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Tennessee football should remember these five non-conference November upset losses before overlooking South Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Smokey IX was ready to run onto the field for the Tennessee Volunteers homecoming game against the University of Wyoming Cowboys Saturday in Neyland Stadium.Homecoming Smokey Ix 2008
Smokey IX was ready to run onto the field for the Tennessee Volunteers homecoming game against the University of Wyoming Cowboys Saturday in Neyland Stadium.Homecoming Smokey Ix 2008 /
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Aerial view of the Liberty Bowl on Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Memphis.040920mempisaerials11
Aerial view of the Liberty Bowl on Thursday, April 9, 2020, in Memphis.040920mempisaerials11 /

21. 858. Final. 17. 839

Nov. 9, 1996

Technically, this didn’t really do any damage to Tennessee football’s season or the long-term future of the program. The Vols were going to the Citrus Bowl this year no matter what after they lost to the eventual SEC and national champion Florida Gators earlier in the year. However, this is a game that is hard for most Vol fans to forget.

Entering the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., Rocky Top was on a 20-game November winning streak dating back to 1990. On top of that, they had never lost to the Memphis Tigers, leading the series 15-0 at the time. They were 6-1 and ranked No. 6 while the U of M, under first-year head coach Rip Scherer, was 3-6 and eliminated from bowl contention.

On top of that, the Tigers were on a four-game losing streak, and the Vols were on a four-game winning streak. Simply put, there was no way UT was losing this game. Well, Memphis’ defense gave Peyton Manning fits all day. The Vols had the ball up 7-0 in the first half, but Manning threw a pick that was returned 77 yards to the goal line. Memphis punched it in on a run to tie it up.

After a Jay Graham touchdown put the Vols up 14-7 in the third quarter, Memphis returner Kevin Cobb seemingly went down while running back the kickoff. However, no whistle was blown, so he got up and kept running and scored the game-tying touchdown. That play later won an ESPY.

Already shocked by this game being close, Manning finally led what was seemingly a game-winning field goal drive late to put Tennessee football up 17-14. However, Memphis then had its one solid offensive drive of the night. Qadry Anderson hit Chris Powers for a three-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 12-play 70-yard drive and secure Memphis the 21-17 upset.

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