The Volunteers (10-1, 7-1) earned their first division crown since the league split into divisions in 1992, and will play Auburn for the SEC title and automatic alliance bowl berth next Saturday at Atlanta's GeorgiaDome.
Vanderbilt (3-8, 0-8) put up yet another valiant defensive effort - the Commodores held on to the league's No. 1 defensive ranking by holding the Vols to 339 yards - but ended without a conference victory for the second straight year.
Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning ended his home career with 12 completions in 27 attempts for 159 yards, an interception and a touchdown.
The Volunteers seemed to have figured out the Vanderbilt defense in the second half, but couldn't hang onto the ball. Tennessee fumbled at or inside the Commodores' 20 three times in the half.
The Vols' defense was up to the task, however, holding Vandy to 215 total yards and coming up with four turdecers. Vols cornerback Dwayne Goodrich intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble.
What proved to be the winning score came after Goodrich intercepted a Damian Allen pass and returned it 4 yards to the Vanderbilt 41 early in the third quarter.
12-01-97
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