April 9, 1880 - Old Stoll Field, Kentucky - In what is considered to be the first football game of the SEC by many, Kentucky A&M, which went on to become the University of Kentucky, organized a football team and played a three-game series with the University of Transylvania in November 1881.

The Official SEC Start

Technically, the newly formed Southeastern Conference officially began its legendary football journey with the first season of conference play in the fall of 1933. These initial matchups marked the genesis of the SEC's identity, characterized by fierce rivalries, unwavering fan support, and the consistently elite level of football that would define the conference for generations. The teams that took the field in this inaugural season laid the groundwork for the SEC's future national dominance.

The commencement of SEC football in the fall of 1933 was a pivotal moment, uniting storied programs under a standard banner and igniting a tradition of excellence. Those early games were the first chapters in a rich history that would influence the very fabric of college football. The passion, the intensity, and the rivalries established in those formative years continue to fuel the SEC's enduring prominence and passionate following across the nation.

Look how far SEC football has come from this series in the 19th century!