86’ Vols

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Is that the game that Sanders drove TN to around the Red Zone and just barely miss hitting a game winning throw into the north end zone?

Yes. Terrance Cleveland I believe.

 

[BanditVol]

Johnny Majors happened. 1986 held true to form to the pattern that was his coaching career here....one year up followed by one year down.

Nailed it.

 

[BanditVol]

I agree and would go as far as saying he disliked the entire SEC.

Being from Georgia, I think he liked them. I didn't know he was from Georgia until yesterday. that might explain why he practically rooted for FSU in the 99 Fiesta Bowl. We were dominating them at the time.

 

[Bms4880]

Part of the drop-off was due to breaking in a new QB, Jeff Francis, who struggled during the first half of the season.

Our running back corps was decimated by injuries. William Howard, a fullback, spent much of the season as the starting tailback. Interestingly, he set the NCAA record for most consecutive rushes (16) in the Ole Miss game.

The defensive schemes of Ken Donahue, which seemed genius in the 1985 season, just didn't seem to carry over.

 

[HoptownVol]

No Tim McGee, Tony Robinson, Tommy Sims, David Douglas, or Jeff Powell.

Tim McGee and Tony Robinson were one of the best tandems in TN's history... maybe THE best.

We lost Sam Graddy is what happened!

Losing surprise AA Chris White didn't help, and one of my favorite underrated players Eric Swanson. That 85 team was blessed with magic after the Ga Tech game.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Part of the drop-off was due to breaking in a new QB, Jeff Francis, who struggled during the first half of the season.

Our running back corps was decimated by injuries. William Howard, a fullback, spent much of the season as the starting tailback. Interestingly, he set the NCAA record for most consecutive rushes (16) in the Ole Miss game.

The defensive schemes of Ken Donahue, which seemed genius in the 1985 season, just didn't seem to carry over.

That William Howard drive was the most brutal thing I've ever witnessed in CFB. It was just pure battering ram.

 

[Bobo0101]

Now I know how recruits feel when they hear about UT glory days lol. I was born in 86.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

We lost Sam Graddy is what happened!

Losing surprise AA Chris White didn't help, and one of my favorite underrated players Eric Swanson. That 85 team was blessed with magic after the Ga Tech game.

I don't think that Graddy ever caught a pass at UT. He was a pretty good decoy though.

 

[butchna]

A true 70+ thousand at the O&W game that year. Not the Butch Jones Math we've seen the last few years.

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I was there with my football team. Vince Peppers glared at me as I walked around the field...freakin Astroturf! Was thinking Moses Collins would be the next Tony. He wasn’t. :sad:

 

[feathersax]

And Mississippi State's QB gave us fits that day.

If my memory serves that QB was Rob Fesmire, now a successful dentist in Franklin. He used to be heard on Nashville sports radio as a guest. Yes, I was in Neyland that day. Vols couldn't stop him.

 

[butchna]

If my memory serves that QB was Rob Fesmire, now a successful dentist in Franklin. He used to be heard on Nashville sports radio as a guest. Yes, I was in Neyland that day. Vols couldn't stop him.

No, Don Smith. Dual threat that killed us with his legs. Still remember the Vol screams on his winning drive on John Ward’s broadcast

 

[RollerVol]

many good response on here...lots of truthies...Coach Majors and Coach Fulmer had similarities they didn't want to admit...

GO VOLS!

 

[feathersax]

No, Don Smith. Dual threat that killed us with his legs. Still remember the Vol screams on his winning drive on John Ward’s broadcast

OK, though I don't remember Don Smith. Guess I managed to stifle the ugly memory of THAT game.

 

[illinoisvolfan1]

That was one ugly loss

I’ve had hysterical amnesia ever since. In the past 30 years we have had some ugly losses and this is in the top 3 for sure.

 

[butchna]

OK, though I don't remember Don Smith. Guess I managed to stifle the ugly memory of THAT game.

Second round pick and played RB for the Bills. Fesmire’s senior season was 82, I think.