2021 Countdown to Bowling Green

[peaygolf]

Minor correction, Peyton was 3-1 vrs. the Gumps. His freshman year, he checked to a double teamed receiver and didn't see an unguarded receiver in the end zone all alone on a 4th and goal play late in the 4th quarter. By the way, thanks for doing this..........starts my day off great!

typing to quick this morning.....................oops

 

[gnm53108]

typing to quick this morning.....................oops

Don’t sweat it. You’re doing an awesome job…much appreciated. Best thread on VN.

 

[peaygolf]

Don’t sweat it. You’re doing an awesome job…much appreciated. Best thread on VN.

Thanks. Having fun with it

 

[peaygolf]

Don’t sweat it. You’re doing an awesome job…much appreciated. Best thread on VN.

getting below 100....gonna have to some random, lesser known moments, stats, scores, etc..............harder, but more fun

 

[peaygolf]

64 days........

Greatest Volunteer? The list is long and distinguished, but it must include George Cafego.

This is from his UTSports Hall of Fame bio:

“Renowned for his blocking and running skills, Cafego also played safety and quarterback. On special teams, he returned kicks and punts as well as handled the punting duties. In his career, Cafego rushed for 1,589 yards, threw for 550 yards, returned 64 punts for 883 yards, returned 12 kickoffs for 391 yards and punted 115 times for a 38.3-yard average. He also had five interceptions.”​

​

Cafego was All-SEC and an All-American in 1938 and 1939, and finished 7th and 4th in the Heisman voting in those seasons. The “Hurrying Hungarian” was also an assistant under five different UT Head Coaches from 1955-1985.

 

[peaygolf]

63 days........

In 1995, a JUCO named Leonard Little arrived in Knoxville and would have one of the best first year seasons in UT history. A blocked field goal, 62 total tackles, 33 “big plays”, 14 TFL, and 11.5 sacks for 63 yards for loss, helped the Vols to an 11-1 record. Little would make 2nd team All-SEC in ‘95, and 1st Team as a Junior and a Senior.

 

[peaygolf]

62 days........

When the best WR’s in UT history are mentioned, Cedrick Wilson’s name is sometimes forgotten, but it shouldn’t be. Wilson is 3rd in all-time receptions, 6th in yards, and 2nd in TDs. His best season was in 2000 when he had 62 receptions for 681 yards and 12 TDs.

 

[peaygolf]

61 days.........

2016......it finally happened. UT defeated the Gators 38-28, with Josh Dobbs having a huge game. The Vols erased a 21 point deficit with the help of a great second half defensive effort and some timely punt returns by Alvin Kamara. Kamara didn’t do much in the running game, but made up for it with 6 punt returns for 61 yards.

 

[peaygolf]

60 days........

The “Sugar Vols” of 1985 will always be remembered. Grit, great defense, and unsung heros were the norm for this Vols team. In the final game of the season, UT faced the high flying Hurricanes of Miami. Miami took a quick 7-0 over the seemingly outmatched Vols, but that was the only time they would score. The Vols came back to take a 21-7 lead in the 3rd quarter. With the game still in question, seldom used track star Jeff Powell ran off-tackle, and out raced the entire ‘Cane secondary for a 60 touchdown that put the game out of reach.
Powell would finish with 11 carries for 104 yards and a place in Volunteer lore.

 

[OneManGang]

"Jeff Powell comes ROARING up the greensward of the Super Dome!"

John Ward may be the only football announcer to ever use the term "greensward" during a broadcast. Another reason he was the GOAT.

 

[peaygolf]

 

[peaygolf]

59 days.......

Billy Williams was a star at Alcoa High School and went to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M for two years before coming home to play for Tennessee. In his two years, Williams caught 59 passes for 730 yards and 7 TDs. In the ‘93 game vs UF, Williams had 140 yards and 3 TDs. Williams was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1995.

 

[peaygolf]

58 days........

In 1972, Condredge Holloway was in his first season as UTs starting QB. His style of play led to some injuries, so backup QB Gary Valbuena was needed to play more often than Coach Battle wanted. Thankfully, Valbuena played steadily and helped UT to a 10-2 record. For the season, Valbuena was 27-58 for 410 yards and 5 TDs. He threw 3 TDs vs Wake Forest and started vs Hawaii.
Valbuena would end up being drafted by the Dolphins in 1974, but played in the WFL for the Southern California Sun instead.

Valbuena in the 1974 US All-Stars in Japan vs the Kanto All-Stars from the Nippon Football League


Had to dig deeeeep for this one

 

[87&91ALUM]

Looking forward to summer camp information, schedule, those daily videos and progress assessments. Recommend a sticky for this thread.

 

[peaygolf]

57 days.......

