Five memorable Tennessee football defensive stands

4. Maryland Terrapins – 1974

This was not how Condredge Holloway’s last game as Tennessee football’s quarterback was supposed to go. The Vols were 6-3-2 and set to face the No. 10 ranked Maryland Terrapins in the Liberty Bowl. Ideally, for a top 20 finish, Holloway would have the game of his life and go out with a bang by leading UT to a victory.

However, Holloway was knocked out of the game. In a defensive slugfest, Maryland had committed four turnovers late in the fourth, the last one being a punt that sailed to their own seven-yard line, which the Vols recovered. Randy Wallace took advantage and then hit Larry Seivers for the go-ahead touchdown.

Maryland then began driving down the field. With a minute left, they got to the UT 20-yard line, and they appeared to be in serious trouble. After all, the Terps had been moving the ball all day. Their problem was turnovers, and it seemed like they would still be able to overcome that issue at this point, as they had reached the red zone. A couple of big plays would win it for them.

With nine seconds to go, though, Rocky Top forced a fifth turnover. Maryland quarterback Bob Avellini threw a pass that was intercepted by Ernie Ward at the two-yard line to seal the win. This would be the last bowl game for the Vols until Johnny Majors got them there in 1979. However, it was a memorable bowl win thanks to this stand, as Rocky Top upset a top 10 team.