MIKE PETERSON (LB, 6-1, 210, SO)

Listed first on the depth chart at strongside linebacker before suffering a knee injury on August 14, which sidelined him for the first two games...Returned to action in week three vs. Tennessee and has registered 40 tackles this season with 7.5 "Big Plays" (3.5 TTFL, three FH and one PD)...Returned to top spot at SLB with Kearse's hand injury vs. Auburn...Seven tackles vs. Kentucky...Seven tackles and two TBL (-6) vs. Arkansas and received a game ball...Four tackles, .5 QB sack and one PD vs. LSU...Three tackles and one TBL (-3) vs. Auburn...10 tackles in first start of the year versus Georgia...Two tackles and two FH vs. Vanderbilt...Seven tackles and one FH vs. USC, in addition to picking up a blocked punt by Terry Jackson and returning it nine yards for a TD...Was the top backup to Ben Hanks at the nickelbacker post last year as a redshirt freshman...Played in 12 games and posted 29 total tackles, second best on the squad for a nicklebacker...Also a special teams standout with 19 tackles...Named to '95 All-SEC Freshman Team.