Tennessee's greatest Victories

[TNnative]

I just came from a thread about the worst teams Tennessee has ever lost to. In the interest of those that would rather talk about winning, what was, in your memory, Tennessee's proudest moment?

I suggest:

1) 98 vs Arkansas. Both teams were, at the time, undefeated. The only other undefeated team in the country was Ohio State, who was ranked No. 1. Sure, some will say Tennessee got lucky that night,but Billy Ratliff burst through the line, causing Arkansas' QB to stumble and laid the ball on the ground. Billy recovered the ball, and Travis Henry pounded home the winning score. I remember standing in section MM with several other fans when we realized the Ohio State game was being watched in the press box. By the time we walked up there, there were several other folks waiting for word that the Buckeyes had lost.

2) 86 Sugar Bowl vs Miami: Jimmy Johnson's Hurricanes were heavily favored. Tennessee had lost Tony Robinson to a knee injury against Alabama, and Daryl Dickey, though not as talented as TRob, had managed to lead the Vols into that game. From the first kickoff, when Miami opened receiving the ball, the Vols special teams swarmed. From that moment, I knew the Vols had a chance. Even though Vinny Testeverde and Michael Irvin managed to score on that drive, the rest of the night belonged to the Vols. Final score 35-7. Probably the proudest moment of the Johnny Major's era.

3) 99 Fiesta Bowl. No commentary necessary. The first BCS national champions are clad in big orange.

Sure I am forgetting some, but I can rely on the VolNation faithful to fill the gap. Have at it.

 

[WoodstockVol]

Here's a few:

1)1998 23-16 victory over FSU
2)1998 20-17 win over Florida
3)1995 41-14 over Alabama
4)1991 35-34 over Notre Dame
5)1967 24-13 over Alabama

 

[JohnnyBanana]

Bama '13

 

[Gramps]

The Notre Dame game is the game that always stands out in my mind.

 

[BSAvol]

Here's a few:

1)1998 23-16 victory over FSU
2)1998 20-17 win over Florida
3)1995 41-14 over Alabama
4)1991 35-34 over Notre Dame
5)1967 24-13 over Alabama

Along with the two mentioned by the OP these are good ones. Can't say I remember the game in 67; I was 2 at the time. Hope we can add one or two to the list this year.

 

[SD189]

1959 LSU "The Stop"

 

[SD189]

92 Georgia game

 

[terrypedigo]

:td:In my 43 third year as fan it would have to be the 1986 Sugar Bowl, that put us back on the map never forget when Powell broke lose and went 60 leaving Benie Blades in the smoke, you knew when he hit the 50 that nobody could catch him plus it put the game away.

 

[orangesox]

92 Georgia game

Helluva game! Heath Shuler was unreal down the stretch in that one.

 

[TheBigOne10]

Though not as important as some of these games as far as title implications go, my personal favorite was the 2003 5 OT thriller in Tuscaloosa... 4th and 19. Clausen connects to C.J Fayton to keep the game alive, and was just completely money down the stretch. Remember it like it was yesterday...Buck Fama!!

 

[terrypedigo]

Along with the two mentioned by the OP these are good ones. Can't say I remember the game in 67; I was 2 at the time. Hope we can add one or two to the list this year.

What about the 86 Sugar Bowl, remember when Powell broke lose the x HOGS COACH said Benie Blades had world class speed, when he was saying that Powell was leaving him in the dust and Keith Jackson spoke up and said what comes after world class speed.:dance2:

 

[terrypedigo]

:td:In my 43 third year as fan it would have to be the 1986 Sugar Bowl, that put us back on the map never forget when Powell broke lose and went 60 leaving Benie Blades in the smoke, you knew when he hit the 50 that nobody could catch him plus it put the game away.

In about 1 to 2 years we will have a Hurd instead of a plow putting us back on the map.

 

[terrypedigo]

1959 LSU "The Stop"

What about the run in 1933.

 

[Titans4Vols]

Though not as important as some of these games as far as title implications go, my personal favorite was the 2003 5 OT thriller in Tuscaloosa... 4th and 19. Clausen connects to C.J Fayton to keep the game alive, and was just completely money down the stretch. Remember it like it was yesterday...Buck Fama!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtlQqhX6RIg[/youtube]

 

[CharlieGarner#30]

2001 vs. Florida is my personal favorite, but I have to agree with previous posts that the '86 Sugar Bowl is probably the greatest.

 

[P.O.T.S. VOL]

Hurricane Clausen @ LSU!

 

[esarmstrong]

Bama '82. Can't believe no one has mentioned this one. Also, Auburn, '85.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Miami 2003 (?) should get a mention

 

[Volosaurus rex]

The Miracle at South Bend, as well as several others listed above, definitely qualify as truly great victories. However, they would not be considered dominating performances. In no particular order, here are nine of the more dominating performances by Tennessee that I have witnessed over the years against quality opposition:

(1) 1986 Sugar Bowl. The ultimate slaughter of Goliath by a supremely inspired David, Tennessee transforms 2nd-ranked Miami into a glowing thermonuclear wasteland to the tune of 35-7.

