10. Abernathy saves the day against Appalachian State
![Photo Credit: Mason Burgin/RTI](https://www.rockytopinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Screen-Shot-2016-09-01-at-9.53.33-PM.png)
Making his first career start against Appalachian State to begin the 2016 season, safety Micah Abernathy probably didn’t think he would need to make the game-clinching play in overtime. But after the Vols struggled their way through a Thursday evening opener against the Mountaineers, it was the sophomore safety who locked down an App. State receiver, and knocked a fourth-down pass away in the end zone in overtime to seal the victory, giving a huge sigh of relief to the Vols. It’s difficult to say how the season might’ve turned if UT didn’t finish that game off.
*Honorable mention to Josh Malone’s touchdown catch and Cam Sutton’s interception in that game as well