Flashback Friday: Tennessee vs Alabama 2022

This blog post is dedicated to Daniel who loves Tennessee football and has not stopped talking about the Tennessee/Alabama game of 2022 for an entire year –and I’m starting to suspect he may never stop talking about it.

In anticipation of tomorrow’s Tennessee game against Alabama, I am taking a look back at last year’s game against Alabama in which Tennessee beat Alabama for the first time in 15 years….

Starting in 2014, my husband and I inadvertently fell into a pattern where we would attend a UT game every four years.  In 2014 we traveled to Knoxville for the Florida game.  It was my first time attending a game at Neyland and even though Tennessee lost, it was still so exciting to experience that atmosphere first hand.  Lots has been said and written about the energy in Neyland on game day, particularly against a conference rival, and I can attest that it’s all true.  Four years later in 2018, we decided to make the trip to Knoxville again to once more watch Tennessee play Florida.  This time, my sister-in-law came with us and we had a fun trip spending time together in Knoxville despite another loss to Florida.

Sometime in 2021, Daniel and I were talking about once more going to a game as it was coming up on another four years.  I started looking at hotels in downtown Knoxville for the weekend of the Florida game and was bummed to find that everywhere was already booked up.  My husband suggested that maybe we switch things up and look at the weekend of the Alabama game.  And sure enough, for a small fortune, we could get a room in town for that weekend.  So we went ahead and booked it and when tickets later went on sale for the Alabama game, we bought two in the endzone.

In between booking our hotel room and the actual game weekend, quite a lot happened.  Firstly, I found out I was pregnant.  By the time game weekend came along, I was 5 months pregnant.  Secondly, as the season got underway, it was clear that our hopes for a successful year were going to be rewarded and the chatter about Tennessee beating Alabama for the first time in 15 years felt like more than just a long shot in the lead up to the game.  Tennessee was going into the Third Saturday in October undefeated and the hype leading up to the Alabama showdown reached a fever pitch. 

Tennessee and Alabama have played every year since 1928, except for an interruption by World War II so this rivalry runs deep.  And it had been one-sided ever since 2007.  The optimism that many UT fans, myself included, had going into this weekend was extremely cautious.  But by the time game day arrived, the energy in Knoxville was infectious.  We were excited to learn as the weekend approached that College Game Day would be there along with SEC Nation and we made plans to head to Neyland extra early so we could catch some of the shows.  We set out bright and early walking towards Neyland.  I always love walking to the stadium and people watching.  The tail gating, the Vol walk, the SEC Nation guys and watching some of the filming live, the sorority girls walking around handing out cigars and even offering one to this pregnant lady, all of it built the excitement even further.

Following the Vol walk, we followed the crushing sea of orange into Neyland and found our seats in the endzone just a few rows back from the field.  I sent my mom and dad a text with a picture from our seats and received a panicked text back telling me and my 5 month pregnant self to not storm the field if UT won.  I guess my parents think I have no sense, or at least would be in danger of losing all sense if UT broke it’s 15 year losing streak.

I’ve attended a lot of football games throughout the years, mostly Titans games as my family had season tickets growing up.  And I can honestly say that Tennessee vs Alabama was the most exciting game I’ve ever been at.  (If I hadn’t given my Music City Miracle ticket away in 2000, I might feel differently, but alas it was the weekend of the freshmen retreat I decided to go to instead.  So when the full page spread appeared in Sports Illustrated showing the miraculous run for the endzone, and my family in the background of the picture in the crowd, identifiable by their bright yellow ponchos because of the rain, it was someone else wearing my poncho.  Clearly, I am not over this.)  But back to UT vs AL.  It was a high energy, back and forth game, with both teams playing their hearts out.  You couldn’t ask for much more in college football.  Except for the win.

And that’s exactly what we got.  After 15 long years.  On the final play of the game, Tennessee kicked a field goal to secure the win.  And Neyland went wild.  I have the moment on video as I, like so many others there, started filming as Tennessee lined up for that final field goal kick.  My resultant video was one that was the typical shaky footage of someone who was too busy jumping up and down screaming to worry about filming, but I still managed to capture the rush of people pushing their way out onto the field and the field becoming a sea of orange.  I hesitated to show the video to my mom as she had been so worried about me getting trampled or deciding to storm the field myself, and the footage does make it look like we are being crushed by people in orange as everyone started rushing towards the field down the aisle next to us, but it looks worse than it was.  Daniel and I just stood our ground, hugging each other to keep from being knocked over by the wave.

I stopped filming and started taking pictures as the field became more and more packed with fans and as the goal posts came down.  Everyone who wasn’t rushing the field was staying in their seats just taking in the scene and celebrating.  We couldn’t have left if we wanted to as the aisles were so crowded with people heading the other way towards the field.  Looking around, those who were staying in their seats behind us were hugging, crying, and lighting up the famous cigars that UT fans have so long missed.

Honestly, as much as I enjoy watching a good football game, sometimes it can feel like some people take it too seriously, allowing game results to ruin their day or determine their mood.  Often times, I dislike being at games because of the pressing, raucous crowds and I had been worried leading up to this particular game day being pregnant and concerned I may not really enjoy the long day as I was tiring so quickly during that time.  But on the evening of October 15, 2022, the energy in Neyland was infectious and was I every bit as elated as the most diehard UT fan there.

So now as Tennessee gets ready to face Alabama again tomorrow and we prepare to watch the game, this year from home alongside our almost 8-month-old, I find myself reflecting on all the special memories from last year.  Of course we are hoping for another win, but I can’t help but feel like we will have already won just by sitting down together and sharing yet another college football game that promises to be a good one.

Go Big Orange!