Vols try to shore up weaknesses heading into SEC game

<p>Quarterback Rick Clausen is the only Tennessee player who owns a Southeastern Conference championship ring.</p><p>For him to earn a second one, some teammates need to keep playing well while others must sharply improve for Saturday's title game against No. 3 and undefeated Auburn in Atlanta.</p><p>Clausen, who got his ring while at LSU, has filled in admirably for injured freshmen Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer, and he's gotten help from the offensive line, running backs and some of the receivers.</p><p>The Volunteers' defense carried the team earlier in the season but turned porous during the last two games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky.</p><p>No. 15 Tennessee (9-2, 7-1) is still trying to figure out problems in the secondary, and the coaches are contemplating changes on special teams.</p><p>Clausen was redshirting as a freshman when LSU met Tennessee in the 2001 SEC championship. Clausen's older brother, Casey, was the Vols' sophomore quarterback.</p><p>Now Rick Clausen has taken charge of Tennessee's offense, and he feels fortunate to be in a second SEC championship.</p><p>Clausen, who transferred to Tennessee two years ago, keeps his ring in a box in a drawer at home in California.</p><p>"Wearing that ring doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot," Clausen said. "As far as I'm concerned I'm here at the University of Tennessee and we have an SEC championship coming up this week. That's what's on my mind."</p><p>Clausen didn't take over as quarterback until the second half of Tennessee's loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 6, so he didn't play in Auburn's 34-10 win over Tennessee in October.</p><p>Clausen is 55-of-89 for 658 yards and four touchdowns in three games. His main blemish is five interceptions.</p><p>"I'm very proud of what Rick Clausen has accomplished. I'm proud of what we've been able to get done the last couple of weeks, with the understanding that Kentucky and Vanderbilt's defense is certainly not Auburn's defense," coach Phillip Fulmer said.</p><p>Eleven different players caught passes from Clausen last week against Kentucky, and freshman Robert Meachem became the first this season to have over 100 yards receiving in a game. He had five catches for 145 yards.</p><p>The offensive line has remained effective even though every starter except guard Rob Smith has missed a start due to injury. Tackle Michael Munoz will not play Saturday because of a shoulder injury, but guard Cody Douglas should be back on the field despite a foot injury.</p><p>Tennessee's biggest concern now is defense after Kentucky and Vanderbilt both scored over 30 points. Kentucky, which came into the game with one of the nation's worst offenses, got 323 total yards.</p><p>"Defensively, the last couple of weeks I can't fully explain all the things. You watch the game and you say something's missing," Fulmer said. "We have to play with a tremendous passion in this game to be able to slow those guys down. I expect us to."</p><p>Finding a reliable player at strong safety has been a problem all season while Jason Allen at free safety continues to lead the SEC in tackles with 112. Cornerback Roshaun Fellows should be back from a foot injury.</p><p>Even punter Dustin Colquitt has struggled some this season mainly because of hamstring and groin injuries, and kicker James Wilhoit had an extra point and field goal blocked last week.</p><p>Tennessee ranks 103 out of 117 Division I teams in kickoff returns and 100th in punt returns. The Vols already use some starters to help block on returns, and they've tried four players running back kickoffs.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>Tennessee football: www.utsports.com</p>

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