Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee: Live Score and Highlights

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Cameron Sutton's 85-yard punt return for a touchdown opened the floodgates, and a torrent of Tennessee points followed as the Volunteers closed the season in style with a 53-28 win over Vanderbilt.

Until that sterling return—UT's junior cornerback's second of the season and second in the past two games against the Commodores—the Vols were struggling to put VU away.

Afterward, however, Tennessee put its second-half demons in the dumpster, using a 16-0 third quarter to run away from coach Derek Mason's team. Vanderbilt tacked on two late touchdowns to make it look a little more respectable, but it didn't matter.

It was never close after the break, and a great play-calling game by offensive coordinator Mike DeBord led to the most points UT has scored against an SEC opponent since it hung 59 on Mississippi State in 2003.

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs had one of his best games of the season, totaling 233 yards and three touchdowns. Jalen Hurd added 120 yards, and Alvin Kamara added 99 more in the win.

This is the way you enter the postseason. After a plodding win over Missouri last week, the Vols left no doubt in the regular season's finale, and they put a nice little bow on a five-game winning streak to end the season.