On a sunny afternoon in November of 1958 the U.C. Mocs made history by upsetting big brother the U.T. Vols. A dispute over the goalposts coming down led to a postgame riot, which lasted 90 minutes and required tear gas and fire hoses to quell the mob. It took 56 years for the Vols to play the Mocs in football again. Today we are getting the third part of the trilogy. Regardless of the final score, I’m glad this rivalry is renewed.
Given the relationship and proximity of both schools, we need an annual matchup. Scratch that, we deserve it. Every year the Vols shell out a million dollars to an FCS program for a tune up game. Let’s keep that money in the U.T. system and make it a regular transaction. I’m sure there are reasons for it not being an annual occurrence, but at least a handful of games a decade would be nice.
In fact, the idea of a regular rivalry matchup should extend beyond the gridiron and include other sports. My dad has regaled me with stories from the 1970s and 1980s of the Mocs taking on the Vols in hoops (specifically when the Vols helped open up "UTC Arena"). I’m old enough to remember a few sweet victories myself (2004, 2016).
Not to mention, our girls have defeated the Lady Vols half the times they’ve played this decade (2012, 2014). The 2012 upset of the #4 ranked Lady Vols is nothing short of legendary. The last time the Mocs and Lady Vols played, the Lady Vols narrowly escaped with a 2-point victory.
If you kept up on social media this week, then you saw lots of clean, good-hearted fun between both schools. Let's rekindle the rivalry between big brother and little brother in all sports and celebrate the passion and history of both programs.
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Pat Benson has been a sideline reporter, P.A. announcer, and radio personality. Tweet him @Pat_Benson_Jr