ESPN: The best college comebacks we ever saw (Miracle at South Bend)

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Freak

Freak

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Ryan McGee: The Miracle at South Bend. On Nov. 9, 1991, my college roommate and I spent all the money we had to drive from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Notre Dame for a showdown between the No. 5 Irish and No. 13 Vols. In the closing seconds of the first half, we were regretting that decision. Notre Dame led 31-7 and it didn't feel that close. But Tennessee blocked a field goal and ran it back for a TD at the end of the half. At the end of the game, Notre Dame trailed 35-34 as it lined up to kick a chip-shot, game-winning field goal, but Jeremy Lincoln blocked it with his butt as time expired. From our awful seats in the end zone we thought the kick was good and buried our faces in despair. Then we saw the Vols celebrating. I still have a chunk of grass from that game in a jar on my desk, and when Lou Holtz worked at ESPN, I had dinner with him and pulled out my ticket stub. He snatched it out of my hand and signed it, "What a day. Lou Holtz."
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The best college sports comebacks we ever saw: Notre Dame's meltdown, George Mason's shocker

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#4
#4
I didn't get to make that trip but when we blocked that FG I almost ran from my recliner in Tennessee to South Bend I was so excited.

My dentist at the time was there and got a good plug of sod. He had it framed and hung it in his dentist office waiting room.
 
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#7
#7
My favorite Father Son weekend. Turned to Dad when we were in the end zone seats ND was kicking in and said “We need a miracle “ then the block and “Floyd Miley can Fly!!” Guy behind bought a fist full of cigars that ND was selling at halftime mind you and when that ball hit Lincoln’s fanny he was screaming : “Smoke em if you got em !! SMOKE EM IF YOU GOT EM!!! “ Went on the field band played Rocky Top for 20-30 minutes w us on the field . Players came back out and celebrated with us and Dad took photo of Andy and me. What a day indeed
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#10
#10
I had a friend that was a Notre Dame fan attended the game. I gave him $10 to bring back a game day program. He bought one for me but was so upset after the game he threw it away. So I was out of what would have been a precious souvenir and my $10. Rat Bastard.
 
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#11
#11
mad4vols said:
I had a friend that was a Notre Dame fan attended the game. I gave him $10 to bring back a game day program. He bought one for me but was so upset after the game he threw it away. So I was out of what would have been a precious souvenir and my $10. Rat Bastard.
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Glad you said..."had a friend".:)
 
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#12
#12
Saw this game in Naples Italy. Was doing my first med-tour...USN. Had to watch it on the mess deck. There were probably 80 of us. Me and one buddy was the only Vol fans there. The first half I took a lot of grief. I played baseball with Corey Flemming and I atleast wanted to see him do good...so I stuck it out. I guarantee I gave back everything I got in the first and then some. Standing on a table cussing all them yankee bastages. That’s the only game I got to see live that year. Awesome day.
 
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#13
#13
I remember the prior year in Neyland. It was one of the loudest games I've ever attended.

Got drunk. Then we started losing. I left in anger, walked back to my friends apartment but was locked out. Pissed off the balcony in front of neighbor who apparently yelled at me. Left before the cops came.

Yeah. College. Good times.
 
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#18
#18
LakeMaryFLVol said:
My favorite Father Son weekend. Turned to Dad when we were in the end zone seats ND was kicking in and said “We need a miracle “ then the block and “Floyd Miley can Fly!!” Guy behind bought a fist full of cigars that ND was selling at halftime mind you and when that ball hit Lincoln’s fanny he was screaming : “Smoke em if you got em !! SMOKE EM IF YOU GOT EM!!! “ Went on the field band played Rocky Top for 20-30 minutes w us on the field . Players came back out and celebrated with us and Dad took photo of Andy and me. What a day indeed
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I'm jealous.. EPIC.. Great post.
 
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#19
#19
LakeMaryFLVol said:
My favorite Father Son weekend. Turned to Dad when we were in the end zone seats ND was kicking in and said “We need a miracle “ then the block and “Floyd Miley can Fly!!” Guy behind bought a fist full of cigars that ND was selling at halftime mind you and when that ball hit Lincoln’s fanny he was screaming : “Smoke em if you got em !! SMOKE EM IF YOU GOT EM!!! “ Went on the field band played Rocky Top for 20-30 minutes w us on the field . Players came back out and celebrated with us and Dad took photo of Andy and me. What a day indeed
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Great story/pic!
 
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#20
#20
LakeMaryFLVol said:
My favorite Father Son weekend. Turned to Dad when we were in the end zone seats ND was kicking in and said “We need a miracle “ then the block and “Floyd Miley can Fly!!” Guy behind bought a fist full of cigars that ND was selling at halftime mind you and when that ball hit Lincoln’s fanny he was screaming : “Smoke em if you got em !! SMOKE EM IF YOU GOT EM!!! “ Went on the field band played Rocky Top for 20-30 minutes w us on the field . Players came back out and celebrated with us and Dad took photo of Andy and me. What a day indeed
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Deserves more likes.... maybe like a billion more. This post made my day.
 
#21
#21
This was one of my favorite all time memorable games. I lived in Houston,Texas and had to work,so my daughter taped the game for me to watch after I got home at midnight. She became so distraught during the first half that she told her mother that she was spending the night with a friend so she didn’t see my disappointment and hear me yelling at the tv. Well,there was a lot of yelling in the first half by me,but even more in the second half. Think I probably woke the whole neighborhood! And my daughter did not know about the comeback until she came home on Sunday morning. She actually thought I was not serious when I told her that the VOLS won. Great memory!
 
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#22
#22
Benionsopinion said:
This was one of my favorite all time memorable games. I lived in Houston,Texas and had to work,so my daughter taped the game for me to watch after I got home at midnight. She became so distraught during the first half that she told her mother that she was spending the night with a friend so she didn’t see my disappointment and hear me yelling at the tv. Well,there was a lot of yelling in the first half by me,but even more in the second half. Think I probably woke the whole neighborhood! And my daughter did not know about the comeback until she came home on Sunday morning. She actually thought I was not serious when I told her that the VOLS won. Great memory!
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Sounds like your neighbors were listening to a great comeback. Whether they liked it or not.
 
#23
#23
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