Interesting happenings in the visiting team area after the game

Interesting Happenings in the Visiting Team Area After the Game

Tennessee fans across Neyland Stadium often greet visiting teams with scattered boos as they enter the field, but that’s only part of the story. Beneath the South end of the stadium, there is a dramatic scene after each game that few people get to see. The Vol Network rarely features highlights from the visitors' area, but that does not lessen the significance of what unfolds there.

The current visiting team area was established during the 1948 stadium expansion and has seen a few additions, such as a new media room, over the nearly 80 years since. After each game, this area is a lively hub of various activities.

Throughout college football, visiting team spaces often seem like an afterthought, but this contributes to the game's unique atmosphere. For example, sometimes coaches do their post-game radio interviews before meeting the media, which can create issues. The home school’s SID staff in the press box is usually eager to distribute coaches’ comments to the press covering the game.

Notable Post-Game Incident from 1996

After the 1996 game against Georgia, Georgia’s head coach Jim Donnan made a controversial comment on air, suggesting that Tennessee’s Phillip Fulmer “ran up the score” with a late touchdown pass to Derrick Edmonds. These tense moments are common in post-game interactions.

On the air, Georgia head coach Jim Donnan said Phillip Fulmer “ran up the score” with a late TD pass to Derrick Edmonds.

Off the air, Donnan asked show co-host Loran Smith about having dinner with Archie Manning the night before and, possibly, revealing parts of Georgia’s game plan.

Off air, Donnan asked about having dinner with Archie Manning and perhaps revealing elements of the Georgia game plan.

Summary

The visiting team area at Neyland Stadium hosts a rarely seen, dynamic post-game environment rich with behind-the-scenes tensions and interactions that add depth to the college football experience.

Would you like the tone to be more formal or conversational?

The Knoxville Focus — 2025-11-05