Erik Ainge threw for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead Tennessee to a 27-8 victory over Kentucky on Saturday afternoon at Commonwealth Stadium.
In the season finale for both teams, Ainge put forth his best performance of the year to help the Vols (5-6, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) overcome three turnovers and 10 penalties and extend their win streak over Kentucky (3-8, 2-6) to 21 games.
Ainge?s favorite target was freshman running back Arian Foster, who made five grabs for 44 yards to go along with his 99 yards rushing. Receivers Robert Meachem and Bret Smith made three catches each for 70 and 21 yards, respectively.
The Tennessee defense also made up for many of the mistakes, forcing four UK turnovers and holding the Wildcats to 223 total yards.
Rafael Little paced Kentucky with 43 rushing yards and a career-high 11 receptions for 73 yards. With 176 all-purpose yards, he increased his season total to 1,982, which broke Derek Abney?s school record of 1,922 yards set in 2002. Little?s total is also the sixth most in SEC history.
He ended the year averaging 180.2 all-purpose yards per game, which is the fifth best mark in conference annals.
Tennessee jumped out to a 7-0 lead just 2:10 into the game when Ainge connected with Meachem for a 50-yard touchdown. It was the longest scoring play of the year for the Vols.
Five penalties and a pair of turnovers plagued Tennessee in the first quarter, but Kentucky could not capitalize. After Draak Davis forced and recovered a fumble at the nine yard line, the Wildcats went backwards three yards before settling for a Taylor Begley 31-yard field goal.
Later in the first quarter, B.Jay Parsons sacked Ainge and forced a fumble that was recovered by Trey Mielsch at the UT 30-yard line. This time, UK gained five yards before Begley pulled his 43-yard attempt wide right, which ended his string of nine consecutive makes.
Following the miss, Tennessee marched 74 yards in two minutes for a 14-3 lead. Ainge found Jayson Swain for 23 yards to start the drive before capping it with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hannon.
Kentucky answered with an 11-play, 73-yard drive that resulted 25-yard chip shot from Begley. The three-pointer was the 36th of Begley?s career, moving him into second place in UK history.
Two plays later, the Vols appeared to have their third long TD pass of the game when Ainge hit Foster for a 78-yard score. However, the play was called back for holding during the run. The drive eventually stalled and James Wilhoit split the uprights from 31 yards out with less than a minute remaining in the half, giving the Vols a 17-6 advantage at the break.
Ainge finished the half 14-of-19 for 201 yards and two touchdowns as Tennessee amassed 239 first half yards to UK?s 116.
Kentucky opened the second half strong, driving to the Tennessee 9-yard line. However, quarterback Curtis Pulley had the ball knocked loose by Parys Haralson and Tennessee recovered to quell the threat. Pulley had taken over for injured starter Andre? Woodson late in the first quarter.
Following the turnover, the Wildcat defense forced a pair of punts only to see Pulley intercepted by Justin Harrell, who returned the pick seven yards for a score and a 24-6 Volunteer lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Little scampered 28 yards to break Abney?s record.
Pulley finished the day 23-of-33 for 155 yards and three interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Woodson was 4-of-8 for 22 yards in three series.
Wilhoit nailed a field goal and Kentucky recorded a safety in a sloppy fourth quarter that featured a three fumbles ? one lost ? and a pair of interceptions.
Saturday?s contest was the last for 25 Kentucky seniors.
