Vols Use Fourth-Quarter Comeback to Capture SEC Crown

ATLANTA - Tennessee overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Mississippi State, 24-14, in the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome.

With three undefeated teams entering play that day, the Vols were the only one to survive, following Kansas State's loss to Texas A&M and Miami (Fla.) besting UCLA.

Trailing 14-10 with 8:43 to go in the game, Tee Martin hit Peerless Price for a 41-yard scoring strike.

After the ensuing kickoff, UT's Corey Terry forced Bulldogs quarterback Wayne Madkin to fumble, and Eric Westmoreland recovered at the MSU 26.

Martin immediately took to the air, finding a wide-open Cedrick Wilson for the 26-yard touchdown toss to seal the win.

The Vol defense held MSU to 149 yards of total offense (65 rushing, 84 passing) and did not allow a score for the second straight game. Terry finished with four tackles and a sack to go with the caused fumble. Billy Ratliff had the other Tennessee sack.

Al Wilson and Deon Grant each had interceptions.

Game Notes:

Peerless Price was named the game's MVP.
The two times the Vols have played in the SEC Championship Game have produced the Dome's two largest crowds. The record is 74,896 set in 1997.
The Vols set SEC Championship Game records for time of possession (36:06), total offensive plays (81) and yards rushing (151).
Tennessee's defense tied an SEC Championship Game record for fewest first downs allowed with nine.
Deon Grant's interception was his fifth of the season to lead the Vols' secondary.
With the Bulldogs rushing for only 65 yards, it marked the eighth time this season that the Vols' defense held an opponent to fewer than 100 yards.
The win gave Tennessee 13 SEC titles, trailing only Alabama.
The 12 wins marks the first time a Tennessee football team has ever won 12 games in a season.
Rankings (AP/ESPN): Tennessee 1/2, Mississippi State 23/22

University of Tennessee Athletics

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