Sports - Colleges - Ole Miss

Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Vols RB Tauren Poole upset about lack of plays

Tennessee faces Ole Miss Saturday

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin sent running back Tauren Poole to the locker room during Saturday’s game against Memphis because of what he said was an issue on the sideline.

The sophomore participated in Sunday’s brief practice and will be available to play Saturday when the Volunteers (5-4, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) travel to Ole Miss (6-3, 2-3).

“I didn’t like the way that he handled that issue,” Kiffin said. “I met with him (Sunday), and we’re moving on.”

Poole recorded no yards in Tennessee’s 56-28 win over the Tigers but recovered a fumble on special teams. He’s listed behind senior Montario Hardesty and freshmen Bryce Brown and David Oku on the Vols’ depth chart.

“I don’t expect kids to agree with our decisions on playing time,” Kiffin said. “I expect them to think that they’re the best guy at their position. But they need to respect those decisions and not let their feelings show, and just keep practicing hard and playing hard when they get the opportunity.”

Kiffin also suspended safety Janzen Jackson against Memphis for an administrative issue, one week after he was named SEC freshman player of the week. Jackson will return against Ole Miss.

The Vols came out of Saturday’s game healthy, Kiffin said. Most starters left early in the second half after grabbing a 42-7 halftime lead.

“We probably took guys out maybe a little bit earlier than we normally would just because of the stretch run coming up and the game being in hand so early, so it was good,” he said. “We’re pretty fresh going into a big game versus a very talented team.”

Kiffin said he still was bothered a day later that the Vols gave up 21 second-half points against Memphis.

“We have a lot of pride in playing in our stadium in front of our fans, so no matter who’s in there, we never want to play the way we did in the fourth quarter,” he said.