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Tennessee football’s five wins vs. Georgia with both teams undefeated

By Caleb Calhoun

Travis Stephens #25, Running Back for the University of Tennessee Volunteers is tackled by the University of Georgia Bulldogs defence during their NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game on 10 October 1998 at the Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, United States. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game 35 - 34. (Photo by Vincent Laforet/Allsport/Getty Images)
Travis Stephens #25, Running Back for the University of Tennessee Volunteers is tackled by the University of Georgia Bulldogs defence during their NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game on 10 October 1998 at the Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, United States. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game 35 - 34. (Photo by Vincent Laforet/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler (21) takes off running against Georgia Sept. 12, 1992. Shuler rushes for 81 yards on 19 attempts for two touchdowns in the game. The 20th-ranked Vols upset the 14th-ranked Bulldogs 34-31 at Sanford Stadium in Athens.Sec Classic
Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler (21) takes off running against Georgia Sept. 12, 1992. Shuler rushes for 81 yards on 19 attempts for two touchdowns in the game. The 20th-ranked Vols upset the 14th-ranked Bulldogs 34-31 at Sanford Stadium in Athens.Sec Classic /

34. 839. 31. 814. Final

September 12, 1992; Sanford Stadium; Athens, Ga.

After 1908, Tennessee football wouldn’t meet the Georgia Bulldogs with both teams undefeated again until 1968. They met like that in 1968, 1980, 1981 and 1988, but all of these games were the openers for both teams. Enter 1992. The SEC had split into two divisions, and the stage was set for UT and UGA to become a rivalry. This game altered history beyond that, though.

The Vols were being led by then-offensive coordinator Phillip Fulmer, who was interim head coach while Johnny Majors, who had been there for 16 years, recovered from open-heart surgery. They had a new quarterback, Heath Shuler, who replaced Andy Kelly, the guy with all school passing records to that point. Oh, and head trainer Tim Kerin had shockingly passed away that summer.

UGA, meanwhile, was in its fourth year under Ray Goff, who was trying to replace a legend in Vince Dooley. After going 9-3 the year before, they had high expectations, and a 28-6 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks increased those expectations. The Vols beat Southwestern Louisiana 38-3 in their opener.

With both teams 1-0, UT was ranked No. 20 while UGA was No. 14, The Dawgs were 14-point favorites given all the chaos the Vols were facing. However, Shuler had his breakout game here. He led the team in rushing and passing and down 31-26 late, completed a 4th and 13 that set up a game-winning touchdown. The Vols won a shocker 34-31.

Tennessee football shocked the Florida Gators the next week, and after losing three straight upon Majors return, Majors was fired and replaced by Fulmer, who began his own legendary tenure. They finished a crazy year 9-3. Georgia went 10-2, losing only to Florida as well. This game propelled Fulmer to stardom and established Rocky Top’s 1990s dominance over Georgia.

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