Knoxville, TN (Sports Network) - Jonathan Crompton threw five touchdowns and
added another on the ground, as the Tennessee Volunteers rolled over the
Memphis Tigers, 56-28, in a non-conference clash at Neyland Stadium.
Crompton finished the game 21-of-27 for a career-high 331 yards, as the Vols
(5-4) improved to 21-1 all-time against Memphis. Denarius Moore hauled in
seven balls for 76 yards and two scores, while Gerald Jones had four
receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown in the winning effort.
Curtis Steele led the way for Memphis (2-7), as he rushed for 144 yards and a
pair of touchdowns on 21 carries. Quarterback Will Hudgens threw for 194 yards
and a pick and had a rushing touchdown, as the Tigers suffered their third
loss in a row.
The Vols opened the game with 35 straight points, including 14 in the first
quarter. Bryce Brown started the scoring just minutes into the game with a
one-yard touchdown run, and a few minutes later Jones hauled in a 17-yard
touchdown pass from Crompton.
Tennessee's run continued into the second quarter, as Luke Stocker reeled in a
23-yard touchdown strike from Compton four minutes into the period. A few
minutes later, Quintin Hancock grabbed a four-yard touchdown pass from
Crompton, who than hit Nu'Keese Richardson from 14 yards out late in the
second quarter.
With 58 seconds left in the opening half, Memphis finally got on the board
courtesy of a 36-yard touchdown run by Marcus Hightower.
The Vols, however, would strike one more time before the intermission, as
Crompton plunged one yard for a score with four seconds left, giving his team
a 42-7 advantage at the break.
Less than three minutes into the second half, Moore snared a 16-yard touchdown
pass from Crompton to extend the Vols' lead to 49-7.
Steele than posted back-to-back touchdown runs of a one and three yards,
respectively, for the Tigers.
Moore struck again, however, grabbing a 14-yard touchdown pass from Nick
Stephens late in the third quarter.
Memphis score the lone points of the fourth quarter on a one-yard plunge by
Hudgens early in the period.
The Vols ran up 566 yards of total offense in game, with 429 of those yards
coming through the air.
