Top 10 Memorable Games Between Steve Spurrier and the Tennessee Vols

Nov 2, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier looks on during the fourth quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 34-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

8. 2007: Tennessee Beats South Carolina 27-24 in Overtime

It was the last good season the Tennessee Vols had, a year before they fired Phillip Fulmer. And it was also a roller coaster ride.

Tennessee had seemed out of the SEC East race early but fought back in it, then they seemingly fell out of it after losing their second conference game to Alabama. But the next week, Florida lost to Georgia and was down to three losses, so this Tennessee-South Carolina match-up would be to determine who stands at first place in the SEC East, as both teams beat Georgia this year and had two conference losses.

The Vols dominated early thanks to a series of turnovers by the Gamecocks and took a 21-0 lead, but poor play by Erik Ainge in the second half and inconsistency on defense nearly derailed them.

South Carolina fought back thanks to great coaching by Spurrier, and with very little time left, they took a 24-21 lead.

All hope seemed lost.

But LaMarcus Coker, who would be dismissed from the team a week later, saved the Vols’ season as he returned the ensuing kickoff to near field goal range. A couple of clutch plays and one near scare, a fumble by Arian Foster that Eric Young fortunately recovered, set up a game-tying field goal, which Daniel Lincoln nailed.

In overtime, the Vols were held to a field goal to take a 27-24 lead, and the defense finally got a stand. South Carolina missed a game-tying field goal, and the Vols got out of there with a close victory.

They would have to squeak by Vanderbilt and Kentucky with two more missed field goals to win the SEC East, but this game was the memorable one of the year.

Next: #7: Florida Beats Tennessee 27-23 in 2000