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KNOXVILLE -- Less than 100,000 fans turned out to see Tennessee host Northern Illinois on Saturday night. The number was officially 99,539, which UT athletic director Mike Hamilton called "a good crowd with great energy."

The student section was largely empty and the upper deck showed lots of beige (or whatever that color is) all around.

Had the Volunteers not swapped starting quarterbacks for the contest, it's hard to imagine how many missing persons there may have been.

At least one person was surprised at the size of the turnout -- UT coach Phillip Fulmer himself.

"I was taken aback by the enthusiasm and energy of that group," he said.

It was the first time since 1996 that Tennessee has had two games in one season with less than 100,000 on hand. UAB was the other.

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STARTER SWAPS: Sophomore Nick Reveiz started at middle linebacker in place of senior Ellix Wilson, who was limited in practice during the week after suffering a shoulder injury Sept. 27 at Auburn.

Senior Nevin McKenzie also replaced senior Adam Myers-White at strongside linebacker. The two have been listed as co-starters on the depth chart all season, but Myers-White had started each of the first four games.

McKenzie was credited with a sack of Northern Illinois quarterback Dan Nicholson on third-and-5 that stopped the Huskies' final drive of the first half. Nicholson was injured on the play and did not return.

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G-GUN OFF TARGET: Receiver Gerald Jones got the chance to throw out of the so-called "G-Gun" package for the second consecutive week, and it was once again unsuccessful.

Jones moved to his left and threw to Briscoe near the left sideline, but the pass went wide left and fell incomplete.

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NO CONFIDENCE: With Northern Illinois leading by a field goal and the Vols near midfield, Fulmer refused to go for it on fourth down and about half-a-yard, despite the presence of a much-touted veteran offensive line and a running game that has been dependable in each game this season. The Vols rushed for only 28 yards in the half. They finished with only 69 rushing yards in the game.

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DAWG LEAD: The Huskies 3-0 lead after one quarter of play was sustained by Tennessee's continuing struggle with penalties. The Vols were flagged four times for 30 yards, keeping Northern Illinois in front and stalling UT drives. Tennessee receiver Josh Briscoe also fumbled a pass catch to turn the ball over and kill at drive.

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FIRST SNAP: Quarterback Nick Stephens' first snap as a starter resulted in an offsides penalty against the UT offensive line. The second snap was a run by Arian Foster. His first throw came on the following play, a completed pass to Gerald Jones.

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FAMILIAR LOOK: Northern Illinois' road uniforms bear a striking resemblance to those of Maryville High School. The hint of red in the black and white look only magnified the similarity.

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LAST PUNT?: UT Chad Cunningham may have had his last outing as the Vols' punter this season against the Huskies. The Dawsonville, Ga., product will likely be replaced next week by the return of Britton Colquitt, who has been serving a five-game suspension. Cunningham punted four times for 146 yards and had one kick partially blocked.

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SERIES HISTORY: The contest was the first-ever meeting between the Vols and Huskies. Only one UT scholarship player is from Illinois. Offensive lineman Ramone Johnson is from Chicago. Fulmer has never faced an opponent from the Mid-American Conference.