Alabama Experience

The feelings and images of those final minutes watching another Tennessee-Alabama game in Tuscaloosa will never fade.  Ever.

The Vols were heading for a possible miracle ending, and while it was unfolding in front of me, I was frantically rewriting a story (in my head) that seemed finished after Tennessee was called for roughing the kicker with less than 5 minutes to play.  Alabama 12, Tennessee 3.  Edit, feed, done. 

But wait.

As I stood along the Vols sideline, the game took a dramatic turn.

An Alabama fumble, a Vols touchdown, and a recovered on-side kick with 1:19 to play gave Tennessee a chance to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent UT history.

The Vols had 79 seconds to seal the deal. I had the same amount of time to come-up with a suitable name for what was taking place.

I'd been there before. 

I was at the Vols-Notre Dame game in 1991 that was eventually dubbed the Miracle at South Bend.

I was at the Titans-Bills playoff game in 1999 that became known as the Music City Miracle.

For the record, I had nothing to do with those names. For that matter, I have no idea who did.

As Jonathan Crompton completed a 14-yard pass to Gerald Jones, and then a 23-yarder to Luke Stocker, anguish enveloped Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama fans saw their chance for a 13th national title evaporating and their distress increased as the Vols ran the ball to the Crimson Tide 27-yard line.

If Vols were going to win. I knew the game would go down in history as something-- and while it really wouldn't effect the game story, I was considering the options. Nothing clicked. 

Vols kicker Daniel Lincoln said he heard "boom-boom" when he drilled the ball. The first was the sound of his right foot hitting the ball. The second was the sound of the ball hitting Alabama's Terrence Cody. Blocked. Game over. Bama wins 12-10.

No Miracle-- at least for Tennessee.

Just another UT-Alabama game that I'll never forget.  Ever.