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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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Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley leaves the field after their 30-27 loss in double overtime to North Carolina Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville at LP Field.Vols14 Mp 14290
Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley leaves the field after their 30-27 loss in double overtime to North Carolina Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville at LP Field.Vols14 Mp 14290 /

Thursday, Dec. 30. Nashville, Tenn.. 2010. 30. 838. LP Field. 27 (2OT). 839

2010 Music City Bowl

There are two similarities between this one and Josh Heupel’s upcoming bowl game. The first is that Tennessee football is appearing in a bowl game within the state of Tennessee. However, the Vols are also doing it with a first-year head coach, just like they did this year.

It was Derek Dooley’s first year, and he inherited a mess. After a 2-6 season, highlighted by a loss to the LSU Tigers he thought he won, he threw all the freshman in and made a switch at quarterback from Tyler Bray to Matt Simms. That new energy combined with an easy November slate allowed them to finish 6-6.

The North Carolina Tar Heels, meanwhile, went 7-5 in Butch Davis’ fourth season. It was the first ever bowl game in Nashville for UT, and the fans filled 80 percent of the stadium. Late in the game, the Vols took a 20-17 lead, but a series of penalties got UNC into field goal range. Time seemingly ran out as they spiked the ball, and the Vols again celebrated thinking they had won.

UNC spiked the ball with at least 15 guys on the field, but there was no runoff at the time, so they took the penalty and made the game-tying field goal. They then won in double-overtime after an interception. This remains the Vols’ only in-state bowl loss. They finished the year 6-7 and wouldn’t make a bowl again until Butch Jones’ second year on the job.

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