Editor's note: For more coverage and pictures of the game, check out the in-game updates from Saturday's contest.

Tennessee defeated Southern Miss 39-19 to notch their first win of the season in the Vols home opener.  The Vols sputtered out of the gate and led 17-16 at the half before the defense stiffened in the second half.

 “I’m really glad to get the win," Tennessee head coach Philip Fulmer said. "We knew coming in that Southern Mississippi was a tough football team. They’ll have a great season."

For the second consecutive week, Tennessee struggled to tackle and had problems containing players in the open field. It didn't take long for Tennessee's tackling and assignment woes to emerge in the game.

On their opening drive, Southern Miss quarterback Jeremy Young led a balanced attack down to Tennessee's 12-yard line, but Tennessee forced a 30-yard field goal attempt that put Southern Miss up 3-0. 

Tennessee was able to quickly counter as quarterback Erik Ainge hit Lucas Taylor for 15 and 27 yards.  Austin Rogers completed the drive with a 26-yard touchdown reception.  Rogers, along with Taylor, were Ainge's preferred targets throughout the game.

“I have to credit Austin (Rogers), Lucas (Taylor) and Josh (Briscoe)," Ainge said. "They are all playing well. The potential has always been there, so we aren’t shocked that they’re where they’re supposed to be every time."

Tennessee's Marsalous Johnson gave up the big play that Tennessee has focused on containing as Southern Mississippi's Chris Johnson streaked down the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown reception.

That would prove to be the highlight of Southern Mississippi's offensive day.

Tennessee was able to hold Southern Mississippi to field goals for the on their remaining drives of the game, despite Southern Mississippi driving into Tennessee territory repeatedly.

With 6:39 left in the half, Tennessee failed to convert 4^th and 2 from USM's 36 yard line.  The turnover on downs led to a 40-yard field goal by Southern Miss.

At the 1:51 mark in the half, Fulmer again elected to try to convert 4^th down from USM's 32 yard line.  This time, Ainge completed a pass to Austin Rogers for 24 yards, and a five-yard touchdown pass to Josh Briscoe to take the lead 17-16.

The Vols faired much better in the second half as they outscored Southern Miss. 22-3 after the break thanks to improved defense and effective running.  The Vols rushed for 151 yards in the second half after rushing for just 42 yards in the first half, finishing the game with 193.

Tennessee's Jerod Mayo was able to force a fumble and Tennessee increased their lead to 27-16 with 8:13 left in the 3^rd quarter.  The clincher came when Tennessee turned their excellent field position from a botched onside kick attempt into seven points on a one-yard Arian Foster touchdown run. Foster's second touchdown of the game put the Vols up 34-19.

After kicking a 47-yard field goal, Tennessee got its final points of the game on a safety at the 5:22 mark.

Ainge finished the day 23-for-36 with 276 yards and two touchdowns, while Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor each had big days with 112 and 118 yards, respectively.

“It was great to see (Arian) Foster get 100-plus yards," Fulmer said. "We had two receivers get 100 yards; that’s fun. Erik Ainge is a heck of a football player. He understands, he sees and he throws. It was a good effort by him.”

Colquitt was listed as day-to-day going into the game, and did not play today.  Chad Cunningham handled punting duties and averaged 40.7 yards per punt in the game.

Antonio Gaines went down in the first half with an apparent knee injury that will be evaluated later.

No. 24 Tennessee (1-1) moves on to face No. 4 Florida (2-0) on Saturday in Gainesville, kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.