The 30 Lowest Moments for Tennessee Vols Athletics in the Adidas Era

Oct 11, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fans cheer from the stands during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

23. Tennessee Vols Football Team Loses to Arkansas Razorbacks 28-24 in 1999

For every fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team, this was sweet revenge of the highest order. Arkansas had choked away a huge lead to the Vols the year before that was capped off by an atrocious fumble by quarterback Clint Stoerner late in the game when his team had the ball and the lead.

The loss cost the Razorbacks a shot at a national title and an SEC title, mainly because they blew it against Mississippi State a week later. Anyway, this was their payback against Tennessee.

Vols fans were psyched going into this week. They had just come off of a win against Notre Dame, and, despite being second in their division and two undefeated teams in BCS conferences, they had made it to No. 2 in the BCS thanks to schedule strength. With a good team in Arkansas only to add to the SOS, the goal was clear.

Win out, and you get a chance to repeat, despite your loss to Florida. Tennessee knew what was at stake going into this game, as did every Vols fan.

Over halfway through the third quarter, everything was fine in this game with the Vols holding onto a 24-14 lead. But this time, it was Arkansas’s turn to make the comeback. They did just that.

And late in the fourth quarter, the Vols were down 28-24 and in need of a game-winning drive. Tee Martin got them to the red zone. But on fourth down, he overshot Cedric Wilson. Arkansas could run out the clock, and that is exactly what they did.

The Vols had two losses on their schedule at that point, and all hopes of any title were dashed. The loss of a chance at a repeat hurt as much as anything else, but this would also be the first 9-2 season in three years. That’s just how good the football program was at the time.

Next: #22: Football Loss to Florida in 2000