The Vols jumped out to an early lead behind the running of Jamal Lewis. However, following, a season ending ACL injury, Lewis left the game and the Tennessee Defense held on for the 17-9 win. In a rematch of the high scoring 1997 SEC Championship Game, the Defense needed a score by DE Shaun Ellis and a 4 play goal line stand from inside the 1 yard line to secure the win. They did so without senior captain Al Wilson, who missed the game with a shoulder injury.