UT Notebook: December 17

Aggie Scheme: UT junior tailback Gerald Riggs said he expects Texas A&M to adjust to UT’s running game after Riggs logged 182 yards on just 11 carries in the SEC championship game. UT rushed for 228 yards against Auburn.

Riggs had an 80-yard touchdown run in the second half. Senior tailback Cedric Houston had a 70-yard run called back because of a holding penalty. Both runs came as UT tailbacks found open gaps in cutback lanes.

"They’ll probably be a little more disciplined in their gaps," Riggs said of the Aggies. "You look at Texas A&M on film, their biggest thing is they send 11 guys to the ball. They’re kind of susceptible to play action because they’re fast and they fly to the ball.

"I’m guessing that they’ll play a little more gap control to stop the cutback because that’s where our big plays have come."

Mix It Up: Junior quarterback Rick Clausen is one of UT’s players that is fighting not to become bored during bowl preparations with the Cotton Bowl still two weeks away.

"It becomes monotonous at times," Clausen said. "The thing that the coaches have done pretty well is change up the practice a little bit. If we went in pads day in and day out and all the periods were the same, guys would get bored."

UT has focused on self-improvement during practice this week. UT coaches will begin to implement more of Texas A&M’s schemes this weekend.

Dallas Bound: Defensive tackle Demonte Bolden said he will practice in Dallas as the Vols prepare for the Cotton Bowl. Bolden will enroll in January after becoming academically eligible last week. Bolden will not play in the Cotton Bowl. If he did so, he would lose an entire year of eligibility.

Bolden attended Hargrave Military Academy after failing to qualify academically. Bolden signed with UT in February. The Parade All-American, who is 6-foot-5, said he is down to 285 pounds from 310 when he entered Hargrave.

The Chattanooga Tyner star said he has regained the previously lost strength that resulted from the weight loss. Bolden said he posted a 4.7 40-yard dash time at Hargrave. Before the weight loss, Bolden said he ran a 4.82.

Almost Back: Sophomore Antwan Stewart continues to work exclusively at cornerback. Stewart worked at safety in November as he returned from a spring practice knee injury.

"It’s getting better," Stewart said. "I just have to be patient."

Stewart was cleared to play on Monday. Defensive coordinator John Chavis said there is a "very good" chance that Stewart will play in the Cotton Bowl.

MIA: Linebacker Daniel Brooks (neck) did not practice. Offensive guard Cody Douglas (foot) did not practice. Junior safety Jason Allen did not practice.

Allen said doctors decided not to remove stitches from his gashed right tricep on Thursday as previously planned. Allen said he will have the stitches removed in two days. Allen said the severe cut has required more time to heal than first thought.

Big Twelve: A win in the Cotton Bowl would even UT’s record against members of the Big Twelve. UT is 7-8-1. UT’s one game against Texas A&M was a 3-0 win in the 1957 Gator Bowl.

Vol Stats: UT is 6-6 in bowl games under Phillip Fulmer?Over the last ten years, UT has the best record in the SEC, 100-25. Florida is second at 96-29?A win versus the Aggies would result in Fulmer’s eighth ten-win season in his 13 years as UT’s head coach. In school history, UT is sixth in NCAA Division-I with 18 ten-win seasons.

Vol Notes: UT will hold a 20-play scrimmage on Saturday. Freshman wide receiver Sinclair Cannon has been working at safety?Fulmer said he was happy with Friday’s practice and would depend on UT’s leadership to maintain a high level of intensity until Monday when UT breaks for Christmas.