Trooper Taylor is trying to fine-tune the motor that drives Tennessee's running game.

Tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. has gained 410 of UT's 446 rushing yards this season. Taylor, UT's running backs coach, said he's been pleased with his Riggs progress since UT's season opener.

"He left some plays on the field in the UAB game (on Sept. 3)," Taylor said, "Each game he's gotten better."

Taylor said he would like to see Riggs make more defenders miss in the open field. Taylor said, however, that's just not the 6-foot, 220-pound power back's style.

"We try to emphasize not getting tackled by both legs out in the open field," Taylor said.

Riggs has developed a habit of bouncing outside on many of his carries. Taylor said that's OK with him.

"I'm fine with that as long as he gets his shoulders square once he gets outside," he said. "I don't like guys running out of bounds and running at an angle.

"With pursuit and the speed of defenses, you're not going to get very many yards unless you get north and south."

Riggs has been one of the few bright spots on UT's offense, which ranks 90th in the nation. Riggs is second in the SEC with 102.5 yards rushing per game.

Riggs has rushed for over 100 yards in five of his last eight games. He has rushed for over 100 yards in eight games during his UT career.

Riggs needs just two more 100-yard games to join an elite group of six UT backs with at least 10 games of 100 yards rushing or more.

Travis Henry holds the record with 15 games over 100 yards rushing. Jay Graham (14), Jamal Lewis (13), Johnnie Jones (13), Reggie Cobb (10) and James Stewart (10) are the other UT tailbacks in the group.

Taylor said he was proud of Riggs' effort last Saturday against Ole Miss considering his heroic 24-carry effort against LSU on Sept 26. Taylor said Riggs will likely continue to rely on his power this season.

"He's really not your juking kind of guy," Taylor said. "He'd rather you come take some of his leather or his helmet on than to have to make you miss.

"He doesn't have that. You either have that or you don't. I don't think he has that ability to shake and bake. He really wants to physically run over somebody."

Riggs' longest run this season is 22 yards. He said the long runs will come--and even if they don't--he's close to his preseason goal of averaging 5 yards per carry.

"I'm confident I'm going to make those (long) plays," said Riggs, who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. "Eventually those things will come."

Hard Corner: Jason Allen isn't letting his new position this season, cornerback, limit his tackling ability. Allen is second in the SEC among defensive backs with 8.2 tackles per game.

Kentucky safety Muhammad Abdullah leads all SEC defensive backs with 9.5 tackles per game. Most of the others on the SEC list are safeties.

"It's an attitude thing," Allen said. "Regardless of where I'm playing, I have a job that has to get done.

"Whether it's playing the run, getting an interception, breaking up a pass or making a big hit causing a fumble, that's what I want to do to get the job done."

Allen had seven tackles against Ole Miss and leads the Vols with 33 tackles this season. Allen led the SEC last season with 9.5 tackles per game while playing safety in 2004.

Douglas on D-Line: UT's Cody Douglas said Georgia's defensive line looks better than last season.

"Some of the guys have lost a little weight from last year and they're extremely quick," the senior offensive guard said. "Their defensive ends present the best pass rush we've seen all year."

Douglas said playing against UT's defensive line in practice every day has helped UT prepare for the Bulldogs.

"These guys are right up there in the top of the SEC," Douglas said of the Bulldogs. "But I think we'll see some as good as them or maybe even better."

D-Tack Talk: Defensive coordinator John Chavis didn't hesitate to lay heavy praise on senior All-American defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona.

"I'd probably take Jesse over anybody we've had," Chavis said when asked to compare his current defensive tackles to previous UT stars like NFL stars Albert Haynesworth and John Henderson, who won the Outland Trophy.

Chavis said junior defensive tackle Tony McDaniel is making progress but isn't ready to play 20-25 snaps yet. McDaniel was suspended for the first two games of the season before making his 2005 debut in a limited role against Ole Miss.

Wading Through: Defensive backs coach Larry Slade said he has seen a boost in confidence from junior cornerback Jonathan Wade.

"He has a smile on his face," Slade said. "We encourage that. Those corners, the good ones that I've had always have that swagger to them."

Slade said Wade's opportunity came when sophomore Roshaun Fellows struggled in run support. Slade said Fellows, however, has improved this week.

Not The Real Thing: UT coach Phillip Fulmer said freshman tailback LaMarcus Coker is not game ready but could help in certain situations.

Coker was working with the scout team until this week when he moved up in the rotation because of freshman Montario Hardesty's season ending knee injury suffered against Ole Miss.

Fulmer said freshman Arian Foster is the second string tailback followed by junior David Yancey behind Riggs.

Freshman Ja'Kouri Williams would be available in an emergency situation. He continues to work in a wide receiver/tailback hybrid role.

Injury Report: Senior wide receiver C.J. Fayton did not practice. Fayton said on Tuesday that his availability would be a game time decision. Junior defensive tackle Turk McBride is listed as probable with an ankle injury.

Fulmer said quarterback Rick Clausen was fine as he practiced with a heavily wrapped left ankle. Clausen left the practice facility in a protective boot, which he has worn all week.

More Vols: UT senior defensive end Parys Haralson leads all active SEC players with 16.5 career sacks. ... Fulmer said Georgia does "as good a job as anybody around" in running play action.