TAMPA, Fla. -- With a new group of reporters came the same old questions about Robert Meachem's future.

"I would say it's harder for the press than everybody else," UT's senior receiver said with a smile when asked if it was difficult to focus on the Outback Bowl with an NFL decision looming. "Not for me. I haven't thought about it."

Meachem, who will decide after the season whether to return to UT for his senior season or enter the NFL draft, said he's solely focused on UT's showdown with Penn State (TV: ESPN, 11 a.m.) on Monday.

"We want to go out with style -- send the seniors out with a win," Meachem said. "The NFL or anything, that doesn't bother me at all. I'm not thinking about that. All I want to do is go out with a bang."

If Meachem is determined to go out with a bang, his 2006 season may be tough to top. He set a UT record with 1,265 receiving yards on 67 catches.

"People say 'What are you going to do?' " said Meachem, who scored 11 touchdowns this season. " 'You're a dummy if you come back. You're a dummy if you go.' Everybody has their own opinion, but I'm going to be the one making the last one."

Hope For Hancock: UT is hoping to secure a medical redshirt for freshman receiver Quintin Hancock. He was impressive in preseason camp and played in five games before being slowed by hamstring and groin injuries.

"I'd like for him, during these practices, to get a lot better," receivers coach Trooper Taylor said when asked what players needs to make substantial improvement during bowl preparation. "Obviously, Lucas Taylor is a guy who I'd like to see make some plays in the game along with Josh Briscoe. Those two, I would say, would be the guys that really need to grow up and make some plays."

Playing behind three NFL prospects, Taylor's opportunities were limited this season. He had only 13 catches for 98 yards.

"His talent is there," Taylor said. "I really look for him to step up next year and be a big-time player for us."

Lion Tough: Running the ball against Penn State will not be easy. The Nittany Lions boast the 10th-best rush defense in the nation, averaging 2.8 yards per carry and 87.8 yards per game allowed.

Even more impressive is Penn State's most recent accomplishments against the run, when it gave up only 16 and 14 yards to Temple and Michigan State, respectively, in its final two games.

"You've got to be able to run the ball to win," UT redshirt freshman tailback Montario Hardesty said. "Penn State has a good rush defense ... for us to get off and be able to run the ball would be a big thing. We need balance."

UT's top three tailbacks, Hardesty, redshirt freshman LaMarcus Coker and sophomore Arian Foster, rushed for 1,299 yards this season. Hardesty said that's just the beginning.

"A lot of times during the season we were hurt," he said. "Everyone had little injuries. All of us are young. We just really learned the ropes and what to do to be productive as an SEC tailback. I really think they (fans) are just getting a glimpse of what we could become in later years."

Practice Report: The Vols practiced in full pads. They'll do the same today before limiting contact as they head into the weekend.

"Everybody can get their edge back," senior offensive lineman Arron Sears said of the elevated contact. "We need a win on the first."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said the Vols will conduct a 20-play scrimmage today.

Conditions were a bit cooler than expected, about 60 degrees during practice under overcast skies. Temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 75 to 80 degrees by Thursday and remain warm for the rest of the week.

Fulmer's Thoughts: Fulmer had some strong praise for his 2006 team.

"It has been the most fun year of coaching that I've actually had, and that includes some great years," he said. "This team, from where we started back in January to where we are at this point, has really improved. Our leadership has grown during the course of the year. The attitude and unselfishness of this team has been fun.

"We have some really good players, but more than anything it's been because we've played well as a team."

Fulmer also had strong praise for UT's opponent.

"Penn State is certainly one of the top two or three teams we have played during the course of the year," he said.

Injury Report: Head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh said defensive back Ben Greene is not practicing and will not play in the Outback Bowl because of an illness. Greene's seven special teams tackles is tied for the team lead. The Outback Bowl would have been his final collegiate game.

McVeigh also announced that junior defensive back Inky Johnson was released from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., on Sunday after surgery to repair nerve damage in his right arm. He and his family returned to their home in Atlanta. Johnson is said to be considering joining the team in Tampa this weekend.

Johnson sustained what McVeigh called a traumatic injury while making a tackle late in the Sept. 9 win over Air Force.

Bowling: UT attended an Outback Bowl welcome dinner along with Penn State at the Tampa Convention Center on Tuesday. The Vols' itinerary today includes an FCA breakfast and a visit to the St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.