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South Carolina–Tennessee football rivalry

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South Carolina–Tennessee football rivalry
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
First meetingOctober 29, 1903
South Carolina, 24–0
Latest meetingSeptember 30, 2023
Tennessee, 41–20
Next meetingTBD
Statistics
Meetings total42
All-time seriesTennessee leads, 27–11–2
Largest victoryTennessee, 52–0 (1929)
Longest win streakTennessee, 12 (1993–2004)
Current win streakTennessee, 1 (2023–present)
Map
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150km
100miles
Knoxville, TN
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Columbia, SC
Locations of the universities

The South Carolina–Tennessee football rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played between the South Carolina Gamecocks and Tennessee Volunteers.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The game was first played in 1903 in Columbia, SC. The two schools only faced-off 10 times before 1992, when they began playing annually as members of the SEC East division. As a result of conference expansion, the game will no longer be annual beginning in 2024.[8][9][10] Tennessee leads the all-time series 27–11–2, (not including two vacated wins).[11] The most recent game was a 41–20 Tennessee win in 2023.

Series history

[edit]

Tennessee dominated in the early years of the rivalry, leading the series 19–2–2 through the 2005 meeting. Once Steve Spurrier became the South Carolina coach, the nature of the rivalry changed, highlighted by three straight wins from 2010 to 2012. Since Spurrier first beat Tennessee at South Carolina in 2005, the series is tied 9–9.[12][13][14] The series is known for its streak of close, competitive games, as from 2000 to 2008, each meeting except for 2004 was decided by one possession, and from 2012 to 2018 each game was decided by less than one score, and all but the 2017 game were by 3 points or less.[15][16][17][18][3] For South Carolina, this series, along with Florida, is generally regarded as their most significant SEC rivalry behind Georgia.[19][20] For Tennessee, their losses to South Carolina coincided with a series of poor seasons during the late 2000’s and 2010’s.[21]

In fact, over the course of 16 seasons from 2008 to 2023, the Gamecocks and the Volunteers not only both shared a record of 8 wins a piece but also three-peated each other twice. South Carolina won three straight over Tennessee in 2010, 2011, and 2012 as well as 2016, 2017, and 2018. Tennessee would also have multiple three-game winning streaks over South Carolina during this 16-game stretch, first with 2013, 2014, and 2015 along with 2019, 2020, and 2021. As for the remaining four games, the 2008 to 2023 stretch of the rivalry began with the two going 1-1 against each other and the stretch ended with the two going 1-1 against each other. South Carolina won in 2008 in Columbia 27 to 6, followed by Tennessee getting the victory in Knoxville on Halloween Night for the 2009 edition, 31 to 13, in the Vols' first ever game wearing black uniforms. After the aforementioned three-peats for both programs, South Carolina upset Tennessee 63 to 38 in 2022 in Williams-Brice Stadium costing the Volunteers a chance at the College Football Playoffs that season. The following contest in 2023 in Neyland Stadium saw Tennessee get revenge on the Gamecocks 41 to 20.

Notable games

[edit]

1992: The first matchup of the two teams in the newly created SEC East was ultimately the last game before it was announced that legendary Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors would not return the next season. Tennessee had started the year 5–0, with wins over Georgia and Florida under interim coach Phillip Fulmer, while Majors recovered from open-heart surgery. Once Majors returned, Tennessee had consecutive losses to Arkansas and Alabama before traveling to Columbia. For South Carolina, their first year in the SEC got off to a challenging start with a 0–5 record. Entering the game with Tennessee, South Carolina had rebounded with two straight wins over #15 Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. The game came down to the very last play as the #16 Vols scored a late touchdown pass to Mose Phillips after being down 24–17. Tennessee attempted a two-point conversion, hoping to avoid a tie and maintain control over the SEC East, but the conversion failed. Before Tennessee's next game was played, it was announced Majors would step down at the end of the season to be replaced by Fulmer. This game also would cost Tennessee a spot in the first SEC Championship game. South Carolina continued to rebound and finished off the year with a win over rival Clemson and a 5–6 record.[22][23][24]

