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Tennessee football: Looking back on Vols’ five bowl games played in-state

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee takes the field at the beginning of the Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium Dec. 30, 2016. Tennessee defeated Nebraska 38-24 before a crowd of 68,496.Music City Bowl
Tennessee takes the field at the beginning of the Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium Dec. 30, 2016. Tennessee defeated Nebraska 38-24 before a crowd of 68,496.Music City Bowl /
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A smattering of cars in the lot outside the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium where tailgating would normally be, as the university takes precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the first game of the season between Memphis and Arkansas State on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020.Tigers Lot
A smattering of cars in the lot outside the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium where tailgating would normally be, as the university takes precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the first game of the season between Memphis and Arkansas State on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020.Tigers Lot /

Monday, Dec. 16. 7. 3. 824. Memphis Memorial Stadium. 839. Memphis, Tenn.. 1974

4. 1974 Liberty Bowl

The first in-state bowl game for Tennessee football was in the middle of the height of their Doug Dickey/Bill Battle 10-year run that saw them have 10 straight top 20 finishes, two top five finishes and two SEC Championships. It was during the run of stars like Jackie Walker. Well, this game marked the end of that run.

In 1974, the Condredge Holloway era was coming to an end on Rocky Top. Thanks to Holloway being banged up, UT started off the year 2-3-1. However, they regrouped to win four straight before tying the Vanderbilt Commodores, entering this bowl 6-3-2 and unranked.

On the other side, the Maryland Terrapins, who are the Vols’ most common bowl opponent, were 8-3 under Jerry Claiborne, ACC Champions and ranked No. 10. They should’ve been the better team, and they carried a 3-0 lead into the fourth quarter with Holloway knocked out of the game.

A bad snap on a UMD punt spotted the Vols the ball at the Terps seven-yard line. Backup Randy Wallace then found Larry Seivers for a score. An Ernie Ward interception, Maryland’s fifth turnover, secured a UT win. They finished 7-3-2, No. 20 in the AP Poll and No. 15 in the Coaches Poll. It was their last bowl under Bill Battle and until 1979, when they would ironically play Purdue.

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