Tennessee football championship in 1998 was fueled by Billy Ratliff's iconic fumble recovery

This story appears in the new book from Knox News and The Tennessean, "Clad in Big Orange: 25 Years Later: The Inside Story of Tennessee's Epic 1998 National Title." The limited-edition 160-page hardcover book, which tells the story of the Vols' climb to the top of college football's mountain with a foreword from Chris Low, is listed at $39.95 but can be purchased for $35.95 for a limited time at Pediment.com. It's the perfect holiday gift for the Tennessee fan in your life.

Jeff Hall kicked a last-second field goal to beat Syracuse to open the 1998 season.

The Tennessee kicker nailed a clutch field goal in overtime to help the Vols upset No. 2 Florida.

But neither of those plays stand out as the key moment in the Vols’ ride to a national championship.

“Billy Ratliff’s play was the most iconic play of the season and one of the most iconic plays in Tennessee history,’’ Hall said in 2023.

Yes, Billy Ratliff’s play.

The Vols, one week after vaulting to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1956, were all but doomed against 9th-ranked and undefeated Arkansas.

The Hogs nursed a 24-22 lead with less than two minutes remaining. Tee Martin had just misfired on a fourth-down pass from midfield with 1:54 left.

The same fans that stormed the field after the win against Florida stormed out of the Neyland Stadium, certain of defeat. It seemed a special season had been spoiled.

But Ratliff wasn’t buying it.

As a despondent Martin walked off the field following the failed fourth down, a defensive tackle grabbed him.

“It was Billy,’’ Martin recalled 25 years later. “He said, ‘Hey man, we’re good. We’re going to get the ball back.

“I looked at him like ‘Whatever, man.’ I get you being optimistic and happy but I’m not happy right now. We just lost the game. I was so mad. That really was my attitude.’ ”

Ratliff saw the attitude and felt it was time for an attitude adjustment.

“To be honest with you, it was reverse psychology for me,’’ Ratliff said in 2023, as if the moment occurred yesterday. “I just saw Tee coming off the field with his head down. In my mind, I’m trying to psych him up and me up.

“I said, ‘Keep your helmet on. I got you. We’re going to get the ball back.’ Tee looked at me with side eyes, like, ‘Whatever.’ ’’

Martin shared the same sentiments with offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, who was on the phone talking to Martin, who was on the bench.

“He’s like, ‘Hey when we get the ball back,’ ’’ Martin said. “And I’m like, ‘Hey dude, we’re not getting the ball back.’ I’m about to unbuckle my shoulder pads because it’s over. I was thinking, ‘What am I going to say the media (after the game). I‘m already in that mode.’’

Cutcliffe wasn’t.

“I did believe we’d get the ball back,’’ Cutcliffe said. “I thought that was a championship team and so you’re always believing. I wanted Tee thinking ahead. … You’re feeling a little defeated, but it was not time to feel sorry for ourselves.’’

Martin was feeling sorry for himself and the team. He had not played well (10-for-27 passing for 155 yards with four sacks and an interception). But then he glanced up at the stadium videoboard and witnessed history.

Stumblin’, fumblin’ Clint Stoerner

On the next snap, Ratliff blasted off the line like a rocket, plowing into Arkansas’ All-America right guard, Brandon Burlsworth, who stepped back on quarterback Clint Stoerner’s foot.

As Stoerner pivoted from center, he lost his footing. He tried to regain his balance by putting the ball on the ground. But when he did, the ball stayed on the turf and Ratliff recovered.

To that point, Ratliff had not played well. No tackles. No sacks. Nothing.

In fact, he wasn’t even supposed to be in the game. In UT’s rotation, it was Jeff Coleman’s turn. But Coleman was battling cramps, and linebacker Al Wilson told Ratliff to get in the game.

“Al wanted who he wanted in the game,’’ Ratliff said. “Al let everyone know who was going in the game.’’

Ratliff knew it was time to deliver.

“I decided I’m just going to jump the snap every time, run a 40-yard dash as fast as I can,’’ Ratliff said. “I put my nose in (Burlsworth’s) chest and pushed him as hard as I could. I felt like I was running in a track meet.’’

After the collision, Ratliff saw the ball on the ground.

“It felt like it was sitting there for three or four seconds before anyone noticed,’’ Ratliff said. “It was like slow motion. I jumped on the ball, picked it up and history was made.’’

Given a reprieve, the Vols weren’t about to blow this opportunity.

Running toward a Vols victory

Sensing the momentum switch, Cutcliffe called a running play after running play to Travis Henry. Henry gained 15 yards, then 15 more. He plowed for another 11 yards to the 2-yard line. He got one more yard, then scored the winning touchdown with 28 seconds left.

Six run plays and 43 yards and a celebration over Houston Nutt’s stunned Razorbacks.

“We’re weren’t thinking about throwing the ball,’’ Martin said. “We ran the ball and scored to make sure we didn’t leave any time on the clock for them to get lucky and come down and score.’’

UT coach Phillip Fulmer, however, was thinking about throwing the football.

He suggested Cutcliffe air it out after the fumble recovery.

Cutcliffe didn’t listen.

“He said, ‘David, we’re going to have to throw every down,’ ’’ Cutcliffe recalled. “I said, ‘No we’re not. We’re going to run it and score.’ ’’

Cutcliffe knew the mindset of the team, of the offense, and of the offensive line.

“The first thing out of an offensive lineman’s mouth is ‘Run the ball, coach, run the ball,’ ’’ Cutcliffe said. “They love run blocking compared to dropping back in pass pro.’’

Ratliff knew UT would score after the turnover. He could see it in the offensive linemen’s eyes.

“Their whole demeanor changed,’’ Ratliff said. “As soon as I saw the first play (Henry’s 15-yard run) I knew it was showtime. It’s over. I saw Cheese (Henry) in the backfield. It’s over.’’

Cutcliffe was elated.

“One of the best memories I have for so many years of being in football is that drive,’’ Cutcliffe said.

It’s one of the best memories for Martin as well.

“That moment in and of itself and the sequence of events is what I remember most,’’ Martin said. “That feeling of defeat turned quickly to victory by the end of the game. It was awesome.’’

Was Ratliff’s forced fumble the biggest play of the season for the Vols?

“No doubt,’’ Martin said. “It was pivotal. Our season could have gone the other way if that play didn’t happen.

“You could argue if we lose to Syracuse, could you have still made it there? If you lose to Florida, could you have still made it there? But to lose late to Arkansas? The trajectory of our team could have gone the other way.’’

Ratliff wouldn’t allow it.

“Billy pulled his magic,’’ Cutcliffe said. “I’m forever grateful to Billy Ratliff.’’

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football championship in 1998 was fueled by Billy Ratliff