Tennessee Volunteers: The Dobbs-Nail Boot

There are 43 days till college football season, and today we focus on one of the most fantastic finishes of the 2016 season.

2016 had all the makings for a special season for the Tennessee Volunteers. They were preseason no. 9 and were the media’s pick to win the SEC East. They also found ways to win in each of their first four games, including their first win over the Florida Gators since 2004.

But after the Vols’ win over Georgia, there seemed to be something truly magical going on in Knoxville. And that leads us to no. 43 on the Southbound and Down College Football Countdown.

Joshua Dobbs hit Jauan Jennings on a 43-yard Hail Mary to beat Georgia in 2016

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You’ve seen it by now, and Georgia fans have seen it about a hundred times too many. The Bulldogs led for the first three quarters, but Tennessee outscored Georgia 20-7 in the final quarter to win 34-31.

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As we discussed with 47 days remaining on the countdown, Jacob Eason orchestrated an excellent four-play, 81-yard drive, including a 47-yard strike to Riley Ridley with 10 seconds remaining.

Because of celebration penalty on Georgia, Evan Berry was able to return the ensuing kickoff into Georgia territory with only seconds remaining.

Then it happened.

Georgia rushed three and Joshua Dobbs let one fly to the end zone, where Jauan Jennings rose up and came down with the ball, giving the Vols a 5-0 start to the 2016 season, and ripping out the hearts of Dawg fans.

The play is now referred to as the “Dobbs-Nail Boot” in reference to Georgia’s “Hobnail Boot” win back in 2001.

Unfortunately, the Tennessee Volunteers followed up their 5-0 start by splitting their final eight games to finish 9-4. Let’s see if Butch Jones saved any magic for the 2017 season.

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