Countdown to September 2nd vs UVA. (Top 150 Vols wins)

[Voldog1998]

I was at the 1988 Tennessee Vandy game with my dad I remember it rained I think. We held on for a 14-7 win

 

[peaygolf]

I was at the 1988 Tennessee Vandy game with my dad I remember it rained I think. We held on for a 14-7 win

As was I. Miserable game

 

[peaygolf]

123 days…..

#123 - 14-13 vs #18 Arkansas (1971 Liberty Bowl)

The Vols finished the ‘71 season with a 9-2 record and was rewarded with a bowl game in Memphis. A sellout crowd saw the two teams play for the first time since 1907. The Razorbacks dominated most of the game, stifling the run game and picking off Jim Maxwell three times. Leading 13-7 in the 4th quarter, Arkansas appeared to have put the game away with a FG, but a holding penalty nullified the points. On their next possession, Arkansas fumbled the ball and UT was given possession.
The Vols struck quickly for the winning score, just as Gen. Neyland’s game maxims had said. Quarterback Jim Maxwell, pressed into service in the Tulsa game earlier in the season and undefeated as a starter, hit tight end Gary Theiler to the Arkansas 19. Fullback Curt Watson, “The Crossville Comet,” finished the drive with a 17-yard touchdown run. George Hunt’s extra point was the margin of victory. Eddie Brown had an interception on the ensuing series to seal the deal.
The narrow victory enabled the Vols to finish No. 9 in both national polls and finish 10-2 for the second year in a row.

The game was wrought with controversy, mainly due to two calls in the game by SEC official Preston Watts that favored Tennessee. An Arkansas field goal was wiped out due to a phantom holding call on Arkansas tight end Bobby Nichols. Nichols stated after the game that a Vols player grabbed him and pulled him to the ground, yet Watts flagged Nichols for the holding penalty. The second controversial call came in the fourth quarter when Arkansas fumbled the ball, but Razorback player Tom Reed recovered, and actually handed the ball to Preston Watts. Watts unceremoniously signaled that the ball had been recovered by Tennessee, and gave possession to the Volunteers at the Arkansas 37 yard line. Tennessee would score a touchdown a few plays later to take the lead. Watts was born and raised in Tennessee. This controversy prompted the NCAA to change its rules concerning officiating in bowl games. No longer would bowl game officiating crews be split between the conferences of the competing teams; rather, officiating crews would be composed of officials from conferences not playing in that bowl game.

 

[joevol33]

Wow, it's scary how you seem to have looked at my list of memorable Vol games for this off season.

I'd file stalking charges OMG, he does it to me in the golf thread because I'm so good at my picks ain't that right @peaygolf

 

[peaygolf]

I'd file stalking charges OMG, he does it to me in the golf thread because I'm so good at my picks ain't that right @peaygolf

I ain't stoopid

 

[lukeneyland]

To this graybeard, the 1999 Vols remain one of the greatest disappointments.

A quick perusal of the roster reveals that Tennessee had more NFL talent on that squad that most NFL teams. They shouldn't have lost a single game, let alone three (Florida, Arkansas and Nebraska).

Personal observation: my season tickets at that time looked right down the Tennessee sidelines. Being an old Offensive lineman, I tended (and still tend) to watch the line play closely. One thing I noticed that year (and in subsequent seasons) was Fulmer's behavior.

During the run up to the national championship, if the O-line was stinking the place up, Coach Fulmer would meet them at the hashmark and start chewing them out. He'd chew them all the way to the the sidelines. Then chew them while they were there, and thence all the way back to the hashmark as they returned to the field. Most times they responded and got with the program.

Or they got chewed out again.

After 1998, he'd greet them with that annoying "golf clap" of his and leave the chewing (if any) to a subordinate.

I was too young to understand back then but I think loosing Cut is what did it

 

[peaygolf]

I was too young to understand back then but I think loosing Cut is what did it

If my memory serves me correct..........most fans were thrilled to have Randy Sanders after what they witnessed in the Title Game. Moods change quickly...................

