Cunningham finally kicks into gear

AUBURN, Ala. - A concern at the beginning of the season, Tennessee punter Chad Cunningham found his game in the second half Saturday against Auburn.

There's no pinning UT's 14-12 loss on Cunningham, who averaged 39.9 yards per punt and dropped three punts inside the five-yard line in the second half.

"A loss is a loss," Cunningham said. "It's not an individual sport, it's a team sport."

Cunningham, who is filling in for senior Britton Colquitt during a five-game suspension, said he wasn't pleased with his play in the first half. Cunningham complimented his coverage team for overcoming some directional punts that weren't so directional.

Then, he challenged himself to make an impact. The opportunity was certainly present given the defensive nature of the game.

"I knew that if we were going to have a chance in the second half, I had to step up my game," Cunningham said. "I had to make up my mind that a punter could very easily win the game."

That's a vast improvement for Cunningham, who already had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown against UCLA and a punt returned for a TD by Florida.

"It (Saturday) definitely helps my confidence," Cunningham said.

Injury Report: Defensive end Wes Brown left the game in the first quarter favoring his right leg. Brown has been wearing a brace on his right knee for most of the past month but wasn't wearing it during Saturday's game.

Brown said he's not sure if he'll be able to play on Saturday against Northern Illinois, but said his knee is stable based off an early prognosis.

Brown said he wasn't hit on the knee. He said it's weak from an injury suffered against UCLA on Sept. 1

"It's sore," Brown said. "I'm going to battle through it and do whatever I can to keep myself on the field."

Linebacker Ellix Wilson suffered a shoulder injury late in the fourth quarter. No prognosis was available.

The Beginning at End: Converted linebacker Gerald Williams entered the game at defensive end for the first time in his career midway through the third quarter.

It didn't take Williams long to make an impact.

The junior college transfer registered a tackle on his second play, then was called for a personal foul for a hit out of bounds on the next play.

Williams, who played left and right defensive end, then made a tackle on the following play.

Arian Ascension: With 35 yards against Auburn, tailback Arian Foster is 416 yards shy of becoming UT's all-time leading rusher.

Foster passed Cedric Houston for fifth on the list.

That's not the only mark Foster has in sight.

Since Jay Graham started 24 straight games at tailback, no running back has come close to that mark, until now. Foster started his 18th straight.

If he holds onto the starting job, he'll hit 25 on Nov. 22 at Vanderbilt.

No G-Run: Receiver Gerald Jones ran for 35 yards out of the G-Gun offensive package, in which Jones lines up at quarterback. Jones broke free for a 23-yard run in the second quarter.

The Vols finally threw a pass out of the formation but it was dropped by Lucas Taylor on a screen pass.

Ten Isn't Enough: Five plays prior to a touchdown, Auburn converted a third-and-6 when Tennessee only had 10 defenders on the field. The 11th sprinted on the field but too late as Chris Todd found Robert Dunn for a 14-yard gain to the 27.

"Coach tried to run the Mustang package but we didn't get enough guys in,'' said safety Eric Berry.

Lincoln Goes Long: Kicker Daniel Lincoln nearly matched his career long with a 47-yard field goal against Auburn. Lincoln's career long is a 48-yarder last season against South Carolina.

Rangy Walker: Backup defensive end Chris Walker recorded his first tackle for a loss as a Vol when he hauled in receiver Robert Dunn for a 10-yard loss. Dunn was attempting to throw downfield after receiving a reverse handoff.

Creer: Capitalizing on tailback Lennon Creer’s speed was clearly part of the game plan against Auburn.

Creer played early and throughout, catching a pass for nine yards and registering four carries for 19 yards.

Special Guest: Former UT quarterback Peyton Manning was in attendance. Manning spent much of pre-game warm-ups visiting with quarterback Jonathan Crompton. Manning's NFL team, Indianapolis, is off this week.