JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One thing we learned about the Tennessee football team this season. They never give up. And you can never stop watching until the end.
The furious come-from-behind victory over Indiana in the TaxSlayer Bowl was one of the history books. And it was so fun to watch the team and the fans celebrate after such an amazing season!
After starting 1-4, the team rallied finished by winning six in a row and finishing 8-5. You can't blame the guys for being excited and the @Vol_Football Twitter page is just a place of pure joy today!
Tennessee put together his amazing video below of the celebration on the field and in the locker room.
While talking to his team, Coach Pruitt said something that's music to every Tennessee fans' ears:
"This decade is going to be the decade of the Vols," he said.
Victory dance!
Freshman Eric Gray was named the TaxSlayer Bowl MVP after recovering an onside kick and just a few minutes later, scoring the game-winning TD.
He was honored to get that trophy, but there was something else that meant more.
"It means a lot.. means even more we get send these seniors out like this."
He also thanked the Tennessee fans in the stands for their continued devotion to the team.
"Thank you so much. We'd be nothing without y'all! Go Vols!"
And the crowd roared.
Coach Jeremy Pruitt thanked those seniors and the fans, too:
Pruitt hoisted the 75th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl trophy Thursday night while also cradling his young son.
"That's a heavy one," he joked.
He praised his team and the fans for not quitting this season.
"Everybody gave up on his group of guys but they never did," he said.
The win was clinched because Pruitt made a bold call for that onside kick. He was asked what went into that decision.
"We were down a score," he said. Simple as that. And it's something the team practices every week:
Hey, Jauan! Now they all know!
Music to our ears!