The Cleveland Daily Banner | Page 17

www.clevelandbanner.com Cleveland Daily Banner—Sunday, January 3, 2016—17 SportS SUNDAY Richard Roberts Sports Editor Phone 472-5041 or fax 614-6529 Sports@clevelandbanner.com Vols demolish Northwestern From UTSports.com TAMPA — No. 23 Tennessee pounded its way to a 45-6 victory over No. 13 Northwestern in the 30th anniversary Outback Bowl on Friday before a mostly-orange crowd of 53,202 at Raymond James Stadium. It was the largest margin of victory for the Vols in a bowl game in program history. The Vols (9-4) racked up 226 rushing yards, led by Outback Bowl MVP Jalen Hurd, who racked up 130 yards rushing and a touchdown, becoming the first Vol to rush for 100 rushing yards in two bowl games. Joshua Dobbs ran for 48 yards and two touchdowns, and Alvin Kamara added 53 rushing yards and one score. Dobbs also completed 14 of 25 passes for 166 yards, hitting nine different receivers. The Vols had 420 total offensive yards. The Tennessee defense limited Northwestern (10-3) to 261 yards, intercepted four passes and totaled four sacks. Evan Berry accounted for the final interception of the day, catching a deflected pass in the Tennessee end zone and running 100 yards back for a touchdown in the final minute. With the win, Tennessee improved to 27-24 all-time in bowl games. The Vols, who won the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl against Iowa, have posted back-to-back bowl wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since winning the 1996 and the 1997 Florida Citrus Bowls. UT's nine wins are its most since going 10-4 in the 2007 season. The Vols close the year with a six-game winning streak, their longest since winning six-straight to end the 2003 regular season. Both offenses stalled early in the first quarter. After a Malik Foreman interception set the Vols up at the Northwestern 22-yard line with 6:53 remaining in the quarter, Aaron Medley missed a 49-yard field goal off of the right upright. A pair of UT defensive penalties aided the Wildcats on their ensuing drive, but Hurd named Outback MVP game time decision, and it's a From UTSports.com TAMPA — Until pregame testament to him getting himwarmups had concluded, self back, getting himself ready Butch Jones was not sure if he to go, but he may tell you the would have his leading rusher true MVP is Jason McVeigh and for the Outback Bowl against our entire training staff and doctors for working around the Northwestern. In the mind of Jalen Hurd, clock, and it's a tribute to Jalen, the amount of time that he there was never any doubt. Tennessee’s sophomore run- spent in the training room when ning back shook off a ham- we thought he was doubtful for the game, and that's a string injury to become tribute to hi