1998 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Schedule

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Rankings

Game summaries

at No. 17 Syracuse

;First Quarter

• (06:38) TENN – ;Second quarter
• (09:49) SYR –
• (00:53) TENN –
• (00:00) SYR – ;Third quarter
• (08:29) SYR –
• (05:28) TENN –
• (03:15) TENN – ;Fourth quarter
• (12:13) SYR –
• (09:49) SYR –
• (08:29) TENN –
• (06:39) SYR –
• (02:38) SYR –
• (00:00) TENN –

Tennessee kicker Jeff Hall converted a 27-yard field goal as time expired to give the Vols a key road win. This was the second game winning kick of Hall's career, the first coming against Georgia in the 1995 season.. In his first game as a starter, replacing Peyton Manning, quarterback Tee Martin went only 9-of-26 for 143 yards, but led the Vols into field goal range for the game-winning kick. Running back Jamal Lewis led the Vols with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown. Wide receiver Peerless Price had two touchdown receptions.

Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb gave the Volunteer defense fits, putting up 300 yards with a 22-for-28 day.

No. 2 Florida

;First Quarter

• (05:54) FLA –
• (04:52) TENN – ;Second Quarter
• (07:12) TENN –
• (00:20) FLA – ;Third Quarter
• (07:36) TENN –
• (05:18) FLA – ;Fourth Quarter No scoring plays ;Overtime
• (00:00) TENN –

Tennessee broke a five-game losing streak against the Gators. Florida kicker Collins Cooper missed a potential game-tying field in overtime and set off a wild celebration at Neyland Stadium that saw the goalposts and CBS cameras disappear. The Vols won despite racking up only 235 yards of total offense and going 2 for 13 on third down conversions. The difference was turnovers. The Florida Gators lost four fumbles, and one interception, with three of the fumbles caused by Al Wilson. Jeff Hall made his field goal in the first overtime, setting the stage for the Florida miss and the Vols win. The Vols also held the Gators to −13 net rushing on 30 attempts. Fullback Shawn Bryson scored on a 57-yard run.

Houston

;First Quarter

• (09:33) TENN – ;Second Quarter
• (14:52) TENN –
• (10:09) TENN – ;Third Quarter
• (11:05) HOU –
• (07:36) TENN – ;Fourth Quarter
• (10:56) TENN –
• (06:35) TENN –

Junior quarterback Tee Martin threw for four touchdowns and 234 yards en route to the Vols win over the Houston Cougars. Jamal Lewis recorded 135 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Vols recorded 334 rushing yards and 589 total yards as a team. The Vols defense held Houston to 239 total yards and recorded three sacks with eight tackles for loss.

Auburn

The Vols jumped out to an early lead behind the running of Jamal Lewis. However, following a season ending ACL injury, Lewis left the game and the Tennessee defense held on for the 17–9 win.

In a rematch of the high scoring 1997 SEC Championship Game, the defense needed a score by defensive end Shaun Ellis and a four-play goal line stand from inside the one-yard line to secure the win. They did so without senior captain Al Wilson, who missed the game with a shoulder injury.

Georgia

Tennessee entered their third game in the 1998 SEC season as underdogs. However, behind the running of Travis Henry and Travis Stephens, and a strong defensive effort, the Vols dominated the Bulldogs.

Georgia was limited to only 254 total yards and the Vols defense held their opponent without a touchdown for the second straight game.

Alabama

The Vols pushed their winning streak over Alabama in the Third Saturday in October to four games with a 35–18 victory. The win gave Tennessee a 6–0 record for the first time since 1969.

This time, the Vols Offense relied on Travis Henry who rushed for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. The play that broke the game open for the Vols was a 100-yard kickoff return by Peerless Price in the 3rd quarter that answered an Alabama touchdown and two-point conversion.

South Carolina

Tee Martin set an NCAA record for consecutive completions with 24, leading the Vols to a 49–14 victory. Martin completed his first 23 passes (with one from the previous game) to set the record. He also recorded his first 300-yard passing game by going 23-for-24 for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Vol Defense held South Carolina scoreless until the 4th quarter, when they had a 42–0 lead.

UAB

Tennessee took care of the Blazers to win their homecoming contest and move their record to 8–0. It was their first 8–0 start since 1956. The Vols racked up 447 total yards, led by the rushing of Travis Henry and the passing of Tee Martin. WR Peerless Price also added 103 yards receiving.

Arkansas

Tennessee fell behind 21–3 in the first half, but capped off a season-saving comeback with a Travis Henry touchdown run in the final seconds.

