By Tom Mattingly
Sometime in mid-2010, Glenn Thackston of the Vol Network called, looking for copy for a video highlighting “The Greatest Plays” from 1997 through 2009.
With that in mind, we examined the top plays of that era, the plays that help get the memory banks cranked up and dominate the conversations whenever and wherever Vol fans might get together.
Tee Martin’s touchdown pass to Peerless Price, 79 yards, Jan. 4, 1999, The Fiesta Bowl, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz., No. 1 (AP) Tennessee 23, No. 2 Florida State 16: This play, on third-and-long, expanded the Vol lead from 14-9 to 20-9, and the Vols went on from there to win 23-16. Martin appeared to slip ever so slightly just before releasing the ball, but still found Peerless for the score.
Leonard Scott‘s 100-yard kickoff return, Oct. 9, 1999, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn., No. 6 Tennessee 37, No. 10 Georgia 20: Georgia closed the margin to 30-20 in the fourth quarter and appeared to have the game’s momentum on its side. Scott took the ensuing kickoff at the South goal line and motored up the east sideline, ending up on the checkerboards of the North end zone.
Billy Ratliff’s caused fumble, followed by Travis Henry’s 5 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown against No. 10 Arkansas, Nov. 14, 1998, Neyland Stadium, No. 1 Tennessee 28, No. 10 Arkansas 24: Arkansas led with a minute or so left in the game and the ball in hand, but Ratliff caused and recovered a Razorback fumble on a play known as the “Stoerner Stumble.” Ratliff’s heroics came in honor of Clint Stoerner, the Arkansas quarterback that day. Travis Henry, who carried 32 times for 197 yards, scored the game-winner at the South end on a rainy afternoon and evening in Knoxville.
Jason Witten’s 64-yard TD reception from Casey Clausen, Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla., Jan. 1, 2002, No. 8 Tennessee 45, No. 17 Michigan 17: Very few tight ends can outrun an entire collegiate secondary, but Witten, possessed with a blend of power and speed, made it look easy in the first battle between these two traditional powerhouses. This third quarter reception expanded the Vol lead to 31-10.
Travis Stephens against Florida, 19 carries for 226 yards, Dec. 1, 2001, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla., No. 5 Tennessee 34, No. 2 Florida 32: Tennessee and Florida squared off in a “winner-take-all” contest for the SEC Eastern Division title on Florida Field in a game postponed in September by the events of 9-11. Stephens ran over, under, and through Gator defenders en route to his team’s victory.
Peerless Price‘s 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Oct. 24, 1998, Neyland Stadium, No. 3 Tennessee 35, Alabama 18: Alabama had closed the margin to 14-11 and seemed to be back in the game, before Price took the kickoff and found room down the West sideline to the South end zone for the score that expanded the lead and led to the Vol victory.
Shaun Ellis’s 90-yard interception return for a touchdown against Auburn, Oct. 3, 1998, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala., No. 3 Tennessee 17, Auburn 9: Auburn took the opening kickoff and marched steadily down the field until Ellis got his hand on a pitchout and somehow made it to the opposite goal line to give Tennessee the early lead. Tennessee also had a goal line defensive stand that stopped the Tigers four times in the shadow of the Tennessee goal that helped save the day.
Peyton Manning, 1-yard “naked reverse” for a touchdown Nov. 29, 1997, Neyland Stadium, No. 3 Tennessee 17, Vanderbilt 10: The key play in the SEC title-clinching win that season, as Peyton sent a running back into the line and ended up alone in the left corner of the North end zone for the score.
Deon Grant’s 19-yard interception return for a touchdown Oct. 2, 1999, Neyland Stadium, No. 7 Tennessee 24, Auburn 0: Grant got the game started with an interception return for a score on the game’s first play. During an interview with Priest after the game, someone told Deon that Tim was the school’s all-time interception leader. Deon’s response: “You played football?”
Tee Martin to Peerless Price and Cedrick Wilson for touchdowns, Dec. 5, 1998, SEC Championship Game, The Georgia Dome, Atlanta, No. 1 Tennessee 24, No. 23 Mississippi State 14: Tennessee trailed 14-10 in the fourth quarter, before Martin hit Price for a score that gave the Vols the lead. After a State turnover, Martin hit Wilson for the score that established the final margin.
Parys Haralson, 18-yard fumble recovery, Oct. 23, 2004, Neyland Stadium, No. 11 Tennessee 17, Alabama 13: The first play often sets the stage in the Tennessee-Alabama series (see 80-yard first-play TD passes for Alabama in 1973 and Tennessee in 1995, for example) and this one was no exception. Haralson, termed “mouthy” by one Alabama media member the next day, gratefully scooped up a Tide fumble and found his way to the North end zone. Alabama’s Mike Shula steadfastly refused to say much about the play in the post-game media conference, saying more than once that it shouldn’t have happened.
These are some of the moments that have mattered over the years, highlighting the memorable plays and players from a “Golden Era” of Tennessee football.
