Tennessee tailback expects big year

Injuries waylaid Hardesty in 2007 By BRYAN MULLEN • Staff Writer • August 6, 2008 KNOXVILLE — Montario Hardesty knows a few things. He knows this finally could be his breakout year. He knows his role on the Tennessee football team is bigger than it's ever been. And he knows what everyone is asking: Can the running back finally exterminate the injury bug? "I know it's going to be talked about," Hardesty said. "I know I have to have a healthy year. That's why I don't even try to think about it. I'm just trying to go out there and do what I have to do." The junior is the hardest runner on the team, but it's led to some hard times. He has been plagued by injuries since stepping on the UT campus. First it was an ACL injury during his freshman season. This past year, he missed three games — including the SEC Championship — with an... [read full story]