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It’s hard to believe it has been 10 long years since Tennessee beat Florida. A decade. Yet I remember it like it was yesterday.
September 18th 2004. Neyland Stadium was bursting with 109,061 victory-starved fanatics in attendance. It was the most to ever witness a Tennessee game—a record that still stands to this day. And with the changes to stadium seating capacity, one that will likely never be broken.
Trailing 28-21 with 4:17 remaining in the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Eric Ainge (who relieved starter Brent Schaeffer that night) hit Jayson Swain for a 13-yard touchdown pass.
But sophomore kicker James Wilhoit, who had never missed a PAT in his career up to that point, did just that. He missed.
Fortunately for Tennessee, and with a little help from the officials, Florida was unable to run out the clock and was forced to punt with 55 seconds remaining.
The Vols promptly moved the ball into field goal range and Wilhot had the opportunity to redeem himself.
Bob Kesling had the call: “The kick is long and high and spinning… GOOD! Wilhoit! Whilhot hits from 50 yards out an Tennessee leads 30-28! He has redeemed himself in a large, large way.”
It was a different time, ten years ago. Tennessee was a different program then. At that point, the Vols were still competing with the upper echelon of the Southeastern Conference.
“How about James Wilhoit!,” Phillip Fulmer shouted in the locker room after the game while hoisting a game ball above his head, with his team cheering him on in the background. It would be the last time the legendary coach would beat the Gators before his career at Tennessee ended just four years later.
In 2004, Tennessee had only known two coaches in 27 years. Fulmer replaced Johnny Majors, who came marching home again in 1977. We didn’t know of the fall that was coming and we had no idea that our future held the likes of Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley.
After first watching these highlights, reliving this game made me want to go back to familiar faces and sights and sounds of 2004. But after giving it a bit more thought, Tennessee had seen its best days and was on the decline. We just didn’t know it yet.
In 2014, even though it’s not yet reflected by the Vols’ record, it feels like we might be on the verge of something special again. It feels like this could be new beginning for Tennessee football. Team #118 might just be the spark that reignites this tradition-rich program.
I can guarantee you this: the ride up is a lot more fun than the ride down. And I’m convinced better days are coming.
Let’s end this streak on Saturday, and start one of our own. The bus is leaving the station. Are you on board?
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