Tennessee offensive line coach Greg Adkins said he’s seen recent improvement in run blocking.

"I think we’ve made some progress over the past couple of weeks in the run game," Adkins said. "Hopefully we can continue to do that this week. Our tailback runs have averaged pretty good ? (We) still can make many more strides."

UT’s top three tailbacks LaMarcus Coker, Montario Hardesty and Arian Foster are averaging 7.4 yards per carry in their last two contests.

Adkins suggested that more called running plays and a determination to find better offensive balance has helped UT’s offensive line.

"Our attitude towards working about it has been better," Adkins said.

UT’s 111.4 rushing average, which ranks 91st in the nation, should only improve this week. Kentucky ranks 115th in the nation in rush defense. Vanderbilt ranks 90th. Arkansas ranks 36th.

Almost Able: Adkins said he planned to play freshman offensive guard Jacques McClendon earlier than he did against Vanderbilt. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said last week that McClendon had been pushing starting sophomore right guard Anthony Parker for playing time. McClendon played only in the second half when the game was out of hand.

"I’ve really, really been happy with his progress," Adkins said.

Redshirt freshman Chris Scott is still battling to compete with stronger linemen after losing 60 pounds in the offseason, which limited his ability to get stronger, Adkins said.

"Chris, from a mental standpoint, is where you want him," he said. "He’s got to have a great offseason in the weight room. He redefined his body as everybody knows. He’s just lacking a little bit of strength right now."

Ditto: Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said his players are facing a similar challenge as they did a game ago. Last week, it was Vanderbilt’s mobile quarterback Chris Nickson. This week, it’s Kentucky’s Andre Woodson.

"I think they’re very similar," Caldwell said. "You’re going to have to go in with a lot of the same looks we did last week."

That means a disciplined approach to staying in rush lanes and not allowing an open gap for a quarterback to run. Woodson may not be the scrambler that Nickson is, but he does sport a better pass efficiency rating. Woodson is 13th in the nation with a 153.3 rating. Nickson’s 122.8 is 63rd best in the NCAA.

Young Ends: Caldwell lamented not playing Chase Nelson more. The freshman played in only three games this season instead of redshirting.

"That’s going to hurt him next year," Caldwell said.

Andre Mathis’ quickness is the key to his transition from linebacker to defensive end, said Caldwell, adding that Mathis’ closing speed gives him the chance to remind some of former Vol Parys Haralson.

"He doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing right now but he’s going to play hard," Caldwell said of the redshirt freshman.

Mathis was moved to defensive end last week.

Injury Report: Defensive end Antonio Reynolds was more involved in practice than he had been Monday. The junior missed last week’s game against Vanderbilt because of a neck sprain he suffered on Nov. 11 against Arkansas. Reynolds is expected to play Saturday.

"The big thing is he’s going to have to feel comfortable with tackling somebody or take someone on with his neck as sore as it is," Caldwell said.

Sophomore linebacker Jerod Mayo did not practice on Tuesday. He is still awaiting a final prognosis on his sore right knee.

Permanent Captains: Fulmer announced the selection of five permanent team captains. The Vols had been naming captains on a game-by-game basis until Tuesday’s announcement.

The UT coaches and players named defensive tackles Justin Harrell and Turk McBride, linebacker Marvin Mitchell, wide receiver Jayson Swain and offensive tackle Arron Sears.