^{Fourth Quarter}

Final - Tennessee 56, Memphis 28. The game wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated, Tennessee simply took its foot off the gas. Nevertheless, Memphis' running game gashed Tennessee's second and third string defense in the second half, and Lane Kiffin wasn't happy about it.

9:50 - The talent gap between Tennessee's first team and second team defense is quite apparent. The Memphis offense, which was limited to 104 offensive yards and one TD in the first half, has scored three touchdowns and netted 212 yards of offense with around 8 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.

Third Quarter

9:41 - Nick Stephens hits Denarius Moore for a touchdown. 56-21 Tennessee. Stephens made several really nice throws during the drive.

9:37 - Still a lot of time left in this one, and Memphis has made the score 49-21 against the 2^nd and 3^rd string Tennessee defense.

9:07 - WR Denarius Moore makes a bobbling catch for a touchdown to make it 49-7 Tennessee. Jonathan Crompton now has 331-yards passing and 5 TDs, both career records.

Just an observation, but Lane Kiffin changes clothes during Tennessee games like I breath air. Kiffin coached the first half in an orange jacket and white shirt. After the half, he came out a black long sleeved pullover. I am curious to know why.

Halftime

It's Homecoming Time in Tennessee. The Pride of the Southland Band is being accompanied by the Pride of the Southland Alumni Band. It's good to see that the Pride alumni, some of which who have been removed from the band for decades, can still march a mean Circle Drill. Also good to see Bobby Osborne, the man whose recording of Rocky Top made it famous, has still got it.

Second Quarter

8:33 - Lane Kiffin really, really wants to beat Memphis. Tennessee put together a nice drive and Crompton sneaks it in for the touchdown in the waning seconds of the 2^nd Quarter to widen the UT lead to 42-7.

8:17 -  Nu'Keese Richardson should be a happy camper now. The freshman, who was reportedly unhappy about lack of playing time, has two catches, including one for a touchdown to put Tennessee up 35-0.

8:10 - Eric Berry gets his 14^th career interception. He returned the pick 7 yards to move closer towards the NCAA record for interception return yardage. Berry needs 7 more yards to get the record.

8:07 - Special teams continue to cause problems for Tennessee. Dennis Rogan muffs a punt to give Memphis great field position.

7:56 - Shane Reveiz forces Memphis returner Chris Hobbs to fumble and Tauren Poole recovers. Tennessee ball at the Memphis 21. Tennessee is asserting its will on Memphis. These guys are having fun playing football.

7:52 - Crompton completes a 37-yard pass to Gerald Jones in double coverage. On the next play, Crompton hit TE Luke Stocker on for a 27-yard touchdown. Crompton has 165 passing yards this quarter. Tennessee - 21, Memphis - 0.

First Quarter

7:37 - Quentin Hancock took a shot right to the jaw on a 7-yard catch. The trouble is that Hancock broke his jaw earlier in the season and had it wired shut for the game. Hancock was in obvious pain as he left the field.

7:22 - Crompton to Jones for a 17-yard touchdown pass. The Jonathan Crompton that has been playing since the 4^th Quarter against Auburn has been outstanding. Crompton's field vision has improved immensely. Tennessee - 14, Memphis - 0.

7:08 - On the strength of a 69-yard kickoff return by David Oku, Bryce Brown pounds into the end zone to take the early lead. During the drive, RB Montario Hardesty attempted his first throw of the year, which was badly off-target. On the next play however, he busted through the Memphis defense with a 14 yard run to set up Tennessee in the red zone. Tennessee - 7, Memphis - 0.

Pregame

A sun-kissed day has turned into an absolutely perfect night for football at Neyland Stadium.

Temperatures are hovering in the mid-50s and there is a noticeable breeze. The forecast calls for temps to fall into the mid-40s by games end.

Just a few observations from the press box:

No Black Jerseys Tonight

Tennessee fans don't have to worry about any uniform shenanigans this week. The Vols are warming up in their tradition orange and white home jerseys.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton was adamant that the black jerseys the Vols wore last week against South Carolina were a one-time deal despite evidence that most Vol fans liked the uniforms.

Tall Tigers

Memphis' receivers are enormous even from all the way up in the press box.

Senior Carlos Singleton is a lanky 6'9, and Duke Calhoun is 6'4. The challenge for Tennessee doesn't stop there, as Both tight ends DajLeon Farr and Devin Onarheim measure at 6'6 and 6'8 respectively.

Sporadic Blue

Less than 30 minutes to kickoff and it's pretty obvious that not a lot of Memphis fans made the trip across the state.

The top rim of the south endzone where most of the opposing fans usually sit is almost completely bald. Aside from the Memphis band, there's not a whole lot of blue in Neyland tonight.

Overall attendance looks to be in the 80-85,000 range.

Going Bowling

Bowl representatives from the Peach Bowl... er, Chick-fil-A Bowl are taking a look at Tennessee this evening.

Living Legends Honored

Former Vols Bubba Miller (OL) and Ricky Townsend (K) were honored during pregame as the Tennessee Legends of the Game.