Without a healthy quarterback, Joker Phillips and Randy Sanders had to improvise. Wide receiver Matt Roark, a high school quarterback, prepared all week to run the Kentucky offense. Some how, some way, it worked.
On the first drive, Roark led the Cats down the field for a field goal to take the lead for good. Roark rushed for 124 yards on 24 carries and CoShik Williams ran for 68 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown. Led by four future NFL players — Danny Trevathan, Winston Guy, Bud Dupree and Avery Williamson — the Kentucky defense put the game out of reach by forcing three turnovers, including a goal line stand, to overpower the Vols and snap the 26-game losing streak with a 10-7 victory.