Xavier Mitchell said Tuesday he's feeling fine, three days after suffering a concussion in Tennessee's season-opener at California.

Feeling fine and being medically cleared to play Saturday against Southern Mississippi, however, are two different things.

"Yesterday (Monday) was pretty good and today I feel even better,'' UT's senior defensive end said.

"I really want to play but that's totally up to the doctors. They have my best interest at heart.''

Mitchell, a second-year starter, was injured late in the fourth quarter of UT's 45-31 loss. He was hustling to help on a tackle when his head collided with teammate Eric Berry's hip.

"He zigged when he should have zagged, and I missed the running back and hit Eric instead,'' Mitchell said. "I'm surprised I didn't give him a hip pointer.''

Mitchell gave the crowd and UT fans watching on TV a scare. He left the field on a stretcher, immobilized on a backboard, and was taken by ambulance to a Berkeley hospital, accompanied by his mother.

To that point the scenario was reminiscent of cornerback Inky Johnson's injury last year against Air Force, an injury that turned out to be career-ending.

Mitchell had a killer headache, but his CT scan was negative, revealing no structural damage.

"We're all thankful he's OK,'' UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.

"I promise you,'' said Mitchell, " I wasn't as nervous or as scared as some other people might have been. I wish I could have finished the game.''

He emerged with his sense of humor intact.

Asked Tuesday if he dreamed while he was unconscious on the field, Mitchell replied, "Um, I dreamed I played a better game.''

And what did seeing the play on tape look like?

"Like Evander Holyfield or Mike Tyson got a hold of me.''

Asked if while waiting to learn his playing status he was going to roll with the punches, Mitchell cut off the question with, "We're not going to get any punches around here.''

Concussions, though, are no laughing matter.

Mitchell said he got one in high school and another just last month in a scrimmage.

"I got back in a day or two,'' he said. "I took one day off from contact and I was right back in it.

"It wasn't as bad as this one.''

With the end of his college career in sight, Mitchell doesn't want to miss any games. He especially doesn't want to miss Saturday's.

Home is Long Beach, Miss., about an hour from the Southern Miss campus in Hattiesburg.

Southern Miss recruited Mitchell. He took an official visit and knows a number of the Golden Eagles.

More than anything, he knows their reputation as a giant-slayer.

"I know they thrive on games like this because nobody gives them a chance,'' Mitchell said.

"I know they'll come to play when they come up here to Knoxville.''

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.