<P> 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 . </P>
<P> 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 . </P>
in what year did the tennessee volunteers suit up for their inaugural football season
in what year did the tennessee volunteers suit up for their inaugural football season
November 21 , 1891
November 21 , 1891