Morris scores on 66-yard run as Vols lead Kentucky 7-0

Tennessee leads Kentucky 7-0 following a 66-yard touchdown run by sophomore Daune Morris late in the first quarter.

The Volunteers face the Wildcats at Neyland Stadium in the annual Border Battle. Tennessee enters the contest with a 6-2 record. A win keeps the team’s College Football Playoff hopes alive. Head coach Josh Heupel is 5-0 against Kentucky as the Vols’ head coach.

Tennessee wears its new adidas “Dark Mode” uniforms for its first SEC night game this season. It is the eighth time in program history the team wears black jerseys. It is the fifth time the Vols wear black helmets, which debuted during the 2022 victory over Kentucky. Tennessee holds a 5-2 all-time record when wearing black jerseys. That record includes two wins against Kentucky in 2022 and 2024.

The Vols seek a bounce back after losing to South Carolina on a field goal as time expired two weeks ago. They used the open week to prepare. Under Heupel, the team has lost back-to-back games only four times in nine seasons. Linebackers coach William Inge returned to campus before the game. He spent recent weeks in the hospital treating a serious illness.

Tennessee quarterback George Macintyre led the first possession from the Vols’ own 11-yard line. Running back Desean Bishop gained a first down on a handoff from Faizon Brandon. Bishop is 43 yards short of becoming the second Tennessee player to rush for 1,000 yards twice in his career. Kentucky’s Kenny Minchey threw a deep pass that was intercepted by Tennessee’s Dejuan Lane. It is Lane’s fourth interception of the season and the second thrown by Minchey. Jackson Ross punted 44 yards, pinning Kentucky at its own 19-yard line. Kentucky took its first timeout on third and 14, then punted after a draw play left them facing fourth and 4.

Tennessee began its next possession at its own 34-yard line. Morris took the handoff on first down and outraced the Kentucky defense for the touchdown. The extra point made the score 7-0 in the Volunteers’ favor.

The Volunteers close the regular season with a road trip to Texas A&M. They then host LSU and finish at Vandy. The game moves into the second quarter at Neyland Stadium.