Kiffin pleased with fourth-down efficiency

Head coach Lane Kiffin said practice was “OK” on Wednesday but was pleased to have a few injured players back in action, in the preparation for the Homecoming game Saturday against Memphis.

Kicker Daniel Lincoln, who has been out with a quad injury since the Alabama game, practiced Wednesday and said he would play Saturday, and both Marlon Walls and Chris Walker practiced on the defensive side.

Fourth downs

One aspect of the game that Kiffin and the Vols seem to feel more confident about as of late is fourth-down conversions. UT has completed its last seven attempts.

“We tend to go for it a lot on fourth down, and we put it back on our players,” Kiffin said. “We have a lot of confidence in our players, and we want our players to feel that. We don't coach scared, and we want to make sure that if we lose games or lose situations, it's not our fault.”

Even when some may criticize Kiffin and the coaching staff for being too aggressive on fourth-down attempts, he says they take everything into consideration.

“Sure, it's all a gamble,” Kiffin said. “It just all depends. What's the score? What's the time? How's the game going? Are you on the road? There's a million things that go into it. Just like when you're down, how well are you kicking the ball? How long of a fourth down is it? There's a difference between a long fourth-and-1 and fourth-and-inches.”

Hardesty approaches milestone

Kiffin also commented on the strength, aggression and determination of senior running back Montario Hardesty, who is approaching the 1,000 yards rushing mark for the season.

“It’s easy to play like he plays in the first quarter of a game when you’re not banged up,” Kiffin said. “It’s not easy to play like he plays every quarter of every game when he is so banged up. He is so banged up, but he goes out there and plays aggressive football every time and it’s real motivation and it’s real inspiration to the rest of the guys on the team.”

Hardesty claimed that hard work and the offensive line have helped him achieve success this season.

“I just try to get better each day,” Hardesty said. “I got to go out and take advantage of whatever the other team gives me. Practice has become really important for me and the team.”

Hardesty said that a game during the first of October was vital for the Vols’ running game and how they prepare for teams.

“Second half of the Auburn game, everything just clicked for us,” Hardesty said. “The light switch went off for a lot of the guys, and since then we’ve had better practices and better preparations which have helped me and the team get better.”

He said he understands that, without the offensive line, the success he has enjoyed so far may not have been possible.

“It would be a big accomplishment, but I would really have to thank the o-line,” he said. “It would definitely be a big accomplishment for all of us though.”