University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Network Classics: 1991 Tennessee-Notre Dame Airs Saturday
June 12, 2020 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Volunteer fans will be treated to the 1991 Tennessee at Notre Dame football game in this weekend's installment of Vol Network Classics across the state of Tennessee on participating Vol Radio Network affiliates. The broadcast begins approximately at 12:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. CT Saturday on WNML in Knoxville (AM 990, FM 99.1), utsports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and at various times on Saturday on over 25 radio affiliates across the state of Tennessee. Check your local listings.
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One of the greatest comebacks in Tennessee football history has simply become known as "The Miracle at South Bend". On Nov. 9, 1991 Coach Johnny Majors led his 13th-ranked Volunteers into Notre Dame Stadium to take on Coach Lou Holtz and the No. 6 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It was the sequel to the classic Vols-Irish contest in 1990, the year before, when Tennessee's bid to upset the No. 1-ranked Irish fell just short 34-29 at Neyland Stadium. The Irish roster was loaded with future NFL players including Jerome Bettis, Rick Mirer, Rod Smith, Rodney Culver, Tony Brooks and Aaron Taylor.
Tennessee fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter and trailed the Irish 31-7 in the closing minutes of the first half. Notre Dame lined up to kick a field goal that would have made the score 34-7 at halftime, but linebacker and kick-blocking specialist Daryl Hardy blocked the attempt and fleet-footed defensive back Floyd Miley scooped up the football and raced 85 yards for a touchdown to give the Vols a little life, 31-14 at the half. The momentum from that game-changing play carried over to the second half as Tennessee's offense got on track scoring 21 points, while the defensive held the Irish to just a field goal.
The Vols completed the comeback in the fourth quarter when running back Aaron Hayden caught a screen pass from quarterback Andy Kelly and coasted 26 yards for a score. John Becksvoort's PAT made it 35-34 Tennessee with 4:03 left in the game. There was one final miracle needed, however, as Notre Dame frantically and methodically marched down the field in the game's final moments. With four seconds left from the UT 9-yard line, defensive back Jeremy Lincoln partially deflected the 27-yard field goal attempt to preserve the Vols miraculous, hard-fought, dramatic victory. Kelly was 24 of 34 for 259 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Kelly spread the ball around to eight different receivers in the game. Hayden was Tennessee's leading rusher with 82 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown along with two receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. The linebacking trio of Ernest Fields (13 total tackles), Shon Walker (12 total tackles) and Hardy (10 total tackles) led the defense.
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The late John Ward and Bill Anderson handle the Vol Radio Network broadcast. The game is dedicated to the honor and tribute to John T. Majors, who passed away last week at the age of 85. Special highlights include Majors' Â pregame interview and an expanded segment from the Johnny Majors Show after the game. Special postgame content will also feature Ward and Anderson's coverage of the celebration after the game including the Pride of the Southland Band playing "Rocky Top" and "The Tennessee Waltz" on the field with celebrating Tennessee players and fans. Vol Network Classics is presented by the East Tennessee Chevy Dealers and Hullco.
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One of the greatest comebacks in Tennessee football history has simply become known as "The Miracle at South Bend". On Nov. 9, 1991 Coach Johnny Majors led his 13th-ranked Volunteers into Notre Dame Stadium to take on Coach Lou Holtz and the No. 6 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It was the sequel to the classic Vols-Irish contest in 1990, the year before, when Tennessee's bid to upset the No. 1-ranked Irish fell just short 34-29 at Neyland Stadium. The Irish roster was loaded with future NFL players including Jerome Bettis, Rick Mirer, Rod Smith, Rodney Culver, Tony Brooks and Aaron Taylor.
Tennessee fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter and trailed the Irish 31-7 in the closing minutes of the first half. Notre Dame lined up to kick a field goal that would have made the score 34-7 at halftime, but linebacker and kick-blocking specialist Daryl Hardy blocked the attempt and fleet-footed defensive back Floyd Miley scooped up the football and raced 85 yards for a touchdown to give the Vols a little life, 31-14 at the half. The momentum from that game-changing play carried over to the second half as Tennessee's offense got on track scoring 21 points, while the defensive held the Irish to just a field goal.
The Vols completed the comeback in the fourth quarter when running back Aaron Hayden caught a screen pass from quarterback Andy Kelly and coasted 26 yards for a score. John Becksvoort's PAT made it 35-34 Tennessee with 4:03 left in the game. There was one final miracle needed, however, as Notre Dame frantically and methodically marched down the field in the game's final moments. With four seconds left from the UT 9-yard line, defensive back Jeremy Lincoln partially deflected the 27-yard field goal attempt to preserve the Vols miraculous, hard-fought, dramatic victory. Kelly was 24 of 34 for 259 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Kelly spread the ball around to eight different receivers in the game. Hayden was Tennessee's leading rusher with 82 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown along with two receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. The linebacking trio of Ernest Fields (13 total tackles), Shon Walker (12 total tackles) and Hardy (10 total tackles) led the defense.
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The late John Ward and Bill Anderson handle the Vol Radio Network broadcast. The game is dedicated to the honor and tribute to John T. Majors, who passed away last week at the age of 85. Special highlights include Majors' Â pregame interview and an expanded segment from the Johnny Majors Show after the game. Special postgame content will also feature Ward and Anderson's coverage of the celebration after the game including the Pride of the Southland Band playing "Rocky Top" and "The Tennessee Waltz" on the field with celebrating Tennessee players and fans. Vol Network Classics is presented by the East Tennessee Chevy Dealers and Hullco.
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