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Nick Stephens survived a week-long practice competition last week to replace Jonathan Crompton as Tennessee's quarterback.

He won't have to fight for his starting job this week, and neither will Britton Colquitt.

Stephens did enough in UT's win over Northern Illinois on Saturday to remain UT's quarterback heading into Saturday's game at No. 10 Georgia, coach Phillip Fulmer said Sunday.

Fulmer also said he expects senior punter Britton Colquitt, who returns this week from a season-opening, five-game suspension, to replace sophomore Chad Cunningham on both punts and kickoffs.

"Nick gave us a lift," Fulmer said of Stephens, who completed 10 of 17 passes for 156 yards, including a 52-yard strike to Denarius Moore for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

"He ran the offense well, was on time with his throws, finally hit a couple big plays that just everybody felt good about. You could see a real lift in our offensive team."

Fulmer didn't hesitate in calling Colquitt, who was suspended for an alcohol-related arrest, the team's "best punter." Cunningham struggled at times during the first five games and had a punt partially blocked against Northern Illinois.

"Right now, I would anticipate (Colquitt) doing both (punts and kickoffs)," Fulmer said.

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UNWELCOME VISITORS: Tempers flared Saturday at Neyland Stadium hours before UT's game against Northern Illinois.

The two teams exchanged words during pregame warmups and had to be separated after Huskies players riled up the Vols by gathering on the "T" logo at midfield.

"We came out and, from the Vol Walk, we seen them standing on the 'T,'" said UT senior receiver Josh Briscoe. "Nobody comes in our house and disrespects us like that. We went out and we defended this house. We went out and we told them, 'This is our house. You're standing on our T,' to basically get off and get on your side of the field.

"It was a confrontation that we wish we wouldn't have had, but nobody goes in our house and disrespects us like that."

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VANISHING VINSON: Sophomore cornerback Brent Vinson, who served an academics-related suspension for UT's season opener against UCLA, was reprimanded Saturday for another off-the-field problem.

Vinson had seen his playing time increase over the previous two weeks, but he played only on special teams against the Huskies. Fulmer said it was his punishment for arriving late to a meeting Friday.

"He needs to be where he's supposed to be," Fulmer said. "It's a constant battle."

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EARLY EVALUATIONS: Fulmer said junior center Josh McNeil, a third-year starter and one of several veterans on Tennessee's offensive line, has played only "OK" so far this season.

"I don't think Josh has played as well as he's capable," Fulmer said.

Senior linebacker Nevin McKenzie, who made his first career start at strongside linebacker Saturday in place of senior Adam Myers-White, "did fine," Fulmer said.

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INJURY REPORT: Wide receiver Lucas Taylor and linebacker Ellix Wilson, both of whom missed Saturday's game because of shoulder injuries, should be back in the starting lineup against the Bulldogs, Fulmer said.