Fansided

15 best college football moments of 2016

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans celebrate their teams victory on the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans celebrate their teams victory on the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) catches a game-winning touchdown pass in front of Georgia Bulldogs safety Dominick Sanders (24) on the last play of the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) catches a game-winning touchdown pass in front of Georgia Bulldogs safety Dominick Sanders (24) on the last play of the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Tennessee and Georgia trade Hail Marys

While Tennessee turned in a disappointing season overall, it wasn’t short on wild finishes. The most dramatic Volunteers moment came in an October 1 game at Georgia, with an unforgettable sequence in the dying seconds.

The Volunteers didn’t exactly cruise through the first month of the season, but still entered October undefeated with their eyes on the SEC East title and more. Georgia looked like beatable opponents following some shaky outings to start the year, including a blowout loss to Ole Miss the week before.

It was all Bulldogs early on, as Tennessee fell behind 17-0 late in the first half on a fumble return touchdown. The Volunteers slowly climbed back into the game but were still trailing for much of the fourth quarter.

With just three minutes to go, the Volunteers took their first lead of the game at 28-24 on a strip-sack in the end zone. Georgia was picked off on its next drive, but managed to get the ball back with 1:07 remaining.

After doing nothing offensively for much of the second half, Jacob Eason connected with Riley Ridley on a 47-yard touchdown pass with just 10 seconds to go. For whatever reason, Georgia pooched the kickoff, giving the Volunteers one last chance for a Hail Mary.

Jauan Jennings somehow rose above multiple defenders to reel in the 43-yard game-winner from Joshua Dobbs. Tennessee would lose its next three games, but the insane sequence kept the Volunteers’ hopes alive for another week.

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