 

[Rifleman]

I ain't stoopid

I mean it was your idea to wear the fake beards and wipe the Cheeto dust off our hands when we broke into @OneManGang 's history vault. That was definitely smart. Wiping the Cheeto dust onto our fake beards was also very efficient.

I was pretty surprised, though, that OMG's pet parakeet kept singing "Sweet Home Alabama" as we rifled through the filing cabinets.

 

[volsfan125]

Yep Colorado and Georgia Tech were 1990 co national champs.... GT had to beat a 6-6 Nebraska team in their NC bowl game lol. But that was the impetus to get us to the (bowl coalition or something) NC game in 92.

84 was Brigham Young, 07 was 3 loss (including one to kensucky... any team that loses to the kroger copy cats should never be considered as a nc) lousyanna state

Nebraska was 9-2 going into the Citrus Bowl against Ga Tech being ranked as high as #3 before losing to the other co national champ Colorado.

LSU was 12-2 but needed lots of help on championship weekend to get in the back door of the NC game like Florida did in 96.

BYU was the only undefeated team that season.

 

[peaygolf]

122 days……

#122 - 20-14 vs #19 Vanderbilt (1955)

The Commodores, and 10,000 of THEIR fans, came to Knoxville needing a win to go to the Sugar Bowl or Cotton Bowl against the unranked 5-3-1 Vols. Vandy had dominated the game and led 14-7 with 10 minutes left and had the ball at the UT 27 yard line. But a penalty and missed field goal ended the drive. That was the momentum the Vols needed. Tennessee football scored two fourth quarter TDs, one on a pass from Johnny Majors to Buddy Cruz and another from Al Carter to Bill Anderson, to win 20-14. This was a huge win at the time because it signaled a resurgent program that went 6-3-1. It set them off on their epic 1956 SEC Championship run that should have included a national championship and Heisman Trophy. Also, the Vols never trailed in the series to Vanderbilt again after tying this one.


Majors in the open field

 

[Tin Man]

Yep Colorado and Georgia Tech were 1990 co national champs....

Nebraska was 9-2 going into the Citrus Bowl against Ga Tech being ranked as high as #3 before losing to the other co national champ Colorado.

Colorado were faux National Champions. Their season included the 5th down game which would have been rightly won by Missouri. Colorado exhibited a lack of honor and character by refusing to forfeit the game after the facts were widely known. Their coach proclaimed that doing the right thing would jeopardize their chance at a national championship. Is a championship falsely won truly a championship?

The jaded sports writers thought so, voting Colorado AP champs. This was a nadir for collegiate sports and journalism.

 

[PineyBluff Vo]

 

[Volinnooga]

Colorado were faux National Champions. Their season included the 5th down game which would have been rightly won by Missouri. Colorado exhibited a lack of honor and character by refusing to forfeit the game after the facts were widely known. Their coach proclaimed that doing the right thing would jeopardize their chance at a national championship. Is a championship falsely won truly a championship?

The jaded sports writers thought so, voting Colorado AP champs. This was a nadir for collegiate sports and journalism.

do you think any team would forfeit the game?

 

[Tin Man]

do you think any team would forfeit the game?

Yes. If it is proven beyond doubt that the victory was due to an extra down to which nobody is entitled, then the honest and honorable thing is to forfeit the victory in favor of the opponent. Institutions of higher learning cannot claim to be producing citizens of good character and also embrace cheating for championships. If this is not immediately obvious to you, then you need to do some soul searching.

Coda: Colorado's moral morass was further evidenced by ensuing scandals. There was a time when many advocated for the suspension of Colorado's football program. At that time, I advocated for the continuance of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band should the football program be put on hiatus.

Edit: At the time, the majority opinion was in favor of Colorado forfeiting the game, or, in the event Colorado demurred, for the Big Eight to step in and reverse the results. Neither occurred. Everybody blinked, and college football and the University of Colorado were the worse for it.

