Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin
First back-to-back SEC wins since 2010
and the Tennessee defense dominated in a win over Kentucky and the Vols moved within one win of bowl eligibility.
TENNESSEE 50, KENTUCKY 16
KNOXVILLE — One down, one to go.
On a chilly Saturday, Tennessee moved within one win of its first bowl trip in four years.
The Vols turned to a reliable opponent to get back to .500 on the season, beating Kentucky for the 29th time in 30 years.
If the outcome wasn’t surprising, the margin was — 50-16, Tennessee’s biggest SEC spread in four years.
Joshua Dobbs’ second consecutive start at quarterback produced a second consecutive SEC win for the first time since 2010.
UT has scored 95 points in Dobbs’ two starts.
He threw for three scores and ran for one as the Vols improved to 5-5, 2- 4 SEC before a soldout Neyland Stadium crowd of 102,455.
“That’s one of our better performances,” said coach Butch Jones, relieved that a bye week didn’t sap the momentum the Vols built in a 45- 42 overtime win at South Carolina on Nov. 1.
“Belief is a powerful thing,” Jones said. “Confidence is a powerful thing.
“We’ve got to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves. It’s victory No. 5 and that’s it.”
As for that all-important victory No. 6, which has been elusive since 2010, Tennessee has two chances.
Missouri visits next Saturday night, then the Vols close the regular season at Vanderbilt on Nov. 29.
“It’s huge getting that fifth win,” Dobbs said. “We’re one win away and we know that.”
Tell Kentucky about it. The Wildcats are 5- 6, 2- 6. A fivegame losing streak has overshadowed a 5-1 start.
Kentucky started with an impressive drive to a 3- 0 lead.
After that, it was all Tennessee. The Vols cranked out 511 yards of offense and limited Kentucky to 262 yards and one touchdown.
The Wildcats struggled to sustain drives, going 3 of 14 on third down. The Vols also intercepted two passes, one returned 23 yards for a touchdown by Brian Randolph.
“Today we corrected a bunch of things,” said Vols cornerback Justin Coleman, who had a second-half interception, his third of the season.
Dobbs accounted for 345 yards, passing for 297 (19 of 27) and rushing for 48.
Three of his passes went for touchdowns, two to Von Pearson (21 and 16 yards) in the first half and a 52-yarder to Jason Croom on the first snap of the third quarter. Dobbs also scored on a 9-yard keeper in the second quarter to make it 30-3.
“When you’re successful,” said Dobbs, “it always gives you more confidence.”
Jalen Hurd rushed for 118 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“Jalen earns every yard he gets,” Jones said.
Aaron Medley kicked field goals of 38, 21 and 39 yards.
Kentucky’s only touchdown was a 2-yard keeper by quarterback Patrick Towles late in the first half. Austin MacGinnis kicked three field goals, one a school-record 54-yarder.
“We ran into a good team tonight,” said Towles, who was sacked five times and briefly knocked out of the game in the first half.
UT rushed for 214 yards. Dobbs was sacked only once. All in all, it was a good night for the offensive line.
But it might have come at a price. Center Mack Crowder was helped off the field in the third quarter, not putting weight on his left leg.
Jones pulled the starters for the entire fourth quarter, a welcome development before playing SEC East leader Missouri.
“Tomorrow we’ve got to lock in and get ready for Missouri,” Dobbs said. “Getting that sixth win would mean the world.”