Georgia Tech–Tennessee football rivalry

The Georgia Tech–Tennessee football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Tennessee Volunteers.[3][4] The series dates back to 1902 and features two of the most prominent programs in college football history, with Georgia Tech claiming four national championships, 15 conference titles, and 21 consensus All-Americans, and Tennessee claiming six national championships, 16 conference titles, and 38 consensus All-Americans. Tennessee leads the series 25–17–2. The series ended in 1987, but it was renewed in the September 2017 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.[5]

Georgia Tech–Tennessee football rivalry
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Tennessee Volunteers
First meetingNovember 22, 1902
Tennessee, 10–6
Latest meetingSeptember 4, 2017
Tennessee, 42–41
Statistics
Meetings total44
All-time seriesTennessee leads, 25–17–2[1]
Largest victoryGeorgia Tech, 45–0 (1905)
Longest win streakTennessee, 8 (1967–1976)[2]
Current win streakTennessee, 2 (1987–present)
Locations of Georgia Tech and Tennessee

Series history

The teams begin meeting annually in 1946 when Georgia Tech was a member of the SEC. When Georgia Tech left the SEC in 1963, they still played almost every year after (except 1974, 1975, and 1978) until 1987.

Notable games
Early years
  • 1902: The programs met for the first time in Atlanta on November 22, 1902. Tennessee won by a 10–6 score. The last 20 minutes of the game were "played in darkness and a slow, drizzling rain." Two Georgia Tech touchdowns were ruled illegal by the officials.[6]
  • 1905: On November 4, 1905, Georgia Tech, coached by John Heisman, defeated Tennessee by a 45–0 score in Atlanta.[7] The game remains notable as the largest point total and the largest margin of victory in series history.
Dodd vs. Neyland
Coach Neyland.
Coach Dodd.
  • 1946: On September 28, 1946, after a 35-year hiatus, Georgia Tech and Tennessee resumed their series in a game billed as pitting long-time Tennessee head coach and "master strategist" Robert Neyland against one of "his most illustrious pupils"—Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd.[8][9] Dodd, who wanted to play for Georgia Tech but was not offered a scholarship, had been the quarterback on Neyland's Tennessee teams that compiled a 27–1–2 record from 1928 to 1930 and had taken over as Georgia Tech's head coach in 1931. The game was also notable as Neyland's first game after returning from five years of military service. Neyland's Volunteers defeated Dodd's Yellow Jackets by a 13–9 score in the 1946 game.[10]
  • 1947: On September 27, 1947, the teams met again in Atlanta, as Dodd's Yellow Jackets beat the Volunteers by a 27–0 score. The New York Times wrote that Neyland, "the 'old Gray Fox' from Tennessee, got a football lesson today from a former pupil" as Dodd's squad "meted out the worst defeat a Neyland-coached team has ever suffered."[11]
  • 1948: On November 6, 1948, Neyland's unranked Volunteers upset Dodd's undefeated, #6-ranked Yellow Jackets by a 13–6 score in Atlanta.[12]
  • 1949: On November 5, 1949, Dodd's Yellow Jackets gained revenge for 1948 upset. Georgia Tech came into the game unranked, but upset Neyland's #14-ranked Volunteers by a 30–13 score before a crowd of 48,000 in Knoxville. The Associated Press led its coverage of the game as follows: "An inspired band of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets unloosed an amazing display of power and razzle-dazzle football today to sting Tennessee, 30–13."[13] The 1949 game was the last to pit Dodd and Neyland against each other as head coaches; Dodd compiled a 2–2 record against his mentor.
Dodd vs. Wyatt
  • 1954: After a five-year hiatus, the series was resumed in 1954. Dodd's Yellow Jacket defeated Tennessee, 28–7.[14] Both coaches, Dodd and Bowden Wyatt, were "prize pupils" of former Tennessee head coach, Robert Neyland.[15]
  • 1955: On November 5, 1955, unranked Tennessee played #8 Georgia Tech to a 7–7 tie before an overflow crowd of 50,000 in Knoxville. Tailback Johnny Majors led Tennessee to a touchdown on the game's opening drive. After the game, the Tennessee players carried coach Bowden Wyatt on their shoulders for the traditional handshake with Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd.[16]
  • 1956: On November 10, 1956, the teams met in Atlanta before a capacity crowd of 40,000 with an invitation to the Sugar Bowl going to the winner.[17] Georgia Tech was ranked #2 in the AP poll and Tennessee ranked #3. Tennessee won by a 6–0 score behind the passing of Johnny Majors. Georgia Tech's drive late in the game ended in an interception.[18][19] The victory catapulted Tennessee to #1 in the AP poll.
  • 1957: On November 9, 1957, the programs met with both teams again being ranked, Tennessee at #9 and Georgia Tech at #18. Tennessee won for the second consecutive year, this time by a 21–6 score. Before a record homecoming crowd of 45,500, Bobby Gordon and Bill Anderson led the Volunteers' rushing attack.[20][21]
  • 1959: On October 10, 1959, #8 Tennessee lost to #3 Georgia Tech by a 14–7 score.[22]
  • 1961: On November 11, 1961, unranked Tennessee upset #9-ranked Georgia Tech by a 10–6 score.[23]
Dodd vs. Dickey
