TAMPA, Fla. - Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer took issue with Penn State coach Joe Paterno's complimentary nature towards the Vols during press conferences this week.

"Coach Paterno was making a point to shower all these great things about our team knowing very well that we have not been ourselves on defense at all," Fulmer said on Thursday.

UT (9-3) plays Penn State (8-4) in the Outback Bowl on Monday.

UT ranks 52nd in the nation in total defense and 71st in rushing defense. Offensively, the Vols' rushing attack was 95th in the NCAA.

"You're not going to change everything and fix everything in a short period of time," Fulmer said. "Some of it's personnel. Some of it's playing to the strength of what we do best - and that's throw the football."

Senior offensive tackle Arron Sears had an idea why UT has struggled to run the ball in 2006.

"Maybe it's just not being on the same page, week in and week out," Sears said. "Not just the front five. That's everybody, the fullbacks the receivers blocking, everybody being on the same page at the same time."

Clearly it wasn't Sears fault. He won the Jacobs Award as the SEC's best offensive lineman.

"Arron's played as well as any offensive lineman we've had here in a long, long time," Fulmer said.

Practice Report: Whether it's a trip to an amusement part or a new city with luring nightlife, Fulmer said his players have handled the daily extracurricular bowl activities.

"When it's time to be entertained, they've done well," Fulmer said before practice. "When it's time to work, they've worked. Haven't had any issues with that."

With the week of bowl festivities winding down, Fulmer said the Vols will focus on fine tuning the game plan for Penn State. UT began the week with physical practices, which included a 24-play scrimmage on Wednesday. Fulmer said he's confident his players will be rested and energized for Monday's game.

"We've got three days of light work or no work," Fulmer said. "They're young. It'll be fine."

Moving Moment: UT offensive line coach and West Virginia native Greg Adkins made sure to see "We Are Marshall" before departing Knoxville for Tampa earlier this week. The movie, which was released last Friday, chronicles the school's response to a plane crash that killed 75 members of the football team and coaching staff in 1970.

"Overall, I thought it was an outstanding job by Hollywood," said Adkins, who played at Marshall 1986-89 and coached there 1996-2000. "I'm surprised this one hasn't been out there before now.

"I'm glad they took an opportunity to tell a story that was one of the most tragic stories in college history. It moved me quiet obviously."

Bad Luck: The 2006 season is one that Austin Rogers would like to forget. The sophomore receiver suffered a shoulder injury in September then was sidelined with mononucleosis just as his shoulder was nearly recovered.

Rogers' latest injury was a chipped bone in his left hand while attempting to catch a pass on Tuesday.

"I heard it pop," he said. "I just thought I jammed it."

The hand injury won't affect the Vols. The decision was made long ago to apply for a medical redshirt, which Fulmer said he's confident Rogers will receive.

"It's a tough break but in the long run it will probably pay off greatly for him," Fulmer said. "He'll have three years left rather than two."

Rogers said he hasn't had a significant injury since a bad knee sidelined him when he was a freshman in high school.

Rogers is ready for a clean start to 2007.

"Just to get everything on my body perfectly healthy again," Rogers said. "I'll be ready come spring."

No Moping Mapu: Junior defensive tackle J.T. Mapu said he doesn't regret playing this season instead of redshirting after retuning from a two-year Mormon mission just days before fall practice began.

"I was just trying to do my best to fill in wherever they need it," said Mapu, who played in 12 games this season, registering eight tackles, one tackle for a loss and one quarterback hurry.

Mapu knows an offseason of training is the only way to improve on those numbers.

"I've been looking forward to the offseason for a long time just because I know that's where the real work comes," he said.

Stadium Report: UT will hold a walkthrough in Raymond James Stadium today instead of holding the light practice the day before the game as it traditionally does. Sunday's NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks precludes the Vols from working out then.

Fulmer didn't seem too concerned about being part of the second game played on the stadium's turf in two days.

"I'm sure they'll have it in good shape - the best they can," he said.