By Tom Mattingly
Here’s the question for today. If “The Stop” against LSU in 1959 is the greatest defensive play in Tennessee history, what play comes in second?
Here’s one man’s opinion of such game-changing defensive plays, starting with s second look at “The Stop.”
No. 13 Tennessee 14, No. 1 LSU 13, Shields-Watkins Field, Knoxville, Tennessee, Tenn., Nov. 7, 1959: Without Jim Cartwright’s interception and touchdown run covering 59 yards, “The Stop” might never have happened. That was the opinion of Vol fan Doug Jones, and, on reflection, his assessment makes sense. No Cartwright, no “Stop.” If LSU had gone ahead 14-0, or even 10-0, that would have been the game. Even LSU head coach Paul Dietzel said so.
No. 20 Tennessee 16, No. 15 Alabama 14, Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala., Oct. 19, 1985: It was Dale Jones point-blank against Mike Shula late in the 1985 game. “Shula back to throw, left-handed, out into the flat…Broken up… Was that intercepted in mid-air? Ladies and gentlemen, what a play by Dale Jones!” That’s how John Ward called the play.
No. 13 Tennessee 35, No. 5 Notre Dame 34, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind., Nov. 9, 1991: The greatest comeback in Vol history, bar none, marked by two big-time defensive plays. The Vols trailed 31-7 in the second quarter, before Darryl Hardy blocked a field attempt, and Floyd Miley returned the block for a score. The Vols later led 35-34 after a perfectly executed screen pass from Andy Kelly to running back Aaron Hayden. Jeremy Lincoln, from just down the toll road in Toledo, blocked a final field goal attempt with his rump to cinch the win.
Tennessee 3, No. 2 LSU 3, Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, La., Oct. 24, 1964: In a rare afternoon contest at LSU, thanks to NBC’s game telecast, the Vols and Tigers fought to a deadlock highlighted by a memorable goal line stand led by eventual Outland Trophy winner Steve DeLong. Sophomore punter Ron Widby played a key role, kicking five times for a 52-yard average in the second half keeping LSU off-balance. The Tigers had recovered a Vol fumble at the 15 before Vol defenders saved the day.
No. 11 Tennessee 21, Kentucky 7, Stoll Field, Lexington, Ky., Nov. 20, 1971: Carl Johnson saved the game, the last contest at Stoll Field, intercepting a pitchout and lumbering 87 yards for a score, when the Big Blue seemed poised to tie the score or go ahead late in the contest. “The quarterback came down the line on the option,” Carl said. “I punched him with my left arm, and he pitched the ball at the same time. I ran it back some 87 yards. Half the team caught up to me because I ran out of steam about halfway there.”
No. 1 Tennessee 28, No. 10 Arkansas 24, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee, Nov. 14, 1998: Tennessee looked dead in the water, given the weather conditions, in a battle of Top 10 teams. Quarterback Clint Stoerner brought his team to the line, with second-and-12 and 1:47 left, leading 24-22. As the play started, Billy Ratliff pushed offensive guard Brandon Burlsworth into Stoerner’s path, with Stoerner tripping and trying to brace his fall with the ball. The ball came loose, Ratliff recovered at the UA 43, and the Vols scored in five plays. It was an amazing turn of events, as the Vols won when all seemed lost.
Tennessee 35, No. 2 Alabama 28, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee, Oct. 16, 1982: The yoke was lifted as the Vols broke an 11-game losing streak to Alabama with a 35-28 win in Bear Bryant’s final appearance in Knoxville. The Tide had closed the margin and was moving to the North end in the final moments, as it came down to fourth down. Lee Jenkins tipped a Walter Lewis pass, and Mike Terry grabbed the football. The Vols had the ball… and the game. Then, pandemonium reigned.
No. 1 Tennessee 23, No. 2 Florida State 16, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz., Jan. 4, 1999: Tennessee punter David Leaverton made one of the key plays in the first BCS National Championship Game, tackling FSU’s Peter Warrick just as it appeared he might break the return for a score. Leaverton called the tackle “textbook,” and said he remembered “seeing stars” after the tackle and didn’t “realize how big the play was at the time.”
No. 12 Tennessee 31, No. 5 Penn State 11, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee, Dec. 4, 1971: Tennessee was a definite underdog, and Penn State (10-0) looked ready to take control of the game in the first quarter, until Jackie Walker and Conrad Graham took charge. “It didn’t look like we could stop them,” head coach Bill Battle said. “They ran a counter-option to their right. Jackie Walker hit John Hufnagel as he pitched the ball. Conrad Graham came up on run support, and the ball popped up. He grabbed it, and ran 76 yards for a touchdown.”
There are others, but none as significant as these.
