Tennessee Football: 30 Greatest Games in Vols School History

Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Arkansas Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

28. 1928: Tennessee Beats Alabama 15-13

The 1914 Vanderbilt game is considered 1B of the first great victory in Tennessee Vols school history. But from a national perspective, the 1928 Alabama Game was the game that got the Vols going.

Robert Neyland had been hired in 1926 as the new head coach of the Vols. In 1926, his team went 8-1, finishing second to Alabama in the Southern Conference.

In 1927, the Vols went 8-0-1, finishing second to Georgia Tech in the Southern Conference.

But in 1928, the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry was set to explode. It was the first year of the annual series in the rivalry, and both teams were looking to become national powers. The Tide was already there. Tennessee was trying to get there.

This Third Saturday in October of 1928 in Tuscaloosa put them there.

Led by Halfback Gene McEver, this game launched the Vols on a run that put them on the national map. Going into this game, which Neyland put back on the schedule after it had been dormant since 1914, the Vols were believed to be a cute fluke, avoiding the real competition in the Southern Conference under Neyland.

And after their 3-0 start, they would be hit with reality against a real team like Alabama. But McEver took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. He also caught another touchdown pass from Bobby Dodd. A safety off of a blocked punt made for the 15 points, as the Vols never trailed in this 15-13 victory.

After this game, they could no longer be shoved aside as some random program. They finished this year 9-0-1, and Tennessee was officially on the national stage thanks to that win. The rivalry exploded after that.

Next: #27: 1990 Cotton Bowl