Tennessee Football: 10 year anniversary of the black jerseys

Ten years ago, Tennessee football ran out of the tunnel onto Shield-Watkins Field in black jerseys against South Carolina on Halloween.

White helmet, black jersey, and orange pants. That was the uniform combination that Lane Kiffin came up with for Tennessee’s game against South Carolina.

I remember, as a 10-year-old that thrived off candy, I chose to stay home and watch the Tennessee game over getting free candy. This was the first time I voluntarily chose to watch Tennessee over getting free candy and food.

Maybe a bad decision going into the game. #22 South Carolina at 6-2 coming into Neyland against a 3-4 Tennessee. But that was one of the most fun games I ever watched as a kid. It all worked out though, as the Vols routed the Gamecocks 31-13.

I don’t know if it was the black jerseys that brought out something extra in the players, fans or if it was just meant to be, but Tennessee dominated USCjr on that Halloween night. When asked, Kiffin said the jerseys played a part in everything that happened that night.

"“It’s a players’ game, and our players had been begging for them for a while,” said Kiffin, who got his first win over a ranked foe. “I think it gave us some energy. I think you saw that in the way they came out and played early.”"

The pumpkin-esque jersey combination is still something that comes up this time of year as Vol fans eagerly anticipate a new black jersey reveal.

Since then, I have been sold about the Tennessee program. I was raised a Tennessee fan, but this was a big game in confirming my Tennessee allegiance. I know some Tennessee fans aren’t necessarily happy with Kiffin still, but he’s the one that cemented my fandom.

If you want to talk about the game, Montario Hardesty destroyed the USCjr defense. 121 yards, two touchdowns on 23 carries.

Somehow Jonathan Crompton only threw for 142 yards, and Tennessee scored 31 points. That’s how good Hardesty was.

Some would say this was a jumping-off point for this Tennessee team to earn bowl eligibility and win seven games that season. Including the SC game, Tennessee went 4-1 to finish the season.

2009 was a wild year for Tennessee, Kiffin, and everyone involved, but it was the year that I learned a lot about Tennessee football.