American college football season
The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season . Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL draft , but returned to Tennessee for his senior year.[ 1] The Volunteers opened the season with victories against Texas Tech and UCLA , but for the third time in his career, Manning fell to Florida , 33–20.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] The Vols won the rest of their regular season games, finishing 10–1, and advanced to the SEC Championship Game against Auburn . Down 20–7, Manning led the Vols to a 30–29 victory. Throwing for four touchdowns, he was named the game's MVP, but injured himself in the process.[ 5] [ 6] The #3 Vols were matched up with #2 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl . Had Tennessee won and top-ranked Michigan lost to Washington State in the Rose Bowl , the Vols would have been expected to win the national championship .[ 7] However, the Vols' defense could not stop Nebraska's rushing attack, giving up more than 400 yards on the ground in a 42–17 loss.[ 8] As a senior, Manning won numerous awards. He was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Maxwell Award , the Davey O'Brien Award , the Johnny Unitas Award , and the Best College Football Player ESPY Award , among others. However, he did not win the Heisman Trophy , finishing runner-up to Charles Woodson , a CB from Michigan, and the only defensive player ever to win the Heisman Trophy.[ 9] [ 10] [ 11]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source August 30 7:45 p.m. Texas Tech * No. 5 ESPN W 52–17106,285 [ 12] September 6 3:30 p.m. at UCLA * No. 3 ABC W 30–2462,619 [ 13] September 20 3:30 p.m. at No. 1 Florida No. 4 CBS L 20–3385,714 [ 14] October 4 3:30 p.m. Ole Miss No. 10 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) CBS W 31–17106,229 [ 15] October 11 3:30 p.m. No. 15 Georgia No. 10 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) CBS W 38–13106,656 [ 16] October 18 7:00 p.m. at Alabama No. 9 ESPN W 38–2183,091 [ 17] November 1 12:30 p.m. South Carolina No. 8 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) JPS W 22–7106,301 [ 18] November 8 4:00 p.m. No. 25 Southern Miss * No. 7 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN PPV W 44–20107,073 [ 19] November 15 8:00 p.m. at Arkansas No. 5 ESPN2 W 30–2253,235 [ 20] November 22 12:30 p.m. at Kentucky No. 5 ESPN2 W 59–3161,076 [ 21] November 29 12:00 p.m. Vanderbilt No. 3 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry ) CBS W 17–10106,683 [ 22] December 6 8:00 p.m. vs. No. 11 Auburn No. 3 ABC W 30–2974,896 [ 23] January 2 8:00 p.m. vs. No. 2 Nebraska * No. 3 CBS L 17–4274,002 [ 24]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking ( ) = First-place votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Final AP 5 (8) 5 (7) 3 (7) 4 (6) 4 (6) 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 5 5 3 3 3 7 Coaches Poll 5 (8) 5 (8) 3 (10) 4 (5) 4 (6) 10 10 10 9 8 8 7 5 5 3 3 3 8
Texas Tech at Tennessee 1 2 3 4 Total Red Raiders 0 3 0 14 17 • No. 5 Volunteers 7 17 21 7 52
Tennessee at UCLA 1 2 3 4 Total • No. 3 Volunteers 9 15 3 3 30 Bruins 0 3 3 18 24
Scoring summary 1 8:28 UT Safety, Leonard Little sack of Cade McNown in end zone Tenn 2–0 3:05 UT Cory Gaines 57-yard interception return (Jeff Hall kick) Tenn 9–0 2 9:35 UT Jeremaine Copeland 24-yard pass from Peyton Manning (conversion) Tenn 17–0 4:07 UT Marcus Nash 39-yard pass from Peyton Manning (kick) Tenn 24–0 UCLA Chris Sailer ?-yard field goal Tenn 24–3 3 UCLA Chris Sailer ?-yard field goal Tenn 24–6 UT Jeff Hall ?-yard field goal Tenn 27–6 4 UCLA Skip Hicks ?-yard pass from Cade McNown (conversion failed) Tenn 27–12 UCLA Skip Hicks ?-yard run (conversion failed) Tenn 27–18 UCLA Skip Hicks ?-yard pass from Cade McNown (conversion failed) Tenn 27–24 UT Jeff Hall ?-yard field goal Tenn 30–24
[ 25]
Game information First quarter