  • 1964: On November 7, 1964, an unranked Tennessee team scored 19 points in the fourth quarter and again upset a ranked (#7) Georgia Tech team, this time by a 22–14 score.[24]
  • 1965: On November 6, 1965, unranked Tennessee upset a ranked (#7) Georgia Tech team for the third time in five years. The 1965 game ended in a 21–7 score in favor of the volunteers.[25]
  • 1966: On October 8, 1966, the two programs met with both ranked in the top ten, Georgia Tech at #9 and Tennessee at #8. In a nationally televised game, Georgia Tech came out on top, 6 to 3, behind two field goals by Bunky Henry.[26]
Carson vs. Dickey
  • 1969: On October 11, 1969, #10 Tennessee defeated Georgia Tech in Knoxville, 26–8. Tennessee receiver Lester McClain caught two touchdown passes, and Tennessee halfback Richmond Flowers carried 20 times for 101 yards.[27]
Carson vs. Battle
  • 1970: On October 10, 1970, #20 Tennessee defeated #13 Georgia Tech in Atlanta by a 17–6 score. Tennessee quarterback Bobby Scott threw two touchdown passes to lead the Volunteers, while the Tennessee defense intercepted Georgia Tech quarterback Eddie McAshan four times.[28][29]
Curry vs. Majors
  • 1980: On October 11, 1980, the first meeting between Georgia Tech head coach Bill Curry and Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, both of whom had returned to their respective alma maters in hopes of restoring them to glory, resulted in a 23–10 Tennessee victory. The game was tied 10–10 going into the fourth quarter, when two long fields goals by Tennessee kicker Alan Duncan and a touchdown run by Tennessee tailback James Berry allowed the Volunteers to pull away.[30]
  • 1981: On October 10, 1981, Tennessee edged Georgia Tech 10–7 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. With Tennessee leading 3–0 in the third quarter, Georgia Tech linebacker Robert Horton recovered a fumble by Tennessee quarterback Steve Alatorre in the end zone to give the Yellow Jackets a 7–3 lead. Alatorre would respond with a 5-play, 80-yard fourth quarter drive, capped by a 42-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Hancock, to give the Volunteers the win.[31]
  • 1982: On October 23, 1982, Curry notched his first victory over Tennessee as the Yellow Jackets defeated the Volunteers 31-21 in Atlanta. Georgia Tech running back Robert Lavette rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns, and the Yellow Jackets' Jack Westbrook returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Tennessee kicker Fuad Reveiz hit an SEC-record 60-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.[32]
  • 1984: On October 27, 1984, Tennessee defeated Georgia Tech 24–21 in a wild game in Atlanta. After a Lavette touchdown gave Georgia Tech an early lead, Tennessee responded with a touchdown run by Tony Robinson and two Fuad Reveiz field goals. A 30-yard touchdown pass from Georgia Tech quarterback John Dewberry to Gary Lee, however, gave the Yellow Jackets a 14–13 halftime lead. Tennessee again took the lead 21–14 in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass and two-point conversion pass by Robinson, but Georgia Tech quickly responded with a 59-yard run by Lavette to the 2-yard line and a touchdown by Dewberry on the ensuing play to tie the game. Robinson engineered one final drive late in the fourth, highlighted by a 31-yard, fourth down pass to Jeff Smith, to set up Reveiz's game-winning 22-yard field goal.[33][34]
  • 1985: On October 26, 1985, Tennessee and Georgia Tech played to a 6–6 tie in a game dominated by the two teams' heralded defenses, namely Georgia Tech's "Black Watch" defense, and Tennessee's "Big Orange Crush" defense. An early Tennessee turnover allowed Georgia Tech to take a 3–0 lead, which remained the only score until the fourth quarter, when a David Bell field goal extended the Yellow Jackets' lead to 6–0. Tennessee quarterback Daryl Dickey engineered three fourth-quarter drives into Georgia Tech territory, the first culminating with a 55-yard field goal by Carlos Reveiz, the second ending with a 21-yard missed field goal by Reveiz, and the third culminating in a 51-yard field goal by Reveiz with just seconds remaining to tie the game at 6.[35]
  • 1986: On October 25, 1986, Georgia Tech edged Tennessee 14–13 in Atlanta. With Tennessee nursing a 13–7 lead early in the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech quarterback Rick Strom engineered a 70-yard drive, which he capped with a 3-yard touchdown run, to give the Yellow Jackets the lead. Tennessee quarterback Jeff Francis led the Volunteers on one final drive to the Georgia Tech 10-yard line with less than two minutes remaining, but Carlos Reveiz's 27-yard field goal attempt bounced off the upright, sealing the win for Georgia Tech.[36]
2017 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
  • 2017: In their first meeting since 1987, the Volunteers never had the lead in regulation play, largely due to the consistent success of Georgia Tech's triple option, but scored twice in the fourth quarter, a Marquez Callaway 50-yard receiving touchdown and a John Kelly 11-yard rushing touchdown, to tie the game at 28 and force overtime. Each team traded touchdowns through two overtimes with Georgia Tech ultimately seeking to win the game on a two-point conversion. However, quarterback TaQuon Marshall was tackled short of the endzone and Tennessee secured the 42–41 win.[37]