Henry had 197 yards rushing and the deciding touchdown. The key play of the game and possibly the season occurred in the fourth quarter. Arkansas was nursing a 24–22 lead late in the game and was attempting to run out the clock. Defensive tackle Billy Ratliff pushed Arkansas guard Brandon Burlsworth into quarterback Clint Stoerner, causing him to stumble and fumble. Ratliff recovered the ball and allowed Tennessee the chance to drive the field and score the game-winning touchdown.

vs. Kentucky

;First Quarter

• (11:05) TENN –
• (07:09) TENN –
• (04:56) UK –
• (01:09) TENN – ;Second Quarter
• (12:11) TENN –
• (09:28) TENN –
• (06:16) TENN –
• (00:16) TENN – ;Third Quarter
• (10:02) UK –
• (07:03) TENN –
• (00:00) TENN – ;Fourth Quarter
• (08:41) TENN –
• (04:16) UK –

Kentucky struggled after one of their players died and another was injured in an automobile accident early that week, as Tennessee picked up an easy 59–21 win. This game marked the end of the Battle of the Beer Barrel, due to the alcohol-related death that week.

Kentucky QB Tim Couch passed for 337 yards and 2 touchdowns, but Kentucky never threatened after the 1st quarter

at Vanderbilt

;First Quarter

• (06:56) TENN – ;Second Quarter
• (09:08) TENN –
• (03:57) TENN –
• (00:55) TENN – ;Third Quarter
• (14:04) TENN – ;Fourth Quarter
• (09:34) TENN –
• (06:34) TENN –

The Vols clinched their second consecutive SEC East Division title with a win in Nashville. Tennessee dominated once again, holding the Commodores scoreless and limiting them to 174 total yards.

Tee Martin had 241 yards passing and one touchdown, while Travis Henry led the team in rushing with 136 yards and a touchdown. Peerless Price added 181 yards receiving and a touchdown.

vs. No. 23 Mississippi State ([[1998 SEC Championship Game|SEC Championship Game]])

No. 23 Mississippi State Bulldogs (8–3) vs. No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers (11–0) – Game summary ;First Quarter

• (00:05) MSU – ;Second Quarter
• (09:32) TENN –
• (05:09) TENN – ;Third Quarter No scoring plays ;Fourth Quarter
• (08:43) MSU –
• (06:15) TENN –
• (05:47) TENN –

Tennessee won its second SEC title, in a defensive struggle. The Vols were held to 249 total yards and scored 3 touchdowns. They were down late in the 4th quarter 14–10, but scored two touchdowns within 32 seconds of each other on passes by Tee Martin. This win secured a berth into the National Championship game for the Vols.

vs. No. 2 Florida State ([[1999 Fiesta Bowl|Tostitos Fiesta Bowl]])

No. 2 Florida State Seminoles (11–1) vs. No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers (12–0) – Game summary ;First Quarter No scoring plays ;Second Quarter

• (14:05) TENN –
• (13:40) TENN –
• (08:59) FSU –
• (01:17) FSU – ;Third Quarter No scoring plays ;Fourth Quarter
• (09:17) TENN –
• (06:01) TENN –
• (03:42) FSU –

Tennessee won its first consensus national championship since 1951 and the first ever BCS title game by defeating the Seminoles 23–16. The second ranked Seminoles were favored and boasted superstar WR Peter Warrick. The Vols limited Warrick to 1 catch for 7 yards and scored on long passes to Peerless Price and an interception return by CB Dwayne Goodrich, who was the defensive MVP of the game. Price had 199 yards receiving on 4 catches and scored the deciding touchdown in the 4th quarter.

LB Al Wilson led the defense with 9 tackles.

Roster

• Phillip Fulmer
• David Cutcliffe – Offensive coordinator/assistant head coach/quarterbacks
• Randy Sanders – Running backs/recruiting coordinator
• Pat Washington – Wide receivers
• Mark Bradley – Tight ends/assistant offensive line
• Mike Barry – Offensive line
• John Chavis – Defensive coordinator/linebackers
• Dan Brooks – Defensive line
• Kevin Ramsey – Defensive backs
• Steve Caldwell – Special teams/defensive ends
• Kurt Roper – Graduate assistant

Local radio

Statistics

• QB Tee Martin: 164/285 (57.5%) for 2,442 yards (8.57) with 21 touchdowns vs. 8 interceptions (2.81%). 113 carries for 306 yards (2.71) and 7 touchdowns.
• RB Travis Henry: 195 carries for 998 yards (5.12) and 7 touchdowns. 5 catches for 40 yards and no touchdowns.
• RB Travis Stephens: 120 carries for 537 yards (4.48) and 4 touchdowns.
• RB/FB Shawn Bryson: 24 carries for 207 yards (8.63) and 4 touchdowns. 22 catches for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• RB Jamal Lewis: 73 carries for 497 yards (6.81) and 3 touchdowns.
• WR Peerless Price: 65 catches for 1,119 yards (17.22) and 11 touchdowns.
• WR Cedrick Wilson: 34 catches for 565 yards (16.62) and 6 touchdowns.
• WR Jeremaine Copeland: 29 catches for 455 yards (15.69) and 1 touchdown.

