1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team

American college football season February 2026 January 2019 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football Tennessee Volunteers logo.svg 125 Southeastern Conference Eastern Division SEC 8 7 11–2 7–1 Phillip Fulmer 5th David Cutcliffe 5th Pro-style John Chavis 3rd Multiple 4–3 Leonard Little Peyton Manning Neyland Stadium SEC championSEC Eastern Division champion SEC Championship Game W Won 30–29 vs. Auburn Orange Bowl (BA NCG) L Lost 17–42 vs. Nebraska The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Phillip Fulmer, the Volunteers compiled an overall record of 11–2 with a mark of 7–1, winning the SEC's Eastern Division title. Tennessee advanced to the SEC Championship Game, where the Volunteers defeated Auburn to capture the conference championship. Tennessee was then invited to the Orange Bowl, which served as the Bowl Alliance's national title game. There the Volunteers lost to Nebraska. The team played home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL draft, but he returned to Tennessee for his senior year.Nothing to Prove; Manning Made His Decision to Stay at Tennessee, and the Rest Is History Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California September 3, 1997 The Volunteers opened the season with victories against Texas Tech and UCLA, but for the third time in his career, Manning fell to Florida, 33–20.TENN. JUMPS TO NO. 3 IN POLL Washington Post 1997-09-01 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/09/01/tenn-jumps-to-no-3-in-poll/ef7e5cf2-eec9-4f46-9f3a-781649b93c3f/ 2024-12-13UCLA Rallies in Second Half Against Tennessee, but Comes Up Short for Second Week in a Row, 30–24 Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California September 7, 1997Manning's Nightmare Continues https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/21/sports/on-college-football-manning-s-nightmare-continues.html The New York Times September 21, 1997 December 24, 2007 William C. Rhoden The Vols won the rest of their regular season games, finishing 10–1, and advanced to the SEC Championship Game against Auburn. Down 20–7, Manning led the Vols to a 30–29 victory. Throwing for four touchdowns, he was named the game's MVP but injured himself in the process.https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1309971-classic-sec-football-tennessee-tops-auburn-in-the-1997-sec-championship-game Classic SEC Football: Tennessee Tops Auburn in the 1997 SEC Championship Game Bleacher Report Sallee Barrett August 24, 2012 December 26, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20120826024546/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1309971-classic-sec-football-tennessee-tops-auburn-in-the-1997-sec-championship-game August 26, 2012 liveFulmer Phillip Phillip Fulmer A Perfect Season Rutledge Hill Press 1-55853-798-8 7 Peyton had played with a lot of pain in the Orange Bowl because of an injury he had suffered in our SEC Championship victory against Auburn, and his mobility was limited throughout the game against Nebraska 1999 The No. 3 Vols were matched up with No. 2 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Had Tennessee won and top-ranked Michigan lost against Washington State in the Rose Bowl, the Vols would have been expected to win the national championship.MacCambridge Michael ESPN College Football Encyclopedia ESPN Books 1-4013-3703-1 1401 2005 However, the Vols' defense could not stop Nebraska's rushing attack, giving up more than 400 yards on the ground in a 42–17 loss.MacCambridge Michael ESPN College Football Encyclopedia ESPN Books 1-4013-3703-1 1462 2005 As a senior, Manning won numerous awards He was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Award, and the Best College Football Player ESPY Award, among others. However, he did not win the Heisman Trophy, finishing runner-up to Charles Woodson, a cornerback for Michigan and one of only two defensive players ever to win the award (the other being Travis Hunter in 2024).MacCambridge Michael ESPN