Richmond commanded this game from the first snap, when reserve running back Robbie Swoopes spun, juked, and jumped to break three tackles at the line of scrimmage, then ran 84 yards for a touchdown. The Volunteers appeared to be sleepwalking.

Tennessee's offense was disrupted due to the loss of their top two quarterbacks. Third stringer Dwight Davis was pressed into action at the end of the Volunteers' last game, and showed all the appearance of a possum in the headlights as he was sacked 7 times and threw 2 interceptions, completing only 5 of his 23 pass attempts.

Buck Roberts, like the rest of the Richmond squad, started off hot but seemed to lose focus. Facing the best secondary he's ever seen, including 2 supremely talented safeties, and missing his receptions leader Random Jones, Roberts threw 4 interceptions, each more inept than the last. He finished the day over 50% completion rate and over 300 yards, but notched only 1 touchdown. The nationally broadcast game should have helped Roberts' cause, but gratuitous attempts at padding his stats in the final period certainly damaged his Heisman chances. Meanwhile, Robbie Swoopes had a career game with 180 yards as he dominated the first half of play.