2005: Entering the 2005 matchup, #23 Tennessee had won 12 straight in the series and was looking to get their season back on track after starting #3 in the country, but getting out to a 3–3 record with losses to #6 Florida, #5 Georgia, and #5 Alabama. The night game featured the retirement of former Tennessee QB Peyton Manning's number 16. Meanwhile, Steve Spurrier was in his first year with South Carolina, who had 4–3 with losses to Georgia, Alabama, and Auburn. With a little over 2 minutes left in the game, Tennessee led 15–13 when Josh Brown converted a 49-yard field goal to give the Gamecocks the lead and eventual win following a Tennessee turnover on downs. The result ended the 12-game Tennessee win streak, gave South Carolina their first-ever win at Tennessee, and marked Fulmer's first loss to South Carolina in his career.[25][26] Tennessee would continue to struggle, ending the year with a 5–6 record, ending a streak of bowl games dating back to 1988. South Carolina would finish 2nd in the SEC East and go on to the Independence Bowl, and a final record of 7–5.[27][28]

2007: In the 2007 meeting, both teams entered tied for first in the SEC East, although both lost to struggling SEC teams the previous week. The 6–2 #15 Gamecocks scored just six points in a home loss to 3–3 Vanderbilt, while 5–3 Tennessee was soundly beaten on the road by unranked Alabama. Earlier the same day, Georgia's win over Florida meant the winner of the night game would take control of the division. Tennessee started with a strong 21–0 lead at halftime, but South Carolina got back into the game after Tennessee only got 70 yards in the second half. Ultimately, two South Carolina turnovers in the last seven minutes allowed Tennessee to come back and tie the game at 24–24 to force overtime. Another South Carolina turnover allowed the Vols to win 27–24, despite South Carolina having 501 yards to Tennessee's 317.[29] Tennessee went on to win out in the regular season and claim the East division title, advancing to the SEC Championship Game where they ultimately lost to LSU. South Carolina lost their final three games of the year for a final record of 6–6.[30][31]

2013: In 2013, the game came down to a last-second field goal which saw Tennessee score a shocking upset of #9 South Carolina.[32] A late decision by South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier to punt rather than attempt a fourth down conversion, allowed Tennessee to get the ball back with just minutes remaining. With 5–1 (3–1 SEC) South Carolina up 21–20, a phenomenal catch by Marquez North put 3–3 (0–2 SEC) Tennessee in field goal range. After running the clock down, Tennessee's Michael Palardy kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. The win marked Tennessee's first major victory under Butch Jones. The loss was detrimental for South Carolina, as the Gamecocks did not lose another game all year. Tennessee struggled, losing their next four games to finish 5–7. With the loss, South Carolina finished second in the SEC East behind Missouri. A win over Tennessee would have put the Gamecocks into the SEC Championship, likely with the chance to play for a spot in the BCS National Championship.[26] The team finished the year fourth in the country, with an 11–2 record and win in the Capital One Bowl.[33][34][35][36]

2014: The 2014 contest featured two struggling teams (4–4 South Carolina and 3–5 Tennessee) in a night came on Columbia. South Carolina built up a 42–28 lead behind the performance of star wide receiver Pharoh Cooper, who threw, caught, and ran for a combined four touchdowns.[37] Trailing by fourteen with only 4:52 remaining, Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs, in his first start of the season, led a stunning comeback, throwing a touchdown with eleven seconds left to force overtime. A thirty-two-yard field goal from Tennessee's Aaron Medley proved the difference. The game was significant for a number of reasons as it helped propel the Vols to their first bowl game since 2010 and their first under second-year head coach Butch Jones. Spurrier, following an 11–2 season in 2013, continued to struggle as South Carolina slumped to a 7–6 record in 2014. After beginning the 2015 season 2–4 Spurrier stepped down.[38][39]

2016: Entering the 2016 game, #18 Tennessee had come off two straight losses to #8 Texas A&M and #1 Alabama but held wins over Florida and Georgia, keeping Tennessee a-top the SEC East. Under first-year head coach Will Muschamp, South Carolina was 3–4, needing a win to boost their chances at bowl-eligibility. While previously being ranked last in the SEC for total offense, 17-year-old South Carolina QB Jake Bentley had a career night with two touchdowns to help upset Tennessee 24–21 after the Vols missed a 58-yard field goal as time expired.[40] The game ultimately would cost Tennessee the SEC East and propel South Carolina to their first bowl game under Muschamp.[41]

