• Munoz Out: Tennessee offensive tackle Michael Munoz will not play Saturday against Kentucky due to the sprained shoulder he suffered against Vanderbilt last week.

"I think he's going to be all right for the (SEC) championship game,'' said UT coach Phillip Fulmer.

Munoz played as a true freshman in 2000 before missing the 2001 season with a knee injury. He has seen his All-America hopes fade this season with mounting injuries. Munoz was knocked out of the Georgia game on Oct. 9 with a bruised knee, and Alabama sent him to the sidelines with a concussion that forced him to miss the South Carolina game.

Fulmer said Arron Sears will start at left tackle in Munoz's place. Senior Jason Respert, who missed the past two games with an ankle and hand injury, returns to the lineup at center. Richie Gandy will start at right guard and Albert Toeaina will start at right tackle. Rob Smith starts at left guard. It's the fifth-different offensive line combination the Vols have started in the past five games.

Fulmer said 310-pound senior tight end Victor McClure has worked at offensive tackle this week. Others expected to see action on the offensive line are David Ligon and Eric Young. Fulmer said Michael Frogg, a former Kingston High School standout, also has practiced well on the offensive line this week.

• Last Tackle: Fulmer opened practice for the media Thursday so they could watch outgoing seniors partake in the traditional "Last Tackle.''

Fulmer introduces each outgoing player individually, saying something kind, humorous or interesting about them, and then the player runs, skips, walks or dances between two rows of teammates en route to hitting a tackling dummy.

"It's a way to honor the seniors and let the team recognize them,'' Fulmer said. "I think it's one of the best traditions we have.''

Senior defensive end Karlton Neal performed the most-original "Last Tackle" routine. Neal had his position coach, Steve Caldwell, take the place of the tackling dummy. Neal lifted Caldwell and made a soft, clean tackle onto a padded mat.

"I thought of this three weeks ago,'' Neal said. "I want to be remembered as an original.''

Caldwell said he had no problem playing the role of the dummy, which this year had a Kentucky jersey and helmet.

"I haven't been tackled in a long time,'' Caldwell said. "Karlton's lucky I didn't put a move on him.''

• Juniors' Last Tackle: Two underclassmen took part in the "Last Tackle" - linebacker Ovince Saint Preux and deep snapper Scott Newsome. Both are juniors from an eligibility standpoint, but Fulmer said they will graduate this year and have opted not to return to the team.

• Schaeffer Status: Fulmer said the X-rays quarterback Brent Schaeffer underwent earlier this week revealed good news, and the freshman will return to practice Monday.

"I don't know how much he'll be able to do,'' Fulmer said. "Certainly, if he's available, we'll get him involved.''

Schaeffer has been sidelined since suffering a broken collarbone against South Carolina on Oct. 30.

• Fellows Ready: Fulmer said cornerback Roshaun Fellows will be available to play if necessary, but the Vols would prefer to rest him.

Fellows, who suffered an ankle injury against Notre Dame on Nov. 6, was pressed into action against Vanderbilt. Fellows made the game-clinching interception in the final minutes.

• For Kicks: Fulmer said Cedric Houston will be first on the field to return kicks against the Wildcats. Jonathan Hefney and Gerald Riggs also will be available to return kicks. Hefney is the primary punt return man, but Robert Meachem and Corey Larkins also are available to return punts.