40 Years Ago - Beating #2 Bama in Bear's final season

[sami]

First thread I've started on here. It's the perfect week to look back 40 years (!) to what was the greatest sporting event I ever witnessed in person, when we took on and beat #2 ranked Alabama in Bear Bryant's final season. Going into that game we had a losing streak to Bama much like we do now, at 11 games. UT had some incredible talent (Reggie White, Willie Gault, Mike Cofer, Fuad Reveiz, and Bill Bates among the future pros), but were a disappointing .500 team, ending at 6-5-1, losing the Peach Bowl to Iowa.

This was my second year at UT as a student, and I didn't get the negativity surrounding the whole week, but by game time Neyland was packed and rocking, especially when they came out through the Power T in orange on orange. But the loudest I ever heard Neyland before or since was when Walter Lewis fumbled a handoff on the first play from scrimmage and the ball bounced loose for what seemed an eternity until the Vols jumped on it.

UT controlled the game, jumping out to a 35-21 lead that could have been more but for conservative coaching and settling for 4 Fuad Reveiz FG's, but the last six minutes were endless, as Bama closed it to 35-28 and was driving for the tying score when Mike Terry got a deflected interception with 17 seconds left.

Honestly, I never knew that they even took the knee as we were headed for the field (we had great seats in the lower bowl) and for the goal post. We dragged it down and carried that thing out of the stadium and down to the Strip, then not knowing what the hell to do with it, we deposited it in front of the players' dorm. The party raged all night, police allowing open alcohol in the street on Cumberland, and we finally headed home at about 3am. Woke up at 8 and could still hear noise on the Strip from our apartment in the Fort (a block from the World's Fair site).

Thanks for indulging an amazing memory and great time, and here's hoping we can have a repeat almost 40 years to the day on October 16, 1982. Let's hear from anyone who was there that day and any memories you have.

 

[Jeff Clark]

 

[Sowbug2000]

Thanks for sharing the memory! I was at UT from 86-90, all losses and we had Cobb/Webb one year....but Webb got suspended. Anyway, most folks these days don't know what The Strip is! I think it's dead now.

 

[sami]

Thanks for sharing the memory! I was at UT from 86-90, all losses and we had Cobb/Webb one year....but Webb got suspended. Anyway, most folks these days don't know what The Strip is! I think it's dead now.

Haven't been back in about 25 years - if that's true it's a real shame.

 

[esarmstrong]

The World's Fair was there, too, finishing up it's final month of existence. I was a senior that year and worked at the Fair on Saturdays, but I was off that Saturday for the game. There is a famous picture of Neyland Stadium that was taken overhead during the game. The amount of humanity that was packed into the area of Neyland Stadium and the Fairgrounds was staggering.

 

[jimed1]

That was my first UT game. I was in school at MTSU and drove over. Someone was selling "We Beat Bama" bumper stickers on the strip. Had one on my car for years. Wild night for sure.

 

[TCNC53]

First thread I've started on here. It's the perfect week to look back 40 years (!) to what was the greatest sporting event I ever witnessed in person, when we took on and beat #2 ranked Alabama in Bear Bryant's final season. Going into that game we had a losing streak to Bama much like we do now, at 11 games. UT had some incredible talent (Reggie White, Willie Gault, Mike Cofer, Fuad Reveiz, and Bill Bates among the future pros), but were a disappointing .500 team, ending at 6-5-1, losing the Peach Bowl to Iowa.

This was my second year at UT as a student, and I didn't get the negativity surrounding the whole week, but by game time Neyland was packed and rocking, especially when they came out through the Power T in orange on orange. But the loudest I ever heard Neyland before or since was when Walter Lewis fumbled a handoff on the first play from scrimmage and the ball bounced loose for what seemed an eternity until the Vols jumped on it.

UT controlled the game, jumping out to a 35-21 lead that could have been more but for conservative coaching and settling for 4 Fuad Reveiz FG's, but the last six minutes were endless, as Bama closed it to 35-28 and was driving for the tying score when Mike Terry got a deflected interception with 17 seconds left.

Honestly, I never knew that they even took the knee as we were headed for the field (we had great seats in the lower bowl) and for the goal post. We dragged it down and carried that thing out of the stadium and down to the Strip, then not knowing what the hell to do with it, we deposited it in front of the players' dorm. The party raged all night, police allowing open alcohol in the street on Cumberland, and we finally headed home at about 3am. Woke up at 8 and could still hear noise on the Strip from our apartment in the Fort (a block from the World's Fair site).

Thanks for indulging an amazing memory and great time, and here's hoping we can have a repeat almost 40 years to the day on October 16, 1982. Let's hear from anyone who was there that day and any memories you have.

