In the autumn of 2013, the Tennessee Volunteers traveled to Columbia to face a South Carolina team that entered the matchup as the nation’s eleventh‑ranked squad and a 7.5‑point favorite.
The Volunteers, led by freshman wide receiver Marquez North, were considered underdogs, but the game took a decisive turn on a third‑and‑10 play that would become part of college football lore.
Marquez North leapt into the secondary, extended his arm, and secured the ball with a single hand, halting the Gamecocks’ drive and forcing a punt.
The pivotal moment set up a 19‑yard field goal by Tennessee’s kicker, giving the Volunteers a 23‑21 victory that kept South Carolina from completing an 11‑1 season and from contending for the SEC Championship and a national title.
South Carolina’s offense, featuring quarterback Connor Shaw, running back Mike Davis and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, had been poised to close the season with six straight wins, a streak that would have cemented their place in the conversation for a championship.
Tennessee’s quarterback Justin Worley completed 19‑of‑34 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown, while Marquez North’s catch sparked a rally that ultimately decided the game.
After the game, Marquez North, a native of North Carolina, went on to play three seasons at Tennessee, accumulating 874 receiving yards and five touchdowns, though a torn labrum later limited his junior campaign.
The Legacy of a Single Catch
Even years later, fans and analysts still reference the play when discussing the narrow margins that separate triumph from heartbreak in college football.