2021 Countdown to Bowling Green

[Orange defense]

OMG...I have to consider this another grand slam by you my friend.

Without you and this outstanding story I probably would have never known about this great man and VFL.

I send you a big THANK YOU because you know that this old Marine really loves this story!!!

SEMPER FIDELIS!!!

VFL...GBO!!!


OOOORRRAAAAHHHHH!!!

Thank you for serving our country. It makes guys like you that should be honored more. You and others gave us our freedoms. Clifton was a man of integrity, a very good guy, and his family is a very good family that I’ve known for years. I’m very close to them. He wasn’t afraid of nothing at all.

 

[OneManGang]

OMG...I have to consider this another grand slam by you my friend.

Without you and this outstanding story I probably would have never known about this great man and VFL.

I send you a big THANK YOU because you know that this old Marine really loves this story!!!

SEMPER FIDELIS!!!

VFL...GBO!!!


OOOORRRAAAAHHHHH!!!

Semper Fi, right back at ya!

There is an excellent book on Cates' World War I years titled I Will Hold available through Amazon. Close students will notice some detail errors, but otherwise I highly recommend it.

 

[voltn21]

I am good friends with the Cates family. There is a sign of him right there by the courthouse in Tiptonville. He was a well known and a nice guy, even know I didn’t know him. They have told me all about him. He loved the Lake county football falcons, and he would be there on Friday night more often than not if he could make it. His family loves the Vols still up to this day.

There’s also Cates Landing just north of Tiptonville. I used to live up that way.

 

[OneManGang]

Day 29 .....

Growing up on the mean streets of Kirkwood, Georgia, the young man had but one dream. He wanted to play in the NFL and make enough money to take care of his family.

In 2004, Inquoris "Inky" Johnson signed a scholarship to play football at the University of Tennessee as a cornerback. He was undersized and underweight but he had a heart bigger than Neyland Stadium. #29 earned a letter that year and was a starter in 2005. Before his junior season his coaches told him he was projected to be a high draft pick in the NFL. His dream was with reach.

Against Air Force on 9 September 2006 it all came crashing down. On a routine play, he got into a helmet-to-helmet hit against an Air Force running back that paralyzed his right arm and caused extensive internal injuries that almost killed him.

Inky never played football again but he didn't let that rule his life. Inky recovered but is still in pain from his arm. He earned his bachelor's and later a Master's in sports psychology from UT. He found that people wanted to hear his story of overcoming the bad things in life by concentrating on the good. Inky is now a highly sought after motivational speaker and remains one of the most beloved members of the extended family of Tennessee football.

“Am I really failing, or is God prevailing?” - Inky Johnson

(UT Sports)

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

If you don't love Inky they you just don't have a heart.

VFL...GBO!!

 

[malinoisvol]

Day 29 .....

Growing up on the mean streets of Kirkwood, Georgia, the young man had but one dream. He wanted to play in the NFL and make enough money to take care of his family.

In 2004, Inquoris "Inky" Johnson signed a scholarship to play football at the University of Tennessee as a cornerback. He was undersized and underweight but he had a heart bigger than Neyland Stadium. #29 earned a letter that year and was a starter in 2005. Before his junior season his coaches told him he was projected to be a high draft pick in the NFL. His dream was with reach.

Against Air Force on 9 September 2006 it all came crashing down. On a routine play, he got into a helmet-to-helmet hit against an Air Force running back that paralyzed his right arm and caused extensive internal injuries that almost killed him.

Inky never played football again but he didn't let that rule his life. Inky recovered but is still in pain from his arm. He earned his bachelor's and later a Master's in sports psychology from UT. He found that people wanted to hear his story of overcoming the bad things in life by concentrating on the good. Inky is now a highly sought after motivational speaker and remains one of the most beloved members of the extended family of Tennessee football.

“Am I really failing, or is God prevailing?” - Inky Johnson

(UT Sports)

View attachment 384723

I was at that game. Definitely was a scary moment and a miracle he survived.

 

[OneManGang]

28 Days ......

Ask any orange-clad graybeard about Great Games of the Tennessee Vols and, inevitably, the events of 28 September 1985 will be mentioned.

Head Coach Pat Dye brought his Auburn Tigers into Neyland Stadium that day boasting a #1 ranking and superstar running back Bo Jackson who was averaging over 247 yards per game so far in the season. ABC Sports was there with Keith Jackson all but announcing that he wanted to bear Bo's children. Tennessee was coming off a tie the previous week with UCLA and while a worthy opponent, nobody in the ABC booth expected the Vols to be more that a speed bump for Bo and the Tigers.

