My recollection was he made numerous key stops at very crucial times. Perhaps nothing spectacular or mind-blowing, just very important plays at important points of the game.
Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me, I just seem to remember how the defense rallied around him time and time again.
Being a Floridian, I do distinctly remember how very few folks down this way gave UT much of a chance. My daughter had just received a swimming scholarship to UT...seeing UT win the NC shortly afterwards was so very special, especially for her.