Wikipedia

1998 Tennessee Volunteers football team

The 1998 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season. Tennessee entered the 1998 season coming off an 11–2 record (7–1 SEC) in 1997. The Volunteers were given a preseason ranking of No. 10 in the AP Poll.

1998 Tennessee Volunteers football
Consensus national champion
SEC champion
SEC Eastern Division champion
Fiesta Bowl champion
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 1
APNo. 1
Record13–0 (8–0 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDavid Cutcliffe (6th season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorJohn Chavis (4th season)
Base defenseMultiple 4–3
Captains
Home stadiumNeyland Stadium
Seasons
← 1997
1999 →
1998 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 1 Tennessee x$#   8 – 0     13 – 0  
No. 5 Florida  %   7 – 1     10 – 2  
No. 14 Georgia   6 – 2     9 – 3  
Kentucky   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Vanderbilt   1 – 7     2 – 9  
South Carolina   0 – 8     1 – 10  
Western Division
Mississippi State xy   6 – 2     8 – 5  
No. 16 Arkansas x   6 – 2     9 – 3  
Alabama   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Ole Miss   3 – 5     7 – 5  
LSU   2 – 6     4 – 7  
Auburn   1 – 7     3 – 8  
Championship: Tennessee 24, Mississippi State 14
  • # – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The Vols won their second undisputed national title, and sixth overall, after defeating Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl, the first BCS National Championship Game. The '98 Vols beat eight bowl teams, including six January bowl teams, four top ten teams, and three BCS bowl-bound teams.

Tennessee was expected to have a slight fall-off after their conference championship the previous season. They had lost quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Marcus Nash, and linebacker Leonard Little to the NFL. Manning was the first pick overall in the 1998 NFL draft, selected before Ryan Leaf. Tennessee was also coming off a difficult 42–17 loss to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, and were in the midst of a five-game losing streak to the rival Florida Gators. Nonetheless, the Volunteers ended their season in Tempe with the school's first undefeated season in sixty years. As of 2024, this season was the most recent conference championship for Tennessee.

Captains

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Source:[1][2]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 512:35 pmat No. 17 Syracuse*No. 10
ESPNW 34–3349,550[3]
September 198:00 pmNo. 2 FloridaNo. 6
CBSW 20–17 OT107,653[4]
September 267:00 pmHouston*No. 4
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
PPVW 42–7106,417[5]
October 33:30 pmat AuburnNo. 3
CBSW 17–985,214[6]
October 103:30 pmat No. 7 GeorgiaNo. 4
CBSW 22–386,117[7]
October 243:30 pmAlabamaNo. 3
CBSW 35–18107,289[8]
October 3112:30 pmat South CarolinaNo. 3
JPSW 49–1469,523[9]
November 74:00 pmUAB*No. 2
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
PPVW 37–13106,508[10]
November 143:30 pmNo. 10 ArkansasNo. 1
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
CBSW 28–24106,365[11]
November 213:30 pmKentuckyNo. 1
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN (rivalry)
CBSW 59–21107,252[12]
November 285:30 pmat VanderbiltNo. 1
JPSW 41–041,600[13]
December 57:30 pmvs. No. 23 Mississippi State*No. 1
ABCW 24–1474,795[14]
January 47:30 pmvs. No. 2 Florida State*No. 1
ABCW 23–1680,470[15]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Rankings

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See also: 1998 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
т = Tied with team above or below ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP10864 (2)3 (2)43 (3)3 (3)3 (3)2 (3)1 (46)1 (37)1 (42)1 (41)1 (70)1 (70)
Coaches Poll1076455444 (1)3 (2)1T (25)2 (18½)2 (22½)2 (24½)1 (60)1 (62)
BCSNot released3211111Not released

Game summaries

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Syracuse

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 10 Tennessee 7 7 10 10 34
No. 17 Syracuse 0 10 3 20 33

K Jeff Hall hit a 27 Yard field goal as time expired to give the Vols a key road win.[16] This was the second game winning kick of Hall's career (Georgia 1995). In his first game as a starter QB Tee Martin went only 9-of-26 for 143 yards, but led the Vols into field goal range for the final kick. HB Jamal Lewis led the Vols with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown. WR 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.[17]

Florida

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1 2 3 4OT Total
No. 2 Florida 3 7 7 00 17
No. 6 Tennessee 7 3 7 03 20

