3. 1991: A 31-7 deficit turns into a shocking 35-34 comeback win
Remember when we talked about Andy Kelly’s ability to come back? This was the standout example. Kelly threw late interception to cost Tennessee football against the top-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish the year before, and he wanted revenge on Lou Holtz’s team. The Vols were 5-2 and ranked No. 13, and Notre Dame was 8-1, on a seven-game winning streak and ranked No. 5.
On the road in South Bend, Ind., Johnny Majors’ team embarrassed itself early. Despite a defensive stop to open the game, Dale Carter fumbled the punt return. Notre Dame capitalized with a touchdown. On the next drive, Kelly threw a pick-six. The Irish built a 21-0 lead. A Cory Fleming touchdown cut it to 21-7, but another UT turnover set up another Notre Dame touchdown.
Late in the first half, the Irish were up 31-7 and set for another field goal to go up 34-7. That’s when UT came alive, as Floyd Miley blocked a field goal and ran it back for a touchdown to cut it to 31-14. With that momentum, the Vols came back in the second half. Kelly hit Von Reaves for a touchdown, Aaron Hayden ran for one, and Carter atoned for his earlier fumble with a pick.
Then offensive coordinator Phillip Fulmer made the call of the century with a screen pass to Hayden that beat ND’s blitz for a touchdown. Up 35-34, the Vols let Notre Dame drive all the way down for a game-winning field goal, but Jeremy Lincoln blocked the kick as time expired. Majors’ team had completed one of the greatest comebacks for a top five road win in NCAA history.