Will Vols' history repeat with tough preparation?

Just two days after a physical Saturday scrimmage, the Vols were holding another challenging practice Monday. Players could be heard yelling far past the veiled fence that surrounds the practice facility as the younger Vols were matched up in a one-on-one drill during the final moments of practice.

"Somebody needs a Nobel Prize for inventing a time machine because we're back in spring and fall camp right now," senior offensive guard David Ligon said. "It's been real physical. But it's for the better. We did the same thing at the Cotton Bowl and our results obviously were pretty good."

Really good, in fact. UT hammered Texas A&M 38-7 in the 2005 Cotton Bowl, UT's lone bowl win in the past four seasons.

"You've really got to push through and realize what you're working for," Ligon said.

Coach Phillip Fulmer knows he can't single handedly make every UT player match the intensity he seeks.

"That's where your leadership on your team has to show up and your coaches' demands have to continue to be at a high level," Fulmer said. "I don't think we've wasted any practices. I don't know that we've been at our 'A' game every time we've been out there."

Ligon may have been doing just what Fulmer asked -- challenging his teammates -- just moments before the coach visited with the media.

"Today, I think a lot of guys were kind of dreading it or just weren't into it," Ligon said. "A lot of guys were really dragging."

According to Fulmer, count Monday as an aberration -- not a trend.

"We've had a lot of contact and a lot of work," he said. "They've really jumped out there and done a good job with that, haven't fought us on it. I've had years where you felt like 'We're not getting much out of practice.' But right now we are. Practices are fruitful, I think."

Prep Time: Ligon said freshman Jacques McClendon will have a challenge on his hands when he makes his first career start in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 against Penn State.

"It's kind of a big stage," Ligon said. "I think that mental part would be pretty tough. From a preparation standpoint, he'll be OK, it's just handling the stage."

McClendon is slated to start at right guard in place of sophomore Anthony Parker, who was sidelined after undergoing surgery on his left knee recently. UT's coaches had long said that McClendon was pushing Parker for playing time. Ligon liked Parker's chances.

"I didn't think that Anthony was ever going to give up his job," Ligon said. "He's a good player. It really stinks that he had to get hurt. I feel bad for him."

McClendon, as per UT's policy on freshmen, has not been available for interviews since the season began. Come Jan. 1, there will be no way to protect him from the Nittany Lions and their 16th-ranked defense in the country.

"I know there'll be some freshman things that will show up," Fulmer said. "(Sophomore) Ramone (Foster) can go in there if we need him to, but I'm counting on him (McClendon) to get it done. He's got to minimize his mistakes because they can be very costly."

Junior right tackle Eric Young said he's ready to battle alongside the young pup up front.

"I'm very comfortable playing beside him," Young said. "You've definitely got to get that jell together."

Practice Report: UT held a two-hour session Monday in full pads. The Vols will practice today and Wednesday morning before a break for Christmas. Then, the Vols will reconvene on Christmas evening before traveling and beginning practiceDec. 26 in Tampa.

In order to lighten the load on UT's seniors, coaches have allowed them to leave before the final practice period.

Fulmer said he was pleased with Saturday's scrimmage after reviewing the tape. He was especially happy with what the Vols accomplished in special teams.

"When you play full-speed football, you find those things," Fulmer said. "I think we were able to get on top of some things that could have been a problem."

MIA: LaMarcus Coker did not practice Monday. Fulmer didn't elaborate on why the redshirt freshman tailback was being held out. Coker also did not practice over the weekend.

Versa-Turk: Turk McBride should know Penn State much better than his teammates. After all, he grew in nearby Camden, N.J.

"That was the team you always looked at, either Penn State or Syracuse," the former Woodrow Wilson High School star said.

McBride never really considered the Nittany Lions during recruiting. He was intent on heading south.

"It's too cold up there," McBride said. "I didn't really want to be cold anymore."