Tennessee football: Vols top 10 upset wins in school history

8. 1991: Tennessee beats Notre Dame 35-34

The thrill of the game itself had more to do with this upset than the narrative against the Vols. But at the same time, fans and analysts had great reason to bet against Tennessee football heading into this game.

The year before, Tennessee choked this one away late at home to the Fighting Irish. Lou Holtz’s team was back and looked like it was making another run at the national championship with a ton of NFL talent.

The Vols, meanwhile, looked outmatched in size from the start. This was clearly not one of the SEC Title teams in 1989 and 1990. But what they did have was a senior quarterback and enough playmakers to make this interesting.

Well, it wasn’t at first. Notre Dame cashed in on an early Vols fumble and ran it down their throats for a touchdown. They then intercepted Andy Kelly for a pick-six. Still unstoppable, they jumped out to a 21-0 lead and at one point were up 31-7. Three touchdowns had come off turnovers.

At the end of the half, they were set to kick a field goal to go up 34-7. But Tennessee football finally got a break, blocking it and running it back for a score to make it 31-14 going into halftime.

That was all the momentum the Vols needed. They fought back in the second half and made it 34-28 late. Then, after Notre Dame kept bringing the house, Phillip Fulmer and Johnny Majors made the perfect call: a screen pass to Aaron Hayden, which he ran in for a score. After going up 35-34, the Vols still got a scare.

Notre Dame drove it deep into Tennessee territory for another chance at a time-expiring field goal, this one at the end of the game to win. But it was blocked again, and Tennessee football pulled off one of the most historic comebacks in NCAA history. The game was what made this an upset for the ages. But it was still an upset.