Game results
Georgia Tech victoriesTennessee victoriesTie games
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
1 November 22, 1902 Atlanta, GA Tennessee 10–6
2 November 21, 1903 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 11–0
3 October 22, 1904 Chattanooga, TN Georgia Tech 2–0
4 November 4, 1905 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 45–0
5 October 19, 1907 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 6–4
6 October 31, 1908 Atlanta, GA Tennessee 6–5
7 October 30, 1909 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 29–0
8 October 14, 1911 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 24–0
9 September 28, 1946 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 14–9
10 September 27, 1947 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 27–0
11 November 6, 1948 Atlanta, GA Tennessee 13–6
12 November 5, 1949 Knoxville, TN Georgia Tech 13–6
13 November 6, 1954 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 28–7
14 November 5, 1955 Knoxville, TN Tie7–7
15 November 10, 1956 Atlanta, GA No. 3 Tennessee 6–0
16 November 9, 1957 Knoxville, TN No. 9 Tennessee 21–6
17 October 11, 1958 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 21–7
18 October 10, 1959 Knoxville, TN No. 3 Georgia Tech 14–7
19 November 5, 1960 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 14–7
20 November 11, 1961 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 10–6
21 October 13, 1962 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 17–0
22 October 12, 1963 Knoxville, TN Georgia Tech 23–7
23 November 7, 1964 Atlanta, GA Tennessee 22–14
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
24 November 6, 1965 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 21–7
25 October 8, 1966 Atlanta, GA No. 9 Georgia Tech 6–3
26 October 14, 1967 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 24–13
27 October 12, 1968 Atlanta, GA No. 10 Tennessee 24–7
28 October 11, 1969 Knoxville, TN No. 10 Tennessee 26–8
29 October 10, 1970 Atlanta, GA No. 20 Tennessee 17–6
30 October 9, 1971 Knoxville, TN No. 13 Tennessee 10–6
31 September 9, 1972 Atlanta, GA No. 15 Tennessee 34–3
32 October 13, 1973 Knoxville, TN No. 8 Tennessee 20–14
33 October 9, 1976 Atlanta, GA Tennessee 42–7
34 October 8, 1977 Knoxville, TN Georgia Tech 24–8
35 October 13, 1979 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 31–0
36 October 11, 1980 Atlanta, GA Tennessee 23–10
37 October 10, 1981 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 10–7
38 October 23, 1982 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 31–21
39 October 22, 1983 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 37–3
40 October 27, 1984 Atlanta, GA Tennessee 24–21
41 October 26, 1985 Knoxville, TN Tie6–6
42 October 25, 1986 Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech 14–13
43 October 24, 1987 Knoxville, TN No. 13 Tennessee 29–15
44 September 4, 2017 Atlanta, GA No. 25 Tennessee 42–412OT
Series: Tennessee leads 25–17–2[1]