Unfortunately for elder Mr. Jackson, the Vols had Auburn's number. Defensive Coordinator Ken Donahue schemed to shut Bo down and dared the Tigers to beat Tennessee throwing the ball. Bo took himself out of the game in the third quarter having amassed but 80 yards whining that his knee was hurting. Auburn scored 20 points in the fourth quarter against Tennessee's third string but it was not enough and the Vols walked away with a 38-20 shellacking of the Plainsmen.

Late in the third quarter Vol linebacker Dale Jones famously asked, "Where's Bo?"

The Vol offense was hitting on all cylinders. Quarterback Tony Robinson was 17 of 30 for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Tim McGhee caught six balls for 163 yards and a TD.

The Vol rushing attack was led by a lantern-jawed freshman from Nashville Overton High: #28 Keith Davis ran for 102 yards. That's 22 yards more than the fabled Bo Jackson.

#28 would go on to post 1704 rushing yards on 322 attempts for his career on The Hill.

Keith Davis (UT Sports)

 

[peaygolf]

Thanks for holding down the fort.

Y'all did a better job than I did!

 

[peaygolf]

28 Days ......

Ask any orange-clad graybeard about Great Games of the Tennessee Vols and, inevitably, the events of 28 September 1985 will be mentioned.

Head Coach Pat Dye brought his Auburn Tigers into Neyland Stadium that day boasting a #1 ranking and superstar running back Bo Jackson who was averaging over 247 yards per game so far in the season. ABC Sports was there with Keith Jackson all but announcing that he wanted to bear Bo's children. Tennessee was coming off a tie the previous week with UCLA and while a worthy opponent, nobody in the ABC booth expected the Vols to be more that a speed bump for Bo and the Tigers.

Unfortunately for elder Mr. Jackson, the Vols had Auburn's number. Defensive Coordinator Ken Donahue schemed to shut Bo down and dared the Tigers to beat Tennessee throwing the ball. Bo took himself out of the game in the third quarter having amassed but 80 yards whining that his knee was hurting. Auburn scored 20 points in the fourth quarter against Tennessee's third string but it was not enough and the Vols walked away with a 38-20 shellacking of the Plainsmen.

Late in the third quarter Vol linebacker Dale Jones famously asked, "Where's Bo?"

The Vol offense was hitting on all cylinders. Quarterback Tony Robinson was 17 of 30 for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Tim McGhee caught six balls for 163 yards and a TD.

The Vol rushing attack was led by a lantern-jawed freshman from Nashville Overton High: #28 Keith Davis ran for 102 yards. That's 22 yards more than the fabled Bo Jackson.

#28 would go on to post 1704 rushing yards on 322 attempts for his career on The Hill.

Keith Davis (UT Sports)

View attachment 384917

Sweet pic!

 

[ArdentVol]

28 Days ......

Ask any orange-clad graybeard about Great Games of the Tennessee Vols and, inevitably, the events of 28 September 1985 will be mentioned.

Head Coach Pat Dye brought his Auburn Tigers into Neyland Stadium that day boasting a #1 ranking and superstar running back Bo Jackson who was averaging over 247 yards per game so far in the season. ABC Sports was there with Keith Jackson all but announcing that he wanted to bear Bo's children. Tennessee was coming off a tie the previous week with UCLA and while a worthy opponent, nobody in the ABC booth expected the Vols to be more that a speed bump for Bo and the Tigers.

Unfortunately for elder Mr. Jackson, the Vols had Auburn's number. Defensive Coordinator Ken Donahue schemed to shut Bo down and dared the Tigers to beat Tennessee throwing the ball. Bo took himself out of the game in the third quarter having amassed but 80 yards whining that his knee was hurting. Auburn scored 20 points in the fourth quarter against Tennessee's third string but it was not enough and the Vols walked away with a 38-20 shellacking of the Plainsmen.

Late in the third quarter Vol linebacker Dale Jones famously asked, "Where's Bo?"

The Vol offense was hitting on all cylinders. Quarterback Tony Robinson was 17 of 30 for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Tim McGhee caught six balls for 163 yards and a TD.

The Vol rushing attack was led by a lantern-jawed freshman from Nashville Overton High: #28 Keith Davis ran for 102 yards. That's 22 yards more than the fabled Bo Jackson.

#28 would go on to post 1704 rushing yards on 322 attempts for his career on The Hill.

Keith Davis (UT Sports)

View attachment 384917

thoroughly enjoyed my drive back to alabama the next day

 

[MAD]

 

[peaygolf]

View attachment 384960

I'm right where the "T" is.................I have no idea.

 

[stevenrich2003]

View attachment 384960

I am standing beside you in the viscous circle!

 

[OneManGang]

View attachment 384960

Too many times over the last decade or so it has felt more like this:

 

[peaygolf]

27 days.......

