College Football | Lane Kiffin, Vols have deal

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee and Lane Kiffin have reached a tentative agreement with the former Oakland Raiders coach to lead the Volunteers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.

A formal announcement was expected early next week, said the source, who requested anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

Kiffin, 33, replaces Phillip Fulmer, who was forced out after 17 seasons as coach of the Vols. Fulmer, 58, won a national championship in 1998 but had two losing seasons in the last five years.

Athletic department spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter declined to comment on Kiffin because Fulmer has not finished his season. Athletic director Mike Hamilton did not return a phone message seeking comment.

The Vols (4-7, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) host Kentucky (6-5, 2-5) tonight in what has been dubbed "Phillip Fulmer Appreciation Day."

The Knoxville News Sentinel first reported the deal with Kiffin.

Kiffin was the youngest coach in the NFL's modern history when hired to lead the Raiders in January 2007 at age 31.

The son of Monte Kiffin, a longtime NFL defensive coordinator, Kiffin had a rocky relationship with Raiders managing general partner Al Davis, who fired him Sept. 30 for alleged insubordination. Kiffin had a 5-15 record with the Raiders.

Kiffin has filed a grievance with the NFL to claim salary he maintains he is owed by the Raiders.

Kiffin spent six seasons as an assistant at USC under coach Pete Carroll, including two as recruiting and offensive coordinator.

Fulmer signed a seven-year contract in the summer that was worth $2.4 million this season. He will receive $6 million as a buyout of the contract, payable over a 48-month period.

No. 9 Boise State romps

BOISE, Idaho — Kyle Wilson returned a punt 90 yards, wide receiver Tanyon Bissell threw for a touchdown on a smooth reverse pass, and No. 9 Boise State scored 48 points after halftime to beat Fresno State 61-10 Friday night.

Ian Johnson ran for 128 yards and scored two touchdowns as scouts from three Bowl Championship Series games watched from the press box. The senior tied the Western Athletic Conference record of 57 rushing touchdowns set by Marshall Faulk at San Diego State from 1991 to 1993.

The Broncos (12-0 overall, 8-0 WAC) led 13-10 after halftime before Jeremy Avery ran for a 43-yard touchdown three minutes into the third quarter. Then came three more touchdowns in a 3 ½-minute span to clinch Boise State's third undefeated regular season since 2004.

"Just goes to show you how stacked this team is," Johnson said.

Representatives of the Rose, Orange and Fiesta bowls watched the rout, perhaps pondering whether to choose Boise State for a final at-large spot in the BCS.

They were greeted by cries of injustice and chants of "BCS" from Broncos fans two years removed from their team's victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl at the end of the 2006 season — when Johnson proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend on national TV after the overtime drama.

Tom Brandstater was 23 of 37 for 211 yards for Fresno State (7-5, 4-4), outscored 61-3 after taking the lead on Damion Owens' 68-yard interception return.

"I've never been in a game where it got that out of control," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said.

Other games

At No. 25 Mississippi 45, Mississippi St. 0

Jevan Snead passed for 213 yards and four touchdowns, Greg Hardy had three of Mississippi's school-record 11 sacks and the Rebels took the most lopsided Egg Bowl in 37 years.

The Rebels (8-4, 5-3 Southeastern Conference), spurred by an opportunity to play in a high-profile bowl, led 24-0 after the first quarter and dominated the fading Bulldogs (4-8, 2-6) in virtually every phase of the game.

The margin of victory was the largest in the series since Ole Miss beat Mississippi State 48-0 in 1971.

There has been speculation Mississippi will play in the Jan. 2 Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

At Nebraska 40, Colorado 31

Alex Henery kicked a school-record 57-yard field goal with 1:43 left and defensive end Ndamukong Suh returned a tipped pass 30 yards for a touchdown seconds later, giving the Cornhuskers (8-4, 5-3 Big 12) a dramatic victory over the Buffaloes (5-7, 2-6).

There is speculation Nebraska will be invited to the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

Cornhuskers defensive end Zach Potter deflected Cody Hawkins' pass and Suh made the catch and ran it back for his second interception return for a touchdown this season.

At Arkansas 31, Louisiana St. 30

Casey Dick threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to London Crawford on fourth-and-one with 21 seconds left as the Razorbacks (5-7, 2-6 SEC) rallied to beat the defending national champion Tigers (7-5, 3-5).

Arkansas trailed 30-14 early in the third quarter when Dick replaced his younger brother, Nathan, at quarterback. With the help of LSU penalties, Arkansas chipped away before converting twice on fourth down on the winning drive.

At Pittsburgh 19, West Virginia 15

LeSean McCoy scored his second touchdown with 52 seconds left to finish off a career-high 183-yard rushing performance, and the Panthers (8-3, 4-2 Big East) edged the Mountaineers (7-4, 4-2). Pitt's victory gave Cincinnati (9-2, 5-1) a share of the conference title and the Big East's automatic BCS berth.

McCoy carried on all but one of the 10 plays on the 59-yard, winning TD drive.