Tennessee 's football program began in 1891, organized in large part by Henry Denlinger, a teacher who had played at Princeton. The team 's first game, a loss to Sewanee, was played on November 21, 1891. The program 's first win did not come until October 25, 1892, when they defeated Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, by a score of 25 -- 0. Tennessee competed in their first 5 seasons without a coach.
in what year did the tennessee volunteers suit up for their inaugural football season
November 21, 1891