Honorable Mentions
1981 Garden State Bowl vs. Wisconsin: 28-21
After an 0-2 start, Johnny Majors’ seat was warm with only one bowl appearance in four years. However, his team rebounded to finish 7-4, and Tennessee football made its second bowl in Majors’ fifth year. Here, he secured his first bowl win, holding off the Wisconsin Badgers to get his team to 8-4, its best season since the Condredge Holloway years.
1983 Citrus Bowl vs. Maryland: 30-23
Just two years after that Garden State Bowl win, the Vols were looking for their first nine-win season under Majors. They faced the No. 16 ranked Maryland Terrapins in the Citrus Bowl, and it was the final game for legends like Reggie White. UT trailed 20-16 entering the fourth, but Johnnie Jones scored two touchdowns to secure the win. The Vols finished 9-3 as a result.
1985 Alabama: 16-14
While the 1982 and 1983 wins over the Alabama Crimson Tide were more memorable, the Vols still had a crucial win in 1985. Tony Robinson got hurt in this game, and Alabama was ranked No. 15 and playing this game at home. Trailing 16-14, they had the ball and a chance to win late. However, a late Dale Jones interception, just like 1982, secured the UT win and SEC title quest.
1989 UCLA: 24-6
Although the 1989 Auburn Tigers game is the one that established the Vols, the UCLA Bruins were ranked No. 6 when Rocky Top beat them on the road here. This was only their second game of the 1989 season, and at 1-0, they had to prove themselves after going 5-6 in 1988. They did it in epic fashion, dominating this game to reach the top 25, where they would stay for five straight years.
1990 Florida: 45-3
It was the game that started Tennessee football’s rivalry with the Florida Gators. This was Steve Spurrier’s first year on the job, and UF was good. However, after a 7-3 first half, a Dale Carter kickoff return broke open the second half, and the Vols beat No. 9 Florida 45-3. Since UF was on probation, however, this game was somewhat meaningless.