The Tennessee Volunteers will play the Syracuse Orange on Aug. 30 at noon ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Aflac Kickoff Game.
This will be Tennessee’s fourth matchup with Syracuse since 1966. Currently, the Vols are 3-0 against the Orange. The last time these schools met was in 2001, when Tennessee won 33-9.
Here is a look at the past game results:
The History of Tennessee vs. Syracuse
2001: Tennessee 33 | Syracuse 9
2001’s game featured several legendary Vols players, including eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten, Tennessee’s second all-time passing leader, Casey Clausen, and former school record holder for most rushing yards in a season (broken in 2024), Travis Stephens.
Syracuse also featured Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Dwight Freeney, who recorded two sacks in the game.
Tennessee’s defense was the difference maker in this matchup. The Vols’ defenders held Syracuse to 190 yards and recorded five sacks, two of which came from former defensive end Will Overstreet. The Volunteers also posted a safety and an interception.
Tennessee wasn’t as stellar offensively as it was defensively. Although the Vols scored 33 points, they only gained 136 yards through the air. However, Tennessee picked up the slack through its rushing attack. Travis Stephens ended the day with 111 rushing yards and a touchdown, which was enough to aid the Vols to victory.
1998: Tennessee 34 | Syracuse 33
As many remember, the Volunteers won the BCS National Championship in 1998. So, how did the Vols perform against the Orange that same year?
Well, it was a very close game, so much so that Tennessee won off a game-winning field goal from Jeff Hall, who is arguably the most clutch kicker in Vols football history.
One of Tennessee’s biggest keys to victory was its dominant run game, which featured a stacked backfield that included former NFL running backs Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and Shawn Bryson. The Volunteers finished with 247 yards rushing, with Lewis accounting for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Similar to the 2001 matchup, this game also featured a star-studded cast of players. In addition to the running backs mentioned, Tennessee had future NFL starters such as linebacker Al Wilson, wide receiver Peerless Price, and safety Deon Grant.
Syracuse also had a loaded team. The Orange’s starting quarterback was future Philadelphia Eagles standout Donovan McNabb, and at linebacker they had Tennessee Titans legend Keith Bullock.
McNabb finished with 300 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Bullock also played lights out, recording 11 total tackles. So, it should not be surprising that Syracuse kept the game close.
If the Volunteers had lost, it is likely they never would have reached the BCS National Championship. Thankfully, the Vols will never have to worry about that what-if scenario.
1966: Tennessee 18 | Syracuse 12
The Volunteers’ first game against the Orange occurred during the 1966 Gator Bowl. Believe it or not, Tennessee’s 1966 matchup against Syracuse also showcased some familiar names.
Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Dewey Warren was the Vols’ starting quarterback; meanwhile, Syracuse’s backfield consisted of two Pro Football Hall of Famers in Floyd Little and Larry Csonka.
Tennessee started the game with an 18-0 halftime lead, which was enough to carry the Vols to victory. However, Syracuse almost made a comeback, scoring two rushing touchdowns before the end of regulation.
Warren’s 244 passing yards, two touchdowns, and Tennessee’s stout passing defense were the difference-makers in the game. Although the Vols gave up 348 rushing yards, they still limited Syracuse to only 16 yards through the air.
Little tallied 216 yards on the ground with a touchdown, and Csonka finished with 114 yards and a touchdown. Who would have thought Tennessee would defeat two Hall of Fame running backs in one game?
Overview
Both teams will enter the 2025 game without most of their stars from last season. Former Vols players Dylan Sampson and James Pearce Jr. are in the NFL, and Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA. Conversely, Syracuse lost Kyle McCord, who led the FBS in passing in 2024.
Tennessee and Syracuse will have a rebuild season in 2024. Considering their loss of talent, it is unlikely that their matchup will feature the same level of star power they did in years past.
Thankfully, the Vols have fared well in neutral-site games in recent years. Last season, they defeated the North Carolina State Wolfpack 51-10 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, and in 2023, Tennessee beat the Virginia Cavaliers 49-13 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
With both teams facing uncertainty heading into the season, it wouldn’t be surprising if the matchup ended in a close game.
