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Peyton Manning’s Five Greatest College Performances With Tennessee Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Feb 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning waves to the crowd during the Super Bowl 50 championship parade at Civic Center Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning waves to the crowd during the Super Bowl 50 championship parade at Civic Center Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning shown talking to fans on the sidelines during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning shown talking to fans on the sidelines during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

3. 1997 Tennessee-Kentucky

Tennessee Beats Kentucky 59-31

Peyton Manning’s Stats: 25-of-35, 523 Yards, 5 Touchdowns

Far and away Peyton Manning’s best statistical performance, this had all the makings of flawless quarterback play. Going into the game, the Vols were locked in a battle with the Florida Gators to win the SEC East. With two Florida losses, all they had to do was win out to get to Atlanta.

And after a tough game against the Arkansas Razorbacks the week before, it was seemed that the Devil was after the Vols. So going into this game, against Hal Mumme and Tim Couch, Manning would need a legendary performance in the midst of his Heisman campaign and his SEC Championship race season.

All he did was out-duel Couch in arguably the greatest shootout in SEC history.

After Couch spotted the Vols a 7-0 lead, Manning led them to 17 straight points. After Kentucky scored two more touchdowns and refused to go away with Couch racking up 476 yards on the day, it took another touchdown from Manning and the Vols as they clung to a 24-21 lead in the second quarter.

Finally, after that, Manning refused to let up on his historic performance and made sure to do his part to help the Vols pull away, eventually extending the lead to 45-24 and winning 59-31.

In the process, Manning only threw 35 passes, but they went for 523 yards, an amazing yards-per-attempt stat line. Gaining 15 yards a pass with five touchdowns and 0 interceptions is one of the greatest individual passing performances in Tennessee football history, matched only by Tee Martin’s performance the next year against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Next: #2: 1995 Tennessee-Alabama

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