Playing without fullback doesn't slow down offense

UT's blocking backs barely played a part in its 41-7 win against Memphis. Instead of an I-formation, UT opted for one-back sets and shotgun formation.

The results spoke volumes. UT had 566 yards of total offense and 25 first downs. UT gained 205 yards on the ground, despite no lead blocker for its tailbacks.

Cutcliffe declined to get into specific players but said all players are accountable.

"We want to see response," he said, "not just on the game field but on the practice field."

Regarding one-back sets or running behind a fullback, starting tailback LaMarcus Coker said he has no preference.

"When the fullback is in the game, I just follow him a little bit more," the redshirt freshman said. "When the fullback's not in the game, I just use my vision a little bit more."

Cutcliffe said last week that UT hadn't found its niche on offense. Now, it appears the dye might be cast.

"Right now," Cutcliffe said, "we've got a chance to grow as an offense."

The new look can only help UT as they prepare for SEC East rival Georgia this week.

"The more they have to work on, obviously, it's better for us," Cutcliffe said.

Second-Effort Smith: Junior receiver Bret Smith finished with 46 yards receiving and a touchdown, but one of his biggest plays Saturday was a block that helped Robert Meachem score on an 84-yard touchdown pass.

Smith got downfield and took out a pair of Memphis defenders with a block that allowed Meachem to go the final 20 or so yards to the end zone.

Smith said that's a play the Vols might not have made a year ago.

"Last year, we didn't have that much effort after the ball was caught," Smith said. "I tried to give a lot of effort to get downfield to make the block, and we scored. I can see where it could have helped last year."

Slick Surface: Coker admitted that he struggled with the Liberty Bowl's artificial turf. The redshirt sophomore slipped several times in his first game on the surface.

"It was a little slippery out there," Coker said. " My cleats got caught in the ground a little bit. It was something I had to get used to. I think I did a better job in the second half."

The turf didn't seem to cause Coker too much trouble. He ran for 125 yards on 26 carries with one touchdown. Coker, however, said stumbling over the turf limited his productivity.

"I definitely feel I let a couple of good runs get away from me," Coker said.

For Kicks I: Senior James Wilhoit credited his strong-legged kickoffs to a tip by freshman Daniel Lincoln, who told Wilhoit that he was leaning too far forward when he made contact with the ball.

Wilhoit pulled his shoulders back thanks to the pre game tip and boomed several kicks into the end zone, including one that sailed easily over the cross bar on the goalpost.

"Once I did that I just started killing the ball," Wilhoit said.

Lincoln might not deserve all the credit. Wilhoit has been made aware of the issue.

"I've been stubborn," he said. "(Former UT kicker) Jeff Hall's been telling me that for six months."

For Kicks II: Cutcliffe had plenty of praise for Memphis punter Michael Gibson. The senior kicked three punts that were downed inside the five-yard line by Memphis' coverage team. The performance eventually forced UT to use two returners to ensure that the ball didn't roll past what was once a lone man back.

"My hat's off to that punter," Cutcliffe said. "Good gracious. He's as good as I've ever seen."

As impressive as it was, Gibson's performance didn't seem to help Memphis' defense. UT scored on the ensuing drives after all three of Gibson's deep punts.

Middle Man: Center Josh McNeil's admitted there was some anxiety associated with his first college start.

"The first play, I was a little bit nervous," the redshirt freshman said. "After that, it was just playing football."

McNeil said he grew fatigued late since he was not used to playing a whole game, but was pleased with his performance.

"I think I had a pretty solid game," he said.

Injury Report: Senior center Michael Frogg suffered a sprained ankle. Senior left tackle Arron Sears played in the Memphis game while fighting through ailments to his left ankle and left elbow.

Senior safety Jonathan Hefney had four stitches applied to his nose after getting hit on a punt return.

Running backs coach Kurt Roper said UT could have played sophomore tailback Arian Foster if needed. Foster has been hobbled with a sprained ankle he suffered against Air Force.