Pre-game: After four games of inconsistency, Jonathan Crompton will step aside and Nick Stephens, a redshirt sophomore from Flower Mound, Texas, will get the start as the Tennessee Volunteers (1-3) face off against the Northern Illinois Huskies (2-2). 

Stephens' first start will come against an inferior Northern Illinois squad, but the expectations are still high.  Tennessee's offense has been anything but explosive and has struggled with the basic fundamentals of the game. 

All eyes will be on Stephens as he hopes to start a new era in Tennessee football.  A big game today could boost his confidence and the young quarterback may never walk the sidelines again.  It's a great opportunity for Stephens; we'll see if he takes advantage.

It's obvious tonight that Tennessee is looking for change.  At 1-3 they need a big win to rejuvenate the team.  If the offense can get rolling with Stephens, maybe the Vols can finish strong and save the season from being a disaster.

This is the first meeting between Tennessee and Northern Illinois.

1st Quarter 10:45 : Quarterback Dan Nicholson led the Huskies down the field hitting multiple receivers.  Nicholson found open receivers with ease, settling to pick up 6 or 8 yards at a time.  The Tennessee defense finally tightened up, forcing a Huskie field goal attempt.  Mike Salerno's 46-yard kick was wide right and the Vols will take over at their own 29.

1st Quarter 7:45 :  Nick Stephens looked strong in his opening drive.  Stephens connected with Gerald Jones on a 7-yard gain to get his first completion on his first attempt.  Faced with a third-and-ten, Stephens hit Josh Briscoe across the middle for a gain of 13 and a first down.  However on the following third down play, Briscoe fumbled after picking up the first down.  The Huskies recovered and took over on the Volunteer 48.

1st Quarter 2:53 : After allowing the Huskies to march to the 11-yard line, the Tennessee defense stiffened and forced another field goal.  Eric Berry and Rico McCoy both had tackles for losses.  Salerno connected on a 25-yard kick giving Northern Illinois a 3-0 lead. 
With the first quarter winding down Northern Illinois looks like they can compete with Tennessee.

2nd Quarter 8:47 : Berry intercepted a Nicholson pass and returned it 48 yards to the Northern Illinois 16-yard line.  Berry's big play is clearly Tennessee's best play of the day and is an immediate game changer. Tennessee must take advantage.

2nd Quarter 6:50 : Tennessee's offense only gained 3 yards after Berry's return.  A penalty erased a first down and forced a third-and-long situation.  The penalty was Tennessee's fifth of the game.  Daniel Lincoln made a 36-yard field goal to tie the game as the Volunteer offense continues to struggle putting points on the board.

Halftime: The Vols are locked up with the Huskies 3-3 at the half.  Instead of manhandling the inferior Huskie squad, Tennessee has been locked in a battle for field position the entire first half.  Tennessee, an SEC power, has been held to 80 total yards of offense against an average team from the MAC.

Stephens has looked solid, but isn't getting much help from his receivers. Key drops and Briscoe's fumble continue to show the offense's inability to move the football with any consistency.  Stephens is 7-11 for 51 yards.

The defense continues to be the strong point of the team.  The offense has given Northern Illinois some short fields, but the defense has forced the Huskies to settle for field goals. Berry's interception is the best play of the first half.

In the second half, the offense has to get going.  The Vols have been sure to build Stephens' confidence by running several quick routes and short passes.  It might be time to take some shots down field and see what this kid can do.

3rd Quarter 12:37 : With a man in his face, Stephens connected with Gerald Jones for a 43-yard completion.  The pass put the Vols on the Huskie 21 yard line, but they were unable to finish the drive with a touchdown.  The Huskies continue to whip the Vols up front, holding the Vols rushing attack in check.  Lincoln connects on a 34-yard field goal to give the Vols a 6-3 lead.

3rd Quarter 9:49 : Stephens found Denarius Moore streaking down field for a 52-yard touchdown pass.  It was the longest play from scrimmage for the Vols this year.  The touchdown was the first for both Stephens and Moore in their careers.  The Vols lead 13-3.

3rd Quarter 1:31: Following a Huskie field goal, Stephens was sacked and fumbled the ball giving the Huskies the ball on the Tennessee 9-yard line.  However, the Huskies' offense was unable to punch it in for a touchdown.  The Vol defense has done an outstanding job of holding the Huskies to field goal attempts.  Salerno's 25-yard kick makes the score 13-9 in the Vols favor.

4th Quarter 6:15: The Vols ran over five minutes off the clock, but were unable to put any points on the board. Lincoln's 32-yard kick was wide left.  Northern Illinois still has plenty of time to come from behind.

End of Game: The Volunteers were finally able to escape with a 13-9 victory over Northern Illinois.  While Stephens looked impressive at times, it is obvious that the Vols still have a long way to go on offense.  13 points against Northern Illinois isn't good enough, and the Vols didn't have one solid drive all night.
The defense continues to dominate.  It's scary to imagine where this team would be, if it were not for the great play of the defense.