UF – Jamie Richardson 11-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 9:43. Florida 7–0. UF – Tony George 88-yard interception return (Collins Cooper kick), 0:15. Florida 14–0. Second quarter
UT – Jermaine Copeland 22-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 1:33. Florida 14–7. UF – Jacquez Green 19-yard pass from Doug Johnson (kick failed), 0:45. Florida 20–7. Third quarter
UF – Collins Cooper 37-yard field goal, 8:33. Florida 23–7. UF – Collins Cooper 40-yard field goal, 3:44. Florida 26–7. UT – Jermaine Copeland 8-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 2:32. Florida 26–14. Fourth quarter
UF – Taran Ross 30-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 6:23. Florida 33–14. UT – Cedrick Wilson 16-yard pass from Peyton Manning (pass failed), 2:21. Florida 33–20. Top passers Top rushers UT – Mark Levine – 4 rushes, 27 yards UF – Fred Taylor – 17 rushes, 134 yards Top receivers
[ 26]
Ole Miss at Tennessee 1 2 3 4 Total Rebels 0 3 6 8 17 • No. 9 Volunteers 0 7 14 10 31
Georgia at Tennessee 1 2 3 4 Total No. 13 Bulldogs 3 7 0 3 13 • No. 9 Volunteers 7 17 0 14 38
Tennessee at Alabama 1 2 3 4 Total • No. 9 Volunteers 7 14 10 7 38 Crimson Tide 6 0 8 7 21
South Carolina at Tennessee 1 2 3 4 Total Gamecocks 0 0 0 7 7 • No. 9 Volunteers 9 0 3 10 22
Southern Miss at Tennessee 1 2 3 4 Total No. 24 Golden Eagles 7 6 7 0 20 • No. 8 Volunteers 6 14 21 3 44
Tennessee at Arkansas 1 2 3 4 Total • No. 5 Volunteers 7 7 3 13 30 Razorbacks 0 10 6 6 22
Tennessee at Kentucky 1 2 3 4 Total • No. 5 Volunteers 17 7 21 14 59 Wildcats 7 14 3 7 31
Peyton Manning threw for a school-record 523 yards and tied the school-record with 5 passing touchdowns in this high-scoring win over Kentucky. The single-game TD record fell in 2007 and the single-game yardage record stood until 2012. In all, Manning and Kentucky QB Tim Couch combined for 999 passing yards (Couch threw for a then-school-record 476 yards).[ 27]
Vanderbilt at Tennessee 1 2 3 4 Total Commodores 0 3 7 0 10 • No. 3 Volunteers 0 10 7 0 17
[ 28]
Tennessee vs Auburn 1 2 3 4 Total • No. 3 Volunteers 7 3 13 7 30 No. 11 Tigers 13 7 9 0 29
Scoring summary 1 12:41 UT Peerless Price 40-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Tenn 7–0 10:25 Aub Jaret Holmes 30-yard field goal Tenn 7–3 5:36 Aub Brad Ware 24-yard fumble return (Jaret Holmes kick) Aub 10–7 1:27 Aub Jaret Holmes 48-yard field goal Aub 13–7 2 14:12 Aub Tyrone Goodson 51-yard pass from Dameyune Craig (Jaret Holmes kick) Aub 20–7 7:46 UT Jeff Hall 27-yard field goal Aub 20–10 3 11:56 UT J. Copeland 5-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Aub 20–17 6:14 Aub Fred Beasley 24-yard pass from Dameyune Craig (Jaret Holmes kick) Aub 27–17 1:06 UT Peerless Price 46-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Aub 27–23 1:06 Aub Quinton Reese 98-yard PAT return Aub 29–23 4 11:14 UT Marcus Nash 73-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Tenn 30–29
The Vols struck first just over two minutes into the game, but found themselves trailing 20–7 only 48 seconds into the second quarter. Despite six turnovers, Tennessee clawed all the way back. Peyton Manning threw for 373 yards and 4 TD, including a game winning 73-yard touchdown to Marcus Nash.[ 29]
Vs. Nebraska (Orange Bowl)[ edit ] Tennessee vs Nebraska 1 2 3 4 Total No. 3 Volunteers 0 3 6 8 17 • No. 2 Cornhuskers 7 7 21 7 42
1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster Players Coaches Offense Defense Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 4 Jeff Hall Jr P 43 David Leaverton Fr
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches David Cutcliffe – Offensive coordinator/assistant head coach/quarterbacks Randy Sanders – Running backs/recruiting coordinator Pat Washington – Wide receivers Rodney Garner – Tight ends/offensive tackles Mark Bradley – 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
Team players drafted into the NFL [ edit ] [ 31]
