WATCH: Tennessee throw oranges from Orange Bowl trophy after win vs Clemson
Tennessee capped a historic season with an Orange Bowl win on Friday night and celebrated in front of the fans by lifting the iconic trophy during a postgame ceremony on the field at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Following the 31-14 win over Clemson, backup quarterback Joe Milton – who served as the starter in Hendon Hooker’s absence – won MVP honors.
The win marks Tennessee’s first bowl win since 2019, and is the first New Year’s Six bowl win since 2004 for the program. It also serves as another step in the remarkable turnaround led by second-year head coach Josh Heupel, who took over prior to the 2021 season and quickly brought the Volunteers back into the national conversation with his high-flying offense.
The fans, players and staff were all able to soak in how far they have come as Tennessee threw oranges into the air for all to see.
Tennessee finishes the season 11-2 with rivalry wins over Alabama, Kentucky and Florida to accompany the postseason accomplishment. The Volunteers also walk away from the season with fond memories after rising to No. 1 in the rankings and competing for a CFP spot from start to finish.
The Volunteers will enter the 2023 season without their star quarterback Hendon Hooker, but could retain Joe Milton for his sixth collegiate season if he chooses to return and compete with incoming five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava.