Jan. 1, 1996
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Jeff Hall kicked two fourth quarter field goals and the Vols defense held Ohio State in check as UT defeated the Buckeyes 20-14 on a rainy day in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Jay Graham, the game’s MVP, rushed for 154 yards, including a 69-yard scoring dash late in the first half that pulled the Vols even, 7-7, at halftime. Peyton Manning completed 20 of 35 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown. Joey Kent led the Vol receiving corps with seven catches for 109 yards, including a 47-yard scoring toss from Manning that gave UT a 14-7 advantage in the third quarter. Hall’s two field goals in the fourth quarter came after the Buckeyes had tied the game, 14-14. Tennessee’s defense, which had stopped the Buckeyes on a second quarter fourth-andinches at the 3-yard line, forced three turnovers in OSU’s final four possessions. UT held Ohio State, with Heisman winner Eddie George, to a season-low 89 yards on the ground. The victory upped Tennessee’s record to 11-1, its best since 1989 and propelled the Vols to a No. 2 finish in the final CNN/USA Today poll, UT’s highest since 1967. The Vols were tabbed No. 3 in final Associated Press voting.
SCORING SUMMARY
OSU — George 2 run (Jackson kick)
TENN — Graham 69 run (Hall kick)
TENN — Kent 47 pass from Manning (Hall kick)
OSU — Dudley 32 pass from Hoying (Jackson kick)
TENN — Hall 29 FG
TENN — Hall 25 FG
Top 5 game I've ever attended!