Lincoln, Cunningham keep kicking jobs

KNOXVILLE — Daniel Lincoln said he and Chad Cunningham “have been through as much as any punter and kicker in the nation the last few years.”

“But we believe in ourselves,” Lincoln added. “We don’t care what anyone outside (the program) thinks or says. We’re just focused on preparing and working hard every day.”

Now the two University of Tennessee seniors will get a chance to make others believe.

Coach Derek Dooley said after Tuesday’s practice that Lincoln and Cunningham will start the season as UT’s top kicker and punter, with highly touted freshman Michael Palardy backing up each spot. Palardy and Cunningham will continue competing for the kickoff specialist job.

Dooley said he’d have “no reservations” playing Palardy if Lincoln or Cunningham struggles.

“Palardy’s kind of in the fight for all three of them,” Dooley said. “Palardy’s ready to go.”

Dooley said Matt Darr, who arrived in Knoxville as one of the nation’s top punting prospects, can use the time being to “polish up his technique.”

“He’s probably a little behind technique-wise, but not talent-wise, than Palardy and the other guys,” Dooley said.

The Vols will have a gameday dress rehearsal today — complete with a Vol Walk, in-game substitution patterns and everything else — before starting UT-Martin preparations Thursday. The team will be off this weekend and report back Sunday night.

Jackson qualifies

Dooley got word on one of his three remaining academically in-limbo signees Tuesday. Freshman linebacker Martaze Jackson from Alabama qualified, so now he needs only NCAA Clearinghouse approval to step on the practice field.

The Vols still await word on the four-star duo of safety Eddrick Loften and wide receiver Justin Hunter, who much to Dooley’s surprise (and frustration) was pulled off the practice field last week because of a clearinghouse red flag.

“Loften, we should know something tomorrow,” Dooley said. “And Justin Hunter, for the life of me, I can’t understand why we haven’t gotten an answer. It’s really disappointing, because he keeps missing practice.”

Dooley said UT would get Jackson in town and enrolled as soon as possible. Friday is the deadline to enroll for the fall semester, so Loften will have to wait until at least January if the NCAA doesn’t rule by then.

Other contacts for Wes Rucker are www.twitter.com/wesrucker and www.facebook.com/tfpvolsbeat