By Darin 
In the annals of college football lore, few plays are as famously—or infamously—etched into history as the “Hand of God” fumble, a moment that single-handedly saved the undefeated season of the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers and paved their path to a national championship. On November 14, 1998, in a thrilling SEC matchup against the No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks, Tennessee found itself on the ropes, trailing 24-22 with time slipping away. What happened next wasn’t luck; it was destiny dressed in orange, and it cemented the 1998 Vols as a team defined by clutch performances.
The game began disastrously for Tennessee in front of the raucous crowd at Neyland Stadium. Arkansas, led by quarterback Clint Stoerner and an impressive offensive effort, sprinted to a commanding 21-3 lead in the first half. It looked as though the Volunteers’ dreams of a perfect season and a shot at the inaugural BCS National Championship were about to be extinguished. However, led by the punishing running of Travis Henry and the unflappable presence of quarterback Tee Martin, the Vols chipped away at the deficit, battling back to close the gap to a nail-biting 24-22 late in the fourth quarter.
With just 1:47 remaining on the clock and the ball near midfield, Arkansas, needing only to convert a first down or run out the clock, lined up under center. On second-and-12, disaster struck for the Razorbacks. Stoerner took the snap, but his feet got tangled with his own All-American offensive guard, Brandon Burlsworth, who was driven back by Tennessee defensive lineman Billy Ratliff. Stoerner stumbled, losing his balance and, critically, the football. In a moment of sheer disbelief for Arkansas fans—and pandemonium for Tennessee—defensive tackle Billy Ratliff pounced on the loose ball at the Arkansas 43-yard line. The play, though initially a stumble and a fumble, was quickly dubbed the “Hand of God” fumble for its seemingly divine intervention.
Gifted new life and excellent field position, the Tennessee offense, under the steady hand of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, turned to their ground game. Running back Travis Henry, who finished the game with a monstrous 197 rushing yards on 32 attempts, took over. Cutcliffe called Henry’s number five consecutive times, grinding the ball down the field. Henry capped the improbable drive with a one-yard touchdown run, putting the Vols ahead 28-24 with just 28 seconds remaining.
The dramatic comeback victory kept Tennessee undefeated and ranked No. 1. The team would go on to defeat Mississippi State in the SEC Championship Game and, finally, beat Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl—the first-ever BCS National Championship Game—to complete a perfect 13-0 season and claim the undisputed national title. The “Hand of God” fumble was not just a turnover; it was the ultimate turning point that ensured the 1998 Tennessee Volunteers’ legacy was secured forever.
Article from Nov 15, 1998 Times Record (Fort Smith, Arkansas)
Football Accolades and Accomplishments:
- Tennessee Volunteers 1998: BCS National Champions, SEC Champions, Final AP Poll Rank No. 1, Final Record 13-0.
- Key Players in the Game: Running Back Travis Henry (197 rushing yards, 1 TD), Defensive Lineman Billy Ratliff (fumble recovery), Quarterback Tee Martin.
- Game Result: No. 1 Tennessee 28, No. 10 Arkansas 24.
- Significance: The win preserved Tennessee’s perfect season and was a crucial step toward winning the first BCS National Championship.