I was at this game and probably right beside you in the lower bowl and likely helped you and others carry the goal post to Cumberland Ave. But what I remember most about that game, besides us beating Bama, was what happened before the kick off. As is tradition, our VOLS came charging through the T, the band playin Down the Field and the crowd roared. About that same time, just in front of us, came the Crimson Tide in their white uniforms and Crimson helmets. The crowd boo’ed and we were letting the Bama players know how we felt about them. Then, Coach Bryant walked out of the visitors tunnel by himself and received a standing ovation from UT fans. A classy move for sure and it reminded me that no matter how much you hate your rival, you can show respect and acknowledge a great coach who did his part to make this Tennessee - Alabama rivalry so important for both schools and for college football overall. College football is better when both programs are playing well - just like we’ll see Saturday. I was proud of the Tennessee fans that day and have always been proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer. Now, I just want to see history repeat itself Saturday and the Big Orange curb stomp Bama. Take it to them for the full 60 minutes - no let up - no mercy - and make them wish they never stepped off their buses. Go Big Orange!

 

[volfan102455]

I remember this game. I wasn't there but paced the floor as I listened on the radio. I still have the front page of the paper the next day somewhere.

 

[volfan102455]

Also, this was the first game in that losing streak that was not televised - due to it I guess not being the marquee game it had been in the past and folks just assumed Bama would win. I remember telling my brother before the game - we are going to win this one. Don't know to this day why I felt that way - I just had a good feeling.

 

[sami]

That was my first UT game. I was in school at MTSU and drove over. Someone was selling "We Beat Bama" bumper stickers on the strip. Had one on my car for years. Wild night for sure.

I remember buying a "We Beat Bama and The Bear Sh*it" t-shirt on the Strip. Damn, I wish I still had that thing.

 

[sami]

The World's Fair was there, too, finishing up it's final month of existence. I was a senior that year and worked at the Fair on Saturdays, but I was off that Saturday for the game. There is a famous picture of Neyland Stadium that was taken overhead during the game. The amount of humanity that was packed into the area of Neyland Stadium and the Fairgrounds was staggering.

My apartment in Fort Sanders was a block from where they kept the Clydedales, and the whole area stunk for about two months.

 

[sami]

I was at this game and probably right beside you in the lower bowl and likely helped you and others carry the goal post to Cumberland Ave. But what I remember most about that game, besides us beating Bama, was what happened before the kick off. As is tradition, our VOLS came charging through the T, the band playin Down the Field and the crowd roared. About that same time, just in front of us, came the Crimson Tide in their white uniforms and Crimson helmets. The crowd boo’ed and we were letting the Bama players know how we felt about them. Then, Coach Bryant walked out of the visitors tunnel by himself and received a standing ovation from UT fans. A classy move for sure and it reminded me that no matter how much you hate your rival, you can show respect and acknowledge a great coach who did his part to make this Tennessee - Alabama rivalry so important for both schools and for college football overall. College football is better when both programs are playing well - just like we’ll see Saturday. I was proud of the Tennessee fans that day and have always been proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer. Now, I just want to see history repeat itself Saturday and the Big Orange curb stomp Bama. Take it to them for the full 60 minutes - no let up - no mercy - and make them wish they never stepped off their buses. Go Big Orange!

Great post. The coolest thing was that UT warmed up in orange on white, so when they came out through the Power T in orange on orange, the building was electric. And then the fumble on the first play. Just an amazing day.

 

[sami]

I remember this game. I wasn't there but paced the floor as I listened on the radio. I still have the front page of the paper the next day somewhere.

Ward's call had to be incredible.

 

[sami]

Also, this was the first game in that losing streak that was not televised - due to it I guess not being the marquee game it had been in the past and folks just assumed Bama would win. I remember telling my brother before the game - we are going to win this one. Don't know to this day why I felt that way - I just had a good feeling.

I was the same way! My roommates and everyone we went to the game with were all telling me I just didn't understand, hadn't been around long enough to get it.

 

[StarRaider]

Thanks for sharing the memory! I was at UT from 86-90, all losses and we had Cobb/Webb one year....but Webb got suspended. Anyway, most folks these days don't know what The Strip is! I think it's dead now.

Reggie Cobb was the one that got suspended after the 89 uga win and right before the criminal turd game

 

[TCNC53]

Also, this was the first game in that losing streak that was not televised - due to it I guess not being the marquee game it had been in the past and folks just assumed Bama would win. I remember telling my brother before the game - we are going to win this one. Don't know to this day why I felt that way - I just had a good feeling.

How are you feeling about this one??? GBO!!

 

[MAD]

I’m pretty sure 200,000 Tennessee fans attended that game and 50,000 carried the goalposts down Cumberland Ave.

 

[TCNC53]

I’m pretty sure 200,000 Tennessee fans attended that game and 50,000 carried the goalposts down Cumberland Ave.

