Bristol Motor Speedway's brief window to host a college football game has all but closed.

In order to pull off the feat, organizers needed to schedule the game during a pending reconstruction to BMS's infield, president and general manager Jeff Byrd said Wednesday.

That reconstruction is set to occur quickly, possibly as soon as next year. No formal negotiations have taken place between any school and BMS to host a college football game.

The game would have been more financially feasible for BMS if it were played after the existing buildings were torn down and before the replacements were constructed.

Current infield buildings would interrupt many sight lines at BMS if a football field were placed in the infield of the .533-mile, high-banked oval.

The idea to hold a football game was hatched by Bruton Smith, the chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, which operates BMS and several other motor sports properties.

Tennessee and Virginia Tech were the two teams most prominently discussed because of proximity.

The concept gained steam when Smith publicly pledged $20 million to each participating school a year ago.

Television contracts were immediately a major hurdle and would not have been a source of income as BMS had planned. Those contracts exclusively tie schools to individual networks for years.

Speedway Motorsports never made a formal proposal, claiming that other business ventures had taken precedent last December.

BMS estimated it could have hosted 160,000 fans for the event. Even at full capacity, it would have been tough to cover costs, based off Smith's $40 million offer.

BMS offered UT $3.5 million in the late 1990s to host a game. That was turned down by former athletic director Doug Dickey.

Injury Report: Several Vols sat out Wednesday's practice after Tuesday night's scrimmage.

Freshman offensive guard Jacques McClendon did not practice. He was sidelined with a protective boot on his left foot. A player rolled onto McClendon's leg Tuesday night. The injury is not thought to be serious.

Kicker James Wilhoit did not kick. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said the senior was just sore. Tailback Ja'Kouri Williams (sprained ankle) was also sidelined.

Linebacker Jerod Mayo was out of his protective boot and is expected back Monday.

Fulmer said redshirt freshman Rico McCoy has done well filling in for Mayo at weakside linebacker.

Wide receiver Jayson Swain said he surprised himself and UT's trainers with the amount of work he got after offseason knee surgery.

"I think I did a little too much," the senior joked.

Finishing Strong: Fulmer said sophomore Robert Ayers could be counted on to play like a first-team defensive end based on Tuesday's scrimmage.

"That's important to our defensive football team," Fulmer said.

Ayers improvement will allow UT's coaches to play senior Turk McBride at defensive tackle if need be. McBride was practicing primarily at end.

Fulmer said he was also pleased with defensive ends Xavier Mitchell and Wes Brown.

Safety First: There was no starting pair of safeties announced Tuesday.

"We feel like we're playing with three safeties right now," Fulmer said alluding to Jonathan Hefney, Antwan Stewart and Demetrice Morley.

Fulmer said Morley needs to be more consistent. The sophomore could also play cornerback if necessary.

Williams World: Redshirt freshman Dan Williams doesn't think much of his possibility to play anytime soon despite seeing countless scrimmage snaps.

"I'd probably say, right now, I'm not even close to getting in the rotation," the defensive tackle said.

Williams said, despite losing 50 pounds since last season, he still doesn't feel like he's in game shape.

That's not stopping UT's coaches from trying to get Williams ready. He needs to be a key player in UT's tackle rotation soon.

"Right now, they're pushing me," Williams said. "I just have to take it all in."

Fulmer said UT has also tried to push sophomore tackle Demonte' Bolden.

"We got tired to quickly," Fulmer said of the two. "There's a hump that they've got to get over."

Special Guys: Fulmer said UT had to be careful not to ask too much of Hefney. The junior maybe UT's best return man but he also plays a very physical position on defense.

"By the time you get to the end of the game," Fulmer said, "there's a chance for a mistake because he's tired."

Fulmer said the free safety will be joined by Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor as UT's return men. Freshman Quintin Hancock has also seen time as a returner.

Time's Ticking: Fulmer said signees Gerald Williams and Stephaun Raines have until Sept. 1 to clear the NCAA Clearinghouse. That is the last day classes can be added. For most, class began Wednesday.