A long run of futility came to an end for the University of Tennessee football team Saturday as the Volunteers notched a 42-17 victory over Vanderbilt in Nashville.
Tennessee’s victory snapped a six-game losing streak and was the Vols’ first win since defeating Missouri in October.
Tennessee (3-6, 3-6 SEC) used three quarterbacks against the Commodores (0-9, 0-9 SEC).
Freshman Harrison Bailey started under center for the Big Orange and completed his first 14 passes. He did, however, lose a fumble in the red zone, leading to a go-ahead field goal by Vanderbilt’s Pierson Cook that made the score 10-7 early in the second quarter.
Bailey finished 14-for-18 with 207 yards and two touchdowns.
J.T. Shrout also had a pair of scoring strikes, while going 6-for-13 and amassing 90 yards. He also had one interception.
Brian Maurer also played quarterback for the Vols and reeled off a 22-yard run.
Bailey’s 74-yard scoring pass to Velus Jones Jr. was Tennessee’s longest play from scrimmage this season.
Ty Chandler had a 20-yard scamper and Bryce Thompson returned an interception for a Vols’ touchdown.
Jones Jr. was UT’s leading receiver, finishing with seven receptions (including two touchdowns) and amassing 125 yards.
Princeton Fant and Jalin Hyatt also caught touchdowns for the Big Orange, which led 28-10 at halftime.
Vanderbilt freshman quarterback Ken Seals had two touchdowns and Commodores’ kicker Sarah Fuller made history as she became the first woman to score in a Power Five contest. She kicked two extra points.
Tennessee kicker Toby Wilson made his debut and was 5-for-5 kicking PATs.
[vertical-gallery id=32626]