KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Volunteers recorded their second straight shutout Saturday, allowing just 172 total yards in a 24-0 Southeastern Conference victory over Kentucky.
Tennessee (8-4, 5-3 SEC East), which blanked Vanderbilt by the same score last week, has registered consecutive shutouts for the first time since the final two games of the 1994 season, when it beat Kentucky (52-0) and Vanderbilt (65-0).
The Volunteers posted their 18th straight victory over the Wildcats and lead the all-time series, 66-23-9.
Despite losing three games at home this year, Tennessee will receive its school-record 14th consecutive bowl appearance.
Kentucky (7-5, 3-5) finished with a winning record, but is not eligible for a bowl because of NCAA probation.
Casey Clausen, who has been slowed by shoulder and ankle injuries in the second half of the season, completed 13 of 26 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns -- both going to Derrick Tinsley.
Clausen tossed an 18-yard scoring pass to Tinsley that gave the Volunteers a 7-0 lead with 2:47 left in the first period. After Jabari Davis found the end zone on a one-yard run with 9:03 left in the first half, Clausen and Tinsley hooked up for a 35-yard touchdown just under five minutes later to give Tennessee a 21-0 halftime cushion.
Alex Walls accounted for the only points of the second half with a 42-yard field goal with 11:50 remaining in the game.
The Volunteers gained only 330 yards, but their defense dominated throughout, holding the Wildcats (7-5, 3-5) to 11 first downs.
Tinsley caught four passes for 72 yards and also was Tennessee's leading rusher with 48 yards on eight carries.
Kentucky's Jared Lorenzen endured his worst game of the season, completing nine of 23 passes for 59 yards. The Wildcats were held to 89 yards on the ground.