College Football Encyclopedia ESPN Books 1-4013-3703-1 1402 2005https://www.espn.com/espy2005/s/pastwinners.html The 2005 ESPY Awards – ESPY Awards past winners ESPN December 20, 2007http://www.heisman.com/winners/c-woodson97.html 1997 Heisman Trophy Heisman.com February 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080201185230/http://www.heisman.com/winners/c-woodson97.html February 1, 2008 Schedule 1997 AP Eastern August 30 7:45 p.m. w y 5 Texas Tech Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN ESPN 52–17 106,285 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-odessa-american-vols-crush-red-raide/152116951/ The Odessa American Vols crush Red Raiders August 31, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 6 3:30 p.m. w y y 3 UCLA Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA ABC 30–24 62,619 Dilbeck Steve September 7, 1997 Bruins rally comes up short against Tennessee https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-bruins-ral/152117019/ July 27, 2024 The San Bernardino County Sun Newspapers.com September 20 3:30 p.m. l y 4 Florida 3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL CBS rivalry, College GameDay 20–33 85,714 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-chokehold-stymies-vols/152117123/ Chicago Tribune Chokehold stymies Vols September 21, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 3:30 p.m. w 9 Ole Miss Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN rivalry CBS 31–17 106,229 https://www.newspapers.com/article/bristol-herald-courier-vols-heat-up-afte/152115348/ Bristol Herald Courier Vols heat up after halftime, beat Ole Miss October 5, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 3:30 p.m. w 9 Georgia 13 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN rivalry CBS 38–13 106,656 https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-independent-mail-no-9-voluntee/152117276/ Anderson Independent-Mail No. 9 Volunteers romp past soaked Bulldogs October 12, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 7:00 p.m. w y 9 Alabama Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October ESPN 38–21 83,091 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632281/tennessee-waltz-manning-leads-3rd/ The Tennessean Tennessee waltz, Manning leads 3rd straight win over Alabama October 19, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 12:30 p.m. w 8 South Carolina Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN JPS 22–7 106,301 Morris Dan November 2, 1997 Vols back in control https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-vols-back-in-control/152117397/ July 27, 2024 The Jackson Sun Newspapers.com November 8 4:00 p.m. w y 8 Southern Miss 24 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN PPV 44–20 107,073 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-mannings-five-touchdown-lead/152117472/ The Shreveport Times Manning's five touchdown lead Volunteers November 9, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 8:00 p.m. w y 5 Arkansas War Memorial Stadium Little Rock, AR ESPN2 30–22 53,235 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tennessee-holds-of/152116776/ The Commercial Appeal Tennessee holds off game Arkansas November 16, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 12:30 p.m. w y 5 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY rivalry ESPN2 59–31 61,076 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-journal-manning-leads-vols-pas/152117598/ The State Journal Manning leads Vols past UK in 59–31 win November 23, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 29 12:00 p.m. w 3 Vanderbilt Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN rivalry CBS 17–10 106,683 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-lewis-leads-vols-past-vandy/152117679/ The State Lewis leads Vols past Vandy November 30, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com December 6 8:00 p.m. w y 3 Auburn 11 Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA SEC Championship Game ABC 30–29 74,896 