Tennessee cornerback Inquoris Johnson was taken to UT hospital for observation after a nasty collision during the fourth quarter of the Vols' 31-30 victory over Air Force on Saturday.

Johnson, a 5-foot-9, 190-pound junior who starts at right cornerback, lay near the Falcons' sideline for several minutes before being carted off the field.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Johnson was briefly knocked unconscious after a helmet-to-helmet hit with Falcons halfback Justin Handley on a pass play.

On his way to an ambulance in the northeast corner of Neyland Stadium, Johnson pumped his fist to the crowd of 105,466, and Fulmer said Johnson was moving his extremities on the field.

"We're hopeful he'll be fine," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.

Safety Jonathan Hefney, who led the Vols with a career-high 17 tackles, said it was difficult to see Johnson laying on the field.

"I felt bad for him, knowing that he's a tough guy," said Hefney, who roomed with Johnson during fall camp. "I felt bad and I just count my blessings because I know he'll bounce back."

While Johnson's injury appeared to be the most serious, several other Vols were banged up Saturday.

Preseason All-SEC defensive tackle Justin Harrell left in the third quarter after injuring his left bicep muscle.

Starting tailback Arian Foster did not return after about the midway point in the second quarter after spraining his left ankle.

Fulmer said Foster's ankle was taped at halftime, but the sophomore couldn't return.

Backup offensive lineman Ramon Foster also sprained his left ankle.

Receiver Bret Smith, who was nursing a concussion from last week's win over California, did not play Saturday.

Special Teams: UT had several special teams miscues against Air Force.

Johnson fumbled an onside kick late in the fourth quarter. Air Force recovered and drove for a touchdown. Air Force recovered another onside kick but the Falcons were flagged for an offsides penalty.

"The first one, we went for the ball and it bounded off of our chest," Fulmer said. "The second one, we acted like we didn't want to field the darn thing."

UT had two other kickoff-return miscues but neither was costly. Sophomore Demetrice Morley accidentally downed the ball on a kick return at the 1-yard line. The Vols still drove 99 yards for the score.

Sophomore Lucas Taylor muffed a kickoff return but the ball bounced out of bounds before several Air Force players could recover the ball.

Salute: The families of the first four UT football players to ever have their jerseys retired received a standing ovation during a pre-game ceremony. Former UT players Bill Nowling, Rudy Klarer, Willis Tucker and Clyde "Ig" Fuson were killed in World War II. UT retired their jerseys in 1946.

UT unveiled a sign inside the stadium and a banner in the north concourse prior to kickoff to recognize the four.

Dave Hooker contributed to this report.