Tennessee Vols pulled off one of the wildest redemption stories in its history exactly 20 years ago on Wednesday
The Tennessee Vols have had their ups and downs on the football field over the last two decades. More downs than ups over that time, of course. However, one of the high points in Neyland Stadium history came on September 18, 2004 against the Florida Gators. And it turned out to be one of the […]
The Tennessee Vols have had their ups and downs on the football field over the last two decades. More downs than ups over that time, of course.
However, one of the high points in Neyland Stadium history came on September 18, 2004 against the Florida Gators. And it turned out to be one of the greatest redemption stories for a Tennessee player in recent memory.
The Vols were in a back-and-forth battle with the Gators, with the latter leading 28-21 late in the fourth quarter. With under 4 minutes left in the game, QB Erik Ainge found WR Jayson Swain, who weaved his way to the goal line and just got the ball over to draw within a point.
However, disaster struck on the extra point, as kicker James Wilhoit pushed the ball wide to the right. The stadium groaned, and holder John Henderson fell over on his stomach, exasperated.
It was one of the biggest gut punches that I have ever seen sitting inside Neyland Stadium, which is saying something given the number of them the Vols have taken from Florida over the years.
However, some hard-nosed determination – and a moment of stupidity – gave the Vols one more chance. After stopping Florida on third down with just over a minute left, Florida WR Dallas Baker slapped Tennessee CB Jonathan Wade in the helmet (after Wade delivered a prior slap that was uncalled), and that stopped the clock with 55 seconds left and backed Florida's punt team up 15 yards.
The Vols had one final chance to pick up their kicker and give him a chance, and Erik Ainge and the UT offense did just that. Consecutive completions to Chris Hannon got Tennessee to the Florida 33-yard line. With 13 seconds left and no timeouts, Phillip Fulmer sent on Wilhoit.
With a chance to atone for his potentially crushing miss, Wilhoit delivered.
It was a moment of joy in two respects for UT fans. Beating Florida, of course, is always a big deal. But seeing a player go from a experiencing a life-haunting miss to becoming a hero is something that every fan of the underdog will appreciate.
It might have been 20 years ago today, but it's a memory that rings clear with Vol fans even to this day.
Especially if your name is James Wilhoit.
Vols player dismisses repeated concern about Nico Iamaleava ahead of clash with Sooners
Tennessee players see behind a worry that some have regarding the Vols’ young QB on Saturday