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-volunteers-win-sec-t/152102579/ The Courier-Journal Volunteers win SEC title, await their bowl destiny December 7, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com January 2 8:00 p.m. l y y 3 Nebraska 2 Pro Player Stadium Miami Gardens, FL Orange Bowl, College GameDay CBS 17–42 74,002 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-tie-tle-huskers-m/152117833/ The Kansas City Star Tie-tle; Huskers, Michigan are co-champions January 3, 1998 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com Rankings 1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 5 (8) 5 (7) 3 (7) 4 (6) 4 (6) 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 5 5 3 3 3 7 Coaches 0 17 5 (8) 5 (8) 3 (10) 4 (5) 4 (6) 10 10 10 9 8 8 7 5 5 3 3 3 8 Game summaries Texas Tech 1997 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team Texas Tech at Tennessee Red Raiders No. 5 Volunteers 0 3 0 14 7 17 21 7 August 30 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 7:35 pm EDT 3:20 106,285 Source: Box score At UCLA 1997 UCLA Bruins football team Tennessee at UCLA No. 3 Volunteers Bruins 9 15 3 3 0 3 3 18 September 6 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 3:35 pm EDT 3:41 62,619 Source: Box score yes 1 2 8:28 UT Safety, Leonard Little sack of Cade McNown in end zone Tenn 2–0 3:05 UT Cory Gaines 57-yard interception return (Jeff Hall kick) Tenn 9–0 2 3 9:35 UT Jeremaine Copeland 24-yard pass from Peyton Manning (conversion) Tenn 17–0 4:07 UT Marcus Nash 39-yard pass from Peyton Manning (kick) Tenn 24–0 UCLA Chris Sailer ?-yard field goal Tenn 24–3 3 2 UCLA Chris Sailer ?-yard field goal Tenn 24–6 UT Jeff Hall ?-yard field goal Tenn 27–6 4 4 UCLA Skip Hicks ?-yard pass from Cade McNown (conversion failed) Tenn 27–12 UCLA Skip Hicks ?-yard run (conversion failed) Tenn 27–18 UCLA Skip Hicks ?-yard pass from Cade McNown (conversion failed) Tenn 27–24 UT Jeff Hall ?-yard field goal Tenn 30–24 yes Tennessee 30, UCLA 24 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/09/06/Tennessee-30-UCLA-24/3786873518400/ UPI Archives September 6, 1997 September 24, 2022 At Florida Tennessee Volunteers 2; text-align:center collapsed #4 Tennessee Volunteers (2–0) at #3 Florida Gators (2–0) September 20 3:30 p.m. EDT Tennessee 0 7 7 6 Florida 14 6 6 7 Ben Hill Griffith Stadium, Gainesville, Florida 85,714 Sunny, 95 F C Box Score/Recap First quarter UF – Jamie Richardson 11-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 9:43. Florida 7–0. UF – Tony George 88-yard interception return (Collins Cooper kick), 0:15. Florida 14–0. Second quarter UT – Jermaine Copeland 22-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 1:33. Florida 14–7. UF – Jacquez Green 19-yard pass from Doug Johnson (kick failed), 0:45. Florida 20–7. Third quarter UF – Collins Cooper 37-yard field goal, 8:33. Florida 23–7. UF – Collins Cooper 40-yard field goal, 3:44. Florida 26–7. UT – Jermaine Copeland 8-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 2:32. Florida 26–14. Fourth quarter UF – Taran Ross 30-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 6:23. Florida 33–14. UT – Cedrick Wilson 16-yard pass from Peyton Manning (pass failed), 2:21. Florida 33–20. Top passers UT – Peyton Manning – 29/51, 353 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT UF – Doug Johnson – 14/32, 261 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers UT – Mark Levine – 4 rushes, 27 yards UF – Fred Taylor – 17 rushes, 134 yards Top receivers UT – Andy McCullough – 5 receptions, 105 yards UF – Jacquez Green – 8 receptions, 185 yards, TD https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-21-sp-34829-story.html No. 3 Gators Find Willing Volunteers Los Angeles Times September 21, 1997 September 25, 2022 Ole Miss 1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team Ole Miss at Tennessee Rebels No. 9 Volunteers 0 3 6 8 0 7 14 10 October 4 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 3:34 pm EDT 3:15 106,229 Source: Box score Georgia 1997 Georgia Bulldogs football