In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Notre Dame Stadium was not the type of place where you could fall behind 31–7 in the first half and dig yourself out.
Try telling that to Tennessee.
The tide changed right before halftime, when Darryl Hardy’s blocked field goal was returned 85 yards for a score by teammate Floyd Miley. An inescapable 34–7 deficit was now a “We’re still in this thing!” game at 31–14.
The Vols defense shut down Rick Mirer and the Irish offense in the second half, and quarterback Andy Kelly went to work. His third TD pass of the game, a 26-yard screen to running back Aaron Hayden, knotted the game at 34-all and John Beckvoort’s PAT gave the Vols an incredible 35–34 lead.
When Notre Dame threatened to win it with a last-second field goal, Tennessee’s Jeremy Lincoln – who would enjoy an eight-year NFL career before becoming a successful real estate consultant in New York City – blocked it with his rear end. Appropriate in light of the Vols working their butts off in a comeback for the ages. Jeremy Lincoln profile
