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Tennessee football’s top 25 single-game performances in history

By Caleb Calhoun

Peyton Manning #16, Quarterback for the University of Tennessee Volunteers during the NCAA Pac 10 college football game against the University of California, Los Angeles UCLA Bruins on 6th September 1997 at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, United States. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game 30 - 24. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport/Getty Images)
Peyton Manning #16, Quarterback for the University of Tennessee Volunteers during the NCAA Pac 10 college football game against the University of California, Los Angeles UCLA Bruins on 6th September 1997 at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, United States. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game 30 - 24. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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14. Reggie Cobb

1989 vs. No. 4 Auburn Tigers

No. 12 Tennessee Volunteers win 21-14

22 carries for 225 yards; 1 touchdown

We already mentioned the play of Chuck Webb against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Well, we also mentioned that Reggie Cobb was the feature back earlier in the season. This was the game that established Tennessee football’s permanent presence on the national stage in 1989, where they would remain for 16 years en route to four SEC Championships and a national championship.

Johnny Majors’ rebuild of the program was complete in 1989. The Vols had already beaten the No. 6 ranked UCLA Bruins on the road and then the eventual ACC Champion Duke Blue Devils, led by Steve Spurrier, en route to a 3-0 start an top 20 ranking. However, the No. 4 Auburn Tigers were the test as they came to town.

UT had only beaten Auburn once since 1981, and Pat Dye’s team was coming off a 10-2 season. Winning this game would establish the Vols’ presence. Cobb made sure they did that with a memorable 200-yard game. Not only did he rush for 225 yards on 22 carries, but he also had a 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

In the process, the Vols scored a huge 21-14 upset that would be key to them winning the SEC Championship in 1989. Just playing well against elite teams won’t make this list. However, historically great games against elite teams, such as 200 yards rushing or 400 yards passing, will make the list. This is one of those games.

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