Heading into last year's game against Georgia, Tennessee senior Derrick Tinsley questioned where he was and what he was doing.

This year, he knows he can be the answer for the Vols against the Bulldogs.

"It's a lot different this year, having caught a pass in every game,'' said Tinsley, "whereas last year, I didn't touch the ball until the sixth game of the season.''

UT coaches like Tinsley's speed and open-field running ability. That's why when the Vols found themselves with a crowded backfield two years ago, Tinsley was asked to switch from tailback to receiver.

"I think I've made the best out of it; I've learned so much from Tony Brown and Coach (Pat) Washington.''

Tinsley isn't UT's "go-to'' receiver -- the Vols don't have one -- but he's one of only four receivers with a catch in every game this season.

"I wish I was even more of a factor in the offense,'' Tinsley said. "But I have no regrets.''

A nagging foot injury has kept Tinsley off the field at key times throughout his career. But when healthy, he has shown a knack for coming through in the clutch.

Two years ago at Georgia, with starting quarterback Casey Clausen and starting tailback Cedric Houston out of the lineup with injuries, Tinsley stepped up and kept UT in the game.

Tinsley had three carries for 32 yards, two catches for 34 yards and passed for a touchdown in the Vols' 18-13 loss.

"It takes experience to learn how to play in the big games,'' Tinsley said. "That game with Georgia my sophomore year opened my eyes. I realized what level you have to play at in those kinds of games.''

That experience paid off, as it was Tinsley coming up with two of the biggest plays in the Vols' 10-6 win at Miami last season. He scored UT's only touchdown on a 2-yard end-around on fourth down and sealed the game by recovering Sean Taylor's botched punt return with 2:27 left in the game.

"A lot of guys haven't taken it to heart that special teams is where you can get some points,'' said Tinsley, one of the Vols' top special teams players during his career. "I've said it every day this week, and coach (Phillip) Fulmer has been stressing it, too.

"This is where we could turn the game around ... it could determine the outcome in the game; you never know.''

Tinsley, who is from Marietta, Ga., admits he has more incentive than ever to find a way to make a difference this week.

"It's big because I'm from Georgia,'' he said. "And if we win, we get control of our destiny in the SEC East. We know what we have to do.''