1998 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Junior QB Tee Martin had his coming-out party against the Houston Cougars, throwing for 4 touchdowns and 234 yards en route to the Vols win. Jamal Lewis added 135 yards rushing and 1 touchdown, leading the Vols to 334 rushing yards and 589 total yards.The Vols defense held Houston to 239 total yards and recorded 3 sacks with 8 tackles for loss.

Auburn

The Vols pushed their winning streak over Alabama to 4 games with a 35-18 victory. The win gave Tennessee a 6-0 record for the first time since 1969, and also extended a streak for the Vols in the Third Saturday in October rivalry game.

This time, the Vols Offense relied on Travis Henry who rushed for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. The play that broke the game open for the Vols was a 100 yard kickoff return by Peerless Price in the 3rd quarter that answered an Alabama touchdown and two point conversion.

outh Carolina

Tennessee fell behind 21-3 in the first half, but capped off a season-saving comeback with a Travis Henry touchdown run in the final seconds.

Henry had 197 yards rushing and the deciding touchdown. The key play of the game and possibly the season occurred in the 4th quarter. Arkansas was nursing a 24-22 lead late in the game and was attempting to run out the clock. DT Billy Ratliff pushed Arkansas G Brandon Burlsworth into QB Clint Stoerner, causing him to stumble and fumble. Ratliff recovered the ball and allowed Tennessee the chance to drive the field and score the game winning touchdown.

Kentucky

Tennessee won its second straight SEC title, this time in a defensive struggle. Mississippi State was held to 149 total yards and scored 2 TD's, one on defense and one on a punt return. The unconventional scoring was not enough, as Tennessee relied on TD's by Travis Stephens, Peerless Price and Cedrick Wilson to seal the conference title.

Fiesta Bowl: Florida State

Tennessee won its first consensus National Championship since 1951 and the first ever BCS title game by defeating the Seminoles 23-16. The second ranked Seminoles were favored and boasted superstar WR Peter Warrick. The Vols limited Warrick to 1 catch and scored on long passes to Peerless Price and an interception return by CB Dwayne Goodrich, who was the defensive MVP of the game. Price has 199 yards receiving and scored the deciding TD in the 4th quarter.

LB Al Wilson led the defense with 9 tackles.

tatistics

* QB Tee Martin: 164/285 (57.5%) for 2,442 yards (8.57) with 21 TD vs. 8 INT (2.81%). 113 carries for 306 yards (2.71) and 7 TD.
* RB Travis Henry: 195 carries for 998 yards (5.12) and 7 TD. 5 catches for 40 yards and 0 TD.
* RB Travis Stephens: 120 carries for 537 yards (4.48) and 4 TD.
* RB/FB Shawn Bryson: 24 carries for 207 yards (8.63) and 4 TD. 22 catches for 201 yards and 2 TD.
* RB Jamal Lewis: 73 carries for 497 yards (6.81) and 3 TD.
* WR Peerless Price: 65 catches for 1,119 yards (17.22) and 11 TD.
* WR Cedrick Wilson: 34 catches for 565 yards (16.62) and 6 TD.
* WR Jeremaine Copeland: 29 catches for 455 yards (15.69) and 1 TD.
* K Jeff Hall: 20 FGM and 49 XPM.

Honors

* Phillip Fulmer:::* Eddie Robinson Award::* The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award::* SEC Coach of the Year

* David Cutcliffe:::* Broyles Award

* Al Wilson:::* Birmingham Quarterback Club - Most Outstanding SEC Lineman::* AP, AFCA, and FWAA 1st team All American::* 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC

* Raynoch Thompson:::* AP 3rd team All American::* 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC

* Chad Clifton:::* 'Football News' 1st team All SEC::* AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC

* Cosey Coleman::* AP 1st team All SEC::* Coaches 2nd team All SEC

* Dwayne Goodrich::* AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC

* Jeff Hall::* 'Football News', AP and Coaches 1st team All SEC

* Peerless Price::* AP and Coaches 2nd team All SEC

* Darwin Walker::* AP 1st team All SEC::* Coaches 2nd team All SEC

ources

* 1999 University of Tennessee Volunteers Football Media guide
* [http://www.utsports.com/ UTsports.com]