Tennessee football: 10 heartbreaking game-winning TD drives Vols allowed

10. Nov. 19, 2005

Vanderbilt Commodores at Tennessee Volunteers

Final score: Vanderbilt wins 28-24

Despite its dominance over the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee football has historically allowed game-winning drives to both. They let Kentucky do it to them in 1977, securing the worst season ever for the Vols until 2017.

In 1982, meanwhile, they let Vanderbilt do it to them. But then the Vols reeled off the longest winning streak in history in the series, and it’s the game to end that streak that makes this list. Tennessee’s collapse at Vanderbilt in 2005 was beyond heartbreaking.

At this point, the Vols had already secured their worst season since 1988. They were 4-5 despite starting the year No. 3. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, had fallen to 4-6 after a 4-0 start. But UT still wanted to play for a bowl, and the Comodores wanted to end this streak.

That led to a back and forth game, with Rick Clausen and Arian Foster leading Phillip Fulmer’s team back from a 21-7 deficit to take a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter. A late punt pinned Vanderbilt inside their own 40-yard line with only 90 seconds to go. And that’s when Jay Cutler put together a masterpiece for his final game with Vandy.

Cutler hit Earl Bennett for three straight completions and was aided by a pass interference penalty. In less than 20 seconds, he drove Vanderbilt 63 yards for a touchdown as a result. It was almost too easy of a drive and completely caught the Vols off-guard. UT tried to mount a late drive of its own, but time ran out.

As a result, Vanderbilt’s late drive by Cutler ended their 23-game losing streak to Tennessee football and also ended the Vols’ streak of 16 straight bowl games. So the loss itself ruined a lot of things, which is why this makes the list.