If you can't wait to see the final score on Saturday between Tennessee and Arkansas, just tune into the first quarter.

That should tell you all you need to know.

"The first quarter will prove a lot of where this defense's mentality is," UT junior linebacker Jerod Mayo said on Wednesday. "If we get out of the first quarter pretty well, I think we'll play the rest of the game well."

Statistics back up Mayo's template to success. Auburn proved it could be done when it beat the Razorbacks 9-7, limiting Arkansas to five yards rushing in the first 15 minutes.

Against South Carolina, the Razorbacks rushed for 196 yards in the first quarter and finished with a startling 542.

"Those are like two different teams," Mayo said, comparing Arkansas in those two games.

"Auburn shut them down early and they couldn't get the running game only. Once (tailbacks) Darren McFadden and Felix Jones got the running game going against South Carolina, it was a long game for those guys."

Receiver Marcus Monk - Arkansas' best receiving threat - did not play against Auburn because of a bum knee and McFadden was slowed with sore ribs.

Still, the fast-start theory holds true for almost all of Arkansas' games this season. In six wins, they've averaged 108.8 yards rushing in the first quarter. In its three losses, Arkansas has averaged 30.1 yards rushing in the first quarter.

"We have to shut it down early and often," Mayo said.

Never Boar-ing: Sophomore defensive tackle Dan Williams admitted he's more concerned with the "Wild Hog" package than Arkansas' traditional offensive attack. The "Wild Hog" is a shotgun formation with McFadden lined up at quarterback.

"With McFadden at quarterback, he could fake it, he could keep it and he's a good athlete so he could make cuts and make people miss," Williams said. "If you're out of your gap, he could make two or three people miss and be 80 yards down the field for a touchdown."

Williams also knows that anytime McFadden - a Heisman Trophy contender - makes a play, it's highlight material.

"You do take that kind of personal," Williams said. "I don't think any defense wants to be on another man's highlights."

Online Lennon: Taken a look at UT's tailback statistics lately? If not, check this out. Freshman Lennon Creer's 216 rushing yards is just 38 shy of sophomore Montario Hardesty.

And while most of Creer's rushing attempts have come when UT's games have been long decided, the freshman is averaging 7.0 yards per carry, compared to Hardesty's 4.8 and starter Arian Foster's 5.4.

"He really tries to finish runs, which is encouraging to see," offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. "The big thing that showed up is his speed's back (from a sore knee)."

However, don't expect Creer's carries to increase soon. Cutcliffe said he's pleased with Creer's pass protection skills in most sets, but said he still has much to learn.

Young Ends: Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell isn't anywhere close to being ready to play freshmen Ben Martin or Chris Walker.

"To be honest, I'd hate to know I had to put either one of them in to play 20 or 30 snaps," Caldwell said.

A knee injury in the preseason has hampered Martin's fundamental improvements.

"He's still got a ways to go," Caldwell said. "I was hoping he would be further along than what he is."

Walker was recruited as a linebacker before being moved to end early this season.

"I think he's coming on," Caldwell said. "Chris can be a really good player."

Middle Man: Mayo has some experience against the Razorbacks at middle linebacker. He played there at Fayetteville last season in place of then senior starting middle linebacker Marvin Mitchell, who was injured.

Mayo was moved to the middle from weakside linebacker this season, replacing Mitchell.

For Kicks: UT freshman Daniel Lincoln is the only kicker from the SEC to be named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza award, which goes to the nation's best kicker. Lincoln is 16-of-18 in field-goal tries and has made all of his 37 extra-point attempts.

Signing Times: Sports Illustrated is holding an autograph session featuring former UT players this weekend at Calhoun's on the River.

Former UT defensive linemen Will Overstreet and Billy Ratliff (Friday, 6-8 p.m.), linebacker Eddie Moore (Saturday, 9-11 a.m.) and safety Fred White (Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon) are scheduled to attend.

There will also be interactive fan activities at the event. Admission is free.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.