In first game as Tennessee coach, Lane Kiffin gets 63-7 rout over W. Kentucky

Lane Kiffin, Tennessee beat W. Kentucky 63-7

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jonathan Crompton threw five touchdown passes Saturday, leading Tennessee to a 63-7 rout of Western Kentucky and its first win under new coach Lane Kiffin.

The Hilltoppers were welcomed to their first season as full-fledged members of the Football Bowl Subdivision with the Volunteers’ largest margin of victory since a 70-3 win over Louisiana-Monroe in 2000.

Crompton finished 21 of 28 with two interceptions, and his five TD passes was one more than his entire output all of last season. Montario Hardesty ran for 160 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, and freshman Bryce Brown had 104 yards rushing and a touchdown on 11 attempts.

David Oku and Luke Stocker both scored two touchdowns.

The Hilltoppers couldn’t capitalize on a few early turnovers and had minus-21 yards after their first 19 plays. Tennessee finished with 657 yards compared to Western Kentucky’s 83.