Quite possibly the most perfectly executed play in Vol History

[ENGRVOL]

Peyton’s bootleg TD against Bama is the one for me

Heard Manning talk about that play a few years back about how much of a push the vols o-line actually had on that play and graham essentially could have walked in for a td if Peyton had instead handed off. Just an all around great play by everyone in orange.

However for me the most perfect plays were the final drive with Henry against Arkansas in 98. Just an absolute domination over an opponent that had been playing better than you up to that point pretty much.

 

[TheDirector]

The Von Reeves tight end reverse pass to Carl Pickens was a thing of beauty.

 

[DonDiego]

Peyton’s bootleg TD against Bama is the one for me

Bro, do you play that mando in your avatar? If so, you go on my faves list. Love me some mando.

 

[Orange.]

talking about it at breakfast today. I bet every player on the field got a 100 grade.

May I do the honors here with the progression against 8 in the box?

 

[Orange.]

 

[greenbacknative]

I agree that play is etched into my memory forever. It was a thing of beauty and I knew right then the game was all Tennessee's.

That play was electric. Nobody had a chance to get an angle on him, he just outran everyone !

 

[Orange.]

That final DB that Powell left in the dust was a state sprinting winner in Florida.

 

[Orange.]

Everything mentioned is a favorite!

 

[feathersax]

Someone who was alive at the time.. give me your thoughts going into this game

We went to New Orleans with a busload of Tennessee fans; most of us were just hoping that our Vols would play a "respectable" game, not dreaming of a victory. The Vol coaches & players had other plans. One interesting note: Johnny Majors & Oklahome coach Barry Switzer had a meeting before that Sugar Bowl game, & Switzer gave Majors game film from the previous October, which Miami won 27-14. Miami was #1, Oklahoma #3...after we demolished the 'Canes the Sooners became #1.

 

[kyvol98]

I notice on all these great plays, our blocking was superb.
We had several guys blocking 2 defenders each.

I just watched the Sugar Bowl vs Miami and it is weird seeing how far Testaverde dropped back. And weird to see how awful his mechanics were. He was pressured on most plays, but even left unmolested, his throwing was the worst I can remember.
That Sugar Bowl offense and defense were some physical players.

And I had forgotten how much acceleration Powell had. From standing to sprint in about 2 feet.
I watched UT play UCLA and Auburn, then Miami on TV. The rest of what I saw was thanks to John Ward.

And John Ward probably gave you the best view you had.

 

[GreveHaller]

Quite possibly the greatest call of a play in Mr. Wards storied career. I am 56 and just got cold chills hearing that for probably the five hundredth time.

I cannot lie - everytime someone post a video with John Ward calling the play I get a tear in my eye. I miss him so much

 

[WBO]

Mose Phillips screen pass against Florida in a monsoon. Only problem, it was raining so hard half the stadium couldn't see the entire play, but they caught Florida in a blitz and hit Mose in the right flat with no one on that entire side of the field. 80 yard TD.

 

[Golf freak]

Miami was such a huge favorite and scored right off and everyone was thinking "Well,here it comes".And boy did it ,you know the rest of the story!

 

[OrangeTsar]

Someone who was alive at the time.. give me your thoughts going into this game

Disrespected. Miami was running their mouth about how they should be considered for National Champions while ignoring the fact that they still had to play us. It is like we were already an assumed win for the Canes

 

[OrangeTsar]

I notice on all these great plays, our blocking was superb.
We had several guys blocking 2 defenders each.

I just watched the Sugar Bowl vs Miami and it is weird seeing how far Testaverde dropped back. And weird to see how awful his mechanics were. He was pressured on most plays, but even left unmolested, his throwing was the worst I can remember.
That Sugar Bowl offense and defense were some physical players.

And I had forgotten how much acceleration Powell had. From standing to sprint in about 2 feet.
I watched UT play UCLA and Auburn, then Miami on TV. The rest of what I saw was thanks to John Ward.

At this point in his tenure, Johnny Majors was a fantastic teacher and motivator of young men.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Someone who was alive at the time.. give me your thoughts going into this game

„Someone who was alive at the time“???Good golly, this was just the other day in my memory. You make it sound like the Battle Of the Alamo

But then I found the text of Johnny‘s pregame speech and it did sound a bit dated. Maybe you are right
——————————-
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd—

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

 

[Vol865]

My personal vote is Lucas Taylor to LaMarcus Coker

 

[Other_Guy]

The 2 point conversion to Fant against Bama is going to deserve some consideration in this discussion. That was a masterpiece.

Greatest moment for me of the Heupel era thus far. Really shows what kind of a offensive mind he is.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

talking about it at breakfast today. I bet every player on the field got a 100 grade.

I don't think he was ever touched on that play.

 

[OrangeTsar]

I cannot lie - everytime someone post a video with John Ward calling the play I get a tear in my eye. I miss him so much

I am just so proud that one of the best announcers of all time (arguably THE best) was a Vol

 

[VOLnMiami]

Someone who was alive at the time.. give me your thoughts going into this game

The Miami fans were very arrogant before the game and were taunting a bunch of us while we were on bourbon street and saying things like We didn't deserve to be on the same field as them and stuff like that....After the game however you couldn't find one Miami fan anywhere lol....That place was a sea of orange and I was never more proud to be a VOL than that day...The coaching staff we had was one of the best I have ever seen at Tennessee...Ken Donohue was a genius.

 

[1974Vol]

Someone who was alive at the time.. give me your thoughts going into this game

All the pre-game talking heads were going on and on about "its not if Miami will win but by how much". They had just beaten Notre Dame 58-7 and had all that "Bad boy swag" thing going. What got me thinking we had a chance though was Vegas just had us a 7 point dog, and my brother knew some "connected" gamblers and they were all in on the Vols and the points. It didn't look good after Miami's first possession though. They went straight down the field and scored in like 2 minutes. But after that it was all Vols. One of the best defensive games we have ever played. We ended the game with the ball inside the Miami 10 taking a knee or it could have been 42-7. I have to say after all the pre-game crap I would not have been as gracious as CJM. One of the great all time Tennessee wins. Had they had a 4 team playoff then, we would have made it by the year end polls and the way that team was playing I thing we would have won the whole thing.

 

[DieHardVOL]

The anchorman was trash IMO.

 

[OrangeTsar]

I don't think he was ever touched on that play.

One of the reason‘s football is among the most difficult sports to get „right“. Eleven young men had to each perform his assigned role PERFECTLY at exactly the right instant. That shows excellence with every coach on the staff. That team was special beyond words and they laid the foundation for the resurgence of Vol greatnesses. Fulmer reaped the rewards but Johnny laid the foundation (yes I know, almost a Butch Jones colloquialism there, but it fits)

 

[OrangeTsar]

All the pre-game talking heads were going on and on about "its not if Miami will win but by how much". They had just beaten Notre Dame 58-7 and had all that "Bad boy swag" thing going. What got me thinking we had a chance though was Vegas just had us a 7 point dog, and my brother knew some "connected" gamblers and they were all in on the Vols and the points. It didn't look good after Miami's first possession though. They went straight down the field and scored in like 2 minutes. But after that it was all Vols. One of the best defensive games we have ever played. We ended the game with the ball inside the Miami 10 taking a knee or it could have been 42-7. I have to say after all the pre-game crap I would not have been as gracious as CJM. One of the great all time Tennessee wins. Had they had a 4 team playoff then, we would have made it by the year end polls and the way that team was playing I thing we would have won the whole thing.

To this very day, two things that still cause Vinny Testeverde to have a panic attack….mopeds and anyone wearing Orange