One of the most memorable plays in Tennessee Vols football history was the Hail Mary in 2016 to beat the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens (it's still the only win that Tennessee has against Kirby Smart).
Tennessee appeared to be destined for a brutal loss after Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason connected with wide receiver Riley Ridley for a go-ahead 47-yard touchdown with just 10 seconds left on the clock.
A penalty and a 20 yard kick return from Evan Berry, however, left the Vols with one chance at a Hail Mary and the win. Quarterback Josh Dobbs heaved the ball into the end zone where it was caught by wide receiver Jauan Jennings, instantly silencing Sanford Stadium.
Initially, Jennings wasn't supposed to be the target on the Hail Mary.
Dobbs revealed on The Torchebearers Podcast this week that former Vols wide receiver Josh Malone was supposed to be the target. Tennessee wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, who is currently the Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receivers coach, called timeout before the play and switched Malone and Jennings.
"You (Jennings) weren't designed to catch the ball," said Dobbs to Jennings during the podcast. "Coach Azzanni called timeout and he ended up switching you and Malone and moving you on the left. He's (Azzanni) like 'Jauan's the jumper, Jauan's gonna make that contested catch'. I still remember your hands grabbing the ball and plucking it out of the sky. I can literally see it from my vantage point."
Dobbs also revealed that Jennings threw the football after making the play, which led to Dobbs chasing the ball down to keep as a memento.
"I relive that moment over and over in my head all the time," said Jennings. "And I just remember you (Dobbs) going to get the ball."
"You (Jennings) were so excited and everyone is like carrying you off the field," added Dobbs. "And you know when you get excited, you kind of blackout low-key. You took the Hail Mary ball and you just chucked it all the way across the field. I'm like bro, that's history right there, we can't let that thing go."
Dobbs told Jennings that he still has the ball at his house.
Jennings and Dobbs suffered through some tough times during their run at Tennessee. But they still managed to deliver one of the best moments in Vols football history. And it never gets old hearing new stories about the miracle down in Athens.
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