What Is 2001 Tennessee Vols football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2001 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with an 11–2 record and winning the Cotton Bowl 28–24 over Texas. Head coach Phillip Fulmer led the team, which peaked at No. 2 in the AP Poll during the regular season.

Key Facts

Finished the 2001 season with an 11–2 record
Ranked No. 2 nationally during the regular season
Defeated Texas 28–24 in the 2002 Cotton Bowl
Led by head coach Phillip Fulmer in his 8th season
Started the season 8–0 before losing to LSU and Florida

Overview

The 2001 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) East Division. Under head coach Phillip Fulmer, the team achieved an 11–2 overall record and finished ranked No. 5 in the final AP Poll.

The Volunteers began the season ranked No. 11 in the nation and quickly rose in the rankings after a strong start. Despite high expectations and a peak ranking of No. 2, Tennessee narrowly missed a spot in the BCS National Championship Game after losses to LSU and Florida late in the season.

Record: The team finished with an impressive 11–2 overall record, including a 6–2 mark in SEC play, showcasing consistency despite late-season setbacks.
Ranking peak: Tennessee reached as high as No. 2 in the AP Poll in November 2001, their highest ranking since the 1998 national championship season.
Bowl victory: The Volunteers defeated the Texas Longhorns 28–24 in the 2002 Cotton Bowl Classic, played on January 1, 2002, in Dallas, Texas.
Head coach:Phillip Fulmer was in his eighth season as head coach and continued to build a competitive program in the SEC despite the championship near-miss.
Key players: Quarterback Jay Graham and running back Travis Stephens led a balanced offense, while the defense featured standout linebacker Al Wilson.

Season Performance

The 2001 campaign was marked by high expectations and a dramatic rise in the national rankings, followed by heartbreak just short of a national title shot. Tennessee started the season 8–0, defeating ranked teams like Georgia and South Carolina, before falling to LSU and Florida in consecutive games.

Early dominance: The Vols opened the season with an 8–0 record, including a 41–13 win over No. 22 Georgia, propelling them to No. 2 in the polls.
Key loss to LSU: A 31–28 overtime loss to LSU on November 10 ended their undefeated run and damaged their BCS title hopes.
Florida defeat: Tennessee lost 34–10 to No. 5 Florida on November 17, eliminating them from SEC East contention and national title discussions.
Offensive stats: The team averaged 32.5 points per game, powered by a strong running game and efficient quarterback play under center.
Defensive effort: The defense allowed 19.8 points per game, anchored by senior linebacker Al Wilson, who recorded 97 tackles and 4 sacks.
Season finale: The Vols rebounded with a strong performance in the 2002 Cotton Bowl, defeating Texas 28–24 behind 131 rushing yards from Travis Stephens.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2001 Tennessee Vols to other top teams in the nation highlights their elite status despite falling short of the championship game.

Team	Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result	Key Loss
Tennessee	11–2	5	W, 28–24 vs. Texas (Cotton)	LSU, Florida
Miami (FL)	12–0	1	W, 37–14 vs. Nebraska (Rose)	—
Florida	10–2	7	W, 56–23 vs. Maryland (Orange)	LSU
LSU	10–3	9	L, 27–47 vs. Illinois (Sugar)	Tennessee, Ole Miss
Michigan	11–2	8	W, 38–30 vs. Alabama (Citrus)	Notre Dame

The table illustrates how Tennessee's two losses cost them a chance at the national title, while Miami remained undefeated and claimed the crown. Despite finishing ahead of Florida and Michigan in the final AP Poll, the Vols were left out of the BCS Championship due to the loss to LSU.

Why It Matters

The 2001 season remains a significant chapter in Tennessee football history, representing both the program's sustained excellence and the narrow margins in college football's championship race. Though they didn't win a national title, the team's performance reinforced Tennessee as a consistent powerhouse in the SEC.

Program legacy: The season reinforced Tennessee's status as a national contender under Phillip Fulmer, building on the 1998 national championship.
BCS implications: The loss to LSU highlighted the importance of conference strength and late-season matchups in BCS calculations.
Player development: Running back Travis Stephens emerged as a key offensive weapon, rushing for 1,010 yards during the season.
Recruiting boost: Strong performances elevated Tennessee's recruiting profile, helping attract top-tier talent in subsequent years.
Historical context: The 2001 team is remembered as one of the most talented squads to miss the title game due to timing and strength of schedule.
Bowl significance: Winning the Cotton Bowl provided a positive end to the season and demonstrated resilience after late losses.

In summary, the 2001 Tennessee Volunteers exemplified both the promise and heartbreak of college football, finishing with one of the best records in school history but just shy of the ultimate prize.