Rocky Top Rowdies: Brady Quinn says Neyland Stadium crowd was so loud, the football would shake before the snap
Brady Quinn may have only played in Neyland Stadium one time during his playing career but that one trip was enough for Tennessee fans to leave an impression on the former Notre Dame quarterback.
Notre Dame ended up winning that game 17-13 despite Quinn only throwing for 118 yards in the game but he did throw a touchdown in the defensive struggle. But it wasn’t his performance that stands out from the matchup.
According to Quinn, Notre Dame’s trip to Tennessee back in 2004 stands out in his memory because the Volunteer fans on hand to witness the game would literally make the ball shake on third downs.
“That was one I’ll never forget. I’ll never forget how excited [Quinn’s uncle from Kentucky] was, I’ll never forget how excited we were [following Notre Dame’s win at Tennessee],” Quinn shared in the video below. “I’ll never forget my center John Solomon turned around at one point and kinda gave me a look.
“And after that series, went over to the sidelines like, what were you trying to say? He goes, ‘The ball was moving.’ I’m like, what do you mean? He says, ‘I swear to you, it’s so loud, the ball is moving on the ground on third down.’ Literally our tackles couldn’t hear anything I was saying.”
Here are Quinn’s comments courtesy of 247Sports program “Social Distance”:
The latest 'Social Distance' series from @247Sports: @Brady_Quinn tells @bartonsimmons about his favorite Notre Dame memories
Full video here! https://t.co/H4wlg70Rsl pic.twitter.com/IzWuMTGzvU
— 247Sports (@247Sports) April 14, 2020
Think that was the year Andy Kelly was our Qb and ND had Rocket Ishmail. We had a chance to win it at the end down close to the goal line but Kelly just over threw the receiver in the end zone either as time expired or on 4th down… It was a good game even though it was a very tough loss to take. Of course the pay back was the miracle at south Bend and that was an even greater game with vols coming back in the second half from about a 3 or 4 TD deficit. Not looking up everything so my memory may have some things skewed a bit. Anyway what brady experienced in Knoxville, a lot of other teams experience all over the SEC. It truly does just mean more.
Rocket Ishmael was in the 1980’s. Not 2004.
Dude you are way off! Erik Ainge started the game and got injured right before halftime which meant that Rick Clausen would end up finishing the rest of the season. That kept us from playing in a BCS bowl even though we lost to Auburn in the SEC championship.
yup
well like I said my memory aint what it used to be. Thanks for the correction.
The game you are referring to was in 1990 I believe and the Notre Dame player you are thinking of is Ricky Waters. That was all from memory as well.
I was at the Rocket Ishmael game. He took off on a long run heading to the North end zone. Our DBs had the angle on him…until they didn’t. His nickname was well-deserved. I convinced my brother to leave after that play to walk back to the hotel. We were listening to the end on the radio while walking when UT scored, recovered the onside kick, then threw an INT in the end zone. My brother said he would have killed me if UT had scored.
I forgot UT has one of the biggest stadiums in college football. I hear the fan base is loyal despite the rough years recent. Hopefully The Vols can get back to winning. Nothing like going into an opposing team’s stadium and of the 103k people there, there is a good chance 93k don’t like you and let you know it every down. Neyland has to get back!!