turnaround for both the Defense and the Running game, which both performed poorly in the Vols' only other conference game, Florida. The win, combined with Florida's losses to Auburn and LSU puts Tennessee back into the race for the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. The win came after head coach Phillip Fulmer came under fire by anonymous former players in an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Fulmer called the article "an incredible cheap shot" in the post-game press conference. Fulmer had also been receiving criticism from several other writers that follow the program. Individual performances were highlighted by Arian Foster, who carried the ball 17 times for 98 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Backup running back Montario Hardesty added 70 yards on 14 carries with 1 TD. LB Ellix Wilson blocked a punt in the 2nd quarter. Mississippi State Pregame line: Tennessee by 7 The Vols traveled to Starkville, Mississippi for the first time since winning 35–17 in 2002. Phillip Fulmer commented on Mississippi State during the Tuesday press conference: Mississippi State is a good football team at 4–2. They beat a good Auburn team at Auburn. They're dangerous, physical, tough guys up front. The running backs and tight ends have my good friend Woodrow McCorvey's fingerprints all over them. He is a tough guy. Tennessee took an early lead after stopping the Bulldogs on their first drive. Erik Ainge found Chris Brown on a 4-yard TD pass to cap off at 9 play, 78-yard drive. Mississippi State then answered. The Bulldogs forced the Vols to punt after backing them up. The short field paid off, when Wesley Carroll found Tony Burks for a 38-yard touchdown pass. State took the lead in the 2nd quarter when RB Anthony Dixon broke loose on a 30-yard touchdown run. Tennessee followed with 17 unanswered points, coming on a Lucas Taylor 51-yard touchdown reception, a 47-yard Daniel Lincoln field goal and an Arian Foster 1-yard touchdown run. Mississippi State would score one more touchdown to cut the lead to 3. However, the Vols' Defense held firm for the last quarter and a half. Daniel Lincoln added 3 field goals of 29, 26, and 43 yards to provide the final 12 point margin of victory. Erik Ainge ended the game with a 22-of-36 performance with 1 interception and 2 touchdown passes. Lucas Taylor had 11 catches for 186 yards. Arian Foster ran the ball 21