Today On Rocky Top: David Cutcliffe Takes Issue With Arian Foster’s Claims

Oct 20, 2012; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe points out the game clock to the officials in their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Duke beat North Carolina 33-30. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

From CBS Sports

"Former Tennessee running back Arian Foster said in an interview for an upcoming documentary film that he received “money on the side” during his time in Knoxville, money he said he needed to pay for food and rent.But Foster’s former head coach and offensive coordinator at Tennessee have both expressed skepticism over his claims, with David Cutcliffe — a Vol assistant in both 2006 and 2007 — being particularly critical Tuesday.“That may have been as weak of interview as I’ve heard,” the current Duke coach said of Foster’s statements, per the News and Observer. “Arian never looked hungry.“Yes, [a football scholarship] pays for food and rent. On gameday, when you go back to your dorm, you usually got $15 in meal money, and you could buy, I don’t know, 10 tacos maybe.”Cutcliffe’s reference to tacos comes in response to Foster’s claim that an unnamed Volunteer coach bought Foster and other players “like 50 tacos” after a game."

From The Chattanoogan

"Each week offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian preaches to his team about finishing plays, garnering extra yards, pushing for first downs.That extra half-yard pick up on first down might mean the difference on third.Bajakian is not the only Vol coach that pushes that mindset on to Team 117.“Coach Jones talks about inches make the champion,” said Bajakian. “Every inch, every yard counts. Whether it is turning what might be a zero-yard gain into a two-yard gain, or turning into a 10-yard gain into a 15 or 20-yard gain, we are going to emphasize every inch that we can get, and every yard that we can get.”"

From The Times Free Press

"Robert Gillespie is happy with one phase of his tailbacks’ recent play.It’s another area where Tennessee’s running backs coach acknowledges improvement needs to be made.The Volunteers’ ground game has been inconsistent the past two games against Oregon and Florida, and though the struggles are due to a variety of factors — the opposing defensive fronts, the offensive line having trouble opening consistent lanes and Tennessee’s wobbly passing game — Gillespie believes backs Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane must build on some of the good things they’ve done."

From Rant Sports

"The last two words any football fan wants to hear from the athletic department or coaching staff is, “We’re rebuilding”. The very thought of the first syllable of the word rebuilding hitting a diehard football fan’s ear drums is enough to make one’s skin crawl. However, this is the current state for the great fan base of Tennessee.The first year under head coach Butch Jones was met with optimism after his predecessors, Derek Dooley and Lane Kiffin, tried their hardest to bring down the program which has more than 800 wins on its resume. All the optimism in the world still can’t make up for a lack of talent throughout the roster and ugly quarterback play."