LITTLE ROCK — TENNESSEE 24, KENTUCKY 14
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tyler Bray threw for 354 yards and two touchdowns as Tennessee (6-6, 3-5 SEC) extended its winning streak over Kentucky (6-6, 2-6) to 26 consecutive games to become bowl eligible with a victory Saturday.
After losing four games in October, the Vols were perfect in their four November games. They also extended the longest active streak in a series between two FBS teams, one that’s survived 10 coaches on the two teams and is older than any player on either team’s roster.
Denarius Moore caught one of Bray’s touchdown passes and had 205 yards receiving to become the only Vols receiver in history to have more than 200 yards receiving in two games in a career. Moore had 228 yards in an Oct. 30 loss to South Carolina.
Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline struggled to connect with his receivers late but finished 31 of 44 for 272 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Randall Cobb had 13 catches for 116 yards but did not score a touchdown for the first game all season. Derrick Locke ran 24 times for 97 yards.
NO. 25 MISSISSIPPI STATE 31, MISSISSIPPI 23
OXFORD, Miss. - Chris Relf threw for a career-high 288 yards and three touchdowns as Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4 SEC) beat Mississippi (4-8, 1-7) in the Egg Bowl.
The Bulldogs dominated for most of the game, with a 498-326 advantage in total yards, but Ole Miss nearly rallied from a 31-9 fourth quarter deficit, scoring two touchdowns to pull within 31-23 with 4:21 remaining.
The Rebels’ comeback ended when Jeremiah Masoli was sacked on fourthand-24 with 59.4 seconds remaining.
MSU’s LaDarius Perkins caught three passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman also rushed for 98 yards on 13 carries.
Masoli led Ole Miss with 261 yards passing, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
Mississippi State won for the first time in Oxford since 1998. The road team has won only twice in the past 12 years of the series.
GEORGIA 42, GEORGIA TECH 34
ATHENS, Ga. - Aaron Murray threw for three touchdowns, Justin Houston returned a fumble 18 yards for a score and Georgia Tech (6-6) missed a tying extra point, giving Georgia (6-6) the victory it needed to be eligible for a bowl.
This one was a comedy of errors that wasn’t very funny for the fans of either team, both finishing disappointing seasons. But Georgia held on to beat its state rival for the second year in a row, benefiting from a rare miscue by one of Georgia Tech’s most reliable players.
The Yellow Jackets were poised to tie the game at 35 after Anthony Allen bulled into the end zone with 4:57 remaining, but Scott Blair yanked the extra point wide left, and Georgia added an uncontested touchdown.
Sports, Pages 33 on 11/28/2010