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KNOXVILLE -- The wait is almost over for the Tennessee football team.

But maybe not for sophomore linebacker Gerald Williams.

The Volunteers have just two on-campus practices remaining before they make the cross-country trip to Pasadena, Calif., for their season opener Monday night at UCLA, and they still aren't sure if Williams will be joining them.

School officials are awaiting word from the Southeastern Conference on Williams' academic eligibility for the upcoming season, which hinges on a correspondence math class Williams took during the summer.

Williams, who has been held out of practices since last week, needed the course to fulfill a recently revised SEC requirement.

An answer was expected no later than today, but that might not be a firm deadline for any purpose other than deciding if Williams will travel to UCLA, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday.

"I'm hopeful to hear (today)," Fulmer said. "I don't know that I've been told (that it's) the day of truth. But certainly for traveling with this team for this game, it will be."

Asked if he was optimistic about the impending ruling on Williams, Fulmer chuckled and said, "I'm hopeful."

ALARMING ABSENCES: Senior Nevin McKenzie, a projected co-starter at strongside linebacker, and sophomore defensive end Ben Martin both sat out Thursday's practice at Haslam Field.

No need to worry, Fulmer explained.

McKenzie had a tooth pulled Thursday and is expected to return to practice today. Martin, meanwhile, has what Fulmer called "a little bit of a groin pull," which isn't expected to be a problem for Monday's game.

"We should be 100 percent of where we were when we leave for L.A. (on Saturday)," Fulmer said.

STILL UNSURE: McKenzie's absence Thursday gave senior strongside linebacker Adam Myers-White a chance to take all of the snaps in an abbreviated practice that lasted less than an hour, but Fulmer said that doesn't mean Myers-White will start over McKenzie.

"They're both going to play," Fulmer said. "We look at them both as guys that are starters. It depends on which package we open in. They may both be on the field. You never know."

Myers-White said he doesn't know, either.

"You're asking the wrong guy about that. ... I prepare like I'm going out there and playing every down," he said. "You never know what might happen.''

PEARL'S PEP TALK: Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl made an appearance at the end of Thursday's practice to address the team.

Fulmer said he asked Pearl to speak to his players about playing in season openers and "carrying themselves well" in preparation for Monday's game.

"We have such a special relationship between myself and (women's basketball coach) Pat (Summitt) and Bruce," Fulmer said. "Pat's done it before for us, and I've done it for her. Bruce has asked me to speak to his team, so I returned the favor. Well, really not a favor. He did a great job. ...

"We're fortunate to have a relationship here, I think, that's pretty unique in the country."

CATCHING KICKS: Sophomore cornerback Dennis Rogan and sophomore tailback Lennon Creer will be the Vols' top two kick returners against UCLA, Fulmer said.

"There's any combination of guys who could do it," he added. "We're fortunate that we have a number of guys that can do it. Dennis will be the guy that we'll work to get the ball."

FINALLY FINISHED: The $27.4 million Phase II renovations at Neyland Stadium have been completed more than two weeks before the Sept. 13 home opener against UAB, school officials announced Thursday.

The most recent upgrades include new restrooms and concessions, and improved lighting and signage, for fans on the lower west concourse. Phase II also included locker-room renovations, a field-level Letterman's Room, a new media center and brickwork around the field.

Phase III of the Neyland Stadium Master Plan will begin at the conclusion of the 2008 football season.