 

[lukeneyland]

Colorado were faux National Champions. Their season included the 5th down game which would have been rightly won by Missouri. Colorado exhibited a lack of honor and character by refusing to forfeit the game after the facts were widely known. Their coach proclaimed that doing the right thing would jeopardize their chance at a national championship. Is a championship falsely won truly a championship?

The jaded sports writers thought so, voting Colorado AP champs. This was a nadir for collegiate sports and journalism.

This is why the national title stat should be regarded with skepticism when ranking programs

 

[peaygolf]

121 days…..

#121 - 45-19 vs #17 Auburn (1969)

The #19 Vols hosted the Tigers in week two of the ‘69 season. The Vols jumped on Auburn early, building a 24-3 halftime lead. Auburn cut the lead to 8 points and had the ball at the 30 yard line in the fourth quarter. On a crucial 3rd down, Benny Dalton made a jarring tackle and forced Auburn to kick a FG, cutting the lead to 5 points. Auburn would try desperately to score again, but UTs defense would recover two fumbles that would lead to TDs and Tim Priest nailed the coffin shut with an interception return for a touchdown in the Vols 26 point victory. Steve Kiner and Jack Reynolds were keys on defense, helping force six Tiger turnovers.

 

[GreyhoundMan]

Such a special event. We didn’t realize the depths our program was about to sink but the signs were already there.

Why don't we have another one of these? HUGE money maker for both teams.

 

[peaygolf]

120 days……

#120 - 54-0 vs South Carolina (1929)

The Vols entered the final game of the 1929 season 8-0-1 and were hosting the 6-4 Gamecocks. The tie vs UK the weak before cost the Vols the Southern Conference championship, but a third straight undefeated season still hung in the balance. The victory was never in doubt, but what makes this game stand out is Gene McEver.
He was the Vols’ first All-American in 1929 and the first standout player under Robert Neyland. McEver picked this day to have what remains the greatest scoring game in UT history. He had five touchdowns on the day and three extra points, leading to 33 points overall. When it comes to all the possible ways a player can get credit for scoring, that remains the most points ever scored in a regulation setting by a Vol.

Thanks to McEver’s play, UT won the game 54-0 to finish 9-0-1. Also, McEver managed to set a single-season school record for rushing touchdowns with 18, which still stands to this day.

 

[IndianaVol]

120 days……

#120 - 54-0 vs South Carolina (1929)

The Vols entered the final game of the 1929 season 8-0-1 and were hosting the 6-4 Gamecocks. The tie vs UK the weak before cost the Vols the Southern Conference championship, but a third straight undefeated season still hung in the balance. The victory was never in doubt, but what makes this game stand out is Gene McEver.
He was the Vols’ first All-American in 1929 and the first standout player under Robert Neyland. McEver picked this day to have what remains the greatest scoring game in UT history. He had five touchdowns on the day and three extra points, leading to 33 points overall. When it comes to all the possible ways a player can get credit for scoring, that remains the most points ever scored in a regulation setting by a Vol.

Thanks to McEver’s play, UT won the game 54-0 to finish 9-0-1. Also, McEver managed to set a single-season school record for rushing touchdowns with 18, which still stands to this day.

18 rushing TDs in 10 games...like to see a modern back get almost 2 TDs a game.

 

[peaygolf]

119 days…..

#119 - 49-31 vs #18 Arkansas (1995)


Peyton Manning had been the starter for the Vols since the middle of the 1994 season and had a ton of promise, but he hadn’t put together a performance that burst him onto the national scene yet. This would be that performance. Manning threw for 384 yards and four touchdowns, as the Vols and Hogs were stuck in a shootout.

Joey Kent emerged as Manning’s favorite targeting, tying a school record with 13 receptions in the game. Everything Arkansas threw at the Vols was answered by Manning’s passing attack, and this is what turned him into a national star. Tennessee went on to finish 11-1 and in the top five. The Vols had emerged into their best run of the modern era, and Manning emerged as a top-notch quarterback. This game had a huge hand in that.

