COLUMBIA, S.C. – The theme of the week was simple: “Whatever it takes.”
“We kept saying that,” junior wide receiver Alton “Pig” Howard said. “Whatever it takes, whatever it takes. We just told each other that we were going to stay together, and that’s what we did those last couple of drives.”
Tennessee did that and more on Saturday inside Williams-Brice Stadium, scoring 17 unanswered points to pull off a thrilling comeback to beat the South Carolina Gamecocks in overtime, 45-42.
“What can I say about this football team?” Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said. “Our perseverance and our resiliency was rewarded tonight. Being down by 14 with five minutes to go in the game, there was never a doubt that we were going to win this football game.”
When South Carolina running back Brandon Wilds scampered 70 yards untouched into the end zone to give his team a 14-point lead, the Gamecocks (4-5, 2-5 SEC) had seemingly dashed Tennessee’s hopes of escaping Columbia with a victory.
The Vols (4-5, 1-4), however, had other ideas.
On the ensuing drive, quarterback Josh Dobbs and the Volunteer offense clawed their way back with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a three-yard touchdown run from the sophomore signal caller.
Following a three-and-out by South Carolina, Dobbs got the opportunity to lead his team down the field and tie up the ballgame with just 1:23 left on the clock.
One minute and 12 seconds later, he did exactly that, finding redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jason Croom for a nine-yard touchdown pass to send the game into overtime.
“Josh showed very, very good poise,” Jones said. “He executed the one-minute drill to perfection with no timeouts left. They say the mark of a really good quarterback is the ability to lead their team from behind in the one-minute drill on the road and Josh was able to do that.”
In overtime, though, the offense staggered, managing just 11 yards before being forced to settle with Aaron Medley’s eventual game-winning 32-yard field goal.
After pulling ahead to a 45-42 lead in extra time, the Vols turned to their defense, which allowed 625 yards of total offense to South Carolina, to win the ballgame.
But even with his defense not playing it’s best football, Jones’ confidence in the unit never wavered.
“We wanted the ball first in overtime to put our defense on the field and let them win it,” Jones said.
That belief paid off.
On first down, redshirt junior linebacker Curt Maggitt sacked Dylan Thompson for a 9-yard loss. On the next play, freshman defensive end Derek Barnett sacked the redshirt senior quarterback again, this time for a loss of six. A Thompson incomplete pass on third down set up a 58-yard field goal by sophomore Elliott Fry.
The result: a field goal that was partially blocked and landed well short of the mark to secure the Vols win.
“(Jones) has confidence in us, and we got confidence in ourselves,” Maggitt said. “A lot of times when big plays happen, it’s something that we did to ourselves. But the outcome is what we wanted, and it’s a great feeling.”
The comeback bid, though, almost never got off the ground.
Two drives before Dobbs’ rushing score to draw the Vols within seven, the Alpharetta, Georgia native fired an interception to Brison Williams that seemingly sealed the game for the Gamecocks 10:51 remaining.
“I knew I was fine,” Dobbs said. “I knew our defense was fine. I knew they would get a stop.”
The Vols defense did, and his response on UT’s next drive was exactly what they needed. Trailing 35-21, a 6-play, 47-yard drive finished with a 21-yard touchdown pass to freshman running back Jalen Hurd.
Dobbs finished the game with 301 yards and two touchdowns on 23 of 40 passing. He also rushed for 166 yards on 24 carries, which set a new UT record for rushing yards by a quarterback.
Following the victory, the Vols rushed to the contingent of orange-clad fans located on the left side of the end zone, where the team made their comeback and secured the win.
For Jones, not only did Saturday’s victory move UT one step closer to its season-long goal of a bowl game, but it also gave something for the fans to feel good about.
“It feels good anytime you win, but I feel great for Vol Nation,” Jones said. “You talk about a loyal fan base – we are going to need them as this season continues to progress. I hope everyone in Vol Nation can have a great weekend and a great week.
“I am proud of our seniors and everyone associated with our football program. You know, we’ve been on the other side of things, so we’re going to enjoy the night.”