^ "Nothing to Prove; Manning Made His Decision to Stay at Tennessee, and the Rest Is History". Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California. September 3, 1997. ^ "Tenn. Jumps To No. 3 in Poll". The Washington Post . September 1, 1997. ^ "UCLA Rallies in Second Half Against Tennessee, but Comes Up Short for Second Week in a Row, 30–24". Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California. September 7, 1997. ^ Rhoden, William C. (September 21, 1997). "Manning's Nightmare Continues" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 24, 2007 . ^ Sallee, Barrett (August 24, 2012). "Classic SEC Football: Tennessee Tops Auburn in the 1997 SEC Championship Game" . Bleacher Report . Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2014 . ^ Fulmer, Phillip (1999). A Perfect Season . Rutledge Hill Press. p. 7. ISBN 1-55853-798-8 . Peyton had played with a lot of pain in the Orange Bowl because of an injury he had suffered in our SEC Championship victory against Auburn, and his mobility was limited throughout the game against Nebraska ^ MacCambridge, Michael (2005). ESPN College Football Encyclopedia . ESPN Books. p. 1401. ISBN 1-4013-3703-1 . ^ MacCambridge, Michael (2005). ESPN College Football Encyclopedia . ESPN Books. p. 1462. ISBN 1-4013-3703-1 . ^ MacCambridge, Michael (2005). ESPN College Football Encyclopedia . ESPN Books. p. 1402. ISBN 1-4013-3703-1 . ^ "The 2005 ESPY Awards – ESPY Awards past winners" . ESPN. Retrieved December 20, 2007 . ^ "1997 Heisman Trophy" . Heisman.com . Archived from the original on February 1, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2008 . ^ "Vols crush Red Raiders" . The Odessa American . August 31, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Bruins rally comes up short against Tennessee" . The San Bernardino County Sun . September 7, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Chokehold stymies Vols" . Chicago Tribune . September 21, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Vols heat up after halftime, beat Ole Miss" . Bristol Herald Courier . October 5, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "No. 9 Volunteers romp past soaked Bulldogs" . Anderson Independent-Mail . October 12, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Tennessee waltz, Manning leads 3rd straight win over Alabama" . The Tennessean . October 19, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Vols back in control" . The Jackson Sun . November 2, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Manning's five touchdown lead Volunteers" . The Shreveport Times . November 9, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Tennessee holds off game Arkansas" . The Commercial Appeal . November 16, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Manning leads Vols past UK in 59–31 win" . The State Journal . November 23, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Lewis leads Vols past Vandy" . The State . November 30, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Volunteers win SEC title, await their bowl destiny" . The Courier-Journal . December 7, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Tie-tle; Huskers, Michigan are co-champions" . The Kansas City Star . January 3, 1998. Retrieved July 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Tennessee 30, UCLA 24" . UPI Archives . September 6, 1997. Retrieved September 24, 2022 . ^ "No. 3 Gators Find Willing Volunteers" . Los Angeles Times . September 21, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022 . ^ "Manning Passes for 523 Yards in Tennessee Win" . The Los Angeles Times . November 23, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022 . ^ "Vols win division crown, want more" . The Tampa Bay Times . November 30, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022 . ^ "Too Close for Comfort" . The Los Angeles Times . December 7, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022 . ^ "AAU Sullivan Award" . ^ 2011 Tennessee Football Record Book Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , p. 102.
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