KNOXVILLE — Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty will start against Vanderbilt on Saturday, coach Phillip Fulmer said after practice Thursday.

Senior Arian Foster returned to practice Thursday after missing UT's homecoming loss to Wyoming two weeks ago and the last five practices with a thigh bruise. Fulmer said he expects Foster to play against Vanderbilt.

"It looks like Arian's well enough to anticipate playing. That was good to get him back here. Just to see his presence, and, as I've said, he's been a tough guy since his time at Tennessee, and this has been one of the slower things to get him to return from. It was good to see him get to work.

"In another day I think he'll be ready to go."

Foster needs 227 yards in his last two games as a Vol to break the school's career rushing record of 3,078 yards held by Travis Henry.

Oft-injured Hardesty also was sidelined against Wyoming with a stress fracture in his leg, but he said Wednesday that he was ready to play.

The 6-foot, 210-pound junior is the team's second best rusher with 211 yards on the ground this season for an average 23.4 per game. He leads the team with five touchdowns.

CARRY-OVER EFFECT?

Fulmer praised the work of the offense in Thursday's offense. Now, he said, they just need to play that way against Vanderbilt.

"We're probably the sharpest we've been offensively this year," Fulmer said. "Dang, I just hope it carries over into the ball game and we play that way."

PRACTICE REPORT

First-year offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said UT's bye week rejuvenated the team for its last two games of the season.

"I think guys were rested. There's a definition to the season. We know this group is only going to be together for two more games, so you kind of enjoy it while you have it."

COLEMAN UPDATE

Clawson didn't offer any details about when former McCallie quarterback B.J. Coleman will enter Saturday's game. Coleman moved up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart this week of practice.

"He's done a good job," Clawson said. "We'll see what happens. We'd love a chance to get him into the game."

E-mail Will Woodbery at sports@timesfreepress.com

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