KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Now that he has won the right to open the season as Tennessee's starting tailback, Rajion Neal will try to help balance an offense that relied too heavily on its passing game last season.
Neal's steady performance throughout the preseason gives the Volunteers hope they can upgrade a rushing attack that averaged 2.8 yards per carry a year ago. The indefinite suspension of wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers could hamper Tennessee's passing attack early in the season and makes it particularly essential that that the Vols run more effectively.
Neal, a junior from Fayetteville, Ga., believes he can improve Tennessee's rushing totals now that he has solved the fumbling problems that haunted him earlier in his career. Tennessee begins its season Aug. 31 against North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome.
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