UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEEThe past five months have been a blur.

At least when compared with the snail-like pace the 2004 football season took on for Tennessee defensive back Antwan Stewart.

Pain, frustration and rehab dominated Stewart's life.

His sophomore season was lost after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a spring scrimmage on April 3, 2004.

"Words can't explain it," Stewart said Wednesday of the disappointment. "I've been playing my whole life and then it just gets taken away.

"It's like somebody having a driver's license and then the driver's license gets taken away. You've just got to find a way to get by. It was basically the same thing for me last year."

He had to "get by." Now he gets to shine again.

The Vols open the season Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. at Neyland Stadium (TV: WVLT).

A star cornerback as a freshman, Stewart worked hard in the weight room, put on pounds of muscle and along the way found out he would make the move to safety.

The blur factor has been non-stop ever since.

"Antwan is just a great story," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He has worked really hard, mostly through the frustrations of the knee and then getting himself ready to play safety was another challenge.

"He had two big things to overcome at the same time. But he's a very determined kid. It's a guy who has grown up a lot -- academically, socially, and with leadership on the team."

Stewart, along with another converted cornerback, Jonathan Hefney, is trying to put an end to any questions regarding UT's safety situation.

Defensive coordinator John Chavis has talked about the athleticism of his secondary -- especially with Jason Allen at cornerback along with Roshaun Fellows -- but it's a transition he's bringing along slowly.

"I think they're very talented," Chavis said. "I think eventually this secondary has some possibility to be outstanding, but we need to make sure we put them in situations they can handle and build confidence as we go."

Stewart, a junior, has leaned on Allen for advice. He understands the doubters after UT finished last in the SEC in pass defense last season.

But this is a new year with a new, reshuffled look and added experience.

"The coaches are just trying to let us get comfortable back there," Stewart said. "Right now, we've just got to keep checking with the coaches and get our assignments and alignments right.

"We know the coaches are going to put us in the right places to make plays."

The first test comes with the Blazers and their talented quarterback Darrell Hackney. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior threw for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns a year ago.

"He can definitely throw it," Stewart said. "He can throw off his back foot. If he's going down, and he has the opportunity, he's going to get the ball down the field.

"There's no relaxing with him. Playing against somebody like that, you've got to do your job or he's going to find the open receiver."

Stewart, Hefney, Allen and Fellows want to make sure those receivers are rarely open and even harder to find.

"We've bonded together in camp and two-a-days," Allen said. "Guys are communicating. That's the biggest thing, we've improved on is communication.

"Guys don't want to go out there to make mistakes. Guys want to go out there and be the best."

Especially Stewart. He has waited a long time to be one of the best once more.

"I just know it's going to be a good feeling to get back out there with my teammates," he said. "I want to show the coaches what they brought me here to do."