Recap: Tennessee defense shuts out Vandy in commanding victory

Tennessee football can let the hangover linger or surge ahead against Vanderbilt for its first 10-win regular season since 2007. Either way, the Vols' morale could have a big impact on this rivalry game.

Tennessee (9-2, 5-2 SEC) plays Vanderbilt (5-6, 2-5) at 7:30 p.m. ET at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. It will be televised on the SEC Network.

If the Vols win, they will be contention for a New Year's Six bowl. But they must bounce back from a tumultuous past week when they lost 63-38 to South Carolina, lost quarterback Hendon Hooker to a torn ACL, dropped out of the College Football Playoff hunt and dealt with the awkward absence of linebacker Jeremy Banks.

Don't fear. Joe Milton is here. The strong-armed one-time starter replaces Hooker to try to spark the No. 1 ranked offense in college football. But Tennessee's defense must rebound from a dreadful performance to cap the regular season in the best way.

Tennessee football score vs. Vanderbilt: Live Updates

Postgame links

INSTANT ANALYSIS:Tennessee football blasts Vanderbilt to boost bowl position as Top 10 teams fall

REPORT CARD:Tennessee football grades vs. Vanderbilt: Vols run through Commodores to 10-win season

JOHN ADAMS:Tennessee football shows resilience and it had nothing to do with Vanderbilt

Fourth quarter

FINAL: Tennessee 56, Vandy 0. A 10-win regular season for the Vols for the first time since 2003. A New Year's Six bowl game up next. That will all be announced next week.

Vols pitch shutout one week after giving up 63 points to South Carolina, rack up 362 rushing yards.

5:33 left: Gaston Moore in the game at QB.

7:41 left: Dylan Sampson 80-yard TD run. This all over besides the final score.

Tennessee 56, Vandy 0. Tennessee's coaching staff was rightly criticized for the South Carolina loss last week, but the Vols have been playing hard and fast all night.

Another home run TD carry for Jaylen Wright

11:16 left: Jaylen Wright 83-yard TD run keeps the scoreboard operator busy. Side note: Why is Vandy's speaker system so loud, especially at 49-0?

The Vols fans in attendance are having fun in the rain.

Third quarter

51 seconds left: AJ Swann's fourth down pass is batted down by LaTrell Bumphus.

4:53 left: Another Tennessee touchdown! Walker Merrill catches one over the middle from Joe Milton. The Brentwood native has TD catch No. 3 for the season.

Could see some backups real soon. Tennessee 42, Vandy 0.

10:53 left: Jaylen Wright 50-yard TD two plays after the Vandy fake punt fumble.

Tennessee 35, Vandy 0. Vols have 167 rushing yards, while the Commodores have 128 total yards.

10:57 left: How Vanderbilt can one play get? Vandy fakes a punt, and punter Matt Hayball runs for a first down but fumbles. Tennessee recovers at midfield.

Long Jabari Small TD run extends Tennessee lead

12:26 left: Touchdown Tennessee! Jabari Small up the middle for a 52 yard TD, his longest carry of the season.

Tennessee 28, Vandy 0.

12:57 left: Ray Davis stuffed on 4th and 2 from midfield. Tennessee takes over.

Second quarter

HALFTIME: Tennessee 21, Vanderbilt 0

Elsewhere, LSU down at Texas A&M. A couple Tigers losses would all but ensure the Vols in a New Year's Six bowl.

5:22 left: Vandy's CJ Taylor stops Jabari Small for a loss on 4th and 1. Commoroes get a stop.

7:16 left: Commodores go three-and-out. This is about to get out of hand.

Tennessee leads 21-0 after punt return TD

8:09 left: Dee Williams. 73-yard punt return TD. As easy a punt return TD as you'll see.

The rout is on in Nashville. Tennessee 21, Vandy 0.

10:48 left: Joseph Bulovas is no good from 39 yards out. Vandy's best drive of the first half ends with no points.

Drive ended on a Roman Harrison third down sack of Mike Wright.

14:00 left: Odd play. Vandy nearly throws a 4th down INT, but Tennessee's defense flagged for delay of game for disconcerting signals.

Commodores will continue the drive.

First quarter

Princeton Fant gets help from Joe Milton to score on 4th and goal

1:57 left: Princeton Fant is hit on 4th and goal from the Vandy 1, but Joe Milton pushes Fant into the end zone for the touchdown.

PAT good. Tennessee 14, Vandy 0.

3:42 left: Ramel Keyton is wide open over the middle on 4th and 4. Easy pitch and catch, and it's now first and goal.

6:04 left: Jeremy Banks is back and making plays. Nearly hauled in an INT on third down.

6:36 left: Wesley Walker TFL.

7:40 left: Vols get one first down but nothing else. Punt time.

Jalin Hyatt has 79 receiving yards already.

8:57 left: A bad snap halts the Vandy drive. Commodores will punt.

10:53 left: Vandy driving into Tennessee territory. Plenty of noise, though, from a pro-Vols crowd.

Joe Milton to Jalin Hyatt sets up quick Tennessee TD

14:05 left: That was a fast start. Joe Milton throws a rainbow ball to Jalin Hyatt for 61 yards down to the Vandy 3-yard line. Next play: Jabari Small 3-yard TD run.

Vols 7, Vandy 0.

Pregame: Cedric Tillman, other starters out for Tennessee vs. Vandy

Cedric Tillman is out for tonight's game among a list of Vols starters who won't be available.

Safety Trevon Flowers, defensive back Brandon Turnage, defensive back Doneiko Slaughter, left tackle Gerald Mincey and backup cornerback De'Shawn Rucker also are out, according to a UT spokesperson.

INJURY REPORT:Cedric Tillman among five starters out for Tennessee football against Vanderbilt