Top 10 Opening Games in Tennessee Football History
Sep 14, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; General view of an end zone marker on the field in the Carrier Dome prior to the game between the Wagner Seahawks and the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
1. 1998: Tennessee Vols beat Syracuse Orange(men) 34-33
Is this any surprise? This was probably the toughest opening game you could ever ask for at the time from Tennessee’s perspective.
Let’s not forget that going into 1998, Tennessee was having to replace a ton of NFL productivity, including six All-SEC performers and superstars like Leonard Little, Marcus Nash, Trey Teague, and Terry Fair.
Oh, and there was that guy, quarterback Peyton Manning, who was gone to the NFL and being replaced by Tee Martin.
So how was this new team going to open the year? With a road game against Syracuse, a team led by quarterback Donovan McNabb and that was favored to win the Big East. Tennessee was ranked No. 10 while Syracuse was ranked No. 17.
The Vols took an early lead with a pass from Martin to Peerless Price, but Syracuse responded to everything Tennessee did. Jamal Lewis ran for 100 yards, and Price made big plays, but Martin struggled heavily with accuracy in his first game, and the defense had trouble with McNabb all day as he threw for more than 300 yards and completed 22 of 28 passes.
In a back-and-forth, Syracuse took a late 33-31 lead. And despite struggling all day, Martin showed how clutch he is, as on fourth down, he had the awareness to throw a low pass to Cedric Wilson knowing he would draw a pass interference penalty.
The penalty came, the drive was kept alive, and Martin threw another accurate pass into Syracuse territory. A couple of nice runs set up a 27-yard field goal, and Jeff Hall nailed it as time expired, his second field goal of the day, to give the Vols a 34-33 victory in the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse went on to win the Big East, making this a very impressive victory for the Vols, and Tennessee, obviously, won the national title after they had to squeak by the Florida Gators two weeks later.
This win was a huge momentum and confidence boost for the Vols in the post-Peyton Manning era, and it was a crucial victory on the road to the national title.
It is definitely the most memorable opening game in Tennessee football history.