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Despite streak, Fulmer and Tennessee wary of Kentucky

Nov 21, 2006 - 11:54 PM Kentucky (7-4) at No. 19 Tennessee (8-3), 12:30 pm EST

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) - Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer never has lost to Kentucky. But that doesn't mean he isn't taking the Wildcats seriously.

Fulmer and the 19th-ranked Volunteers host their Southeastern Conference rivals Saturday in the season finale for a pair of teams targeting postseason play.

The Vols (8-3, 4-3 SEC East) have won the last 21 meetings in the series, the second-longest current streak among Division I-A teams that meet every year. Only Notre Dame's 43-game run over Navy is longer.

The last 13 of those wins have come under Fulmer, who took over in 1993. During that stretch, Tennessee has beaten Kentucky (7-4, 4-3 East) by an average score of roughly 44-17.

However, Fulmer is aware that Kentucky could be a dangerous opponent for Tennessee, which has lost twice at home this year. The Wildcats have won four straight games - including three over SEC foes - while averaging 37 points during that run.

"The Wildcats are a very good offensive team," Fulmer said. "They can do so many things, both passing and running. It's a great challenge to our entire team."

The Volunteers can pass and run a little bit, too, as evidenced by last week's 39-10 win at Vanderbilt. Erik Ainge returned from an ankle injury to complete 21-of-26 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns and LaMarcus Coker had 126 yards and two TDs on just 10 carries.

Robert Meacham has 1,149 receiving yards and needs just 22 to break Marcus Nash's school record set in 1997. He also needs just nine for 2,000 career yards.

Looking for its first bowl appearance since the 1999 season, Kentucky is coming off last week's wild 42-40 win over Louisiana-Monroe. Andre' Woodson and Keenan Burton hooked up for three touchdown passes for the Wildcats, who recovered after blowing a 28-10 lead.

Kentucky surrendered 351 yards on the ground. About the only stop the Wildcats made came on a potential tying two-point conversion run by Louisiana-Monroe quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster in the final minute.

Kentucky has not won five in a row since opening 5-0 to start the 1984 season, which also marks the last time it beat Tennessee.