August 31, 2008

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Tennessee had a rocky stop in California last year. The Volunteers hope for a smoother visit this time.

Humbled 45-31 by California in the 2007 opener at Berkeley, No. 18 Tennessee kicks off on the West Coast again, facing coach Rick Neuheisel's new-look UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on Monday night.

Neuheisel, the former UCLA quarterback who returned to Westwood last December to replace the fired Karl Dorrell, knows the Bruins face a big test against the Vols, last year's SEC East Division champions. The Bruins slogged through a 6-7 season.

Both teams have new offensive coordinators and new quarterbacks. Dave Clawson joined Phil Fulmer's Tennessee staff, and Neuheisel brought in Norm Chow to oversee the Bruins' offense.