Favorite Season Opener Memories?

[Thunder Good-Oil]

The 1985 Tennessee and Colorado game, the game was a tie we went on to the Sugar Bowl and Colorado went on to a split NC in the polls.

That was 1990. TN beat Virginia in the 1991 Sugar Bowl.

The 1985 opener was versus UCLA and was a disappointing tie. UCLA came back from 16 down late in the game. Two TDs and two 2-point conversions.

 

[UTK]

The most recent one that I recall is 2012 vs NC State. NC State was supposed to be really good that year and it was our first glimpse of Cordarrelle Patterson. I remember watching that game and thinking “Holy crap we are good again”. That was short lived.

same. I remember us torching their all American corner. Also remember forcing like 3 or 4 ints on their future NFL QB.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

This is complicated for me because most of my earliest memories as a fan are a blur. Earliest memories, I remember 12yr old me watching my dad yell at the tv and cheering on Peyton Manning. Then the pure joy and celebration of the championship at 13. After that, I fell off for a while (moved to SC with my mom). Then in ‘14 I moved back to TN and became close with my dad again. I fell into full-on fandom again that season and while not the season opener, was crushed by that infamous OU loss. Been and will always be a full-blown fanatic Vol fan ever since.

 

[mercuryvol]

1974 UCLA game when Holloway got hurt went to the hospital came back in third quarter and rallied the Vols to a 17-17 tie.

My favorite,too.

 

[MAD]

This is complicated for me because most of my earliest memories as a fan are a blur. Earliest memories, I remember 12yr old me watching my dad yell at the tv and cheering on Peyton Manning. Then the pure joy and celebration of the championship at 13. After that, I fell off for a while (moved to SC with my mom). Then in ‘14 I moved back to TN and became close with my dad again. I fell into full-on fandom again that season and while not the season opener, was crushed by that infamous OU loss. Been and will always be a full-blown fanatic Vol fan ever since.

You guys sound like my daughter and me, even though she graduated from Ohio State she is and always will be a Vol fan.

 

[ZippyMorocco]

UT, 1980.

 

[MAD]

UT, 1980.

Reported
SECURITY!!!

 

[LWSVOL]

Tell us some of your favorite memories from past season openers?
Also which is the first season opener that you remember watching or attending?

Attended season openers in New York (1987 versus Iowa) and Anaheim (Pigskin Classic versus Colorado who shared NC). Both were great experiences traveling to other places and being around the team for several days.. lot of memories and both were very exciting games. Sat close to Chuck Webb's parents in Anaheim. We high fived on every carry by Webb. Chuck's Dad was one HUGE man.

The openers when Majors got back to UT were always filled with excitement. Knoxville was rocking in 1977 when we opened with Cal. Lost the game but man was there a buzz around the program. In 1980, the north end zone was redone and we opened with Georgia and Herschel. Talk about rocking, Neyland was rocking. Really hurt losing that game.

Too many losses on opening nights that we were playing against good teams. 80s and 90s openers though were highest levels of excitement. The above are the one's I remember best.

 

[VOLtaism]

1967 against UCLA out Dickey takes the team out west. I think this is correct, UCLA was led by Heisman candidate QB Gary Beban, also highly ranked. UCLA won but 20-16 but it was a great game! No Tv coverage, radio was great!

 

[Ernest T. Vol]

There is something so exciting and nostalgic going to Neyland for the home opener, walking to the stadium with my dad, stopping to get a steamed sandwich on the strip first. “They Like That Soft Bread” — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER

This wasn’t the first year of watching the Vols but the first season opener I remember watching(On TV), 1972 34-3 over Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Favorite, probably Syracuse 1998.
Least favorite has to be Georgia in Knoxville 1980(The Herschel Walker game)

That GA game is still the tightest ticket I've ever seen. You couldn't find them to buy them.

 

[luthervol]

'85 vs UCLA. Ended in a tie. The debut of the wave; it was pretty impressive seeing it for the first time ever.....anywhere.

I was also at the GA Hershel/Bates game. The first time in my life I paid more than face value to attend a game.

 

[mercuryvol]

Lots of UCLA recollections here. I wish we could make them a semi-traditional rival. Possibly every two years as a home and home rivalry. There have been very close games and good trips between the two schools.

 

[orange4ever]

2006 Cal game. My sons first game. A good win and a new VOL fan made. Seats in Y-9 almost like getting to run through the T.

 

[snappervol]

Favorite: UCLA 1989 Tennessee win.
First Memory: Penn State 1972.
Same here , I was at the ‘72 Penn St. Game. It was the first night game @ Neyland. If I recall, without using the “google”, that was a Franco Harris & Lydel Mitchell lead team. I also think it was perhaps the first year of “tartan turf”, better known as concrete.

 

[Buzzbait]

Penn State. ‘Nuff said