 

[peaygolf]

118 days…..

#118 - 26-0 vs #19 LSU (1942)

The #20 Vols hosted the #19 Tigers in a mid-season contest in 1942. After a quiet first quarter, Vols halfback Walt Slater took over the game, tossing long passes to Bud Hubble and James Gaffney, setting up short TDs. Leading 26-0 at halftime, the Vols defense stuffed the Tigers at every opportunity, and with heavy rain and a muddy field, each team was scoreless during the final two periods. UT would go on to finish 9-1-1 and ranked #7.

 

[peaygolf]

117 days……

#117 - 45-6 vs #12 Northwestern (2016 Outback Bowl)

The Wildcats were no slouch in 2015. They finished with a 10-2 record that included victories over Stanford, Penn St., and Wisconsin.

Josh Dobbs threw for 166 yards and ran for two touchdowns, while Outback MVP Jalen Hurd rushed for 130 yards and one TD for the Vols (9-4), who finished with at least nine wins for the first time since 2007.

Evan Berry put a punctuation mark on the team's sixth consecutive win by returning one of Tennessee's four interceptions 100 yards for a TD in the closing seconds.

What made this game so great was the promise and hope that it gave for the Vols future. Problem was, that it would take several more years……

 

[IndianaVol]

117 days……

#117 - 45-6 vs #12 Northwestern (2016 Outback Bowl)

The Wildcats were no slouch in 2015. They finished with a 10-2 record that included victories over Stanford, Penn St., and Wisconsin.

Josh Dobbs threw for 166 yards and ran for two touchdowns, while Outback MVP Jalen Hurd rushed for 130 yards and one TD for the Vols (9-4), who finished with at least nine wins for the first time since 2007.

Evan Berry put a punctuation mark on the team's sixth consecutive win by returning one of Tennessee's four interceptions 100 yards for a TD in the closing seconds.

What made this game so great was the promise and hope that it gave for the Vols future. Problem was, that it would take several more years……

I recall listening to this game on the Vol Network as the wife and I traveled from the Holiday pilgrimage to see my Dad in Bristol back to Indiana.
The more the Vols scored, the faster I drove...quickest we ever made the trip. HAHAHAHA

 

[peaygolf]

116 days…..

#116 - 22-10 vs #20 Ole Miss (1986)

The 1986 season didn’t start off the way fans wanted and when UT traveled to Jackson to face Ole Miss, a losing season was looking the Vols in the face. After trailing 7-6 at the half, the offense finally came alive. Jeff Francis hit Joey Clinkscales on a 38 yard pass and big William Howard ran and ran and ran his way to 76 second half yards and a touchdown. Howard set a NCAA record with 16 consecutive rushes, keeping the Rebels off the field. Howard didn’t start this game. In fact, he didn’t get a single carry in the first half, and these 16 carries only came on Tennessee’s last two possessions. Howard missed the three games before this (two due to injury, and one because of academic suspension), and Head Coach Johnny Majors hinted afterwards that Howard only played at all because of injuries in the Tennessee backfield in the first half.

The victory was the second of four straight wins to end the regular season, culminating in a victory in the Liberty Bowl and a 7-5 record. The win also shattered the Rebel’s dreams of winning the SEC Championship.

 

[peaygolf]

115 days…..

#115 - 38-23 vs #16 Boston College (1993 Hall of Fame Bowl)

After leading the Vols to a 3-0 start while Coach Majors was out after heart surgery, Philip Fulmer coached the 8-3 Vols for the first time as the official Head Coach.

UT started off quickly with a 14-0 lead behind the passing of Heath Shuler. After settling for a 14-7 lead at the half, the Vols scored 24 unanswered points with Shuler hitting Mose Philips on a 69 yard pass and Jerry Colquitt hitting Corey Fleming on a 48 yard TD. BC scored a few times late, but the victory was never in doubt. Shuler was named MVP with 245 yards and 2TDs, while also rushing for 2 more scores.