President Donald Trump received a strong reception from supporters at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville before Tennessee played top-ranked Texas. His arrival, shortly before kick-off, drew cheers as Air Force One flew over the stadium, highlighting the political enthusiasm surrounding his attendance at a major college football fixture.

The game marked the schools’ first meeting since the 1969 Cotton Bowl, with Tennessee ranked 14th and Texas ranked first after recently defeating Ohio State. Fans arrived early because of heightened security, while the university offered half-price drinks, including beer, between 9am and 10am ahead of the midday kick-off.