5. 1971
Jim Maxwell/Phil Pierce
10-2 (4-2)
No. 9 AP and Coaches; W Liberty Bowl
There were three quarterbacks who played this year in seniors Jim Maxwell and Phil Pierce and junior Dennis Chadwick. Collectively, they completed 41 percent of their passes and threw for three touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Bill Battle’s second season was supposed to be a transition year for Tennessee football. They were just waiting on Condredge Holloway, who was a freshman, to be eligible after losing Bobby Scott from the year before. Well, a team with great leaders like Jackie Walker and Phillip Fulmer overcame the quarterback issue.
After a 10-9 loss to the Auburn Tigers in the second game of the year, Pierce started in place of the injured Chadwick and Maxwell at the Florida Gators. He led a 99-yard game-winning drive in The Swamp to beat UF 20-13, the last time they would beat them in Gainesville until 2001.
However, Pierce and Chadwick only combined for 70 passes. Maxwell would be the senior to lead the team most of the way, throwing 102 passes, which is why this year makes the list. While he only completed 45 percent of his passes for 544 yards, one touchdown and eight interceptions, he settled in late.
After a 32-15 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Vols won out under Maxwell. The highlights of that came at the end. In the final regular season game, UT upset the 10-0 and No. 5 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions 31-11, which would be PSU’s only loss that year, and they would then have a thrilling 14-13 Liberty Bowl win over the No. 18 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.