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Tennessee football: 10 memorable game-winning touchdown drives in Vols history

By Caleb Calhoun

14 Nov 1998: An overall view from inside Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Volunteers defeated the Razorbacks 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
14 Nov 1998: An overall view from inside Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Volunteers defeated the Razorbacks 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /
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Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images /

6. 1990-91 Sugar Bowl: Jan. 1, 1991

No. 10 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Virginia Cavaliers

Final score: Tennessee wins 23-22

The last time Tennessee football played in the Sugar Bowl turned into one of the most thrilling games of the year. Heading into this game to close out the 1990 season, the Vols had repeated as SEC Champions.

However, amidst the nation’s most difficult schedule, they had let a national title slip away with a choke job against the Alabama Crimson Tide, a late interception against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and a missed field goal after blowing a 26-9 lead to tie the Auburn Tigers. Still, an SEC title and Sugar Bowl win would salvage that.

Virginia did not go quietly, though. They built a 16-0 halftime lead and lead 16-3 and 19-10 in the fourth quarter. With two and a half minutes to go, though, the Cavaliers had a 22-17 lead after hitting another field goal.

That’s when Andy Kelly put together what was undoubtedly his most impressive drive while on Rocky Top. He got the ball on his own 21-yard line and put on an epic show, completing 7-of-9 passes for 64 yards.

With 30 second remaining, Tony Thompson dove over the Virginia defense on the goal line for the go-ahead touchdown. So UT went 79 yards in just two minutes and took their first lead of the game to win 23-22 and finish in the top 10 with a 9-2-2 record and SEC title. Kelly’s masterpiece on that final drive earned him MVP, and it was a work of art for the whole team.

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