After Tennessee was soundly beaten by South Carolina 38–24, Dooley named true freshman QB Tyler Bray as starter for the next game against Memphis. The Vols found new life in their new QB. Bray threw for 325 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Vols would make a remarkable stand throughout November, going 4–0 to reach 6-6 overall and become bowl eligible. On December 30 the Vols faced North Carolina in the Music City Bowl, which ended similarly to UT's previous game with LSU. A loophole in the rules (a lack of a late game 10-second runoff) gave the Tar Heels one more second in regulation in which they would kick a field goal to tie the game at 20-20 and send it into overtime. After both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, Bray would throw an interception on UT's first possession in the second overtime. UNC would cap it off by kicking a field goal to win the game 30–27. Overall, the Vols and Dooley would finish 6–7. The aftermath of UT's bowl loss to UNC resulted in the NCAA applying the same rule as the NFL when it comes to too many players on the field as time expires.