See also

References
  1. "Winsipedia - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Tennessee Volunteers football series history". Winsipedia.
  2. "mcubed.net : NCAAF Football : Series records : Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech". mcubed.net. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  3. "Vol-Tech Game Saturday Important To Both". September 22, 1983. p. 15. Retrieved September 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. This 55 year old rivalry features a personality clash between Tech's Bobby Dodd and Tennessee's Bowden Wyatt.
  4. "Tech and Vols Play Big One". November 7, 1957. p. 20. Retrieved October 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Georgia Tech, Tennessee confirmed for 2017 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game | CollegeFootballTalk". collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  6. "Darkness Hides Finish of Game: Tennessee University Defeats Georgia School By 10 To 6". The Courier-Journal (Louisville). November 23, 1902. pp. 3–5.
  7. "Yellow Jackets Make Big Score: Tennessee Team Is Badly Beaten by Tech". The Atlanta Constitution. November 5, 1905. p. 1.
  8. "35,000 To See Tech and Vols: Former Pupil Pits Strategy Against Former Coach In Knoxville Saturday". The Anniston Star. September 25, 1946. p. 10.
  9. "Sellout Crowd To See Vols, Tech: Neyland Makes First Effort Against Dodd". Kingsport (Tenn.) Times. September 25, 1946. p. 8.
  10. "Tennessee Victor, 13-9; Volunteers Down Georgia Tech Before 36,000 at Knoxville". The New York Times. September 29, 1946.
  11. "Ga. Tech Conquers Tennessee by 27-0; Marches 81, 85 and 41 Yards for Touchdowns -- Mathews and Queen Pace Attack". The New York Times. September 28, 1947.
  12. "Tennessee Upsets Georgia Tech, 13-6; Fumbles on Muddy Field Play Major Role in Engineers' First Loss of Season". The New York Times. November 7, 1948.
  13. "Ga. Tech Crushes Tennessee, 30-13; ; Crawford Is Star as Yellow Jackets' Varied Attack Covers 405 Yards". The New York Times. November 6, 1949.
  14. "Ga. Tech Topples Tennessee, 28 TO 7; Yellow Jackets Rally for Three Touchdowns in Final Period". The New York Times. November 7, 1954.
  15. "Tennessee Ties Georgia Tech, 7-7; Majors Stars as Volunteers Hold Early Lead Until Final Period". The New York Times. November 6, 1955.
  16. "Georgia Tech, Tennessee Tie". Post Herald and Register, Beckley, WV. November 6, 1955. p. 13.
  17. "Bids to Bowl Games at Stake Today in Major College Football Encounters: Ga. Tech To Meet Tennessee Team; Winner Will Get Sugar Bowl Invitation". The New York Times. November 10, 1956.
  18. "Interception by Vols Helps to Beat Tech, 6–0". Montana Standard. November 11, 1956. p. 14B.
  19. "Vols Post Upset; Bronson Goes Over for Tennessee--Passing of Majors Excels Early Tech Drive Fails Line Play Excels". The New York Times. November 11, 1956.
  20. "Tennessee Blasts Georgia Tech". Lubbock (Tex.) Avalanche-Journal. November 10, 1957. p. II-4.
  21. "Tennessee, Stubborn in Defense, Wins From Georgia Tech, 21-6; Volunteers Gain 6th Victory in Row as Anderson and Gordon Spark Offense". The New York Times. November 10, 1957.
  22. "Georgia Tech Knocks Tennessee From Unbeaten: Unsung Hero Taz Anderson Sparks Victory". Post Herald and Register, Beckley, WV. October 11, 1959. p. 14.
  23. "Tennessee Topples Georgia Tech". Miami (OK) Daily News-Record. November 12, 1961. p. 5.
  24. "Tennessee Topples Georgia Tech". San Bernardino Sun-Telegram. November 8, 1964. p. D3.
  25. "Tennessee defeats Georgia Tech, 21-7". Beatrice Daily Sun. November 7, 1965. p. 14.
  26. "Georgia Tech nips Tennessee in brutal defensive conflict". Montana Standard-Post. October 9, 1966. p. 11.
  27. "Tech Bombs Fizzle Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine," 1969 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 66.
  28. "Tennessee Stings Georgia Tech". The Sun-Telegram. October 11, 1970. p. B4.
  29. "Scott's Arm Gets Tennessee By Limping Georgia Tech, 17-6," Daytona Beach Morning Journal, October 11, 1970.
  30. "Duncan's Artistry Provides Breathing Room Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine," 1981 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 85.
  31. "Vols Down Tech on Alatorre Pass," Gadsden Times, October 11, 1981, p. 19.
  32. "Georgia Tech 31, Tennessee 21," Florence Times Daily, October 24, 1982, p. 18.
  33. "Field Goal Gives Vols Triumph," Toledo Blade, October 28, 1984.
  34. "Desperation Catch By Smith Sets Up Reveiz's Game-Winning Shot Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 98.
  35. Southeast Roundup : Florida Has Thoughts About Auburn, Beats Virginia Tech, 35-18," Los Angeles Times, October 27, 1985.
  36. "Tech Stings Vols With 14-13 Victory," Gadsden Times, October 26, 1986, p. B5.
  37. Newberry, Paul (September 5, 2017). "No. 25 Tennessee pulls off remarkable 42-41 win over Ga Tech". Associated Press. Atlanta: AP Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
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