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Tennessee football: Vols 5 luckiest plays in school history

By Caleb Calhoun

GAINSVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Clasey Clausen #7 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with fans after defeating the University of Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 20, 2003 in Gainesville, Florida. Tennessee defeated Florida 24-10. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Getty Images)
GAINSVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Clasey Clausen #7 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with fans after defeating the University of Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 20, 2003 in Gainesville, Florida. Tennessee defeated Florida 24-10. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Getty Images) /
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4. “Miracle” blocked field goal touchdown – 1991

No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers at No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Vols cornerback Floyd Miley returns a blocked field goal for a touchdown late in the first half.

Everybody remembers Tennessee football’s epic 31-7 comeback to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on the road in 1991. Even Vol fans who don’t remember it are aware of the story. This was Andy Kelly’s senior year and a time in which the Irish were still at their peak.

Lou Holtz’s team had beaten the Vols in Knoxville the year before and was ranked No. 5 in the nation in this game. The second half methodical comeback with three touchdowns, an epic screen pass call to take the lead and a late blocked field goal to win are all part of the story.

But the first blocked field goal got it all started. Notre Dame jumped out 21-0 and then 31-7 thanks to 21 points the Vols allowed off turnovers, including a pick-six by Andy Kelly. But they still looked out-matched and unable to stop the ND rushing attack. With seconds left, the Irish were trying for a field goal to make it 34-7.

That’s when UT got the spark they needed. The Vols blocked the kick from Craig Hentrich. In the scuffle, that would have seemed like enough of a spark. But somehow the ball landed in Floyd Miley’s hands, and he ran it all the way into the end zone for a touchdown.

All of a sudden, 34-7 was 31-14 and exactly what the Vols needed momentum wise to spark their second half comeback en route to a 35-34 win. This is a rare play that wasn’t just luck. It involved an insane momentum swing, which puts it higher on the list.

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