Manning’s Knee Improving

Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, recovering from a knee injury, took the majority of snaps in practice and said he expects to play in the Orange Bowl against Nebraska.

Manning’s right knee remained sore and stiff, but he said it was continuing to improve.

“I feel like it will improve hopefully throughout the week and I can gain more confidence in it as it loosens up a little bit more,” Manning said before Sunday’s workout. “On Saturday, it felt better than I thought it would going out there for the first time in cleats and planting on it and sprinting out a little bit. I was pleased with my progress.”

Nick Aliotti, an assistant with the St. Louis Rams for three seasons, was named defensive coordinator at UCLA. Aliotti, 43, spent seven seasons as an assistant at University of Oregon before becoming an assistant with the Rams. He also was an assistant at UC Davis, Oregon State and Chico State.