Tennessee wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor said his players were the key to breaking California's defensive code during Saturday's season opener at Neyland Stadium.

Taylor said receivers Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain noticed the Golden Bears touching their helmets and making a fist shortly thereafter. UT quickly determined that the signals meant "cover zero," or man coverage with no safety help.

"The players could tell when they check coverages that they were checking to cover zero," Taylor said.

The reconnaissance paid huge dividends for the Vols. UT rolled up 298 passing yards and four touchdown passes on the ninth-ranked Golden Bears en route to a 35-18 victory.

"They could tell," Taylor said. "When we check cover two, we send signals out there. Meachem and Swain and those guys did a good job of picking up what they're coverages were."

The Vols saw plenty of "cover zero" Saturday. After the way they responded, that won't likely be the case again anytime soon.

"Probably not," Taylor said with a smile.

First Play: Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe knew his first play call long before the season began.

"He told me on Saturday that we were gong to be aggressive on the first play and send a message," junior quarterback Erik Ainge said. "Complete or incomplete, Tennessee offense is going to be aggressive and we don't care what you are going to do.

"We're going to do what we do best. That's hit you in the face and throw the ball."

The deep pass worked against California. On UT's first offensive play, Ainge completed a 41-yard pass from the UT 12 to Meachem.

"He used his 215-pound frame to get the little corner out of the way and make a play," Ainge said of Meachem.

To no one's surprise, Ainge liked the call.

"I thought it was a good idea," he said. "It shows confidence in me and we got it done."

Ainge was informed of the play call hours before kickoff. It's reasonable to think Cutcliffe knew about it far earlier.

"He might have had it planned a month ago," Ainge said. "I don't even know."

Old Friend: Ainge said he watched former UT quarterback Brent Schaeffer in the Ole Miss-Memphis game Sunday. Schaeffer starts for the Rebels.

"It was a little bit strange," Ainge said of watching the quarterback he competed with in 2004.

Schaeffer left UT after his freshman year amidst concerns about off-field issues. The South Floridian transferred to College of the Sequoias in California.

"Me and Brent always got along great," Ainge said. "We obviously were very competitive but I wish the best for him. He had to leave here under terms that weren't great.

"Power to him. He got it done in junior college and stayed focused. Now he's back in the SEC. He's making plays. That's what Brent does -- he makes plays."

Ole Miss beat Memphis 28-25. Schaeffer completed seven of 16 passes for 97 yards and rushed for 48 yards.

"He still looked fast and quick," Ainge said. "He looked like he was throwing the ball well."

Close Call: Jonathan Wade said he just barely made one of UT's best defensive plays against the Golden Bears on Saturday. It came when the senior defensive back knocked away a deep pass just as Cal receiver DeSean Jackson reached to catch it in the first quarter.

"I didn't know the ball was coming until it really got there," Wade said. "But his (the receiver's) eyes got real big. By the grace of God, I swung my hand at the right time."

Wade said experience helped him make the play just as he was about to get beat for a long gain.

"A few years ago, I probably would have panicked," Wade said. "I probably would have ended up tripping over my foot."

Grading Out: Despite Meachem's 182-yard, two-touchdown performance, coach Trooper Taylor said senior Bret Smith earned the highest mark among UT's wideouts. Meachem was second. Swain was third.

Meachem's grade actually fell on two scoring plays.

"He had two minuses in the game," Ainge said, "and they were both on touchdowns."

Meachem ran a 7-yard route instead of a 5-yard route on the two plays.

"He plays the game so fast that he gets caught up and just went too deep both times," Taylor said.

Big Tab: Ainge said he was even more impressed with UT's offensive line after reviewing the game.

"After watching the film," Ainge said, "they did really, really well."

UT's offensive line performance means Ainge's wallet will take another hit.

"I took them out for dinner last week," Ainge said. "I'm taking them out for dinner this week. Hopefully, they keep doing their jobs."

More Man: Wade said he expects more man coverage as the season evolves.

"I think we will eventually, the more confident the coaches become with us," Wade said. "The more plays we make, I feel they'll put us in man."

Wade knows more man would allow UT's front seven to be more aggressive.

"If we're in man," Wade said, "a lot of people are blitzing."

Stoked Swain: Ainge said Swain was more than ready to start the season.

"I've never seen someone that focused or cranked up to do anything in my life, than Jayson Swain was this weekend," Ainge said.

Injury Report: Smith did not practice Monday. He suffered a concussion against Cal. Taylor said Smith is expected to return this week.

Senior defensive tackle Matt McGlothlin practiced Monday after suffering a strained lower back Saturday.