2022: The 2022 contest in Columbia pitted a 6–4 (3–4 SEC) South Carolina team against 9–1 (6–1 SEC) and 5th ranked Tennessee in front of a sell-out night-game crowd.[42] Tennessee entered the game as a 22.5 point favorite, and were playing for a chance to make the programs's first College Football Playoff.[43] Despite having 11th ranked offense in the SEC, South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler had a career night, throwing for 438 yards and six touchdowns, leading the Gamecocks to a 63–38 victory. South Carolina fans stormed the field after the victory, ultimately resulting in a $100,000 fine.[44] Ultimately, the Gamecocks would go on to beat #8 Clemson the next week before falling to #21 Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl to finish the year ranked #23. Tennessee would beat Vanderbilt and then #7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl to finish ranked #6.[45]

Game results

[edit]

Source[46][17]

South Carolina victoriesTennessee victories
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
1 October 29, 1903 Columbia, SC South Carolina 24 Tennessee 0
2 October 21, 1916 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 26 South Carolina 0
3 November 8, 1919 Columbia, SC Tie6Tie6
4 December 7, 1929 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 54 South Carolina 0
5 September 26, 1942 Columbia, SC Tie0Tie0
6 October 9, 1965 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 24 South Carolina 3
7 October 22, 1966 Columbia, SC Tennessee 29 South Carolina 17
8 November 8, 1969 Knoxville, TN #3 Tennessee 29 South Carolina 14
9 November 7, 1970 Columbia, SC #8 Tennessee 20 South Carolina 18
10 November 6, 1971 Knoxville, TN #11 Tennessee 35 South Carolina 6
11 October 31, 1992 Columbia, SC South Carolina 24 #16 Tennessee 23
12 October 30, 1993 Knoxville, TN #8 Tennessee 55 South Carolina 3
13 October 29, 1994 Columbia, SC Tennessee 31 South Carolina 22
14 October 28, 1995 Knoxville, TN #6 Tennessee 56 South Carolina 21
15 November 2, 1996 Columbia, SC #6 Tennessee 31 South Carolina 14
16 November 1, 1997 Knoxville, TN #8 Tennessee 22 South Carolina 7
17 October 31, 1998 Columbia, SC #3 Tennessee 49 South Carolina 14
18 October 30, 1999 Knoxville, TN #4 Tennessee 30 South Carolina 7
19 October 28, 2000 Columbia, SC Tennessee 17 #17 South Carolina 14
20 October 27, 2001 Knoxville, TN #9 Tennessee 17 #12 South Carolina 10
21 November 2, 2002 Columbia, SC #25 Tennessee 18 South Carolina 10
22 September 27, 2003 Knoxville, TN #8 Tennessee 23 South Carolina 20OT
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
23 October 30, 2004 Columbia, SC #12 Tennessee 43 South Carolina 29
24 October 29, 2005 Knoxville, TN South Carolina 16 #23 Tennessee 15
25 October 28, 2006 Columbia, SC #8 Tennessee 31 South Carolina 24
26 October 27, 2007 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 27 #15 South Carolina 24OT
27 November 1, 2008 Columbia, SC South Carolina 27 Tennessee 6
28 October 31, 2009 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 31 #21 South Carolina 13
29 October 30, 2010 Columbia, SC #17 South Carolina 38 Tennessee 24
30 October 29, 2011 Knoxville, TN #14 South Carolina 14 Tennessee 3
31 October 27, 2012 Columbia, SC #17 South Carolina 38 Tennessee 35
32 October 19, 2013 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 23 #11 South Carolina 21
33 November 1, 2014 Columbia, SC Tennessee 45 South Carolina 42OT
34 November 7, 2015 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 27 South Carolina 24
35 October 29, 2016 Columbia, SC South Carolina 24 #18 Tennessee 21
36 October 14, 2017 Knoxville, TN South Carolina 15 Tennessee 9
37 October 27, 2018 Columbia, SC South Carolina 27 Tennessee 24
38 October 26, 2019 Knoxville, TN Tennessee† 41 South Carolina 21
39 September 26, 2020 Columbia, SC #16 Tennessee† 31 South Carolina 27
40 October 9, 2021 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 45 South Carolina 20
41 November 19, 2022 Columbia, SC South Carolina 63 #5 Tennessee 38
42 September 30, 2023 Knoxville, TN #21 Tennessee 41 South Carolina 20
Series: Tennessee leads 27–11–2
†Tennessee vacated the 2019 and 2020 wins due to
recruiting violations under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt.[11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Why South Carolina rivalry is so important to UT Vols". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Willhoft, Michael. "South Carolina vs. Tennessee: 10 Little Known Facts About the Southern Rivalry". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Tennessee vs. South Carolina: Is it a rivalry?". 247Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "In potential 9-game SEC football schedule, which schools are permanent rivals? We built a model". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. ^ Fowler, Chapel (November 16, 2022). "South Carolina faces most lopsided point spread against Tennessee in 23 years". The State. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "No South Carolina football vs. Georgia on 2024 SEC schedule, but was it ever a rivalry? | Toppmeyer". Gonzales Weekly Citizen. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "Steve Spurrier has changed the South Carolina-Tennessee rivalry". Saturday Down South. October 29, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. ^ A. O. L. Staff (September 30, 2023). "A rivalry lost? Former Gamecocks share their experiences facing Tennessee". www.aol.