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Tennessee football vs. LSU: Wild endings, upsets, historically significant games – here are the top 15

By Caleb Calhoun

September 26, 2005; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers Gerald Riggs Jr. drives in for the game-winning overtime touchdown against Louisiana State Tigers linebacker Cameron Vaughn (46) at Tiger Stadium Stadium. The Volunteers defeated the Tigers 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2005 John David Mercer
September 26, 2005; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers Gerald Riggs Jr. drives in for the game-winning overtime touchdown against Louisiana State Tigers linebacker Cameron Vaughn (46) at Tiger Stadium Stadium. The Volunteers defeated the Tigers 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2005 John David Mercer /
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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 /

817. 14. 839. Final. 13

Nov. 7, 1959

While LSU derailed Tennessee football’s national championship season in 2001, it was actually revenge for what the Vols were able to do to them in 1959. We mentioned with the Doug Dickey hire that the program was falling apart in the second half of Bowden Wyatt’s tenure, and this was part of that run. UT was 4-6 the year before.

Still, the Vols were 4-1-1 entering this showdown, and with Georgia Tech losing to Auburn in October, they were in the SEC Championship race. Coming to town was No. 1 ranked LSU and Billy Cannon, who would win the Heisman later that year. LSU, led by Paul Dietzel, was defending national champions and on a 19-game winning streak.

Two weeks earlier, LSU had beaten the No. 3 ranked Ole Miss Rebels, so they were clearly the better team. However, the Vols defense stepped up that day and put together a masterpiece. Trailing 7-0 in the third quarter, they tied it up with a 26-yard pick-six by Jim Cartwright. Then LSU fumbled on the next drive, and the Vols had a 32-yard touchdown drive to cash in.

Up 14-7, Bill Majors then fumbled a punt, which LSU recovered at the UT two-yard line. LSU scored, and Dietzel decided to go for two to secure the win. Majors and Wayne Grubb stopped Cannon just short on the run, though, in a play known simply as The Stop in Rocky Top lore.

Still, trailing just 14-13, LSU drove to the Tennessee football 20-yard line with a chance to kick a game-winning field goal. However, in a miracle, Cannon fumbled the ball. The Vols recovered and held on for a shocking 14-13 victory.

Although LSU would lose a rematch with Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl later that year, polls determined national champions before bowl games during this time. This was their only regular season loss, and it cost them the national title. The Vols lost three straight after that to finish the year 5-4-1, but they put everything into ruining LSU’s best team ever until 2019.

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