Matt Slovin

mslovin@tennessean.com

KNOXVILLE – With a sack of Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles in the second quarter, Brentwood Academy product Derek Barnett matched first overall NFL Draft selection Jadeveon Clowney's freshman total of eight sacks.

He exceeded Clowney's total by picking up half of a sack on the last play of the third quarter, along with linebacker A.J. Johnson, and another half-sack in the fourth quarter.

Clowney had the SEC freshman sack record until this season. Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett had 11 heading into Saturday's game with Texas A&M.

When asked what it meant to him to exceed Clowney's totals, the Tennessee freshman said: "Football's fun. That's pretty cool, I think. I just play football. I just have fun."

Barnett already held the program record for sacks by a freshman. He now has nine on the year to go along with 18 tackles for loss.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones said Barnett's success is "a great illustration for players in-state to stay home and play for your home institution.

"He gets better and better, and he's been nicked up and bruised up and he just keeps on coming. High, high character. Can't say enough about him, not only what he brings on the field, but what he brings in the locker room."

Hurd loud and clear:Jalen Hurd went over 100 yards for the third time this season, which marks the most times a freshman Tennessee running back has surpassed the century mark since Jamal Lewis did it seven times in 1997.

The Beech product finished with 118 yards on 24 carries for an average of 4.9 per attempt.

"Jalen earns every yard that he gets," Jones said. "He's running behind his pads. ... He's continued to improve week in and week out. He's added a whole other element to our offense."

The performance gives Hurd 716 yards on the season as he continues to chase his goal of 1,000 yards. Hurd also found the end zone late in the third quarter on a 4-yard carry.

Injury updates: Tennessee center Mack Crowder went down with a left leg injury in the third quarter. He put no weight on the leg as he was assisted off the field and did not return, heading into the locker room on crutches shortly after the injury. Crowder was replaced by Dylan Wiesman.

Jones said he'd know more about Crowder's status Sunday but hinted that the injury was to Crowder's knee.

Another offensive lineman, Austin Sanders, limped off in the fourth quarter with a leg injury. Jones said every other player that got hurt Saturday, including Sanders and linebacker Corey Vereen, returned to the game.

Running back Derrell Scott didn't dress Saturday due to a thumb injury. As expected, defensive tackle Trevarris Saulsberry (knee) didn't play for the second straight week.

Another loss: When Kentucky won the opening coin toss Saturday, it marked the 15th time in 16 games that the Vols had been on the losing end. Counting the overtime flip against South Carolina, Tennessee has actually lost 16 of 17 tosses.

The Wildcats notched a field goal on their first drive after choosing to receive the opening kick, but the Vols responded with 30 straight points.

Milestone tackle: On Kentucky's first drive of the third quarter, Tennessee linebacker A.J. Johnson recorded the 100th tackle of the season. Johnson has now had 100-tackle years in each of the last three seasons.

Soldout Neyland: For the fourth time this season, Neyland Stadium was sold out Saturday with a capacity crowd of 102,455. Blue-clad Kentucky fans took up a large chunk of the seats along the Wildcat sideline.

Reach Matt Slovin on Twitter @MattSlovin.