The Vols were actually underdogs in the 1971 Sugar Bowl game vs Air Force. UT came out strong, scoring the first four times it got the ball, and led 24-0 in the first quarter. Bobby Scott was the MVP, but the stellar play of defensive back Bobby Majors helped keep the high flying Falcon passing attack in check. Majors also accounted for the most exciting play of the game with a weaving 57 yard punt return TD. The Vols would go on to a 34-13 victory.

 

[peaygolf]

56 days.........

In 1957, UT played A&M in the Gator Bowl. The Aggies had Heisman winner John David Crow and it was the final game that Bear Bryant would coach at A&M. In a defensive struggle, Bobby Gordon led the Vols down the field in the final minutes. Gordon ran from the 17 yard line and viciously collided with Crow at the 7, knocking both out for a moment. Gordon stayed in the game and held for the winning FG, as UT won 3-0.
Gordon rushed for 60 yards and was 4-6 passing for 56 yards.

Gordon vs Crow


Gordon runs vs A&M

 

[peaygolf]

55 days.......

The vols played Ole Miss for Homecoming in 1987. UT set a record with 578 total yards of offense. Freshman Reggie Cobb scored 3 TDs and Keith Davis had 13 carries for 100 yards. Sterling Henton led the Vols to six consecutive scoring drives in the 55-13 victory.

Davis heads for 100


Henton drops back vs Ole Miss

 

[OneManGang]

55 days.......

The vols played Ole Miss for Homecoming in 1987. UT set a record with 578 total yards of offense. Freshman Reggie Cobb scored 3 TDs and Keith Davis had 13 carries for 100 yards. Sterling Henton led the Vols to six consecutive scoring drives in the 55-13 victory.

Davis heads for 100
View attachment 379438

Henton drops back vs Ole Miss
View attachment 379439

For me this was one of the most memorable games of that era. All season long, fans took to actually POINTING to various Vol WRs cavorting wide open in the opponent's defensive backfield. Mind, the receiving corps that year included TD Woods, Alvin Harper and Terence Cleveland just to name a few. Inevitably, Jeff Francis would not see them and check down to the horizontal passing game that made the Vol faithful cringe and opposing DC's salivate. On that fine afternoon, however, once again a Vol receiver broke free without a Rebel within 20 yards. Again the entire stadium stood and pointed. All Pearl did was to rare back and heave a perfect strike in stride and the receiver was next seen celebrating in the South End Zone. (Sorry. don't remember which one. Senior moment.)

"Pandemonium ... Reigned."

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, cemented The Pearl as one of my all-time favorite Vols.

 

[peaygolf]

For me this was one of the most memorable games of that era. All season long, fans took to actually POINTING to various Vol WRs cavorting wide open in the opponent's defensive backfield. Mind, the receiving corps that year included TD Woods, Alvin Harper and Terence Cleveland just to name a few. Inevitably, Jeff Francis would not see them and check down to the horizontal passing game that made the Vol faithful cringe and opposing DC's salivate. On that fine afternoon, however, once again a Vol receiver broke free without a Rebel within 20 yards. Again the entire stadium stood and pointed. All Pearl did was to rare back and heave a perfect strike in stride and the receiver was next seen celebrating in the South End Zone. (Sorry. don't remember which one. Senior moment.)

"Pandemonium ... Reigned."

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, cemented The Pearl as one of my all-time favorite Vols.

Awesome! Thanks

Cleveland caught the 39 Yd TD!

 

[OneManGang]

I thought it was him but couldn't find a box score in an admittedly brief search.

 

[Louisianavol78]

 

[peaygolf]

54 days......

Ole Miss. 1982. Willie Gault lived up to the nickname “Orange Lightning.” Gault, a junior, single handily won the game with his prolific returns. He had a 49 yard punt return, a 64 yard punt return for a touchdown, and a 54 yard kickoff return in the Vols 28-20 victory.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Didn’t really know where else to put this….but „signs someone might be a Bama fan“ (actual translation „maybe not the best idea“)

 

[peaygolf]

53 days.........

Carl Pickens is remembered as one of the best athletes to play at UT. In 1990, Pickens had several huge performances, including 10 receptions for 201 yards vs UK and 13 receptions vs Notre Dame. For the season, Pickens had 53 receptions for 917 yards and 6 TDs. He was named AP and UPI All-SEC.

 

[peaygolf]

52 days........

In 1973, the Vols traveled to West Point to play Army. Condredge Holloway was great as usual and connected with Stanley Morgan on some big plays. Holloway hit Morgan on a 29 yard TD and a 52 yard bomb to set up another score in the Vols 37-18 victory.

Holloway and Battle


Morgan looks for daylight vs Army