UT Notebook: September 23

* Wait And See: Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis said Thursday no announcement will be made prior to the game on the starting secondary. Jonathan Wade and Roshaun Fellows are competing at one cornerback and Brandon Johnson and Corey Campbell are battling at strong safety.

"It'll probably be right before game time before we decide what we'll do,'' Chavis said.

Campbell started at free safety against UNLV but lost his place with the No. 1 unit against Florida. Jason Allen took over at free safety against Florida and is likely to stay there. Fellows started the opener at corner, but was replaced by Wade in the second game. All of the above will probably see action against Louisiana Tech at some point.

"Corey will play,'' Fulmer said. "They've been competing all week long. We'll study this film (from Thursday's practice) and see what we do as far as who goes out there first since that seems to make such a big difference. Corey worked hard. He didn't have a very good first week and he's worked really hard to get himself back in the rotation.''

Jon Poe is the likely starter at middle linebacker in the place of injured Kevin Simon, but Jason Mitchell will get snaps there.

"We didn't really even talk about it because it's such a non-issue with our team,'' said Fulmer. "I don't know who'll jog out there first. It'll probably be Jon Poe, but we really haven't settled on that and it really doesn't matter because in our mind they've both got to play there.''

* Status Quo: The quarterback rotation will remain in place. Fulmer and offensive coordinator said Brent Schaeffer will get the first shot, but after a couple of series, Erik Ainge will get his turn.

* Toe Time: Offensive tackle Albert Toeaina (bruised tibia) could make his belated debut Saturday. He got in a little work Thursday.

"I've got to get a final OK from the doctors,'' said Fulmer, "but it might very well be he'll get a few snaps in this ballgame. He got a few snaps today and then, hopefully, a full return on Monday.''

* Nothing Cheap: A rather amazing statistic, considering true freshmen are playing at quarterback behind three new starters on the offensive line, is that all 10 of Tennessee's touchdown drives have covered at least 80 yards - six against UNLV and four against Florida.

"I'm very impressed with the fact we have been able to do that,'' said Sanders, "but I'm disappointed we've had to go 80 yards that many times. Field position has not been real good to this point.

"But you'd think with the freshmen and the new starters in the line, sooner or later somebody's going to do something to stop an offensive drive. The line has been tremendous. The quarterbacks have had great poise and nobody has been making those mistakes to stop us.''

Fulmer is similarly impressed: "We've had very few penalties to stop drives. And Schaeffer made a big difference getting out of trouble (by scrambling) a few times.''

* Olympic Visitors: Several UT-related Olympic participants will attend the game, including gold medalists Tim Mack and Dee Dee Trotter. Also on hand will be Tom Pappas, Hazel Clark, Jearl-Miles Clark, Gary Kikaya and swimmer Paulo Machado.