If you're a Tennessee fan, you might know Ken Moss.

The name alone might not jog your memory. If not, maybe you'll recall reading "VolKen" on Internet message boards or hearing his friendly voice on a sports talk radio show.

Moss has been a UT fan since 1968 when he moved from South Carolina to Knoxville.

The 73-year-old has been a patient at Fort Sanders since Oct. 1, diagnosed with lung, lymph node and spinal cancer.

However, Moss still cheers for the Vols as best he can.

"I've been having a few problems lately," he said Wednesday. "I'm still pulling very hard for Tennessee. We're down right now but we'll be back up."

Moss' family held a tailgate party in his hospital room. Hospital workers have jokingly said that they have to wear sunglasses to administer treatment because of his head-to-toe orange attire.

Before departing for last week's game at Alabama, receiver Chris Hannon and tailback Arian Foster visited Moss in his hospital room.

"Those are two really great young men," Moss said. "It just really did my heart good for them to take the time to stop by."

Moss' daughter, Nancy Callicott, said the meeting was one to remember.

"It just meant everything in the world to him," she said. "They were going to try to encourage my dad but my dad encouraged them.

"My dad could tell them everything about themselves just by how he follows them. He was real surprised that they came."

Moss has always been an optimistic fan. He doesn't let a 3-3 record keep him, or his opinions of the Vols, down.

"I know that just killed them not to win that ball game," he said about UT's 6-3 heartbreaking loss to 'Bama. "There again, it just shows the kind of kids that Phillip (Fulmer) is recruiting and the kind of program that we've got here."

Even while fighting for his life, VolKen is still willing to fight for the Vols.

The Future: Defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona said UT football won't be down for long.

"Tennessee will win their next championship in the next five years," the senior All-American said. "I truly believe that."

Mahelona said this season, however, has been tough to endure.

"It's a drag," he said. "I wake up the next morning bruised up with a loss. That always takes a toll on you."

Blitz Man: Linebacker Omar Gaither said he enjoyed UT's extensive blitz scheme utilized against Alabama.

The senior said UT can continue in that direction if they choose because of improvement in the secondary, which was shuffled during the preseason.

By blitzing, UT's defensive backs are put in more one-on-one situations.

"If the blitzes are working then we'll keep using them," Gaither said. "He (defensive coordinator John Chavis) has a lot of confidence in our safeties and our corners to be able to do that."

UT ranks 26th in the nation in pass efficiency defense.

Coach Speak: Fulmer said he hoped to make a statement to UT's receivers by taking the green non-contact jerseys off this week in practice. Fulmer said the often-nicked up group needed to stop feeling sorry for themselves.

"You all need to get your rear end in gear," Fulmer said, referring to the commonly criticized group.

The Real Thing: Running backs coach Trooper Taylor said freshman LaMarcus Coker will likely play Saturday against South Carolina.

Coker was a strong redshirt candidate before senior tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. suffered a season ending ankle injury against Alabama.

My Bad: Quarterback Erik Ainge said offensive coordinator Randy Sanders apologized for Ainge's limited role against Alabama. The sophomore played two series; one was a desperation Hail Mary at the end of the game.

"Coach Sanders and I had a talk," Ainge said, "He said what happened wasn't' fair ... It's just one of those things."

Fulmer said he plans to play Ainge against South Carolina but would not release any specifics.

Injury Report: Offensive guard Rob Smith (ribs) returned to practice. Defensive tackle Justin Harrell returned to practice with a club-like bandage on his injured right hand/wrist.

Fulmer said defensive end Parys Haralson is expected to return to practice today after spending much of the weekend in the hospital with a high fever and sore throat.