Former walk-on offensive lineman Michael Frogg couldn't have imagined a better start for himself than the Vols' 35-18 victory over California on Saturday night. Maybe with one exception.

"Probably against Florida, maybe," said Frogg, a Kingston native who edged out redshirt freshman Josh McNeil for the starting center job. "It was awesome, it was more than I expected. I tried to prepare mentally that this was a real pressure day for me. It was more than I had prepared for."

The Vols' preparation paid off up front.

Against the Pac-10's top scoring defense and No. 2 rushing defense from a year ago, UT's offensive front paved the way for 216 rushing yards and 514 yards of total offense.

Perhaps more impressive, the offense did not allow a sack or a play for negative yardage against a highly touted Cal front seven.

"I thought they did a really good job," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday. "We weren't in max protection all the time; we had kind of a nice mix. I thought we kept them off-balance with a moving pocket, and we got the ball out on time, like we're supposed to.

"Our protection was for the most part firm. They really did a good job, particularly considering the opponent, because they (the Golden Bears) had some really good guys up front."

The Vols had plenty of rushing success behind both sides of the line, as well.

Arian Foster's longest run, a 20-yarder in the third quarter, came behind sophomore right guard Anthony Parker and junior right tackle Eric Young, who had a combined three starts entering Saturday's opener.

Those two, along with receiver Robert Meachem, helped get Montario Hardesty outside before the redshirt freshman broke a tackle on his 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

"I thought they had a good start, a good beginning," Fulmer said. "They were very challenged by those guys. There's lot of room for improvement but we're off to a good start."

Frogg agreed.

"I think we did really well, ran the ball really well. I think we protected excellent," Frogg said Saturday. "(Quarterback) Erik (Ainge) and the running backs and the wide receivers, they were unbelievable.

"The defense won the game really. How many three-and-outs did they have?"

Tough Tackling: Cal cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson said Saturday he was hampered by a cast on his left hand.

"When it came to my tackling, I felt it was (a factor),'' said Thompson, who wore the cast to protect a broken thumb. "If I could do it again, I might have secured the tackle instead of going for the ball.''

Meachem burned Thompson twice for touchdowns of 42 and 80 yards, breaking the redshirt freshman's tackle attempts on both plays.

Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes said the Bears knew the Vols would pick on Thompson after preseason second-team All-American cornerback Tim Mixon suffered a knee injury in the preseason.

"Everyone knew the problem would be who would replace Mixon,'' Hughes said.

Meachem led UT with 182 yards and two touchdowns on five catches.

12th Game Shuffle: Given the choice, Fulmer said he would rather face a different opponent this week than Air Force.

The Vols added Air Force and its unique option offense to the schedule last summer, in part to help fill the expanded 12-game schedule.

"I really didn't want to play the game, particularly," Fulmer said. "The problem we had is going to the 12th game and finding an opponent that fit the same time slots. I don't think anybody's anxious to play against the flexbone or the wishbone or the veer or all those things. And then the next week you're playing another spread team."

Challenger: Fulmer's opinion of the new coaches' challenge rule might have changed after Saturday.

Fulmer was set to challenge a third-down spot on a catch by Meachem on third-and-10 during the Vols' second touchdown drive.

The ball was initially spotted short of the first down, but Fulmer, standing right on top of the play, said he would have used his challenge to have the play reviewed.

"I didn't think I'd ever use it," Fulmer said. "But actually we got that back because I think another official from upstairs had already buzzed the other official. I didn't lose a timeout or my challenge, but it worked out."

Fulmer said Saturday's replay worked out well, but he'll still reserve judgment for later.

"We'll see," he said. "It's hard to make a decision off one game, but so far so good."

Injury Update: Receiver Bret Smith suffered a concussion Saturday but is expected to be back either today or Tuesday.

"He's listed as probable," Fulmer said. "If he's feeling better and all the fog's cleared by (today), he'll be able to practice (today). If not, it'll be Tuesday."

Defensive tackle Matt McGlothlin should return to practice this week after suffering from tightness in his lower back Saturday.

Props for Mayo: Sophomore linebacker Jerod Mayo was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation's defensive player of the week for his seven-tackle, three-sack performance against Cal.

Mayo's three sacks totaled minus-20 yards, and he also recorded a pass breakup in just his second career start.

Stats Correction: An incomplete pass was incorrectly charged to backup quarterback Jonathan Crompton in Saturday's final stats. Ainge finished 11-of-18 passing, while Crompton was 2-of-2. The error did not affect yardage.