I know many of you remember the game. Vandy was down 28-3 early in the second half to NIU and mounted a furious comeback that was capped by Jimmy Williams' 65-yard punt return for TD with 1:41 to play. Looking back, it may have been one of the most unexpected moments in Vanderbilt football history. VU won the game 34-31.
Rest in peace, Jimmy.
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Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
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AuricGoldfinger
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3rdFloorDyer
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Re: Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
That was a remarkable return – considering we had the “full block” on.
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Dickeys Nightmare
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Re: Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
Was there for this with my children. One of my fondest VU sports memories. Love Jimmy Williams. RIP.
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BrentVU
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Re: Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
That was a great comeback, and a great moment... even though Vandy never should have fallen behind 28 to 3. Jimmy's return also seemed to ignite the 1999 team... the next week Vandy won unexpectedly in Oxford. That team won five games, gave Steve Spurrier fits in the Swamp, and came within a late fumble (vs. UK) of breaking the school's bowl-less streak.
Re: Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
As I recall hearing, JW threw up on the field shortly after that return
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AuricGoldfinger
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Re: Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
It can happen to even the very best of teams...
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TnValleyDore
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Re: Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
Considering our history of painful close losses, it’s gone the other way when we play NIU. 3 years ago NIU had a perfectly set up play for what may have been the winning TD and somebody slipped. And if IIRC, one of Dinardo’s teams escaped with a one pt win after a missed extra pt (or 2 pt try?). So three escapes in Nashville vs. the Huskies (plus one win in Dekalb). Hope we have 9 lives against them.
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AuricGoldfinger
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Re: Looking back...NIU vs. Vandy, September 11, 1999
And the win in DeKalb required a late turnover by the Huskies to secure the victory.TnValleyDore wrote: ↑Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:58 pm Considering our history of painful close losses, it’s gone the other way when we play NIU. 3 years ago NIU had a perfectly set up play for what may have been the winning TD and somebody slipped. And if IIRC, one of Dinardo’s teams escaped with a one pt win after a missed extra pt (or 2 pt try?). So three escapes in Nashville vs. the Huskies (plus one win in Dekalb). Hope we have 9 lives against them.