NASHVILLE -- Vanderbilt sophomore receiver Earl Bennett started the year slowly as he and starting quarterback Chris Nickson worked on their chemistry. But Bennett is on fire now.

His 11-catch, 220-yard performance in last Saturday's 38-26 loss at Kentucky came close to the Vandy single-game yardage record of 222 yards set by Clarence Sevillian on six receptions in a 29-25 loss to Tennessee on Nov. 28, 1992.

Bennett's big day was the sixth 200-yard receiving game in Commodores' history and the second of his career, following last year's 204-yard effort at South Carolina. Also, Bennett's effort was the 12th-best total in SEC history and the most by a league receiver since LSU's Josh Reed set the conference record with 293 yards against Alabama in 2001.

Bennett, who has 1,130 receiving yards this season, needs 84 yards against the Vols on Saturday to break the Vandy single-season yardage record held by Boo Mitchell (1,213 yards, 1988).

Line Hurting: Vanderbilt's offensive line has been hit with a rash of injuries in recent weeks, forcing assistant coach Robbie Caldwell to move a number of linemen around and play more freshmen than he would normally like. It hasn't hurt the unit's production the past three weeks.

The Commodores (4-7, 1-6 SEC) have averaged a staggering 508 yards against Duke, Florida and Kentucky, despite the loss of tackle Brian Stamper for the season, and injuries that have forced out starter Josh Eames and key reserve Elliot Hood for lengthy periods.

Caldwell has adjusted by moving Thomas Welch -- a redshirt freshman tight end until this month -- and senior guard Mac Pyle to right tackle, where Hood had been playing for Stamper until the replacement got hurt. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Ryan Custer played significantly while Eames was sidelined.

"Coach Caldwell is always saying, 'You need to learn a second position, just in case,' '' Pyle said. "Every day, somebody gets in there and they learn a new position. We're just trying to get in that fit to get everybody playing everywhere, and I think that's good for our future."

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said that Eames' health is improving, and he's listed as a starter against Tennessee. Hood is also slated to start, though Johnson said that his health is more tenuous.