Below are comments made to the media by Volunteer Coach Phillip Fulmer at his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
"In my time as an athlete, an assistant coach and a head coach, I have really preferred to focus on our objectives and goals rather than the obstacles that we have to overcome. In other words, attacking things with a positive attitude and getting things accomplished. I'm really proud of our team as they've continued to fight and play hard and work hard to overcome the struggles that we're having at some positions. I still think that's the right attitude to take, that we are focusing on our objectives and not the obstacles. I think that changes your perspective on life and your perspective on your team and your demeanor as you approach things. I'm not going to let that happen to myself or my staff or my football team. I appreciate the way they continue to fight through this down time that we're having right now.
"Obviously, a catch for our team and particularly our offensive team is still trying to find that consistency. That's been our biggest hurdle along the way. There were plenty of opportunities along the way in the last ballgame to go in ahead at halftime with a great effort by our defense and coverage teams knocking the ball loose and blocking a punt. Usually, in that magnitude of a football game, that's enough to give you an edge to win the game. We weren't able to take advantage of that. We have taken some steps in the right direction offensively in the fact that we're not turning the football over. We are making some plays along the way that are more effective than we were previously. We still have a lot to do to get where we want to be. I keep waiting for us to have that breakout football game and this is a heck of a good time to have that happen for us.
"On third down, we came up three times with third-and-a-yard or third-and-a-half-yar
d or something like that in a tough, defensive struggle where you don't want to put your defense at a disadvantage. If you just run a route or fall forward better, then that's three right there that are entirely different looking.
"Running the football has been more difficult mostly because we haven't earned anybody's respect in the passing game. As soon as we can make them be concerned about having extra people defend the run, then the better off we're going to be. We're playing with personnel groupings and formations and all kinds of different ideas and schemes to try and get the running game going because it is extremely important that we do that.
"The penalty situation killed us in our last ball game after being penalty-free the week before. I cannot tell you how frustrating that is, not just to me or the fans but to the football team. It's not one position or one person; it's different things at different times. The bottom line is that comes back to me getting that done with the coaches.
"Obviously, we've got to score touchdowns when we get down there close and not kick field goals or miss field goals. I know that's been frustrating for everybody concerned.
"I realize that right now we're fighting for an opportunity to finish with seven wins for the season. That's certainly not where we want to be by any stretch of the imagination, but on Sunday night one thing I talked to the team about-even though we're not going to be SEC champions or SEC East champions-is having the heart of a champion and continuing to work and compete and be more efficient to get to where we want to be.
"South Carolina is a very fine football team, particularly on the defensive side. That doesn't need to be talked about a lot. You can look on the stat sheets and see they're leading the conference in almost all of the categories. They're a very good defensive team with a lot of good players up front. The linebackers as a pair may be the best that we have played against this year. The secondary is mature and has been around awhile with a lot of playmakers.
"Offensively, they have had their struggles as we have from time to time running the football. They have a good passing attack. The quarterbacks, regardless of which one plays, they've both been efficient with what they do. They have good receivers.
"We're going back to work today and I'm expecting a great look in our guys' eyes."