Another thing I remember about that game and taking the goal post to Cumberland Ave, with it being the World’s Fair at that time, when we got to the strip, people were going nuts and someone decided it was a good idea to start pushing up and down on the front and back ends of cars such that they would bounce up in the air. Several were suddenly caught in the traffic jam when several thousand - well 50,000 as noted here - suddenly stormed the strip. I noticed a car with a young family caught in the mayhem. The car was bouncing at least two feet in the air - the parents were terrified and the two kids in the back were seat were having the time of their lives. I just remember the pure fear on the parents face and the pure joy on the kids face. Wrong place - wrong time but very funny to see. Hope that happens again Saturday evening. GBO!

 

[87&91ALUM]

Wow! Thanks for that memory. Somehow I got a ticket on row 1 D or E right behind the Bama bench and watched Bear Bryant pacing up and down all game. Seems like I remember someone with a cutting or torch turning the goal posts into souvenirs over in the dorms near the library.

 

[BristolVol]

I was at this game and probably right beside you in the lower bowl and likely helped you and others carry the goal post to Cumberland Ave. But what I remember most about that game, besides us beating Bama, was what happened before the kick off. As is tradition, our VOLS came charging through the T, the band playin Down the Field and the crowd roared. About that same time, just in front of us, came the Crimson Tide in their white uniforms and Crimson helmets. The crowd boo’ed and we were letting the Bama players know how we felt about them. Then, Coach Bryant walked out of the visitors tunnel by himself and received a standing ovation from UT fans. A classy move for sure and it reminded me that no matter how much you hate your rival, you can show respect and acknowledge a great coach who did his part to make this Tennessee - Alabama rivalry so important for both schools and for college football overall. College football is better when both programs are playing well - just like we’ll see Saturday. I was proud of the Tennessee fans that day and have always been proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer. Now, I just want to see history repeat itself Saturday and the Big Orange curb stomp Bama. Take it to them for the full 60 minutes - no let up - no mercy - and make them wish they never stepped off their buses. Go Big Orange!

I went to the field after the game and was taking to my friend Steve Knight #58 offensive guard. We were looking for my brother and talking about heading to the strip after he got dressed. He tells me I see your brother. He was on the south end zone goal post as it came down and he disappeared into the crowd. What a night that was on the strip.

 

[sami]

I’m pretty sure 200,000 Tennessee fans attended that game and 50,000 carried the goalposts down Cumberland Ave.

That's the great thing about legendary events. It still seems somewhat surreal to have been there and in the middle of all that joy and bedlam. A day and night I'll never forget.

 

[sami]

I went to the field after the game and was taking to my friend Steve Knight #58 offensive guard. We were looking for my brother and talking about heading to the strip after he got dressed. He tells me I see your brother. He was on the south end zone goal post as it came down and he disappeared into the crowd. What a night that was on the strip.

That was a night like no other in my time at UT. The incredible thing was the police allowing liquor on the street as long as it was in plastic cup and not a bottle.

 

[Volfan1000]

First thread I've started on here. It's the perfect week to look back 40 years (!) to what was the greatest sporting event I ever witnessed in person, when we took on and beat #2 ranked Alabama in Bear Bryant's final season. Going into that game we had a losing streak to Bama much like we do now, at 11 games. UT had some incredible talent (Reggie White, Willie Gault, Mike Cofer, Fuad Reveiz, and Bill Bates among the future pros), but were a disappointing .500 team, ending at 6-5-1, losing the Peach Bowl to Iowa.

This was my second year at UT as a student, and I didn't get the negativity surrounding the whole week, but by game time Neyland was packed and rocking, especially when they came out through the Power T in orange on orange. But the loudest I ever heard Neyland before or since was when Walter Lewis fumbled a handoff on the first play from scrimmage and the ball bounced loose for what seemed an eternity until the Vols jumped on it.

UT controlled the game, jumping out to a 35-21 lead that could have been more but for conservative coaching and settling for 4 Fuad Reveiz FG's, but the last six minutes were endless, as Bama closed it to 35-28 and was driving for the tying score when Mike Terry got a deflected interception with 17 seconds left.

Honestly, I never knew that they even took the knee as we were headed for the field (we had great seats in the lower bowl) and for the goal post. We dragged it down and carried that thing out of the stadium and down to the Strip, then not knowing what the hell to do with it, we deposited it in front of the players' dorm. The party raged all night, police allowing open alcohol in the street on Cumberland, and we finally headed home at about 3am. Woke up at 8 and could still hear noise on the Strip from our apartment in the Fort (a block from the World's Fair site).

Thanks for indulging an amazing memory and great time, and here's hoping we can have a repeat almost 40 years to the day on October 16, 1982. Let's hear from anyone who was there that day and any memories you have.

That was the last home football game that I attended and I remember the Terry interception in the end sone to seal the win.