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  9. ^ "South Carolina football 2024 SEC schedule includes first meeting with Oklahoma, no Tennessee". The Greenville News. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Ragan, Zach (June 16, 2023). "A streak that spans three decades will end for Tennessee Vols in 2024". A to Z Sports. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Here are Tennessee football wins vacated under Jeremy Pruitt and how it impacts Vols history". Knoxville News. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "No. 18 Tennessee, South Carolina renew tight rivalry". FOX Sports. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  13. ^ Williford, Billy (October 22, 2018). "7.5 points is too many in Vols-Gamecocks rivalry". All for Tennessee. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Miller, Kevin (September 30, 2023). "South Carolina Football: Tennessee matchup is among college football's closest in recent years". Garnet and Cocky. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Team, BVMSports (September 30, 2023). "South Carolina vs Tennessee: A Close and Exciting Rivalry in College Football". BVM Sports. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  16. ^ "Football History vs University of South Carolina". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Tennessee's all-time results against South Carolina". Vols Wire. November 15, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  18. ^ "How UT Vols vs South Carolina has changed Tennessee football history in last two games". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  19. ^ Tapp, Connor. "The 2024 SEC schedule and the end of the regional sports conference". www.totheeforeverago.org. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  20. ^ Clark, Chris (June 15, 2023). "Gamecocks Connection: About that 2024 schedule". On3. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  21. ^ Adams, John. "Why South Carolina rivalry is so important to UT Vols". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  22. ^ "Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history". All for Tennessee. October 26, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  23. ^ "South Carolina 24, No. 15 Tennessee – UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  24. ^ "1992 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  25. ^ "South Carolina Hangs On To Beat No. 23 Tennessee". University of South Carolina Athletics. October 29, 2005. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Silvia, Brent (November 18, 2022). "Looking Back: Tennessee". Garnet And Black Attack. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  27. ^ "2005 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  28. ^ "2005 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  29. ^ "South Carolina 24–27 Tennessee (Oct 27, 2007) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved June 22, 2023.[dead link]
  30. ^ "2007 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  31. ^ "2007 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  32. ^ "Tennessee stuns No. 9 South Carolina on last-second FG". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  33. ^ "South Carolina at Tennessee Box Score, October 19, 2013". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  34. ^ "2013 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  35. ^ "2013 Tennessee Volunteers Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  36. ^ "Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history". All for Tennessee. October 26, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  37. ^ "Tennessee 45–42 South Carolina (Nov 1, 2014) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  38. ^ "Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history". All for Tennessee. October 26, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  39. ^ "Tennessee at South Carolina Box Score, November 1, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  40. ^ "Tennessee 21–24 South Carolina (Oct 29, 2016) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  41. ^ "Tennessee football: 10 Vols games vs. South Carolina that dramatically altered history". All for Tennessee. October 26, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  42. ^ "South Carolina runs over No. 5 Tennessee 63–38; Hooker hurt". AP NEWS. November 20, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  43. ^ "College football's most shocking games of 2022: South Carolina's blowout of Tennessee tops list of stunners". 247Sports. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  44. ^ Leatherwood, Dylan (November 20, 2022). "USC fined after fans, students storm field". www.live5news.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  45. ^ "NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll". AP NEWS. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  46. ^ "Winsipedia – Tennessee Volunteers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks football series history". Winsipedia. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
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