Tennessee's Arian Foster was an unproven backup last week.

Now, he's the man.

"He doesn't have any choice to be ready," running backs coach Trooper Taylor said Monday of his new first-team tailback. "I thought he did a good job the other day."

The other day was Saturday against Alabama. Foster rushed for 53 yards on 14 carries, both career highs.

Now, the redshirt freshman is UT's starter, as senior tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. is out for the season.

Taylor is quick to point out that UT's coaches were ready to play Foster before now.

"He got the playing time before Riggs had even gotten hurt," Taylor said. "I knew he had the ability to do that. My biggest fear was the turnover deal."

That fear was well founded. Foster lived up to his loose-ball-handling reputation against the Tide. Fortunately for the Vols, UT senior center Richie Gandy recovered Foster's lone fumble.

"Sometimes experience is the best teacher," Taylor said of the fumble. "I think the kid's got a lot of pride about himself.

"Now that it's happened to him, he sees how important it is and how big a difference it can make in a ball game."

Foster said he's made vast improvements since being criticized by UT's coaches for carrying the ball away from his body, which limited his play.

Foster had 22 career carries for 84 yards before the Alabama game. Foster said he's comfortable with 20 to 25 carries a game if needed.

"I don't think my mindset changes at all," Foster said. "I've got to go out there and practice well, go to work and just do the things I've been doing."

Taylor said Foster's 3.8-yard average against Alabama wasn't the only thing he noticed Saturday.

"I was impressed with his blocking, being able to pick up the different blitzes," Taylor said. "He did an outstanding job on that, which was something I was a little concerned about."

Taylor said Riggs' injury didn't guarantee that freshman LaMarcus Coker will play this season instead of redshirting. Taylor said Coker hasn't played because of several minor injuries that have hampered his effectiveness in practice.

Coker did not practice Monday.

Taylor said junior walk-on David Yancey and freshman Ja'Kouri Williams would be the first two backs to carry the ball along with Foster.

Replacing a power runner like Riggs won't be easy.

"I really like the way that Arian finishes his runs off as well," Taylor said comparing the two. "We're going to see."

Flexible: Linebacker Kevin Simon said UT's defense could continue at its stellar pace even while they carry the load amidst a disappointing season.

"We've got way too much talent to break," Simon said. "It's a bend-but-don't-break defense."

"We're going to fight every game. We're going to come and play. It's not even a question whether guys are going to come ready to play or prepare well during the week."

UT's defense has been almost perfect for much of the season. In UT's last two games, however, the Vols have struggled at times late in games.

Could that be frustration taking over?

"That's a fair assumption," Simon said. "That's fair to say but just like I said earlier 'we win as a team and we lose as a team.' "

One Man Short: Simon said he agreed with the defensive play call in the fourth quarter against Alabama when the Tide converted a third-and-8 with a 43-yard pass completion from senior quarterback Brodie Croyle to D.J. Hall.

Simon said UT played man coverage, blitzed and 'Bama picked up the pressure.

"It wasn't a bad call," Simon said. "It just comes down to execution. We had our corner; he was in the right spot."

Simon also said 'Bama's quick count did not affect UT on the play.

Green Jerseys: Receivers Chris Hannon, Jayson Swain, Josh Briscoe, Robert Meachem, and Lucas Taylor were all wearing green jerseys at the beginning of Monday's practice. Within minutes, managers came out with orange jerseys for the players to change into.

Fayton came out late to practice wearing a green jersey. It is unclear if he was also asked to change colors.

Hurting Haralson: Simon said defensive end Parys Haralson could only nod Friday night when teammates tried to motivate the ailing senior. Haralson was hospitalized with a high fever and sore throat.

"He was hurting Friday night," Simon said. "He got it done on the field."

Haralson had 2.5 sacks and seven tackles against Alabama. He did not practice Monday.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer said tests for mononucleosis were negative. Fulmer said the senior underwent an antibiotic treatment and was released from the hospital Monday.

Injury Report: Senior wide receiver C.J. Fayton said his sore ankle was a bit bothersome during the Alabama game but added that he hoped to be 100 percent by Saturday. Fayton suffered the sprain against Ole Miss.

Junior defensive tackle Justin Harrell was wearing a brace on his right wrist.

Fulmer said receiver Bret Smith has had a couple of dislocated fingers for a long time. Fulmer indicated the injury hasn't affected his performance.

Junior Rob Smith is listed as probable with sore ribs. He did not practice Monday. Defensive end Jason Hall did not practice.

Simon Said: Simon said South Carolina's Steve Spurrier and Notre Dame's Charlie Weis will be the best two coaches UT will face in 2005. UT faces the Gamecocks on Saturday and the Fighting Irish next week.