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Lucky and Great meet for Florida defeat

by Tony Basilio

I have a friend who’s a Vol detractor. He likes to talk about something he calls “Fulmer luck.” His assertion is that Phillip Fulmer is “the luckiest coach on planet Earth.”

Tennessee’s 30-28 win last Saturday in Neyland Stadium may just be Fulmer’s most magical moment yet. That’s saying something for a head coach who saw his team perform every supernatural act imaginable during the National Championship season of 1998. But what took place in Neyland Stadium Saturday night was downright eerie. Vol foes who want to beat Tennessee this year better be ready to face a talented football team led by two different head coaches: Phillip the Lucky and Phillip the Great.

Phillip the Lucky won a game against the Gators despite turning the ball over three times to Florida’s one. He won a game over the higher-ranked Gators despite giving up two drives of more than 80 yards and over 400 yards of total offense. He won a game where the Gators were dominant on third-down conversions, and wherein the victorious Vols missed a potentially game-tying extra point in the waning minutes.

When UT kicker James Wilhoit pushed that kick with just over three minutes left, it seemed certain he would wear the collar. What thoughts must have raced through Wilhoit’s mind as he watched Florida chew up his team for a first down inside of two minutes remaining? Did he ever consider that he was but moments away from redemption?

Maybe he didn’t, but I did. Because I knew whom he played for. Both Phillips are money in the bank in close games; their record is now an astounding 18-3 in games decided by three points or less. If you want to beat either Phillip, you had better score an early knockout.

The Great decided midway through the third quarter that Tennessee’s best chance to beat the Gators was with the passing game. So he decided to allow his best passer to direct the last several series.

Indeed, Phillip The Great took over the game at that point with a succession of gutsy calls, like the one to go on fourth and five from midfield with less than six minutes to go in the game. Erik Ainge, who finished 16 of 24 for 192 clutch yards, hit Tony Brown on a slant that moved the ball deep into Florida territory. First down Brown; first down Phillip The Great. Next thing we know, Tennessee’s Jason Swain makes a couple of nifty moves and skates into the end zone. The Great One was casual in his assessment of why Tennessee gambled on the key fourth down: “It was a gut thing. I had a feeling we could get it there.”

But it wasn’t enough. That heart-rending missed extra point spoiled the touchdown celebration. And after the ensuing kick-off, Florida moved the ball for a first down out past the Tennessee 40. With a little over two minutes left, Tennessee was out of timeouts, and the game was seemingly over.

That’s when Phillip the Lucky stepped in. You see, no game is ever over when Phillip the Lucky is at the helm. Suddenly, the Gators had to relinquish the ball again after wide receiver Dallas Baker got flagged for a personal foul, incurred for his retaliatory reaction to a couple of shoves by Tennessee cornerback Jonathan Wade. The line judge’s critical call, which ultimately led to Wilhoit’s field goal try, would only add to the legend of Phillip the Lucky.

The Lucky’s second stroke of good fortune struck when time-keepers failed to start the clock after the penalty, giving the Vols an extra 25 seconds to get down the field.

Next thing we knew, Phillip the Lucky stood on UT’s sideline and anxiously watched Wilhoit, who had botched the extra point only moments before, line up for a 50-yard field goal. Or at least he looked anxious. Maybe Phillip the Lucky knew what was going to happen. He’s been in this position many, many times before. The field goal was good, of course. The clock ran out, and both Fulmers walked away with a 30-28 victory.

Consider previous evidence, such as the game with Syracuse in 1998. Who could ever forget the game-ending turn of events that let Tennessee escape the Carrier Dome with a win on their way to a National Title? Or how about the Arkansas game of the same year. The Hogs could’ve been on their way to an undefeated season of their own. They were at the very least on their way to putting Tennessee out of that season’s national title race when QB Clint Stoerner fumbled their chances away.

The bottom line is that when Phillip the Lucky and Phillip the Great are both on Tennessee’s sidelines, watch out. Some wise old sage, probably a football coach, once said that it’s better to be lucky than good. Fulmer proves that it’s better yet to be both at the same time. Another wise old sage once said that luck is where opportunity meets preparation. That’s the point where Phillip the Great and Phillip the Lucky come together.

Tune in and talk sports with Tony Basilio weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on ESPN Radio WVLZ 1180 AM.

September 23, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 39 © 2004 Metro Pulse