September 12 in Tennessee Football History: A Review of All-Time Results

The Tennessee Volunteers football program began in 1891. Over the years, they have taken the field on September 12 on five occasions, posting a record of two wins and three losses.

In 1992, the Volunteers edged the Georgia Bulldogs 35-31 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, marking the inaugural SEC East division contest.

Trailing 17-13 at halftime, Tennessee secured the victory with a three-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Heath Shuler with just fifty seconds left on the clock.

Shuler also passed for 152 yards on 12-of-22 attempts, throwing one interception. He led the team in rushing with 81 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, while running back James Stewart added another rushing score.

Wide receiver Craig Faulkner paced the Volunteers in receiving, gaining 86 yards on six catches.

The Volunteers’ first September 12 appearance came in 1981, when they fell 43-7 to Southern California at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

In 1987, Tennessee downed Mississippi State 38-10 on this date. Later, on September 12, 2009, they were defeated by UCLA, 19-15.

Most recently, on September 12, 2015, Tennessee lost a double‑overtime thriller to Oklahoma, 31-24, at Neyland Stadium.

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