KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Consider it the equivalent of leaving a Ferrari in the garage.
Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson established himself as one of the nation's most electrifying performers as soon as the Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College transfer scored on a 41-yard reception and a 67-yard run against North Carolina State in his Division I debut. But until last week, Patterson was an extraordinary player with relatively ordinary receiving statistics.
That's no longer the case. Patterson caught nine passes for 219 yards and a touchdown last week in a 55-48 victory over Troy. He had a total of 10 catches in the five games leading up to that one. Tennessee coach Derek Dooley said Patterson's increased production last week resulted from improved practice habits.
Patterson will try to deliver a repeat performance Saturday against Missouri.
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