Tennessee
Terrence Cody on Rocky Block, Alabama-Tennessee rivalry & why he never got a victory cigar
It’s Alabama-Tennessee week, so highlights of Terrence Cody’s “Rocky Block” blocked field goal in 2009 are sure to be prevalent on various college football highlight shows.
Cody sees them, too. Sixteen years after his career-defining moment in the 2009 Alabama-Tennessee game, Cody was a guest this week on AL.com’s “Beat Everyone” podcast with Ben Flanagan.
“I actually do look forward to it,” Cody said of Alabama-Tennessee week. “One of the reasons, because every year they play the highlight. So I see myself on TV once again. I ain’t seen myself playing on TV in quite a bit of years. always brings back great memories to see that highlight and to see everybody still remembers it.”
The blocked field goal was actually the second for Cody in that game, which Alabama won 12-10 to preserve its run to its first national championship in 17 years. The 6-foot-4, 350-something-pound defensive tackle blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt by Tennessee’s Daniel Lincoln early in the fourth quarter, then repeated the feat on a 44-yard attempt on the game’s final play.
Cody came into that game at less than 100%, having sprained the AC joint in his left shoulder the previous week. Ironically, it was with that wounded arm that he blocked the field goal.
“We go out (on the field) and like the whole time in my head I’m just like, ‘I blocked one, you know, let’s get another one, let’s get another one,’” Cody recalled. “I hear the guys on the sideline, ‘TC, TC, go block another one. Block it again, block it again.’ And we call max block. And I just remember looking at Marcell (Dareus), I was like, ‘hey, like, we gotta go get this, man. We gotta go get this. Either you or me, we gotta go get this.’ And I remember lining up and for some reason, I just knew it.
“… . And as soon as the ball snapped, (we) literally just almost put the (snapper) on his back. And I I don’t remember if I felt (the ball) or anything. The only reason I knew I blocked it is because the crowd just went crazy.”
Immediately after blocking the field goal, Cody threw off his helmet and ran down the field. He said it was an emotional day for him, coming on the anniversary of the death of his father 11 years before.
Cody came to Alabama from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and was an All-American for the Crimson Tide in both 2008 and 2009. However, being a Florida native, he said he didn’t understand the nature of the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry until he got to Tuscaloosa.
“I didn’t know much about the rivalry and stuff,” said Cody, who played five seasons with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and is now defensive line coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College. “I didn’t know much about it until I started paying attention on campus and seeing how everybody acted that week. And it’s a lot of hate. You’d think the Auburn rivalry, there’s a lot of hate, but this one, I think there is more hate in this rivalry than it is in the Auburn rivalry.
“And that whole week, it was like guys were just on edge. People were practicing pissed off. That’s how we approached the game, even though we were beat up going to that game. But we knew we had a mission that week and we just had to go out and execute. And we executed more than they did.
“Cody was already a celebrity in college football circles before the Tennessee game, earning the name “Mount Cody” for his massive size and ability to stuff opposing running games. But the “Rocky Block” took his fame to another level, eventually resulting in the play being immortalized in a Daniel Moore painting.
But despite his crucial performance in the win, Cody didn’t get to partake in an Alabama football tradition following the 2009 Tennessee game. He had so many media interview obligations in the immediate aftermath, that he missed out on the traditional victory cigar.
“So I get into the locker room, and there’s probably about 12, maybe 15 guys in the locker room still,” Cody said. “Everybody else is gone. And … trainers, they’re helping me take my shoulder pads, my jersey, all that stuff off. They wrap me up with some ice. So I’m getting wrapped up, and I’m seeing guys with cigars and stuff.
“So I’m like, ‘where mine’s at?’ He was like, ‘it should be in your locker.’ So I go to my locker, there’s nothing in there. And I’m like, ‘so the guy who wins the game don’t get a cigar? What are we doing? What’s going on?
“I wasn’t gonna smoke it. It was gonna be a memorabilia thing. So I’m looking around. I’m looking at guys smoking cigars, and they’ve got a couple extra cigars stuffed in their pocket. And I’m just like, ‘so F-me, huh?’ So I didn’t get a cigar for that game.”
You can watch the entire interview with Terrence Cody by clicking the link at the top of this post. You can watch other “Beat Everyone” episodes by going the podcast’s YouTube homepage.
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As millions of people are expected to travel through Tennessee to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is suspending all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes.
The suspension will begin at noon on Thursday, July 2, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6. Workers may still be on-site during the suspension, and reduced speed limits in work zones will remain in effect. TDOT added that drivers could still be impacted by some long-term lane closures for ongoing construction projects. Drivers are still urged to use caution.
“With so many people driving on and around the Fourth of July, we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without delays,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. “We are suspending lane closures during this busy holiday travel time. Be mindful that our HELP Trucks will be on patrol in urban and rural areas and drivers must obey the law by moving over and slowing down for all emergency vehicles on the side of the road.”
AAA predicts more than 1.6 million Tennesseans will travel at least 50 miles from home for the Independence Day between Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, July 5. The company added that this will set a record for Fourth of July travel in Tennessee.
“For many families, traveling for Independence Day isn’t just a trip; it’s a tradition,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Vacations are one category where consumers are still willing to spend, even if that means cutting back on something else. With an extended holiday travel period, we expect busy roads, steady demand for flights, and continued interest in cruises across many parts of the country.”
For those looking to travel over the weekend, join 6 News anchor Bo Williams for our Upcoming Road Work stream on WATE6+ at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. He will break down traffic conditions, construction projects and events that are expected to impact drivers in East Tennessee over the weekend.
The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 28 drawing
Evening: 5-3-8, Wild: 7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 28 drawing
Evening: 5-6-1-2, Wild: 1
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from June 28 drawing
05-08-17-19-31
Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:
Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.
When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
- Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.
A position group that has stability at the top but questions behind the starter is running back. DeSean Bishop returns as the unquestioned starter after a dominant redshirt-sophomore year, but both the pieces behind him a year ago that split the load have departed.
Now, it’ll be a battle for reps between young returners Daune Morris and Justin Baker and Tulane transfer Javin Gordon. Tennessee has rotated up to three backs a game, as well, making a chance for two to be in a game-by-game position to contribute.
Bishop, the star of the room, has expectations that he could play his way into an NFL draft pick this upcoming year. This past season, he took 182 carries for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns. That was good for a really strong average of 5.9 yards per tote.
More From RTI: Tennessee Left Off Eight-Team List of SEC College Football Playoff Contenders
Gordon, the Tulane transfer, joins after his true freshman year with the Green Wave. While it wasn’t at the SEC level, he was very productive, posting 128 carries, 516 yards and five touchdowns.
Morris and Baker return after limited roles. Morris was the fourth back, meaning he got more run than Baker when injuries did occur. He finished his freshman year with 35 carries, 133 yards and a touchdown while also returning punts. Baker took 14 carries for 43 yards.
“It’s huge because you look at the production, you got a guy that understands what he’s walking into in terms of seeing it week in and week out in terms of the caliber of teams that we’re going against,” Tennessee running backs coach DeRail Sims said in the spring about Bishop returning. “His understanding of what it’s like when the game’s on the line and having to go out there and make plays in all three facets of the game, in running the ball, the protection piece, and the passing game. So it’s huge having Bish back.”
The other pieces of the running back room are three-star freshman Will Rajecki and redshirt-senior Hunter Barnes.
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