6. Shy Tuttle blocks field goal vs. Kentucky
We go to the other huge win the Vols enjoyed on the season against the Kentucky Wildcats. This play came, though, in the fourth quarter with the team already up 24-7. Still, it was an important play in a huge win, so of course it matters.
Tennessee football was up on the Wildcats 24-7, but UK had just scored a touchdown the previous drive and had gone all the way into UT territory again. They could seize the momentum away with a field goal to make it a two-score game.
Even though Chance Poore had missed a field goal earlier in the game, he had been one of the best place-kickers on the season. So with a dead-center 30-yard field goal coming, it should have been almost certain that he was going to make it. And with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, there would be plenty of time for a Kentucky comeback if the Vols’ offense went cold.
Well, Shy Tuttle made sure that his team stayed in control. A guy who consistently did the dirty work for the defensive line all year was finally able to make a splash play. Tuttle blocked Poore’s kick, and the Vols were able to take over.
In crazy fashion, the teams traded turnovers on the next four drives, with two fumbles from the Vols and a fumble and an interception by the Wildcats. Kentucky later threw another pick, its second of the quarter to Marquill Osborne, to make it five total turnovers plus a blocked field goal in the fourth. But the blocked kick was the play to ensure the Vols would stay in control and win the game.