Tennessee broke a 5-game losing streak against the Gators. Florida K Collins Cooper missed a FG 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 4 fumbles, and one interception, with 3 of the fumbles caused by Al Wilson. K 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. FB Shawn Bryson scored on a 57-yard run.[18]

Houston

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1 2 3 4 Total
Houston 0 0 7 0 7
No. 4 Tennessee 7 14 7 14 42

Junior QB Tee Martin had his coming-out party against the Houston Cougars, throwing for 4 touchdowns and 234 yards en route to the Vols win. Jamal Lewis added 135 yards rushing and 1 touchdown, leading the Vols to 334 rushing yards and 589 total yards. The Vols defense held Houston to 239 total yards and recorded 3 sacks with 8 tackles for loss.

Auburn

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 3 Tennessee 17 0 0 0 17
Auburn 0 3 3 3 9

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.[19]

In a rematch of the high scoring 1997 SEC Championship Game, the Defense needed a score by DE Shaun Ellis and a 4 play goal line stand from inside the 1-yard line to secure the win.[20] They did so without senior captain Al Wilson, who missed the game with a shoulder injury.

Georgia

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 4 Tennessee 3 6 13 0 22
No. 7 Georgia 3 0 0 0 3

Tennessee entered their 3rd game in the 1998 SEC season as underdogs. However, behind the running of substitute HB's Travis Henry and Travis Stephens, and a strong defensive effort, the Vols dominated the Bulldogs.[21]

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

Alabama

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1 2 3 4 Total
Alabama 3 0 8 7 18
No. 3 Tennessee 7 7 7 14 35

The Vols pushed their winning streak over Alabama to 4 games with a 35–18 victory. The win gave Tennessee a 6–0 record for the first time since 1969, and also extended a streak for the Vols in the Third Saturday in October game.

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

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 3 Tennessee 7 14 21 7 49
South Carolina 0 0 0 14 14

Tee Martin set an NCAA record for consecutive completions with 24, leading the Vols to a 49–14 victory.[22] 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

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1 2 3 4 Total
UAB 0 3 3 7 13
No. 2 Tennessee 10 14 10 3 37

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.[23] 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

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 10 Arkansas 7 14 3 0 24
No. 1 Tennessee 0 10 10 8 28

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 4th quarter. Arkansas was nursing a 24–22 lead late in the game and was attempting to run out the clock. DT Billy Ratliff pushed Arkansas G Brandon Burlsworth into QB 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.

Kentucky

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1 2 3 4 Total
Kentucky 7 0 7 7 21
No. 1 Tennessee 14 24 14 7 59

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

Vanderbilt

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 1 Tennessee 3 17 7 14 41
Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 0

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 1 touchdown, while Travis Henry led the team in rushing with 136 yards and a touchdown. Peerless Price added 181 yards receiving and a touchdown.

SEC Championship Game: Mississippi State

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 23 Mississippi St 7 0 0 7 14
No. 1 Tennessee 0 10 0 14 24

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.[24] This win secured a berth into the National Championship game for the Vols.[25]

Fiesta Bowl: Florida State

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 2 Florida St 0 9 0 7 16
No. 1 Tennessee 0 14 0 9 23

Tennessee won its first consensus national championship since 1951 and the first ever BCS title game by defeating the Seminoles 23–16.[26] 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.[27][28] Price had 199 yards receiving on 4 catches and scored the deciding touchdown in the 4th quarter.[29]

LB Al Wilson led the defense with 9 tackles.

See also: 1999 Fiesta Bowl

Roster

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1998 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
RB 24 Shawn Bryson Sr
OT 67 Chad Clifton Jr
QB 17 Tee Martin Jr
WR 37 Peerless Price Sr
WR 14 Cedrick Wilson Sr. So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DE 93 Shaun Ellis Jr
DB 23 Dwayne Goodrich Jr
LB 56 Bernard Jackson Fr
LB 46 Raynoch Thompson Jr
LB 27 Al Wilson Sr
LB 42 Eric Westmoreland So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
PK 4 Jeff Hall Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • 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
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Statistics

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  • 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

