Memories of the Third Saturday in October...

My actual memory of the annual Tennessee-Alabama game truly begins in 1989. I know the history of the series. I’ve read the book, and I own the videos. But my actual memory begins in the late 80’s. A quick rundown of my annual sickness and joy follows:

1989 – I watched the game at a family friend’s home. I remember getting pounded and hearing the name Siran Stacy over and over and over and over again. I knew that we had lost to Bama for a while now, and I knew that people were saying that Coach Majors would get tight for the Bama game.

1990 – I watched this game at home. It was so confusing. We were supposed to be so much better than them! We had a chance at the end, but the subsequent block and roll happened. To this day I have never seen a blocked kick of any kind travel so far in the opposite direction. I felt like we were cursed and would never beat the Tide.

1991 – I also watched this game at home. I remember thinking to myself that Coach Majors would never beat Alabama. The final score was closer than the actual game.

1992 – I didn’t watch this game. I was at a weekend retreat with no TV. The outcome was inevitable, anyway. The middle one of the three consecutive losses that precipitated the ousting of Coach Majors.

1993 – This game was the absolute worst. We had it, and we gave it away. Once David Palmer scored the two-pointer to tie the game, I wanted to vomit. I really thought I was going to. I didn’t.

1994 – Speaking of upchucking, this game was the one that my dad got puked on by someone sitting behind him. This edition was actually the first one that I attended, and I sat with my sister on great seats in the 2^nd row of the upper deck at midfield. Bama was better than us, but Peyton & Stewart almost led us to victory. I remember the missed 4^th down pass from Manning to Kent that ended the game. Interestingly enough, at this time, I preferred Stewart’s athleticism and scrambling ability to Manning’s boring pocket passing. This should immediately cause you to stop reading and never visit this blog again, for I am a moron.

1995 – I watched this glorious edition of the series at a restaurant owned by a family friend. Manning to Kent on the first play, and 80 yards later, it was already over. The Tide was never going to recover from that one. First win…it wouldn’t be the last.

1996 – I know that I watched this one at home, but I really only remember watching the second half. I have a strong memory of Joey Kent scoring on a quick pass and long run down the middle on a blitz, and I clearly remember Graham going the distance to win, but I didn’t remember the game being such a great comeback by the Vols, which it was. The first loss of the season for the Tide.

1997 – The weekend retreat strikes again, but this time I had a TV to watch. I knew we were better than Bama, and we showed it again. 3 in a row felt good.

1998 – I was at this one, and in the first row to boot, and although I don’t have the strongest memory of every play, I certainly remember Peerless running back that kick and thinking that it wasn’t going to count because of the flag. Not very often that the kicking team gets called for holding on a return. From that point on, the game was over.

1999 – Another weekend retreat, but this time I got to watch the game on tape delay. I remember Tee hitting David Martin for a long one in the 3^rd quarter, and I remember Tee putting the game away with his legs. Beating Bama was becoming a very normal thing at this point.

2000 – I remember this one because it was Casey’s first start for the Vols, and he got his helmet ripped off and was still looking to throw downfield. We also hit a long pass on the first play. Both teams were struggling at that point in the season, and this was a big win for the Vols in 2000.

2001 – I am now realizing just how many times I’ve missed this game because of weekend retreats. This one I did not see at all. I wish I had. I did get a call telling me that we had won, once the game was over. My parents were in attendance, though, and I feel like I watched vicariously through them, so I don’t feel bad about missing this one.

2002 – I watched the game from my fiancée’s couch. A complete disaster from start to finish for the Vols. I was drinking Killian’s Red, which was obviously the wrong choice of beverage. Streak over.

2003 – I watched the game from my couch in my apartment. I should say “our” apartment, since the fiancée had become the wife at that point. We were pretty miserable starting out, until a big throw to James Banks gave us a field goal at the half. Bama came right back down and kicked one themselves, giving them a 6-3 lead going into the locker rooms. We came out in the second half and took the lead with 10 straight points, but did little else, and the Tide took the lead 20-13 and were looking to close it out by running the ball. On a 3^rd and 3 play, the little Bama RB Shaud Williams ran up the middle. If the Tide got this one, the game was over. I was certain he got the first, and so I stormed out of the room to go hop in the shower.

After I stripped quickly, the wife calls to me and says that they didn’t get the first down. To this day, I am glad that there was no replay at that point, so that the correct spot was not called. The Vols got the punt, and boom boom boom Troy Fleming was wide open in the end zone and the game was tied. Did I mention that I’m watching all of this in nothing but a towel? Poor Tyrone Prothro almost took the kickoff all the way, but Wilhoit’s face mask takedown saved a TD. The game-winning FG was partially blocked, and we were headed to overtime. (Is it obvious that this game is pretty vivid in my memory?)

Casey’s 4^th and 19 to Fayton saved the game and the season, and Banks made play after play. 5 OTs and about an hour later, the Vols left Tuscaloosa with another win over Bama.

2004 – I’m back in Neyland Stadium. (I’m now realizing just how few of these things I’ve actually attended!) Shoulda pounded them, but a few turnovers kept it close. Great defensive TD on Bama’s second offensive play. D came up with the stops, and got the win. Any win over Bama is a good one, no matter how ugly.

2005 – Speaking of ugly…this game was the 2005 season in a nutshell. I didn’t catch all of this one, because I had attended the Iowa-Michigan game earlier that day and missed the Vols’ kickoff. Clear memories of fumbling the game away twice inside the 10 and a lucky bomb by Croyle that won the game. I’m trying to forget this one.

2006 – There in person. Watching with my dad. Ainge’s 3 interceptions and Bama’s persistent defense kept it close. The Vols’ determination won out in the end. Bama had no offense, save for the refs’ call on the DJ Hall incompletion. Good to win this one, so we can call this Saturday’s victory a streak.

Lots of memories…many bad ones early, many good ones late.

I don't get nervous about this game like I used to, and I miss that.

Perfection.

I've always thought that college football is not about having a dominant program, or having a great tradition, or beating your rival. To me, college football is all about making lasting memories and enjoying the experience of college football. If you can't enjoy the experience of what the Vols did on Saturday, I honestly think you're not a Volunteer fan. You've gotta be some other kind of animal entirely.

What the Vols did yesterday, no matter what happens the rest of the season, will always be a great memory for me.

A beautiful day at Neyland, the shadows moving from the west to the east, a boisterous crowd on hand, and the Vols playing absolutely lights-out from start to finish. Perfection.