The rivalry between the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide stretches back more than a hundred years, offering a vivid portrait of Southern football heritage. The first meeting took place on Thanksgiving afternoon, November 28, 1901, at West End Park in Birmingham. A disputed off‑sides call sparked a fan protest that forced officials to end the game early, declaring a 6‑6 tie. Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported and the Volunteers returned home with $350 from the trip.
Early Years and the 1928 Revival
After a 13‑year hiatus following 1914, the rivalry was revived in the spring of 1928 thanks to Tennessee coach Robert R. Neyland. He persuaded Alabama coach Wallace Wade—two‑time Rose Bowl champion—to schedule a friendly contest, arguing that the Vols needed exposure to top‑tier competition. Wade agreed, and the game was set for the third Saturday in October.
During the matchup, a fan wagered $100 that Alabama would record more touchdowns than Tennessee’s first‑downs. Tennessee tailback Gene McEver answered with a 98‑yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and the Vols ultimately prevailed 15‑13, halting Alabama’s final drive at the Tennessee 12‑yard line. Many Volunteers fans consider this the true birth of Tennessee football.
Legendary Moments and Icons
Bear Bryant entered the rivalry in 1935, famously playing despite a supposedly fractured leg—”just one little bone,” he later joked. In 1939, second‑team tailback Johnny Butler executed a 56‑yard sprint that became known as “The Run,” earning praise from sportswriter Grantland Rice as a “dancing, dodging, untacklable ghost.”
The 1938‑1940 Vols posted an impressive streak of 33 games without a loss, shutting out 15 consecutive opponents. Some experts credit the 1938 squad with a national championship, while the 1939 team was the last in the nation to hold every opponent scoreless. Alabama finally ended the streak on October 3, 1940, but Tennessee finished the season undefeated.
Post‑War Battles and Shifts in Dominance
The 1946 clash featured Vol tackle Dick Huffman delivering a decisive hit on Alabama halfback Harry Gilmer, prompting applause from both fan bases—a rare moment of mutual respect. In 1950, the Volunteers secured a 14‑9 victory with Andy Kozar’s game‑winning touchdown scored in the final minute.
Alabama’s scouting staff identified a subtle advantage in the 1957 game when Vol guard Bill Johnson altered his stance. Unfortunately, an ankle injury kept Johnson out, and Tennessee won 14‑0.
Dominance, Ties, and Memorable Plays (1960s‑1980s)
Between 1948 and 1960, Tennessee held a 9‑1‑3 record over Alabama, including five shutouts. In 1965, a controversial fourth‑down play saw Alabama quarterback “Snake” Stabler throw the ball away to stop the clock, resulting in a 7‑7 tie that many Vol fans still debate.
The 1969 game featured linebacker Steve Kiner defending Coach Bryant, calling Alabama players “pitiful” and urging them to be ashamed. Bryant later thanked Kiner for his passion. The following year, Tennessee’s secondary intercepted a school‑record eight passes, highlighted by Tim Priest’s three picks.
In 1982, with 17 seconds left, Mike Terry’s interception sealed a win for Tennessee, ending an 11‑game losing streak against Alabama. Fans rushed the field, snapping the goal posts and carrying them away in celebration.
Modern Era Highlights
The 1985 SEC championship season was defined by Dale Jones’ interception that preserved a victory at Legion Field. A decade later, in 1990, Terrence Cody blocked a potential game‑winning field goal for Tennessee, allowing Alabama to win on a subsequent kick.
Alabama’s super‑fan Logan Young was later convicted of bribery and tax evasion for paying $90,000 to a high‑school coach to steer recruit Albert Means to Alabama, a scandal that still fuels debate among fans.
1995 saw Peyton Manning lead Alabama to a 41‑14 rout of Tennessee, while the 1998 national championship game featured a dramatic 100‑yard kickoff return by Peerless Price for Tennessee. In 2003, a five‑overtime marathon ended 51‑43 in Alabama’s favor after Casey Clausen’s clutch fourth‑and‑19 conversion.
Nick Saban’s record against Tennessee stands at 16‑1, underscoring Alabama’s recent dominance. Yet the 2022 showdown delivered a thrilling finish when Chase McGrath’s knuckleball field goal clinched a 40‑yard winner as time expired, and Hendon Hooker’s pass set up a crucial catch by Bru McCoy.
These moments—spanning more than a century—illustrate why the Tennessee‑Alabama rivalry remains a cornerstone of college football, embodying fierce competition, regional pride, and a shared love of the game.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