(2) 1990 Florida game. Spurrier’s first Florida team, which was undefeated (5-0) and ranked 10th nationally, trailed only 7-3 at halftime. Dale Carter’s 91-yd. touchdown return on the 2nd half-kickoff opened the floodgates and the Big Orange used 6 2nd.-half turnovers to bury the Reptilian Horde by the final margin of 45-3.

(3) 1970 Florida game. In Dickey’s return to Tennessee as Florida’s coach, Bobby Scott passed for a then-school record 385 yards and the Big Orange give the lizards a world-class butt-kicking, 38-7.

(4) 2001 Florida game. In, perhaps, the most exciting and highly competitive game in the history of this series, Tennessee, which was a 17-point underdog, defeats Spurrier’s troops 34-32 in Spurrier’s last game at the Swamp. Travis Stephens turned in a performance for the ages, running for 226 yds, and two touchsowns.

(5) 1969 Alabama game. Tennessee amassed a 34-0 lead before pulling its starters and coasting to a 41-14 victory. SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American, Steve Kiner was a one-man wrecking crew at linebacker, amassing “five sacks, 11 tackles with five assists, four quarterback hurries, an interception and a forced fumble.” As he came off the field, Kiner scolded the Tidy Bowl boys by saying, “Look at that old man (Bryant). He looks pitiful. There was a time when those crimson jerseys meant something.”

(6) 1970 Alabama game. In a stifling defensive performance, UT shut out Alabama 24-0 and intercepted eight passes. The Big Orange would go on to lead the nation with 36 pass interceptions that year.

(7) 1989 Auburn game. Tennessee turned in one of the most impressive team rushing performances against a quality SEC opponent, running for some 350 yards, including a 79-yd. touchdown jaunt by Reggie Cobb in the rain. The 21-14 final margin of victory was not truly indicative of the degree to which Tennessee physically whipped Auburn in this game.

(8) 2002 Citrus Bowl. In our only game against Michigan thus far, the Volunteers hand the Wolverines what was then their worst bowl loss of all-time, 45-17. For a virtually complete replay.

(9) 1971 Penn State game. In their first matchup with Penn State, Tennessee stuns the powerful, 5th-ranked Nittany Lions 31-11. All-American Bobby Majors had a “a banner day on ‘Majors Family Day’ at Neyland Stadium against Penn State in his home finale in 1971, with 82 yards in punt returns -- one for a score covering 44 yards -- and 113 yards on kickoff returns.”

 

[Volosaurus rex]

What about the run in 1933.

Are you thinking of the legendary run by Johnny Butler vs. Alabama in 1939?

 

[hillccs]

Bama '13

If that happen it would be the greatest ever...kind of funny the latest NC for championship does not rank in my top 5, it is top 10. The season is the greatest season, but not necessarily that game.

 

[Jasongivm6]

Throw '92 Florida in there, too.

 

[Bms4880]

Here are a few more, along with those already mentioned:

1983 vs. Alabama (41-34)
1984 vs. Alabama (28-27)
1985 vs. Auburn (38-20)
1989 vs. Auburn (21-14)
2003 vs. Miami (10-6)
2004 vs. Florida (30-28)

 

[tallyho]

I just came from a thread about the worst teams Tennessee has ever lost to. In the interest of those that would rather talk about winning, what was, in your memory, Tennessee's proudest moment?

I suggest:

1) 98 vs Arkansas. Both teams were, at the time, undefeated. The only other undefeated team in the country was Ohio State, who was ranked No. 1. Sure, some will say Tennessee got lucky that night,but Billy Ratliff burst through the line, causing Arkansas' QB to stumble and laid the ball on the ground. Billy recovered the ball, and Travis Henry pounded home the winning score. I remember standing in section MM with several other fans when we realized the Ohio State game was being watched in the press box. By the time we walked up there, there were several other folks waiting for word that the Buckeyes had lost.

2) 86 Sugar Bowl vs Miami: Jimmy Johnson's Hurricanes were heavily favored. Tennessee had lost Tony Robinson to a knee injury against Alabama, and Daryl Dickey, though not as talented as TRob, had managed to lead the Vols into that game. From the first kickoff, when Miami opened receiving the ball, the Vols special teams swarmed. From that moment, I knew the Vols had a chance. Even though Vinny Testeverde and Michael Irvin managed to score on that drive, the rest of the night belonged to the Vols. Final score 35-7. Probably the proudest moment of the Johnny Major's era.

3) 99 Fiesta Bowl. No commentary necessary. The first BCS national champions are clad in big orange.

Sure I am forgetting some, but I can rely on the VolNation faithful to fill the gap. Have at it.

#1 Miracle in South Bend
#2 Miami Sugar Bowl
#3 Fiesta Bowl

 

[VFL34]

2004 wilhoit 50 yard field goal after missing the extra point was also quite a good one. 2001 vs florida was my all time favorite game.