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Tennessee football: Ranking all 15 Vols non-Saturday openers

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 4, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back John Kelly (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Tennessee won 42-41 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back John Kelly (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Tennessee won 42-41 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Checkerboard end zone before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Checkerboard end zone before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Mississippi Rebels at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 1896

Tennessee Volunteers: 10 Williamsburg: 0

Thursday, Oct. 22; Waite Field; Knoxville, Tenn.

We go to the first time Tennessee football ever opened a game not on Saturday. This is so high on the list because of just how significant it is when it comes to the history of the Vols. You might consider this the launching point of UT actually having a program, something you can’t really say about any other season.

This was the first game for the Vols after the varsity program was restored. They played one game in 1891, lost it, played seven games in 1892 en route to a 2-5 record, and played seven games in 1893, once again going 2-5. Then they decided to give up the sport to focus on baseball.

W. B. Stokley persuaded a group of players to field an unofficial team in 1894 and 1895, and they went 2-0-2 and 3-2-1 those years. That was enough of a selling point to restore the program and give it a shot in 1896. This would be the first game of that season.

UT opened things up against Williamsburg, now known as University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., and they dominated, winning 10-0. It was their first official game in three years and also their first game as a member of a conference, the SIAA, although they wouldn’t play an SIAA game until 1899.

That launched a 4-0 campaign, which undoubtedly saved Tennessee football. It’s one of just four undefeated seasons in school history, joined by 1914, 1938 and 1998, and this game started it all. As a result, it has to be at the top of this list.

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