The 30 Lowest Moments for Tennessee Vols Athletics in the Adidas Era
Sep 6, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receivers coach Chris Leak walks onto the field during the first half against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
29. Tennessee Vols Football Team Blows a Two-Score Lead in the Second Half to Lose 21-20 to the Florida Gators in 2006
When you judge it objectively, it wasn’t terrible. The Vols had lost by one point to the eventual national champions, and they really should not have been in that game at all based on how their offensive line played.
But in the moment, it did not matter.
Following a 2005 disaster, Vols fans were back on a high after blowing out the Cal Golden Bears to open 2006. A close win against Air Force set the stage for another showdown with the hated Florida Gators. Thanks to tough defense and a trick play called by David Cutcliffe, Tennessee had built a 17-7 lead in the third quarter.
Florida fought back though and eventually tok a 21-20 lead. But that is not where the heartbreak comes.
With Tennessee getting the ball to midfield late in the fourth quarter, everybody had shades of James Wilhoit, who was still on the team and had nailed a 50-yarder to beat the Gators by 2 points two years before. It was setting up for the same scenario.
But in the process of moving into range, a walk-on center missed a blocking assignment, and Erik Ainge was hurried and had to throw the ball away. The result was intentional grounding. Two plays later, he threw an interception on fourth down. Just like that, a great shot at a field goal turned into no points.
Then, Tennessee had the chance to get the ball back again. But with Florida ball on third and six and the Vols knowing they were going to run it, they somehow gave up the first down anyway. And that was all it took for Florida to run out the clock.
The loss cost Tennessee a lot more than another game to Florida. It cost them the SEC East, and potentially a shot at a national title. They may have held on to beat LSU later in the year if this game went a different way.
What could have been and crucial the mental mistakes in this game make this painful.
Next: #28: Men's Basketball Missing the 2003 NCAA Tournament