You hear wide receivers demand more passes, and running backs often lobby for more carries. But how often do you hear a linebacker complain about not enough tackles?

UT senior linebacker Kevin Simon doesn't want to make more tackles. He just wants full credit for the tackles he makes.

"They're killing me with the tackle stats," Simon said after UT's 27-10 victory over Ole Miss on Saturday.

Simon's biggest beef came after the Florida game when he was first credited with only five tackles.

"Coach (John) Chavis had me with 17 (after grading the videotape)," Simon said.

Simon had a legitimate beef after that game. So did the rest of the UT defense.

The press-box announcer at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium only called out the name of the first tackler. So the Vols were credited with solo tackles, rather than total tackles, which include assists.

UT publicist Bud Ford said the statistics were later corrected to include assists. Simon was then credited with 12 total tackles.

Simon doesn't believe that was the only time he has been shortchanged on tackles.

"I know I had 33 tackles (before the Ole Miss game)," he said. "They had me with 17."

Actually, UT had him with 24 tackles -- after adding his assisted tackles in the Florida game.

Part of the confusion stems from an NCAA-mandated change in the way defensive statistics are compiled. Until last season, the official tackles were tabulated by coaches who graded the game videotape. Last year, the press-box statistics became official.

Simon suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game. He missed most of the 2002 season after breaking his ankle in the fourth game.

He says that has something to do with his concern about individual statistics.

"I've only played one (full) season," he said. "I'm a senior. This is my last go-round. Whatever I do on the field this year will be my legacy at Tennessee.

"I'm out there busting my butt, and I would like everybody to know that. If I did it, put it on paper.

"I should be up for Butkus consideration (for the nation's outstanding linebacker) and All-American consideration. But it's not going to happen if you don't have my stats right, and you've got two other guys (on the UT team) with more tackles than me."

In fact, cornerback Jason Allen was the only Vol with more tackles than Simon before the Ole Miss game. Allen had 26 tackles after three games and ranked fifth in the SEC in average tackles per game with 8.7. Simon and fellow linebacker Omar Gaither were tied for eighth with an average of 8 per game.

Gaither had eight tackles against Ole Miss while Allen and Simon each had seven.