Tennessee’s kickoff return is close to being special again.

"Just one guy," Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer said Wednesday when asked how close the Vols were to breaking a long return against Alabama-Birmingham. "One guy both times. A guy just slipped inside of our wedge. We had just about everything done we wanted to get done."

The Vols unveiled a new approach against UAB with their kickoff return team. Steve Caldwell, who oversees UT’s special teams, installed a one sided return in hopes of improving UT’s 2004 return average of 18.2 yards, which ranked eighth in the SEC and 98th nationally.

UT previously relied on a double wedge approach. UT coaches studied several programs’ special teams and settled on a kickoff return scheme that utilized big players as blockers, such as 6-foot-6, 355-pound offensive tackle Albert Toeaina.

Memphis’ 1993 team was one of the teams studied for the scheme change.

Fulmer said he was happy with the design but wasn’t sure if the Vols would continue to use some of their biggest players.

Statistically, the Vols still have plenty of work to do. UT averaged 16.3 yards on three kickoff returns against UAB.

Caldwell, however, said he saw improvement and expects more of the same throughout the season.

"It’s so hard to work on live," Caldwell said.

Fulmer said sophomore returner Inquoris "Inky" Johnson gave UT’s coaches reason to be optimistic.

"Inky really hit it hard," Fulmer said. "That was good to see. You find him a crack and he’s one of those guys that can take it the distance."

UT will face a new challenge against Florida on Sept. 17. The Gators cover kickoffs with everyone lined up on one side of the field and try to squeeze the return man against the sideline.

Under Pressure: Junior defensive tackle Justin Harrell said pressuring Florida quarterback Chris Leak will be one of the keys to the UT-Florida game.

"Getting pressure on every quarterback every week is a main goal for us," Harrell said. "The more we hit him, the more he’s going to think about his game, hopefully.

"He’s a great passer when he just sits back there in the pocket and has all day. If you give him all day, he’s going to sit back there and pick us apart. We know going in that we’re going to have to hit him as quick as we can."

Harrell could be key. He was named the SEC defensive lineman of the week based on his performance against UAB.

"It’s a good honor but I’m not too much in it for individual goals," said Harrell, who had an interception and four tackles against the Blazers. "Just as long as I help the team win, that’s the main thing."

Harrell will be going for three awards in a row versus Florida. He was also named the defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl in January.

"I’m going to try," Harrell said of the possible triple. "I’m going to play as hard as I can at Florida and we’ll see what happens."

Mental Game: Senior defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona said he’s glad to have an off week to prepare for Florida’s multiple offensive attack. The All-American said he’s also looking forward to UT’s first big game.

"Their offense works around patience so we need to be patient as well," Mahelona said. "Sometimes it’s human nature to look past the team that’s in front of you and look forward to teams like Florida and LSU. Maybe we did that too much, look past UAB. We just have to look to Florida this week and put UAB behind us."

Sensational Schaeffer: Former UT quarterback Brent Schaeffer got off to a fast start in his first game at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif. Schaeffer led his new team to a 54-0 win over San Jose City College.

Schaeffer, who left UT after his freshman year amid disciplinary concerns, had a school record six touchdowns, four passing and two rushing.

Schaeffer was 6-of-10 passing for 207 yards and was the game's leading rusher with 82 yards on six carries.

"Brent was outstanding,'' head coach Curtis Allen told the Tulare Advance Register. "People around here have no idea how good he really is.''

Football Futures: UT’s coaches and players stayed after practice to sign autographs for dozens of little league football players.