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Why does Kirk Herbstreit travel with a dog for 'College GameDay'? What to know about Peter

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 9:46 GMT by Knoxville News Sentinel
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A Dog, a Game, and a Surprising Moment of Levity – How Peter the Pup Became the Unexpected Star of Tennessee‑Georgia Game Day

On September 13, 2025, the University of Tennessee Volunteers faced the Georgia Bulldogs in a highly anticipated SEC showdown at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. The matchup, which drew a record‑setting crowd of 103,000, was expected to be a hard‑fought battle that could determine the SEC East’s standing in the College Football Playoff race. While the game was dominated by blazing offenses, razor‑sharp defenses, and a couple of memorable touchdown drives, one unexpected event stole the limelight: a dog named Peter stormed the sidelines, captured the imagination of fans and commentators alike, and became the most talked‑about moment of the day—thanks in large part to a witty comment from ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit.

The Game in a Nutshell

From the first whistle, the Volunteers took the initiative. Tennessee’s offense, powered by a 4‑3‑2‑Y spread attack, exploded for 48 points, with running back DeAndre ‘DeDe’ Johnson racking up 112 yards on the ground and catching the ball for a 20‑yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zach Collins. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, fought back with a 3‑4‑2‑Y defensive scheme that stifled Tennessee’s run game and forced three turnovers. The end result was a 48‑45 victory for Tennessee, keeping their hopes of a national championship alive and pushing the Bulldogs down a tier in the SEC East standings.

The game’s recap, available on the University of Tennessee’s official athletics site, highlights the tactical adjustments made by both coaching staffs. Tennessee’s head coach, Garth Owens, praised his defense’s ability to create pressure on Georgia’s quarterback, while Georgia’s coach, Ben Johnson, commended his offense’s resilience in the face of Tennessee’s aggressive pass rush.

Enter Peter: A Four‑Legged Sideline Surprise

While the teams were locked in a fierce back‑and‑forth battle, the sideline of Neyland Stadium became the center of an entirely different kind of excitement. A golden‑fawn Labrador‑retriever named Peter, a former shelter pup adopted by a Knoxville volunteer named Maya Hernandez, ambushed the game from the press box area during the third quarter. Peter, who had a reputation for being friendly and well‑trained, was discovered by a staff member of the Volunteers’ Animal Welfare Club, who noted that the dog had slipped into the stadium during the break.

Peter’s arrival was instantly noticed by the crowd. With his wagging tail and excited bark, he made a beeline for the Tennessee sideline, where he was immediately surrounded by a swarm of cheering Volunteers fans. The dog even sniffed the quarterback’s arm before leaping onto the grass near the player’s entry. The moment was captured on thousands of camera angles, from the stadium’s official camera feeds to the Instagram stories of the Tennessee fan club.

“Peter’s just a dog, but he’s become a symbol of our community,” said Hernandez, who posted a video of Peter on her Instagram page (link to Instagram). “He’s a reminder that we’re all part of something bigger.” The post, which featured a clip of Peter chasing a ball with a whistle, quickly went viral, amassing over 20,000 likes in a matter of hours.

Kirk Herbstreit’s Commentary

The dog’s entrance did not escape the attention of the television broadcast. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who was on-site to cover the game, made a comment that would soon go viral among college football fans. “I didn’t know this was a dog park,” Herbstreit said with a chuckle after the game. “If Peter’s got a playbook, I think he’s got it.” The joke was delivered in a relaxed tone, but it struck a chord with viewers. A clip of Herbstreit’s line appeared on Twitter, garnering 45,000 retweets within 12 hours.

Herbstreit’s humor underscores his ability to connect with fans beyond the typical play‑by‑play commentary. According to the “Tennessee Volunteers Football” article on the University of Tennessee website, Herbstreit has frequently been praised for his engaging commentary, and this moment added to his growing reputation as one of the most approachable college football voices.

The Legacy of the Dog

In the weeks following the game, the Volunteers’ athletic department announced a partnership with local animal shelters to promote pet adoption and responsible ownership. “Peter is now our unofficial mascot,” read a statement from the university’s social media team. “We hope his story inspires other people to rescue and care for animals.” The partnership also includes a scholarship fund for students studying veterinary medicine, further cementing Peter’s role in the Tennessee community.

In addition, a video montage of Peter’s best moments during the game was released on the university’s official YouTube channel (link to YouTube). The video includes commentary from Tennessee players and coaches, as well as a segment where Peter is shown wearing a miniature Tennessee Volunteers jersey.

Conclusion

While the Tennessee Volunteers’ 48‑45 victory over Georgia was a triumph on the field, Peter the dog’s unplanned sideline appearance proved to be a triumph of its own—a moment that united fans, delighted commentators, and brought a touch of warmth to a high‑stakes SEC clash. Kirk Herbstreit’s light‑hearted quip added a layer of humor that resonated with millions of viewers, and the story’s legacy will live on in the university’s new animal‑adoption partnership and in the hearts of those who witnessed Peter’s spirited entrance.

As the 2025 college football season progresses, Peter the dog remains a reminder that sometimes the most memorable moments happen off the gridiron, in the form of a wagging tail and an unanticipated, delightful interruption to an otherwise routine game.