COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Tennessee, Down by 25 Points, Pulls Out 38-36 Victory

Tennessee Coach Johnny Majors said his 16th-ranked Volunteers’ 38-36 victory over Vanderbilt Saturday was one of the most harrowing games between the intrastate rivals that he has ever witnessed.

“There were as many big plays in this game and as big a comeback as I can remember,” Majors said after his Vols rallied from a 25-point deficit.

Tennessee, 9-2-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the Southeastern Conference, next plays Indiana Jan. 2 in the Peach Bowl at Atlanta. The Commodores finished 4-7 and 1-5.

Vanderbilt Coach Watson Brown said: “They scored 17 points early in the third quarter, and we had the ball only two plays. That was the turning point of the game. They were able to keep the ball in the second half.”

The Vols fell behind, 28-3, midway through the second quarter and trailed until fullback William Howard’s six-yard scoring run gave them a 32-28 lead with 9:45 left in the third quarter. The go-ahead touchdown was set up when Vanderbilt’s Jeff Mayes fumbled a kickoff return and Tennessee’s Chris Treece recovered.

After Howard’s touchdown, Vanderbilt fumbled again, on a pitch from quarterback Eric Jones to fullback Andy Iacenda. It was recovered by Charles Kimbrough and set up Phil Reich’s 33-yard field goal with 6:59 left in the third period.

Another Reich field goal, a 47-yarder with 8:13 left in the game, gave Tennessee a 38-28 lead.

On Tennessee’s next possession, Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Gaines blitzed Vol quarterback Jeff Francis and caused a fumble, which was recovered by the Commodores at the Vol 34. Five plays later, Jones connected with Carl Parker on a 33-yard touchdown play, then passed to Boo Mitchell for two points to draw the Commodores within 38-36.

An onsides kick was recovered by the Vols, who took over with two minutes remaining and ran out the clock.