I still don't understand why people act like Gates got totally owned by Barnett. Maybe Gates didn't look pretty or smooth defending against DB but Gates NEVER gave up a sack in that game to Barnett. Matter of fact, Vols put Barnett on the other-side of the LOS to get him the record just because they knew Gates was never going to give it up. Also, pretty sure Gates didn't even give up a tackle for a loss to him. Yes it wasn't pretty and Gates got beat up and had a difficult time with Barnett but it was not as bad as the announcer nor people like to claim.
It really reminded me of the movie raging bull. It looked like a blood bath but Gates was saying at the end "ray you never got me down ray"
Made me believe a ton in Nick Gates drive and heart after that game. Not that I ever questioned it but it made me believe his is above and beyond.
And had the Vols not taken the "bush league way out" we'd be talking about how Nick Gates stopped DB from getting the VOLS all time sack record