 25-yard score. Gaither also teamed with linebacker Jon Poe on a sack. Linebacker Marvin Mitchell and defensive tackle LaRon Harris each had solo sacks.
"I think there was good play on both sides," Fulmer said. "It was good to see the defense continue to bow its neck and stop people down close (to the goal line). Obviously that's going to be a point of emphasis for us."
Kicking continues to be a strength. "We did have great kicking work today," Fulmer said. "We looked at just
about every punt rush you're going to see and ran a couple of fakes. I thought that was good."
The only reported injury was a knee contusion suffered by defensive back Corey Campbell.
After the scrimmage, Fulmer sent the players home for Easter weekend. They'll reassemble for two practices next week, then wrap up the spring with the Orange and White game on Saturday, April 17
