Tennessee vs. Alabama: 10 Memorable Vols Wins in the Series

Jan 3, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; General view of Legion Field prior to the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

4. 1985: Tennessee Wins 16-14

This was the year to set off Tennessee’s glorious football run over the next 22 seasons.

After a tie against No. 10 UCLA and a dominating win over No. 1 ranked Auburn, the Tennessee Vols were in prime position to compete for the SEC Championship, even after losing 17-10 to the No. 7 ranked Florida Gators on the road.

Ranked No. 20, they were heading to Birmingham once again to face the No. 15 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. And at the time, Johnny Majors was riding a three-game winning streak, the one thing to help him keep his job. But this game would propel his program to new heights.

In a TBS showing, a one-yard touchdown run by Charles Wilson gave the Vols a 7-0 lead. But Alabama tied it up immediately with an 80-yard drive of its own, making the score 7-7.

Tennessee then nailed three field goals and took a 16-7 lead, but then all hope seemed lost for the year. Heisman candidate Tony Robinson was injured for the season in the fourth quarter, and backup Daryl Dickey had to come in and hold onto the lead for the Vols.

Alabama then cut it to 16-14 with a touchdown drive right after that, and then they got the ball back pretty quickly. As Shula was leading the Tide down the field, Tennessee had a key interception to hold on. The ability to run out the clock from that forced Alabama to try a 61-yard field goal to win the game.

It was no good, and Tennessee held on in a thriller for their fourth straight win in the rivalry, 16-14. The Vols would tie the next game with Dickey getting adjusted to the offense, but they would not lose again, finishing the year 9-1-2, ranked No. 4 in the country, SEC champions, and victors over the Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl, one of the greatest wins in school history.

Next: #3: Tennessee Wins 51-43 in 2003