Tennessee wide receiver C.J. Fayton finally said Monday what many pundits have been screaming for months.

"Maybe we need to stick with four guys and just play with them and show trust in them," the senior said when asked about Tennessee's struggles at wide receiver. "Let them do their thing so somebody can get in a rhythm. I think that's one of the real negative things we had this year."

Fayton is part of a rotation that regularly includes five or more receivers.

"The fact that you have five or six good receivers, you never really develop a go-to guy," Fayton said. "I feel if you have three or four receivers you go with, you'll have that go-to guy developing. You've got to stick with him through thick and thin.

"That's something that Tennessee needs to do in the future."

Fayton still is UT's third-most productive receiver in 2005 even after missing one game and being slowed by an ankle injury suffered more than a month ago. Fayton was UT's leading receiver before going down.

Fayton has 24 receptions for 272 yards and two touchdowns. UT has five wide receivers with 18 or more receptions this season but none has more than 26.

Fayton seems to think that's just one reason the Vols have struggled to a 4-6 record and their first losing season since 1988. Fayton said the impact from this season has yet to hit UT's players.

"It's going to hit us next week when the season is over," Fayton said. "No bowl game. No nothing. Changes are going to be made soon."

Junior Justin: UT defensive tackle Justin Harrell knows he has a decision to make but, as of right now, he's not giving it much thought. Tennessee's 6-foot-4, 306-pound junior has played well enough to warrant serious NFL consideration.

"I'm just trying to finish off this season as best I can," Harrell said. "I'm not really thinking about the NFL or anything like that because we've got more important things to worry about here at Tennessee."

Harrell, who is the only starter projected to return to UT's front seven next season, has 7.5 tackles for loss including 2.5 sacks, one interception, two passes broken up and eight quarterback hurries. He said he's not even sure if he'll submit his paperwork for NFL evaluation.

"I'm really just at a loss of words," Harrell said. "I don't really know the process so I'm really not worried about it right now."

Harrell has spent four years at UT after redshirting in 2002. He said he didn't think UT's sub-par 2005 season will factor into his decision.

"I don't think so," he said. "It's more about what's best for me and what will help me out and help this team.

Misconduct: UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he was aware of an altercation between his players and workers at a local movie theater. Some players reportedly became upset when they couldn't choose the movie they wanted to watch during the Vols' weekly Friday team trip.

"That was handled appropriately at the time," Fulmer said. "I think there was some miscommunication on that."

Motivation: Fayton said there's still plenty to play for when the Vols travel to Lexington on Saturday to take on Kentucky in a game that would be described by many as meaningless.

"I really want to go out with a bang," Fayton said, "and have a big game myself, personally."

Fayton said it will be up to UT's coaches to make sure that his teammates feel the same motivation.

"My mindset is not where other people's could be," he said. "Mine is really focused on playing well at the end of the year."

Harrell said it's hard to say just how UT's players will respond after one of UT's most-disappointing losses. UT lost to Vanderbilt last Saturday 28-24.

"We'll have to see how people come out at practice this week and respond," Harrell said. "I know we have a lot of fighters on the team and there's a lot of disappointment because we didn't want to have our season go like this.

"It's our last game and you try to win every game, so, hopefully, we'll be ready."

Turkeys for Touchdowns: Several members of UT's football team delivered turkeys to Second Harvest Food Bank as part of the "Touchdown for Turkeys" project.

"It's phenomenal," said Jerry Luneke, Second Harvest's marketing director. "With the season they're having and the pounding that they're taking, they take out time from their busy schedule to come down here and help Second Harvest and help those in need this holiday season. It means a lot."

UT planned to give seven turkeys for each touchdown scored during a home game. Given the Vols offensive struggles, UT decided to donate seven turkeys for every touchdown scored, home and away, this season. UT donated 150 turkeys to Second Harvest.

Brooks Update: Former UT linebacker Daniel Brooks said he is probably going to enroll at Mississippi Valley State University.

"I'm going to take time off from football," Brooks said "I don't even think I'm going to play anymore. It all depends on if I have a change of heart but, as of right now, I'm not (going to play football)."

Brooks was dismissed in October for several violations of team rules. The latest incident was an altercation between two UT basketball players: Andre Patterson and Jemere Hendrix. Hendrix was also dismissed.

Injury Report: Fulmer said Rick Clausen is "very, very questionable" for Saturday's game against Kentucky. Sophomore Erik Ainge is expected to start. Clausen was scheduled to have an MRI Monday night and was walking on crutches and a protective wrap on his left knee.

Freshman defensive tackle Demonte Bolden, junior defensive tackle Turk McBride and junior wide receiver Jayson Swain did not practice Monday.