Updated: 11/29/2009 12:58:35 AM
Montario Hardesty scooted 20 yards for a touchdown in overtime as the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, 30-24. It was the Vols 25th straight win in the series.
Hardesty rushed for 179 yards, saving his longest run for last. He scored three of the Vols four touchdowns and is within reach of UT's single season rushing record in their bowl game.
The game didn't start well for Tennessee as Jonathan Crompton's pass was intercepted by Kentucky's Sam Maxwell and returned 56 yards for a 7-0 lead.
The Vols needed just three plays to answer with Hardesty covering the final nine to even the score.
Kentucky went back to the lead on a 17 yard run by former Alcoa star Randall Cobb on a double reverse. Again, Tennessee would drive to answer with Montario Hardesty's 13 yard dash to the end zone.
The Wildcats had the lead at the half after Derrick Locke's touchdown run, but they would not find the end zone again.
Crompton finished with 220 yards passing, 16 of them to Luke Stocker for a tying touchdown in the third quarter. A fumble recovery set up a 30 yard Devin Mathis field goal for a 24-21 lead, but former Central star Lonas Seiber evened the score at 24 with 33 seconds remaining.
Seiber missed a 48 yard field after Kentucky lost ground on their overtime possession. Crompton hit Gerald Jones for 15 yards on 2nd and long for Tennessee in the extra frame, setting up Hardesty's heroics.
The Vols finish the season 7-5 and now await selection Sunday on December 6 to see where they will go bowling. The Outback Bowl is a possibility, as is the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.
