University of Tennessee Athletics
Gordon's Pick Made Perfect
November 20, 2011 | Football
KNOXVILLE -- The play was one Eric Gordon recognized.
When Vanderbilt lined up on third-and-6 from the 11-yard line in overtime Saturday night at Neyland Stadium, Gordon stepped up and intercepted the pass at the 10 and raced 90 yards down the far sideline to give Tennessee a 27-21 victory over Vanderbilt.
Earlier in the game, Gordon was all over the same play, batting down a pass from Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers. This time, he made a quicker move and stepped in front of the ball.
"It was a play they had run earlier when I batted the ball down," Gordon said. "When he did the same route, I was like, `This can't be right.' "
Gordon snagged the ball and looked up to a wide-open green field ahead. Nobody was near him to stop the game-winning touchdown.
"Words can't describe it," Gordon said of the open field ahead of him. "Words can't describe the feeling."
Fellow Tennessee defensive back Prentiss Waggner was cheering from the sidelines.
"I had gotten hurt two plays before that and when I saw Eric get that interception, I think all the pain went away," Waggner said. "I was trying to run with him down that sideline. It's one of those plays Eric makes every day in practice."
The fireworks exploded above the Tennessee River, the crowd cheered, and reporters scrambled onto the field. As the officials conferred, however, they ruled Gordon's knee hit the ground as he stepped in for the interception. Vanderbilt's possession was over, and Tennessee had the ball.
The Tennessee sideline disagreed with the call.
"Actually, a trainer came over and looked at my knee," Gordon said. "He said, `I don't see any white or any grass on you. You look pretty good to me.' I was confident after that."
Before Tennessee snapped the ball, the ruling was ordered to be reviewed in the officials' booth. After several minutes of review, the call was overturned and Gordon's return was ruled a touchdown. Game over.
Finally, the ball bounced Tennessee's way.
Last season, the Vols were on the losing end of a late-game call at LSU. They thought they had won in Baton Rouge, but a penalty gave the Tigers one more chance to score and win.
In last year's bowl game, the Vols were on another losing end of a late call vs. North Carolina. They thought they had beaten the Tar Heels to win the Music City Bowl. Instead, a reviewed play gave North Carolina another chance to win. The Tar Heels did.
On Saturday night, however, the Vols made things happen for them. Dooley said he had never been more proud of a team.
"I think that's fair to say, just given all the adversity and negativity that's been surrounding these kids," Dooley said. "And I tell you: I've kept telling them I've seen a lot of good in them the last six weeks that a lot of people can't see. I kept believing in them and they kept believing in themselves, and it's real easy to get lost in that. It's toxic. All the negativity that can surround the program, and it's hard on a young man -- it's hard for adults -- to be insulated from it.
"But the old Orange Dog did its magic. It was positive all night. We never tucked our tails or put our head down tonight, and there was a lot of opportunity to."
When things were looking shaky in overtime with Vanderbilt driving, Gordon's interception was the magic the team needed.
"You know what?" Dooley said. "The black cloud over Knoxville blew away, and we got a little sunshine."
