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Tennessee tops Kentucky in last game for Fulmer

Nov 30, 2008 - 3:25 AM KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- In his final game roaming the sidelines for Tennessee, coach Phillip Fulmer did not have to walk off the field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

He was carried off in celebration.

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton scored the go-ahead touchdown as time expired in the first half on a 1-yard run and the Volunteers pulled away after the break en route to a 28-10 triumph over Kentucky.

The victory marked the end of Fulmer's 17-year reign in Knoxville. The dean of SEC coaches, Fulmer went 152-52 with the Volunteers, who won the 1998 national title and reached 15 bowl games during his tenure.

But with Tennessee headed to its second losing season in the last four years, Fulmer announced earlier this month that he would step down at the end of the campaign.

With the win, Tennessee (5-7, 3-5 SEC East) remained the only team in major college football history to never endure an eight-loss season.

The Volunteers also beat the Wildcats (6-6, 2-6) for the 24th consecutive times. Fulmer did not lose to Kentucky during his tenure at Tennessee.

Crompton, who completed 6-of-8 passes for 101 yards, connected with Denarius Moore on a 63-yard score in the third quarter to give the Volunteers a 14-3 advantage.

Lennon Creer had a pair of rushing touchdowns for Tennessee, which rushed for 210 yards on 53 carries.