After the ‘92 season, UT played #16 Boston College in the Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa. Heath Shuler was named MVP, throwing for 245 yards and 2TDs. One of those touchdowns was a 27 yard pass to Cory Fleming, who had 2 TDs and 105 yards receiving in the 38-23 Vols victory.


Shuler and Fleming celebrate the TD

 

[OneManGang]

Those shamrocks on the helmets are in honor of long-time Vol Head Trainer Tim Kerin who died suddenly in August of 1992. Kerin had been part of Majors' staff at Pitt as well.

Tim was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

 

[peaygolf]

Those shamrocks on the helmets are in honor of long-time Vol Head Trainer Tim Kerin who died suddenly in August of 1992. Kerin had been part of Majors' staff at Pitt as well.

Tim was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

View attachment 385150

I thought it was an insult to the Irish in Boston since they played Boston College.

 

[peaygolf]

26 days........

In 1991, the “Miracle at South Bend” began late in the first half with the blocked FG return. UT was still behind 17 points, but the momentum carried over to the second half. UT would score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat Notre Dame 35-34. Both touchdowns in the fourth were by Aaron Hayden. One was a short run, and the last was a 26 yard TD reception that gave UT the lead.

 

[feathersax]

26 days........

In 1991, the “Miracle at South Bend” began late in the first half with the blocked FG return. UT was still behind 17 points, but the momentum carried over to the second half. UT would score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat Notre Dame 35-34. Both touchdowns in the fourth were by Aaron Hayden. One was a short run, and the last was a 26 yard TD reception that gave UT the lead.

View attachment 385356

"He made it...NO...he did NOT make it! He did NOT make it!" (John Ward)

 

[Jravol78]

30 Days ......

One of the stalwarts of the 1914 and 1915 Vols was a lineman named Clifton Bledsoe Cates who also lettered in baseball.

Cates hailed from Tiptonville on the far west side of the state and had come to Knoxville to study Law which was an undergraduate major at the time. After graduating in 1916, he had returned to campus to study for his bar exam when war was declared in April, 1917.

Anxious to defend his country, Cates found a Marine Corps recruiter on campus. He asked, "What's a Marine?"

The answer was, of course, Clifton Bledsoe Cates.

Cates was a platoon and company commander during the Great War and fought in all the battles from Belleau Wood to the Armistice. along the way he picked up a Navy Cross, two Distinguished Service Crosses, five Silver Stars and a Purple Heart. He stayed in Corps and led the 1st Marine Regiment at Guadalcanal and the 4th Marine Division at Guam and Iwo Jima during WWII. In 1948 Cates was named the 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He died in 1970.

Clifton Cates (University of Tennessee)

View attachment 384500

Commandant Clifton B. Cates (US Marine Corps)

View attachment 384501

That looks like a man not to have been F’d with !

 

[OneManGang]

That looks like a man not to have been F’d with !

During the infamous "Charge at Soissons" in July, 1918, during which Cates' company was wiped out yet again, he sent this famous message back to his battalion CO, “I have only two out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold.”

He did.

Indeed, not a man Marine to be effed with.

 

[peaygolf]

25 days........

If you compare his stats to today’s players, you might think he was just an average QB. But if you were around to see him, you know better. Jimmy Streater was as dynamic of a player UT has ever had. Deep passes to Gault or Hancock, or 80 yard TD runs were a possibility every snap. If he had better talent around him, he would be remembered like Manning, Clausen, or Holloway. When Streater left Knoxville, he was the Vols all-time leader in career yards with 4,807 (3,433 passing and 1,374 rushing.)
He threw for 17 TDs and rushed for 25 more touchdowns.

My Favorite Vol

 

[peaygolf]

24 days........

From 1988-1991, Andy Kelly threw for 6,397 yards and 36 touchdowns. A local from Dayton, TN, Kelly lead the Vols to back to back SEC Championships in ‘89 and ‘90 and was MVP in the Sugar Bowl win over Virginia. What is maybe most important is he is fourth in all time wins with a 24-5-2 record.

 

[peaygolf]

23 days..........

The ‘98 game vs South Carolina, the outcome was never in doubt. The only question was if Tee Martin would ever throw an incomplete pass. Martin threw for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns in the 49-14 victory, but it was his record of 23 completions in only 24 attempts that stands out. Counting his last pass vs Alabama, Martin had 24 completions in a row.

 

[VolGee4]

23 days..........

The ‘98 game vs South Carolina, the outcome was never in doubt. The only question was if Tee Martin would ever throw an incomplete pass. Martin threw for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns in the 49-14 victory, but it was his record of 23 completions in only 24 attempts that stands out. Counting his last pass vs Alabama, Martin had 24 completions in a row.

View attachment 385862

I was there. Pretty sure that David Martin should (or at least could) have caught the one incompletion.