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Seniors facing emotional day, Vandy

On TV

Vanderbilt at Tennessee

7 p.m., ESPNU

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VolQuest: Football Vols to deal with emotions, injuries and Vandy

By John Brice
www.volquest.com
Originally published: November 20. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: November 19. 2009 11:16PM

KNOXVILLE -- Jim Chaney has seen his share of senior days at places like Purdue, Wyoming and beyond during his distinguished coaching career.

Tennessee's offensive coordinator doesn't believe there's a magic formula for managing the emotions of a player's last home game -- only that college football players earn that moment across four or five years of extremely hard work.

When Tennessee (5-5) hosts Vanderbilt (2-9) Saturday night at 7 (ESPNU) in its home finale, roughly 20 UT seniors will make their final appearances inside Neyland Stadium.

"I don't think so. I don't know that you can. When the kids have committed as much as they have to the cause for as long as those guys have, it's hard not to be emotional as you run through that 'T,'" Chaney said following the Vols' Thursday practice.

"These guys have done a lot, seen a lot. They pay a big price, college football players do. It should be an emotional experience you remember the rest of your lives. Hopefully we can make it a very good one for them."

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HEALTH REPORT: While neither LaMarcus Thompson nor Dennis Rogan practiced at all on Thursday, Rico McCoy was limited and Darren Myles Jr. has progressed. Coach Lane Kiffin said Myles should be available and the others would be game-time decisions, though it's expected both McCoy and Rogan will attempt to play.

If Rogan, who has emerged as the Vols' best cover corner, cannot go, the secondary will be adjusted and walk-on Tyler Wolf would start.

"He could start (Wolf) if some of these DBs don't come back," Kiffin said. "Obviously Dennis being the main one. Even if Dennis is there, we shuffle people around and he'd play the nickel. So Tyler will probably play a lot Saturday night."