Honors

• Phillip Fulmer: ::* Eddie Robinson Award ::* The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award ::* SEC Coach of the Year ::* AFCA Coach of the Year

• David Cutcliffe: ::* Broyles Award

• Al Wilson: ::* Birmingham Quarterback Club – Most Outstanding SEC Lineman ::* AP, AFCA, and FWAA 1st team All American ::* 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC

• Raynoch Thompson: ::* AP 3rd team All American ::* 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC

• Chad Clifton: ::* 'Football News' 1st team All SEC ::* AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC

• Cosey Coleman ::* AP 1st team All SEC ::* Coaches 2nd team All SEC

• Dwayne Goodrich ::* AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC

• Jeff Hall ::* 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC

• Peerless Price ::* AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC

• Darwin Walker ::* AP 1st team All SEC ::* Coaches 2nd team All SEC

Team players drafted into the NFL

The Tennessee Volunteers had six players selected in the 1999 NFL draft.

References

References

1. Stevens, Kevin. (September 6, 1998). "Vols thwat Orange's rally". Press & Sun-Bulletin.
2. Cash, Rana L.. (September 20, 1998). "Errors finally sink UF". The Miami Herald.
3. Harding, Thomas. (September 27, 1998). "Vols answer questions with win over Houston". The Commercial Appeal.
4. Halvatgis, Jenna. (October 4, 1998). "Auburn squanders opportunities". Pensacola News Journal.
5. Bagnato, Andrew. (October 11, 1998). "For Vols, there's no hedging". Chicago Tribune.
6. Morris, Dan. (October 25, 1998). "Rolled tide". The Jackson Sun.
7. Iacobelli, Pete. (November 1, 1998). "Vols Tee-off on USC". The Times and Democrat.
8. Avento, Joe. (November 8, 1998). "Scenario may suit 8–0 Vols". Johnson City Press.
9. Sharp, Tom. (November 15, 1998). "Friendly fumble; Late turnover brings UT back from brink". The Leaf-Chronicle.
10. Rosenblatt, Richard. (November 22, 1998). "Top-ranked Vols wallop flat Wildcats". Messenger-Inquirer.
11. (November 29, 1998). "Tennessee tops Vandy to stay undefeated". The Salt Lake Tribune.
12. Newberry, Paul. (December 6, 1998). "Tennessee overtakes Mississippi State 24–14". The Courier-Journal.
13. Schmadtke, Alan. (January 5, 1999). "Vols top 'Noles for national title". The Orlando Sentinel.
14. Venkataraman, Karthik. (2023-09-08). "1998 Vols kicker Jeff Hall drew a picture when he was nine years old of him kicking a game-winning field goal for Tennessee".
15. (1995-09-10). "COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Tennessee Draws a Blank, Kicks Georgia in End : SEC: Hall's mind was clear before game-winning field goal, which makes Manning's 349 yards and two touchdowns passing stand up.".
16. Croyle, Johnathan. (2018-09-12). "'Exactly what we needed': Syracuse overcomes storm, crowd to beat Michigan in 1998".
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18. (1998-09-19). "Goalposts Torn Down After Vols Top No. 2 Florida in Overtime".
19. (1998-09-26). "Martin's Four TD Passes Key as Vols Fly Past Houston".
20. (1998-10-05). "Tennessee's Lewis Out For Season".
21. (1998-10-03). "No. 3 Vols Avoid Upset, Beat Tigers".
22. (1998-10-03). "Early Blitz Critical to Tennessee Triumph at Auburn".
23. Lay, Ken. (2024-11-12). "A look back at Tennessee's victory at Georgia in 1998". USA Today.
24. "Football History vs University of Alabama".
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26. (1998-10-31). "No. 3 Vols, Martin Blast S.C.".
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28. Ramey, Grant. (2020-11-05). "Throwback Thursday: Clint Stoerner stumbles and fumbles".
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30. "Football vs Vanderbilt on 11/28/1998 - Box Score".
31. Thomsen, Ian. (1998-12-14). "Price Is Rising Tennessee's standout wideout, Peerless Price, has a singular ability to live up to his one-of-a-kind name when the game is on the line".
32. (1998-12-07). "Florida State Meets Tennessee for Title".
33. Drape, Joe. (1999-01-05). "No Poll Needed: Tennessee Locks Up No. 1".
34. Shapiro, Leonard. (1999-01-05). "TENNESSEE GOES OUT ON TOP". Washington Post.
35. (2019-11-27). "28th Annual Game, 1999".
36. Harig, Bob. (2005-09-28). "UT proves Warrick isn't Peerless".
37. (2022-08-03). "1998 Football Roster".
38. Farner, Keith. (2018-09-22). "WATCH: Tennessee honors 1998 national title team before Florida game".
39. "Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award Winners".
40. "Home Depot Coach of the Year Award Winners".
41. "SEC Coach of the Year Winners".
42. "AFCA Coach of the Year Award Winners".
43. Sparks, Adam. (2022-11-28). "Alex Golesh is Tennessee's first Broyles Award finalist since David Cutcliffe".
44. "1999 NFL Draft Listing".
45. Saunders, Patrick. (2016-02-25). "Broncos pick Al Wilson, Tennessee LB, with '99 1st-round pick".
46. Backus, Will. (2020-05-18). "Tennessee Vols football: Why Peerless Price returned to get his degree".