Longhorns Topped Tennessee in 20-17 Road Victory
Texas defended its No. 1 ranking against the No. 13 Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 26, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Is it appropriate for winning coaches to celebrate using traditions specific to their opponent?
Texas football fans saw their team secure a close 20-17 road win against Tennessee. The Longhorns maintained their position as the nation's top-ranked team following the hard-fought matchup at Neyland Stadium.
Why it matters
The outcome preserves the Longhorns' standing at the top of the college football rankings as they continue their season schedule. Coach Steve Sarkisian signaled the significance of the road win by bringing a postgame tradition into the locker room.
The No. 1-ranked Longhorns defeated the No. 13-ranked Volunteers with a final score of 20-17. The game was decided by a three-point margin against a top-15 ranked opponent.
The players
Steve Sarkisian
He is the head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team.
Texas Longhorns
The University of Texas football team that entered the game ranked No. 1.
Tennessee Volunteers
The University of Tennessee football team that entered the game ranked No. 13.
The details
Texas secured the victory on September 26 at Neyland Stadium in a game between two ranked teams. Following the match, head coach Steve Sarkisian brought cigars into the locker room and displayed one at the postgame press conference, noting the gesture was a nod to his history in the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry. Sarkisian previously served on the coaching staff at Alabama during years when the Crimson Tide defeated Tennessee.
Timeline
September 26, 2026: Texas defeated Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.
2019-2020: Steve Sarkisian served as Alabama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
2016: Steve Sarkisian coached at Alabama under Nick Saban.
The Texas Context
Coach Sarkisian imported the custom of celebrating wins over Tennessee with cigars, a nod to his experience participating in that specific rivalry during his tenure at Alabama. This act brings a piece of his coaching history into the current Texas football season.
Fans can expect the team to carry their current No. 1 ranking into the next week of play. The result of this road game reinforces the program's standing as they look toward future matchups.
The takeaway
The win solidifies the team's position at the top of the rankings after a high-stakes road performance. Fans should watch for the updated weekly polls to see how this victory influences the national standings.
Further reading
Keep up with the latest team updates in our Football section.
Live Poll
Is it appropriate for winning coaches to celebrate using traditions specific to their opponent?
