The University of Tennessee Volunteers warm up on the field before playing Vanderbilt at the commodores home field Saturday afternoon.NASHVILLE – Joshua Dobbs ran for two touchdowns and 91 yards as Tennessee beat Vanderbilt 24-17 Saturday to become eligible for the Volunteers’ first bowl since 2010.
With the win, the Vols (6-6, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) also snapped a two-game skid to their in-state rival that had been their longest since 1925-26.
Cameron Sutton returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown for Tennessee. The Volunteers also came up with three interceptions and three sacks, two by Curt Maggitt.
The Commodores (3-8, 0-8) at least avoided losing an eighth league game by double digits to wrap up coach Derek Mason’s first season a year after going 9-4. Torren McGaster had two interceptions, and the Commodores sacked Dobbs three times.
Tennessee outgained Vanderbilt 83-12 in offense through the first quarter, then lost freshman running back Jalen Hurd to an upper-body injury. The Commodores finished with a 272-262 edge in total offense.