Though the University of Tennessee football team has had a few lean years, they were a powerhouse at one time. This was before athletic director Mike Hamilton and his years marked with NCAA investigations and scandal. The previous years had brought a National Championship and Heisman worthy players. These are five moments that stand out.
1991 Sugar Bowl-UT 23 Virginia 22
· UT coach Johnny Majors
· Virginia Coach George Welsh
The most memorable moment of this game was the sick expression on Welsh’s face for part of the second half. Virginia had led 16-0 at the half. Andy Kelly, the UT quarterback, led a comeback that took control of the game. The running game rammed the ball down Virginia’s throats. Phillip Fulmer, the future UT head coach, was the offensive coordinator for UT in the game.
·. Tennessee had just had four years of the very pedigreed Peyton Manning, yet they got there with Tee Martin, a guy from the streets of Birmingham. UT had several ugly wins, but through hard work and teamwork, had gotten to the big game undefeated. The defensive coordinator for UT was John Chavez, who helped LSU to a National Championship a few years later. The offensive coordinator for FSU, Mark Richt, is now the head coach of Georgia.
1998 Orange Bowl-UT 17 Nebraska 42
· UT coach Phillip Fulmer
· Nebraska coach Tom Osborne
Sometimes a team needs their eyes opened to move to the next level. This game was that for UT. This was Osborne’s last game, as he had said he was retiring. Nebraska pounded UT. The memories of this game was part of what spurred on UT the next year to their undefeated season and national championship.
2005 Cotton Bowl-UT 38 Texas A&M; 7
· UT coach Phillip Fulmer
· Texas A&M; coach Dennis Franchione
Here was a game that UT had a third string quarterback in and no expectations to win. A&M; shut down UT’s running game, so they had to rely on Rick Clausen’s arm. The defense of UT also stepped in to force five turnovers on an A&M; team that had only eight for the year.
2002 Citrus Bowl-UT 25 Michigan 17
· UT coach Phillip Fulmer
· Michigan coach Lloyd Carr
This was a game of retribution, in a sense, for UT. Just a few years before, Peyton Manning had been a finalist with Michigan player Charles Woodson. When Woodson won, many UT fans were mad. This is the one and only meeting between the teams.
· Worst bowl loss for Michigan
· Tied as biggest margin of victory in a bowl game for UT