team Georgia at Tennessee No. 13 Bulldogs No. 9 Volunteers 3 7 0 3 7 17 0 14 October 11 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 3:41 pm EDT 3:13 106,656 Source: Box score At Alabama 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team Tennessee at Alabama No. 9 Volunteers Crimson Tide 7 14 10 7 6 0 8 7 October 18 Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama 6:06 pm EDT 3:06 83,091 Source: Box score South Carolina 1997 South Carolina Gamecocks football team South Carolina at Tennessee Gamecocks No. 9 Volunteers 0 0 0 7 9 0 3 10 November 1 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 12:38 pm EDT 3:04 106,301 Source: Box score Southern Miss 1997 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team Southern Miss at Tennessee No. 24 Golden Eagles No. 8 Volunteers 7 6 7 0 6 14 21 3 November 8 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 4:08 pm EST 3:10 107,073 Source: Box score At Arkansas 1997 Arkansas Razorbacks football team Tennessee at Arkansas No. 5 Volunteers Razorbacks 7 7 3 13 0 10 6 6 November 15 November 17, 1997 Tennessee Survives Scare in Arkansas https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/football/111697fbc-tenn-arkansas.html 2024-12-13 The New York Times Associated Press War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, Arkansas 7:15 pm EDT 3:20 53,235 Source: Box score At Kentucky 1997 Kentucky Wildcats football team Tennessee at Kentucky No. 5 Volunteers Wildcats 17 7 21 14 7 14 3 7 November 22 Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky 12:30 pm EDT 3:40 61,076 Source: Box score Peyton Manning threw for a school-record 523 yards and tied the school-record with 5 passing touchdowns in this high-scoring win over Kentucky. The single-game TD record fell in 2007 and the single-game yardage record stood until 2012. In all, Manning and Kentucky QB Tim Couch combined for 999 passing yards (Couch threw for a then-school-record 476 yards).Manning Passes for 523 Yards in Tennessee Win https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-23-sp-57013-story.html The Los Angeles Times November 23, 1997 September 25, 2022 Vanderbilt 1997 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Vanderbilt at Tennessee Commodores No. 3 Volunteers 0 3 7 0 0 10 7 0 November 29 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 12:12 pm EST 3:00 106,683 Vols win division crown, want more https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/11/30/vols-win-division-crown-want-more/ The Tampa Bay Times November 30, 1997 September 25, 2022 Vs. Auburn 1997 SEC Championship Game 1997 Auburn Tigers football team Tennessee vs Auburn No. 3 Volunteers No. 11 Tigers 7 3 13 7 13 7 9 0 December 6 Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 8:06 pm EST 3:34 74,896 Al Ford Source: Box score yes 1 4 12:41 UT Peerless Price 40-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Tenn 7–0 10:25 Aub Jaret Holmes 30-yard field goal Tenn 7–3 5:36 Aub Brad Ware 24-yard fumble return (Jaret Holmes kick) Aub 10–7 1:27 Aub Jaret Holmes 48-yard field goal Aub 13–7 2 2 14:12 Aub Tyrone Goodson 51-yard pass from Dameyune Craig (Jaret Holmes kick) Aub 20–7 7:46 UT Jeff Hall 27-yard field goal Aub 20–10 3 4 11:56 UT J. Copeland 5-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Aub 20–17 6:14 Aub Fred Beasley 24-yard pass from Dameyune Craig (Jaret Holmes kick) Aub 27–17 1:06 UT Peerless Price 46-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Aub 27–23 1:06 Aub Quinton Reese 98-yard PAT return Aub 29–23 4 11:14 UT Marcus Nash 73-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick) Tenn 30–29 yes The Vols struck first just over two minutes into the game, but found themselves trailing 20–7 only 48 seconds into the second quarter. Despite six turnovers, Tennessee clawed all the way back. Peyton Manning threw for 373 yards and 4 TD, including a game winning 73-yard touchdown to Marcus Nash.December 7, 1997 Too Close for Comfort https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-07-sp-61720-story.html