KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – No. 7 Tennessee will look to keep things going this Saturday night when it hosts Mississippi State in what will be the final home conference game of the season.

The Vols will look to close out their four-game unbeaten home streak before hitting the road next Saturday night to take on Georgia next Saturday in Athens.

This week’s game is Tennessee’s 100th Homecoming game of all time.

The Vols are 76-20-3 in Homecoming games and 2-1 under head coach Josh Heupel with blowout wins over UConn (59-3) and UT Martin (65-24) in each of the last two seasons.

Neyland Stadium is also sold out for its 19th straight game on Saturday. UT has ranked in the top five nationally in attendance in each of the last two seasons.

Dylan Sampson’s remarkable season continues. After finding the end zone twice during last weekend’s 28-18 win over Kentucky, UT’s leading rusher set the Tennessee record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 19, breaking Gene’s 1929 record. McEver that stood for almost a century.

The junior running back’s 19 rushing scores lead the SEC and rank second in the country behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (20).

The Vols and Bulldogs are meeting for the 47th time, however, this is only the third contest between the two programs in the last 15 years.

1ST QUARTER

Miss. State took the opening kickoff and was immediately blocked by the Vol defense going three-and-out.

After a brief 24-yard punt, Tennessee had great field position, but the drive stalled at the Bulldogs 31. On 4th-and-3, Josh Heupel called a timeout. He decided to go for it and on the play QB Nico Iamaleava would keep him and get the first down thanks to a big push, but he also got a big pull from Lance Heard and that’s illegal.

The penalty moves UT back to the 34 and on 4th and 6 Nico goes up and makes a nice pass to Squirrel White in the end zone. The Vols finally got off to that fast start and took a first half lead to State 7-0 with 11:44 left in the first quarter. It’s White’s first touchdown reception this season and Nico’s 10th touchdown pass.

On State’s second possession, the Dogs would get a first down, but that was it as the Vols held on and forced another punt. The 49-yard kick would be returned 29 yards by true freshman Boo Carter, giving UT great field position once again.

It’s a Boo Carter night. A 29-yard punt return and then an interception after a Dylan Sampson fumble (third straight game) But Tennessee is stopped on fourth-and-goal at MSU (1). The dogs take care of the descents. Still 7-0.

2ND QUARTER

Vols start the second quarter on defense and force another Bulldog punt.

Tennessee would find money on their first possession of the quarter when Nico goes deep and finds Dont’e Thornton, who had beaten his man, for a 73-yard TD. PAT was good to give UT a 14-0 lead. Thornton leads the nation in yards per catch, this one will certainly help him maintain that lead!

Miss. State finishes a play of 19 and 75 yards. drive the conversion twice on 4th down, including 4th-and-goal at the 1 as Davon Booth drives in to score. 14-7 Vols with less than 5 minutes left in the 1st half at Neyland.

Dylan Sampson on the field and in obvious pain as the Vols try to add a score at the end of the half. D-Samp gets up and leaves alone. Great sign!

Vols couldn’t convert on 3rd and 4 and settled for a 24-yard maximum Gilbert FG. It’s great to see how the youngster is doing after missing three last week. 17-7 volumes with: 46 remaining in the middle.

Tennessee’s defense forces State into another 3-n-out. Boo Carter comes up with another great punt return. This covers 23 yards and then Nico connects with White for a nice gain. That sets up a 38-yard Gilbert FG attempt, which is true. Vols take a 20-7 lead into halftime.

3RD QUARTER

GREAT NEWS FROM THE FIELD! Nico will be out for the rest of the game with an upper body injury. Sampson is questionable to return with a lower-body injury. Gaston Moore now as UT QB!

Vols defense steps up when Jayson Jenkins strips the ball from QB Van Buren. It has been recovered by Tennessee.

Then more good news as Dylan Sampson returns to the game. A pair of stat pass interference calls get the Vols close enough for 51 yards. Gilbert FG, his third of the night! The Vols extend the lead to 23-7 with 7:59 left in the third quarter.

Miss State would prepare another good trip and this time she would finish the job. A 43-yard Davon Booth run sets up an 18-yard Johnnie Daniels touchdown run as the Bulldogs pull within 23-14 in the third quarter.

The Vols respond when they really needed it by relying on their running game and RB Dylan Sampson, who receives it from 33 yards. His 20th TD of the season gives UT a 16-point lead, 30-14.

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