Injury bug takes a bite

Starting left tackle Eric Young will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his left knee Sunday.

The senior was injured late in the Vols' 27-24 overtime victory over South Carolina.

Cornerback Marsalous Johnson, who was scratched from the starting lineup Friday with an injury to the meniscus in his knee, will undergo surgery Thursday.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday night that doctors will know more about Johnson's short-term availability after surgery, but it is thought the sophomore will be out for the season as well.

"They won't know for sure until they get in there, but it's probably season-ending," Fulmer said.

That's the definite answer for Young, who is UT's most experienced offensive lineman.

Young, a native of Union, S.C., made his 21st consecutive start Saturday and started 23 games in his UT career.

He started all 13 games last season at right tackle, before replacing All-American Arron Sears at left tackle this season.

He is expected to be released from UT Medical Center today.

"Eric had been playing well, really for the entire season," Fulmer said. "He's a guy that we moved over to that tough left tackle position spot to protect the quarterback's backside. Had great confidence in him. He'd been playing very well."

In Young's absence Saturday, Chris Scott moved to left tackle and Jacques McClendon replaced Scott at right guard.

That will be the plan for Saturday's 4 p.m. homecoming game against Louisiana-Lafayette (No TV), with Ramone Johnson backing up Scott at left tackle, Fulmer said.

DeAngelo Willingham started at cornerback and recorded 10 tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered one.

Tennessee's offensive backfield wasn't immune to injuries, either.

True freshman tailback Lennon Creer practiced Sunday night, but could miss time due to a left knee injury that has been an issue the last few weeks, Fulmer said.

"We're going to have to look into that and see what needs to be done, if anything," Fulmer said.

Creer had one carry in limited playing time against Alabama.

On his second carry, reserve tailback Montario Hardesty aggravated a right ankle sprain that caused him to miss two games in September.

Fulmer said Hardesty could have returned in the first half, but that the sophomore's ankle became too stiff after halftime.

Hardesty did not practice Sunday night.

Sunday, Sunday: The Vols held an hour-long workout Sunday in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center for the second week in a row.

And that won't change anytime soon.

Fulmer mixed the Vols' practice schedule last week to get back on the field Sunday following a 41-14 loss to Alabama.

"I think it was a good decision," Fulmer said. "It certainly helped the coaches in planning. It helped the guys this late in the year to have a day off that's real."

UT will resume practice Tuesday, after an NCAA-mandated day off today.

Streak Sacked: Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge's uniform finally got a little dirty Saturday.

The senior had not been sacked in his last 253 pass attempts, but on the last play of regulation, Casper Brinkley brought down Ainge for a loss of 9 yards, ending the streak at 294 passes without a sack.

As a team, the Vols have allowed three sacks, fewest in the country.

Polling: For the second time this season, Tennessee re-entered the Associated Press poll with a victory over a top 15 team - only to be ranked one spot behind the team it defeated.

After the Vols beat Georgia 34-14 on Oct. 6, they were ranked No. 25, one spot behind the Bulldogs.

This week, the Vols are No. 24, one spot behind South Carolina.

Extras: After Saturday's win, the Vols are 6-1 in overtime games and 4-1 in games with only one extra period … Ainge went over 7,000 career passing yards … Tennessee is undefeated in Neyland Stadium this season and has outscored its last two opponents 49-0 in the first half at home.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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