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Top 10 clutch performances by Tennessee football QBs

By Caleb Calhoun

Peyton Manning #10, Quarterback for the University of Tennessee Volunteers runs the ball during the NCAA Southwest Conference college football game against the University of Florida Gators on 16 September 1995 at the Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida, United States. The Florida Gators won the game 62 - 37. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Allsport/Getty Images)
Peyton Manning #10, Quarterback for the University of Tennessee Volunteers runs the ball during the NCAA Southwest Conference college football game against the University of Florida Gators on 16 September 1995 at the Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida, United States. The Florida Gators won the game 62 - 37. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images /

8. Andy Kelly: 1991

Tennessee beats Notre Dame Fighting Irish 35-34

In 1990, Andy Kelly had a record-setting performance at the time, throwing for 399 yards, but he threw a late interception in a 34-29 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish when they were ranked No. 1 in the country. Heading into this road game the next year, UT was ranked No. 13, and the Irish were No. 5 with a potential national title still in mind.

Notre Dame looked like a title team early, capitalizing off three UT turnovers, including a Kelly pick-six, to build a 31-7 lead. Kelly did have a touchdown pass to Cory Fleming, but he didn’t do much. A blocked field goal returned for a touchdown at the end of the half brought the Vols to life, as they trailed 31-14 at halftime.

That was all the momentum Kelly needed. He had been leading Tennessee football to comeback wins all year, and in the second half, he took over. Kelly found Von Reeves for a touchdown to make it a two-score game. Then he led a late drive that ended with Aaron Hayden running in for a score. Finally, his patience on an easy throw made the difference.

To stop Notre Dame’s all-out blitzes, Phillip Fulmer and Johnny Majors called a screen. Kelly dropped back and waited just long enough to dump it off to Hayden, who had a clear path to the end zone for a touchdown. After a missed field goal by the Irish, Kelly led a 24-point comeback for a 35-34 win, throwing for three touchdowns in the process.

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