MEMPHIS -- Memphis defensive players Corey Mills, Chris Huffman, Brandon Patterson and Wesley Smith are expected to play in Saturday's game against No. 15 Tennessee after being limited last week because of various injuries.

Kickoff is Saturday at noon (TV: ESPN).

Mills (shoulder), Patterson (shoulder) and Smith (groin) -- starters in each of the team's first three games -- have practiced all week. Tigers coach Tommy West expressed concern about their availability earlier in the week at his Monday media luncheon.

''I think they are all going to make it, as long as we don't have any setbacks between now and Saturday,'' West said. ''We should have 'em.''

More Work For Reagan: West said Wednesday that freshman kicker Matt Reagan will have additional responsibilities Saturday.

Reagan, a former Bearden High School player, will handle kickoffs in addition to his placekicking duties.

Reagan added the extra role because senior Patrick Byrne is limited with a groin injury. Byrne's status as the No. 2 quarterback will not be affected.

''Pat's OK, he'll be our backup quarterback,'' West said. ''He just has trouble following through (on kickoffs).''

Reagan moved into the starting placekicking role at East Carolina two weeks ago, taking over for Trey Adams. Adams, a sophomore walkon from Evangelical Christian, left the team after the East Carolina game.

Barnes Still Suspended: Although freshman running back Miguel Barnes has been practicing, West said the former Millington star remains on suspension.

West suspended Barnes before the East Carolina game last week for missing team functions. Barnes did not make the trip to Greenville, N.C.

"Miguel is still suspended by me," West said. "He's practicing, but he has not been cleared by me to play in games yet. I'll see at the end of the week if he's going to school and doing everything he's supposed to be doing. If he is, there is a chance he could play. If he's not, he won't."

No Coach-Speak Here: West said he could resort to coaching cliches and talk about how Saturday's game should be treated like any other game on the Tigers' schedule.

But West has never been one to follow convention.

''It's not the same,'' West said. ''The Highland Hundred (booster club) meeting (Tuesday) night was different. Everybody was a little more excited. There was a big crowd there, full of life.

''This is really a fun week for us. This is our chance to compete against the big dog. This is our chance to compete against a top-15 team. I'm treating it like it's fun, and it should be fun. We're going to go try to play ball like the way we know how to play ball and see how we can compete.''

Four of the past five meetings between Memphis and Tennessee -- dating to the Tigers' 1996 win -- have been decided by four points or fewer.

Media Requests Overflowing: Memphis sports information director Jennifer Rodrigues said credential requests for the game have surpassed the capacity of the press box. She said she filled the 60 available seats in the press box and has issued an additional 35 tickets to media/scouts to sit in the stands. She also issued 70 photo credentials.

She said the demand is similar to last year's season-opener at home against Ole Miss, when about 20 NFL scouts had to be issued tickets in the stands.

Parking Tips: With the Mid-South Fair going on adjacent to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and 60,000 expected for Saturday's game, Memphis officials are asking fans to consider several options.

MATA will provide shuttle service starting at 9:15 a.m. from seven locations: Germantown Village Square on Poplar; Eastgate Shopping Center; Halle Stadium; Raleigh Springs Mall; Highway 64 in Bartlett behind Colton's Steakhouse and Collierville on Market Street next to Perkins Restaurant.

The cost of the shuttle is $7.

Tickets Still Available: Tickets for Saturday's game are $50 and can be purchased by calling 901-678-2331 or going online at gotigersgo.com.