September 25, 2022 The Los Angeles Times Associated Press Vs. Nebraska (Orange Bowl) 1998 Orange Bowl 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team Tennessee vs Nebraska No. 3 Volunteers No. 2 Cornhuskers 0 3 6 8 7 7 21 7 January 2, 1998 Moran Malcolm Nebraska's Osborne Bids Farewell With Big Victory The New York Times Web Archive 2018-04-09 https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/ncaafootball/010398fbc-orangebowl.html 2024-12-13 Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida EST 72,385 Roster 1997 Tennessee Volunteers f 24 Jr Shawn Bryson RB y 67 So Chad Clifton OT y Cosey Coleman OL Jermaine Copeland WR Graff Corby WR Phillip Crosby RB Brian Darden RB Eric Diogu TE Derrick Edmonds RB Mercedes Hamilton OL Travis Henry RB y Neil Johnson TE Mark Levine RB Jamal Lewis Jamal Lewis (American football) RB y 16 Sr Peyton Manning QB y David Martin WR 17 So Tee Martin QB y 88 Sr Andy McCullough WR 12 Sr Marcus Nash Marcus Nash (American football) WR y Antron Peebles TE 37 Jr Peerless Price WR y Spencer Riley OL Diron Robinson OL 81 Sr Benjie Shuler WR Travis Stephens RB y 70 Sr Trey Teague C y Cedrick Wilson WR y Cedrick Wilson Sr. 99 Sr Eric Brown LB 91 Sr Jonathan Brown Jonathan Brown (gridiron football) DE y Jeff Coleman DL Bill Duf DL 93 So Shaun Ellis DE y 13 Sr Terry Fair DB y Cory Gaines DB 60 Jr Matt Goodin DT 23 So Dwayne Goodrich DB y Tyrone Graham DB Deon Grant DB y Ron Green DL Gerald Griffin DL Steve Johnson DB 1 Sr Leonard Little DE y Tori Noel DB Billy Raltliff DL 58 So Darwin Walker DE 30 Sr Cory Gaines DB 22 Jr Corey Terry DE 46 So Raynoch Thompson LB y Darwin Walker DL 42 So Eric Westmoreland DB 2 So Fred White DB 27 Jr Al Wilson LB y 4 Jr Jeff Hall K 43 Fr David Leaverton P *Phillip Fulmer David Cutcliffe – Offensive coordinator/assistant head coach/quarterbacks Randy Sanders – Running backs/recruiting coordinator Pat Washington – Wide receivers Rodney Garner – Tight ends/offensive tackles Mark Bradley – Offensive line John Chavis – Defensive coordinator/linebackers Dan Brooks – Defensive line Kevin Ramsey – Defensive backs Steve Caldwell – Special teams/defensive ends Kurt Roper – Graduate assistant Awards and honors Peyton Manning, consensus first-team All-American Peyton Manning, Maxwell Award winner Peyton Manning, Davey O'Brien Award winner Peyton Manning, James E. Sullivan Awardhttp://aausullivan.org/winners_1997.html AAU Sullivan Award Peyton Manning, Johnny Unitas Award winner Peyton Manning, Best College Football Player ESPY Award winner Peyton Manning, runner-up, Heisman Trophy1997 Heisman Trophy Voting https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1997.html 2024-12-13 College Football at Sports-Reference.com en Team players drafted into the NFL 1998 NFL draft Tennessee had eight players selected in the 1998 NFL Draft.1998 NFL Draft Listing https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/draft.htm 2024-12-13 Pro-Football-Reference.com enFreeman Mike 1998-04-19 N.F.L. DRAFT DAY '98; Colts Agonize to the End, Then Pick Manning https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/19/sports/nfl-draft-day-98-colts-agonize-to-the-end-then-pick-manning.html 2024-12-13 The New York TimesTennessee: Three First Rounders in Top 15 NFL Draft Selections University of Tennessee Athletics 2002-04-20 https://utsports.com/news/2002/4/20/Tennessee_Three_First_Rounders_in_Top_15_NFL_Draft_Selections.aspx 2024-12-13 Tennessee Volunteers Player Position Round Pick NFL club Peyton Manning Quarterback 1 1 Indianapolis Colts Terry Fair Cornerback 1 20 Detroit Lions Marcus Nash Wide receiver 1 30 Denver Broncos Leonard Little Defensive end 3 65 St. Louis Rams Jonathan Brown Defensive end 3 90 Green Bay Packers Trey Teague Center 7 200 Denver Broncos Andy McCullough Wide receiver 7 204 New Orleans Saints Cory Gaines Safety 7 231 Indianapolis Colts References External links Season summary at Sports Reference Tennessee Category:Tennessee Volunteers football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Tennessee Volunteers football