Since August, Tennessee's football coaches have had plenty of good things to say about offensive lineman Jacques McClendon.

Before the Vanderbilt game on Nov. 18, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said there was a chance the freshman could start at right guard.

With starter Anthony Parker out following knee surgery, McClendon will have his shot at the starting lineup.

The former Chattanooga Baylor standout worked with Tennessee's first team offensive line Saturday as the Vols returned to the practice field in preparation for a meeting with Penn State in the Outback Bowl (TV: ESPN, 11 a.m.) on New Year's Day in Tampa, Fla.

"I don't see any drop off," Fulmer said. "Every now and then you'll see a youthful mistake show up, but he's very conscientious and physically he's as good as anybody up there."

McClendon, a 6-foot-3, 325-pound Division II Mr. Football winner last year, has played in 11 of UT's 12 games this season, the lone exception being a one-point loss to Florida in September.

A start against Penn State would be the first of his career.

"I'm just a freshman. You have to be patient with those things," McClendon said Saturday. "We've got 70 scholarship players and probably 20 scholarship linemen. We've just got to keep working."

Fulmer and offensive line coach Greg Adkins have had plenty of praise for the former high school All-American during the season, something that helped motivate him.

"It was good to hear those things from coach Fulmer just to know I had the chance," McClendon said. "It kept my work ethic going and kept me working. Now that I've got my opportunity, I've really got to take advantage of it."

Kentucky Blues: Saturday's practice, the first of 10 in Knoxville before the Vols report to Tampa on Christmas night, was spirited, and part of that had to do with UT's viewing earlier in the afternoon.

The team watched tape of its last game, a 17-12 victory over Kentucky, that got Fulmer and the team a little riled up.

"We just screwed around with it," Fulmer said of the Kentucky game. "Didn't tackle well, didn't block well, didn't throw and catch it well. Didn't run the football well, did nothing well except punt. And we only had two of those."

"Even though we won, we kind of have that bad taste in our mouth for about the last week," quarterback Erik Ainge said Saturday. "Now it's all Penn State, and we're just looking forward to going to Florida."

Fulmer said the team responded Saturday.

"We're going to be better than that," he said. "That's straight-up attitude. They thought they beat Vanderbilt, Kentucky won't be any better and dang near got embarrassed."

More Honors for Sears, Meachem: Junior Robert Meachem was one of three wide receivers named to the Football Writers Association of America's All-America team.

Meachem, who ranks third nationally with 105.4 yards receiving per game, was the only Vol to make the team, and joins Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija and Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson at receiver.

Meachem received the honor Thursday in Orlando for the Cingular ESPN All-America Team Awards Show, which aired Saturday afternoon.

"It's an honor," he said. "Just going down there and getting to be with the guys and it being friendly. It was a friendly atmosphere. Everybody was just having fun, enjoying each other."

Sears was named a Walter Camp All-American on Thursday. He was also named to the AFCA All-America team in addition to being named first-team All-SEC and receiving the Jacobs Award, given to the best blocker in the SEC.

Coker, McNeil Recognized: Center Josh McNeil, a unanimous choice for freshman All-SEC, was named a second-team freshman All-American by the Sporting News after starting eight games this season.

Tailback LaMarcus Coker, who finished as UT's leading rusher, was an honorable mention.

'Saturday Night Lights': Fulmer said the Vols will hold a scrimmage next Saturday at Neyland Stadium to give the Vols some full-contact work before the Outback Bowl.

Tennessee did similar work in preparation for the 2005 Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M.

"We'll have kind of like a 'Saturday Night Lights.' We'll have a good scrimmage at the stadium, so that we'll have played football before we get the January 1 ballgame," Fulmer said. "That's my biggest concern. We did a really good job with that versus Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. We're going to have the same mentality."

Injury Update: Outside linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee) likely won't return to practice before Tennessee arrives in Florida after Christmas, however Fulmer said he expects Mayo to be able to play against Penn State.

Parker, who started all 12 games at right guard before having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, may miss some spring practice, trainer Jason McVeigh said in a statement.

According to McVeigh, Parker might miss the beginning of spring practice -- scheduled to begin in late February -- but should be able to participate on a limited basis.

Tickets Available: Outback tickets are still available through the UT ticket office by calling 865-656-1200 or 800-332-8657. They also can be ordered online at www.utsports.com.