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All-American Lincoln Ready To Get Back On Field

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2007

Updated: 12/28/2007 11:11 pm

TAMPA - There might not be a Tennessee player more eager to get back on the field than Daniel Lincoln. The Vols' redshirt freshman kicker had a tough go in the SEC Championship loss to LSU, missing two field goal attempts in a 21-14 setback.

It was certainly an atypical performance for the Ocala Forest product, who earned All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America after hitting 21 of 26 field goal attempts through the first 12 games, including game-winners against South Carolina and Vanderbilt to help the Vols get into the conference title game.

"I didn't perform near as well as I'd like to. I took it pretty hard for a little while there. It was something I had to get over and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the field and doing my job this game," Lincoln said. "You're going to have your ups and downs and it's really just how you bounce back from the downs is how you're going to be measured as a kicker and as an athlete at this level."

GOING FOR BENCHMARK: A 10-win season is considered a benchmark of sorts for college football programs, and Tennessee players, especially the seniors, are relishing the opportunity to go for that goal against Wisconsin.

"For me being a senior, going out with a win and ending my career with a win and 10-win season, it's a big thing," senior FS Jonathan Hefney said.

Tennessee had the opportunity to claim the program's 20th 10-win season in last year's Outback Bowl, but fell to Penn State. Though the Vols ultimately made a return trip to Tampa, Hefney said they aren't treating this game as a chance to redeem themselves.

"We had the opportunity last year but things didn't go right for us," Hefney said. "We're just coming back this year with a different attitude and looking for a win. Not as a shot at redemption, just as an opportunity to play."

BLUE-CLAD ONLOOKERS: Vols offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe entertained a few blue-clad visitors prior to Thursday's practice, one being Duke athletic director Joe Alleva.

Cutcliffe, who was hired as Duke's head coach Dec. 15 but agreed to remain with the Vols through their bowl game, said the sole purpose of Duke administrators attending practice was so they could view how their new coach operates.

"You know, a picture is worth 1,000 words," Cutcliffe said. "That was the whole purpose in it. I wanted them to see that picture first hand."

Cutcliffe isn't the only Tennessee coach who is leaving after the Outback Bowl. The New Year's Day bowl game also will be the last for receivers coach Trooper Taylor, who recently accepted the co-offensive coordinator position at Oklahoma State.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, who said earlier this week the search to fill his staff is "an ongoing process," said Friday he would like to have his entire staff in place by the time Vols coaches get back on the recruiting trail Jan. 12.

EXTRA VISITORS: Former Vols standout LB Frank Emanuel (1963-65), a College Football Hall of Fame inductee who resides in Tampa, visited Friday's afternoon workout at the University of Tampa. Also among the visitors Friday were Hillsborough County football coaches Earl Garcia (Hillsborough) and Mark Kantor (Gaither), as well as Gaither RB Jarvis Giles, one of the state's top recruits for 2009.

Adam Adkins

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