KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee and Alabama came into their heated rivalry game in 2003 with both teams looking for momentum.
The Vols had lost two in a row coming into that game. Alabama had a 3-5 record. Then-head coach Phillip Fulmer said going into it, UT expected to win but got more than he asked for in a wild game in Alabama.
“It was one of those back-and-forth great games," he told WBIR.
It was a low-scoring game all through regulation. Tennessee was down 20-13 with under two minutes to go in regulation. Quarterback Casey Clausen led a masterful drive down the field to tie it up, finding fullback Troy Fleming on a one-yard passing touchdown.
“You know out of those Alabama-Tennessee games there are always heroes that come out of it," Fulmer said. "Casey Clausen played lights out.”
The Vols avoided a loss as Alabama missed on a game-winning kick attempt as time expired in regulation. Then, the game got more wild, as it eventually went to five overtimes.
In double-OT, the Vols needed a big play. It was fourth and 19 and they needed a first down. Alabama had scored on the drive prior to opening up the second overtime.
“Good teams are like this," Fulmer said. "They think they’re going to win until the clock runs out.”
The Vols came up clutch. Clausen found wide receiver C.J. Fayton to move the chains. The Vols scored a touchdown on the drive off a tipped pass caught by wide receiver Jeremy Banks. Both teams stayed level until the fifth overtime. Tennessee made more game-defining plays to put the Crimson Tide away.
Clausen found the endzone one a one-yard quarterback sneak. Then Banks caught a ball he high-pointed for the two-point conversion to make the score 51-43. Alabama had a last heave on a fourth-and-two. Defensive back Jason Ball played a pass perfectly, breaking it up in the endzone.
Tennessee won.
The celebration was on in the signature way for this rivalry.
“A lot of cigars. That did happen," Fulmer said. "That was before the conference stepped in to say that’s not a good thing to be doing publicly at least.”
Fulmer loves reflecting on wins. He had 11 of them in his career against the Crimson Tide. He said it just means more beating Alabama.
“Say what you like, but the Tennessee-Alabama series is unlike any other in college football," he said. "Being part of it as a player, coach, assistant coach they’re all big, they’re all important. Those memories won’t go away because of the historical part of it.”
