1939 Tennessee Volunteers football team

American college football season February 2026 January 2019 1939 Tennessee Volunteers football Southeastern Conference SEC 2 10–1 6–0 Robert Neyland 13th Single-wing Multiple Shields–Watkins Field SEC co-champion Rose Bowl L Lost 14–0 vs. USC The 1939 Tennessee Volunteers represented the University of Tennessee in the 1939 college football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Robert Neyland, in his 13th year, and played their home games at Shields–Watkins Field in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and one loss (10–1 overall, 6–0 in the SEC), as SEC Champions and with a loss against USC in the 1940 Rose Bowl. Tennessee entered the season as defending national champions and coach Neyland led the team to their second of three consecutive undefeated regular seasons. The 1939 Vols were also the last team in NCAA history to go undefeated, untied, and unscored upon in the regular season.SEC Football: 75 Years of Pride and Passion Scott Richard 2008 MVP Books New York City 9780760332481 50 https://books.google.com/books?id=cm1TZA6jCSgC&pg=PP1 March 12, 2012 Tennessee had two All-American performers that year: George Cafego, a single-wing halfback, and Ed Molinski, a guard. Schedule 1939 AP September 29 w y y NC State Riddick Stadium Raleigh, NC 13–0 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83062228/tennessee-gets-scores-early-in-130-vict/ The News and Observer Tennessee gets scores early in 13–0 victory over Wolfpack September 30, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com October 7 w Sewanee Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN 40–0 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83062573/mighty-vols-massacre-sewanee-tigers-40/ The Knoxville Journal Mighty Vols massacre Sewanee Tigers, 40–0 October 8, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com October 14 w y y Chattanooga Chamberlain Field Chattanooga, TN 28–0 6,987 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83062818/chattanooga-holds-mighty-tennessee-to-28/ The Chattanooga Times Chattanooga holds mighty Tennessee to 28–0 before crowd of 6,987 October 15, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com October 21 w y 5 Alabama 8 Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN Third Saturday in October 21–0 40,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71808476/mighty-vols-batter-alabama-tide-210/ Johnson City Press Mighty Vols batter Alabama Tide, 21–0 October 22, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com October 28 w y 1 Mercer Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN 17–0 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83063167/mercer-holds-tennessee-170/ The Atlanta Constitution Mercer holds Tennessee, 17–0 October 29, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com November 4 w y 1 LSU 18 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 20–0 42,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83063607/tennessee-smashes-louisiana-state-200/ Monroe Morning World Tennessee smashes Louisiana State, 20–0 November 5, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com November 11 w y 1 The Citadel Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN 34–0 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83063880/cafego-injured-as-tennessee-crushes-the/ Florence Morning News Cafego injured as Tennessee crushes The Citadel November 12, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com November 18 w 1 Vanderbilt Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 13–0 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064142/vols-win-130-but-morrisons-team-is/ The Nashville Tennessean Vols win, 13–0, but Morrison's team 'is best' November 19, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com November 30 w y 4 Kentucky McLean Stadium Lexington, KY rivalry 19–0 19,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064405/rose-bowl-bound-volunteers-conquer-u-of/ The Lexington Herald Rose Bowl bound Volunteers conquer U. of K. Wildcats 19 to 0 December 1, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com December 9 w 2 Auburn Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 7–0 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064599/vols-shade-auburn-70-receive-rose-bow/ The Montgomery Advertiser Vols shade Auburn, 7–0, receive Rose Bowl bid December 10, 1939 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com January 1, 1940 l y 2 USC 3 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl 0–14 92,200 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83064866/usc-wins-140-over-tennessee/ The Los Angeles Times U.S.C. wins 14–0 over Tennessee January 2, 1940 August 8, 2021 Newspapers.com Rankings 1939 college football rankings AP 1 9 5 (26.5) 1 (83) 1 (67) 1 (81) 1 (66) 2 (33) 4 (18) 2 (19) 2 (26) References Tennessee Category:Tennessee Volunteers football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Tennessee Volunteers football