Fulmer announced his resignation Nov. 3 and said the last 3 1/2 weeks of his reign felt like a funeral. While he may soon rise again, his last Vol team was basically embalmed right about the time the leaves changed.

One day after Fulmer celebrated his last game and win on the UT sideline, the Volunteers turned the page, naming former Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin as the new boss in Knoxville.

"When it was all said and done, we felt like Lane Kiffin was the perfect fit for Tennessee," Athletic Director Mike Hamilton said. "He's energetic, charismatic, consumed with recruiting and has had a lifelong love affair with football."

Under Fulmer, the dropoff from Erik Ainge to this year's quarterbacking consortium was steeper than diving off the Acapulco cliffs. The offensive line, which was expected to be a strength, performed poorly until the last two games.

Two September road losses set a disturbing tone. There was a come-from-ahead overtime defeat at UCLA in which the defense, which would prove to be the most reliable aspect of this squad, gave up a pair of baffling touchdown drives to what turned out to be a weak offense.

Later that month, the Vols couldn't pick up a single first down in the fourth quarter of a 14-12 loss against Auburn despite starting with consistently good field position. It was obvious then that this side was headed nowhere in a hurry.

Kiffin was on the horn to recruits almost immediately, but it's too early to tell where this team or program is headed. The biggest thing is keeping together one of the nation's best recruiting classes.

A handful of players have already de-committed to other schools. Kiffin and the new assistants will have to re-recruit them, as well as the others who are sticking with their "verbals" for now, to keep them in the fold.

Kiffin's reputation as a creative offensive mind, which didn't take too much of a hit during his brief NFL stint with the punchless and clueless Oakland Raiders, will be tested. All of this year's inconsistent quarterbacks return with no reason to think any of them can step up in a year's time.

On the other hand, there is potential at the tailback position. And waiting like an uncashed check is perhaps the nation's top football player, strong safety Eric Berry.

There is talent, but not enough at key positions like quarterback to expect next year's team to contend with the SEC heavyweights. And if Kiffin thought working for Al Davis was hard, just wait until he hears the 50-yard line coaches wail following the team's first loss.

SEASON RECAP:

UCLA 27, Tennessee 24: Kai Forbath's 42-yard field goal in overtime lifted UCLA to an upset of No. 18 Tennessee. The Volunteers forced overtime on Daniel Lincoln's 47-yard field goal as time expired in regulation, but Lincoln missed a 34-yarder wide left to end the game.

Tennessee 35, UAB 3: Rolling up 548 total yards and getting three interceptions from a ball-hawking secondary, the Volunteers cruised to a non-conference win over the Blazers. Jonathan Crompton threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

Florida 30, Tennessee 6: Racing to a 17-0 first quarter lead, the Gators never looked back in a surprisingly easy SEC win over the Volunteers in Knoxville. UT allowed just 243 total yards, but the Vols had two critical first-half turnovers and covered kicks badly.

Auburn 14, Tennessee 12: In a game featuring two good defenses savaging poor offenses, the No. 15 Tigers edged the Volunteers. UT's offense managed just 191 total yards and failed to pick up a first down in the fourth quarter.

Tennessee 13, Northern Illinois 9: In his first game as the starting quarterback, Nick Stephens tossed a 52-yard touchdown pass to Denarius Moore that made the difference in a non-conference home win. The Volunteers won despite gaining just nine first downs and 225 total yards.

Georgia 26, Tennessee 14: The Bulldogs held the Volunteers to 1 net rushing yard in a convincing performance. Matthew Stafford threw for a career-high 310 yards and Knowshon Moreno rushed for 101 as the Bulldogs never trailed. At halftime it was 20-7 and Georgia had not punted. The Volunteers closed the deficit to six, but the Bulldogs put it away with a 17-play fourth-quarter drive.

Tennessee 34, Mississippi State 3: The Volunteers led just 6-3 at halftime but pulled away with a big defensive effort. Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley each returned interceptions for touchdowns.

Alabama 29, Tennessee 9: Alabama led 13-3 at halftime and methodically wore out the Vols. Tennessee managed just 173 total yards, including 36 rushing yards on 21 carries.

South Carolina 27, Tennessee 6: It was same song, sixth verse for the Volunteers in a road loss to South Carolina. The Gamecocks, which lead the SEC in total defense, permitted just 201 yards and 11 first downs to the punchless visitors.

Wyoming 13, Tennessee 7: Two first-half interceptions led to all of the Cowboys' points, and they upset the Volunteers in their first game since coach Phillip Fulmer's resignation. Tennessee entered the game as a 26 1/2-point favorite but gained just 219 total yards.

Tennessee 20, Vanderbilt 10: The Vols scored all their points in the second quarter and rode their defense to an SEC win over the bowl-bound Commodores. Eric Berry returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to highlight the outburst.

Tennessee 28, Kentucky 10: The Volunteers sent coach Phillip Fulmer out a winner by scoring 28 unanswered points against the bowl-bound Wildcats. QB Jonathan Crompton snuck for a score on the first half's last play and threw a game-breaking TD pass to Denarius Moore in the third quarter.