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SEC and National Championship rings for the 1998 Tennessee Vols
  • Birmingham Quarterback Club – Most Outstanding SEC Lineman
  • AP, AFCA, and FWAA 1st team All American
  • 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC
  • AP 3rd team All American
  • 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC
  • 'Football News' 1st team All SEC
  • AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC
  • AP 1st team All SEC
  • Coaches 2nd team All SEC
  • AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC
  • 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC
  • AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC
  • AP 1st team All SEC
  • Coaches 2nd team All SEC

Team players drafted into the NFL

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Main article: 1999 NFL draft

The Tennessee Volunteers had six players selected in the 1999 NFL draft.[35][36][37]

Player Position Round Pick NFL club
Al Wilson Linebacker 1 31 Denver Broncos
Peerless Price Wide receiver 2 53 Buffalo Bills
Shawn Bryson Running back 3 86 Buffalo Bills
Steve Johnson Cornerback 6 170 Seattle Seahawks
Jeff Hall Kicker 6 181 Washington Redskins
Corey Terry Defensive end 7 250 Indianapolis Colts

References

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  1. ^ "1998 Football Roster". University of Tennessee Athletics. August 3, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Farner, Keith (September 22, 2018). "WATCH: Tennessee honors 1998 national title team before Florida game". Saturday Down South. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Vols thwat Orange's rally". Press & Sun-Bulletin. September 6, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Errors finally sink UF". The Miami Herald. September 20, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Vols answer questions with win over Houston". The Commercial Appeal. September 27, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Auburn squanders opportunities". Pensacola News Journal. October 4, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "For Vols, there's no hedging". Chicago Tribune. October 11, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Rolled tide". The Jackson Sun. October 25, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Vols Tee-off on USC". The Times and Democrat. November 1, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Scenario may suit 8–0 Vols". Johnson City Press. November 8, 1998. Retrieved December 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Friendly fumble; Late turnover brings UT back from brink". The Leaf-Chronicle. November 15, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Top-ranked Vols wallop flat Wildcats". Messenger-Inquirer. November 22, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Tennessee tops Vandy to stay undefeated". The Salt Lake Tribune. November 29, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Tennessee overtakes Mississippi State 24–14". The Courier-Journal. December 6, 1998. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Vols top 'Noles for national title". The Orlando Sentinel. January 5, 1999. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Venkataraman, Karthik (September 8, 2023). "1998 Vols kicker Jeff Hall drew a picture when he was nine years old of him kicking a game-winning field goal for Tennessee". wbir.com. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Croyle, Johnathan (September 12, 2018). "'Exactly what we needed': Syracuse overcomes storm, crowd to beat Michigan in 1998". syracuse. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  18. ^ "Goalposts Torn Down After Vols Top No. 2 Florida in Overtime". University of Tennessee Athletics. September 19, 1998. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  19. ^ "Tennessee's Lewis Out For Season". CBS News. October 5, 1998. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "No. 3 Vols Avoid Upset, Beat Tigers". CBS News. October 3, 1998. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  21. ^ Lay, Ken (November 12, 2024). "A look back at Tennessee's victory at Georgia in 1998". Vols Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  22. ^ "No. 3 Vols, Martin Blast S.C." CBS News. October 31, 1998. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Homecoming a Happy Affair as Vols Down UAB, 37-13". University of Tennessee Athletics. November 7, 1998. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  24. ^ Thomsen, Ian (December 14, 1998). "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". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  25. ^ "Florida State Meets Tennessee for Title". The New York Times. December 7, 1998. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  26. ^ Drape, Joe (January 5, 1999). "No Poll Needed: Tennessee Locks Up No. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  27. ^ Shapiro, Leonard (January 5, 1999). "TENNESSEE GOES OUT ON TOP". Washington Post. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  28. ^ "28th Annual Game, 1999". Fiesta Bowl. November 27, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  29. ^ Harig, Bob (September 28, 2005). "UT proves Warrick isn't Peerless". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  30. ^ "Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  31. ^ "Home Depot Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  32. ^ "SEC Coach of the Year Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  33. ^ "AFCA Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  34. ^ Sparks, Adam (November 28, 2022). "Alex Golesh is Tennessee's first Broyles Award finalist since David Cutcliffe". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  35. ^ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  36. ^ Saunders, Patrick (February 25, 2016). "Broncos pick Al Wilson, Tennessee LB, with '99 1st-round pick". The Denver Post. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  37. ^ Backus, Will (May 18, 2020). "Tennessee Vols football: Why Peerless Price returned to get his degree". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
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