Best Finishes In College Football

#1
Volstorm

Volstorm

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#1
No. 89 Tennessee 34 ... Syracuse 33, September 5, 1998

At the time: It was the season opener for each team. Tennessee was in game one following the Peyton Manning era, while Syracuse and QB Donovan McNabb were trying to get off to a big start after closing out 1997 with eight straight wins before a Fiesta Bowl loss to Kansas State.

The setup: In an exciting see-saw game, Syracuse got a late 19-yard field goal for a 33-31 lead and an apparent victory. Jamal Lewis had rushed for 141 yards for the Vols, but new starting QB Tee Martin struggled despite running for a touchdown and throwing two scores to Peerless Price. Martin would get one final drive to make amends for a rocky start.

The ending: Helped by a questionable pass interference call on fourth down to keep the drive alive, Martin coolly and calmly lead the Volunteers into field goal position. With the Carrier Dome crowd roaring, Jeff Hall connected on a 27-yard field goal as time ran out.

How they ended up: Syracuse overcame the heartbreaker to shock Michigan 38-28 in the Big House. Despite losses to NC State and West Virginia, the Orangemen ended up in the BCS losing 31-10 to Florida in the Orange Bowl. Tennessee had a dream season winning tight games with Florida, Arkansas and Mississippi State to get to the Fiesta Bowl against Florida State for the national title. The Vols won 23-16.
 
#2
#2
Geez, brings back great memories and somehow just seems like it was almost yesterday. What a season!!! :rocks:
 
#3
#3
That just reminds me how valuable Jeff Hall was to that title. Without him, UT doesn't win it all in '98. :bow:
 
#4
#4
And lets never forget what a wonderful season Tee Martin gave us all to remember.I say a quiet "thank you" to him every time I think of that miracle season. I could forgive that guy just about anything because of the joy he, and that team brought me. I think Doug Dickey should pick up the phone and personally make right any sour feelings Tee has lingering because of the controversy that surrounded him in later years.
'98 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! What a year to be a VOLUNTEEER!!
 
#6
#6
Yeah. I'd like to see if we cracked into the list anywhere else.

How about "GOOD. . . . NO GOOD!" "No-sir-ee." or the Wilhoit kick over Florida last year?
 
#7
#7
No. 73 Tennessee 35 ... Notre Dame 34, November 9, 1991

At the time: Notre Dame shook off an early season loss to Michigan to win seven straight for an 8-1 record heading into the showdown with Tennessee for the 300th game played at Notre Dame Stadium. The 13th ranked Vols started off 4-0 before losing to Florida and Alabama. A win over Memphis turned things around a bit, but they needed a big win to get back on track.

The setup: Things couldn't have been going worse for Tennessee down 31-7 late in the first half when Irish PK Craig Hentrich lined up for a 32-yard field goal with :40 to play. The kick was blocked and picked up by Floyd Miley for an 85-yard Volunteer touchdown. The UT defense dominated the second half while Aaron Hayden scored two fourth quarter touchdowns for an improbable 35-34 lead with just over four minutes to go. Rick Mirer and the Notre Dame offense finally got going moved the ball to the Tennessee nine-yard line with four seconds to play.

The ending: Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz had to put in backup kicker Rob Leonard to replace an injured Hentrich for the final 27-yard field goal attempt. Leonard kicked it squarely, but UT DB Jeremy Lincoln flew in and appeared to dive past the play. The ball bounced off Lincoln's butt and was pushed wide as time ran out.

How they ended up: Tennessee went on a great run to close out the year. The Notre Dame win was the second in a five-game winning streak before losing 42-17 to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl for a 9-3 record. Notre Dame got blasted 35-13 by the Nittany Lions the following week before beating Hawaii and then Florida in the Sugar Bowl to finish 10-3.
 
#10
#10
the miracle at south bend is great but how bout the stumbling sterner or this years 55 yard field goal to beat florida?

 
#11
#11
There was something magical about that '98 season. The Team of Destiny remains my favorite to this day.
 
#12
#12
Originally posted by VOL_AHOLIC@Mar 18, 2005 5:30 PM
the miracle at south bend is great but how bout the stumbling sterner or this years 55 yard field goal to beat florida?
Click to expand...

i think it was 51 yards...but hey we'll say 55
 
#14
#14
It wouldn't have mattered if that was a 55 yard field goal or not because he still had room to spare on it...If it was 55 it still would have been good....I know myself and this house went crazy when that kick went through the uprights....We had 2 Florida fans and they were talking about how the game was over and they won and they walked out with their heads down.....Always great to beat the gators
 
#15
#15
Originally posted by #10_Ainge_#10@Mar 18, 2005 7:18 PM
....I know myself and this house went crazy when that kick went through the uprights....
Click to expand...

I couldn't even talk the next day. I had no voice to talk with.

:good:
 
#16
#16
LOL....I was still in awe that he hit that the next day.....I won quite a good chunk of money off of that at a pool at school.....After that day Wilhoit was my 2nd favorite player after Erik "Little Peyton" Ainge
 
#17
#17
greatest game i have witnessed in many years.....wonderful day to be a vol for sure.....


ainge show great, great, great poise under pressure.
 
#18
#18
Ainge showed that he had ice running through his veins that night....I mean there isn't many people that are going to complete a 4th and VERY long with the game on the line like he did that night....He's going to be the man the next 3 years
 
#19
#19
Originally posted by #10_Ainge_#10@Mar 18, 2005 8:52 PM
Ainge showed that he had ice running through his veins that night....I mean there isn't many people that are going to complete a 4th and VERY long with the game on the line like he did that night....He's going to be the man the next 3 years
Click to expand...

:pepper: :rocks: :pepper: :rocks: :pepper: :peace2:
 
#21
#21
Yupp....Shaffer needs to be on the field one way or another even if its not at QB....The kid is too good not to be on the field....I know they've been trying let him return punts and I've heard they've put him out at WR....He needs to be there one way or another because he has the speed to do both.....Because in all honesty, I believe he might as well forget about QB....He could take it from Ainge but I don't see it happening
 
#22
#22
If young Schaeffer wins the QB job, the chances of him making it in the pros are almost non-existant.

If he wins the QB job it will be because of his scrambling abilities and there aren't a lot of pro teams looking for big-time scramblers.

His chances of making the NFL as a return specialist, or as a WR are much better when you consider his athleticism.

I don't believe he has as good of an arm as Tee had. I don't believe he is as accurate as Ainge. I do believe using him as a down QB will drive opposing coordinaters batty though. Put him in on 3rd and 7 and just dare the defense to blitz. Brent would be past them and to the 1st down marker before they could say dateacheerleader.
 
#24
#24
It's either got to be that or the Cal/Stanford game from the early 80s when Cal scored on a kickoff return as time expired with the Stanford band already on the field.

I've seen that play 1,000 times and it never gets old watching that dude score and then annihilate that poor trombone player. :eek:lol:
 
#25
#25
Originally posted by GAVol@Mar 20, 2005 10:21 AM
It's either got to be that or the Cal/Stanford game from the early 80s when Cal scored on a kickoff return as time expired with the Stanford band already on the field.

I've seen that play 1,000 times and it never gets old watching that dude score and then annihilate that poor trombone player. :eek:lol:
Click to expand...

That could probably be it, and yes, seeing that band member get drilled is just classic!
 
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