Countdown to Kickoff vs South Carolina

[peaygolf]

31 days.........

Stan Mitchell, #31, was a three year starting fullback from ‘63-‘65. A powerful runner, Mitchell gained 1,266 career yards and scored 10 touchdowns as a Vol. He was UT’s leading rusher in ‘64 and capped his senior season by scoring the last touchdown in the Bluebonnet Bowl victory over Tulsa.
Michell was drafted by Washington in the NFL and Miami in the AFL, opting to play for the Dolphins. He had a successful five year career, scoring 9 touchdowns.

 

[go hokies]

6 out of last 7 meetings, winner won by 3 or less points, expect another close game, flip a coin to predict which team wins

 

[peaygolf]

30 days.........

In 1992, a JUCO tailback came to Knoxville, and quickly became one of the best in UT history. Charlie Garner, #30, played in the same backfield with Aaron Hayden, James Stewart, and Jay Graham. Even with three other future NFL backs with him, Garner still rushed for 2,089 yards and 10 touchdowns in his two seasons, averaging 6.7 yards a carry. He was a 2nd round pick by the Eagles and ran for over 7,000 yrds in his NFL career.

 

[peaygolf]

29 days.........

Danny Martin, #29, was a two year letterman from McMinnville. In 1979, he finally got a chance to play, and had a breakout season. He lead the Vols with 5 interceptions and accounted for 31 tackles for the season (4 more in the Bluebonnet Bowl.) As a senior in ‘80, he added 2 more interceptions and 45 tackles.

Martin after his int vs Alabama (1979)

 

[peaygolf]

28 days........

Anthony Hancock, #28, came to Tennessee as a running back, but was moved to receiver early in his ‘78 freshman season. Good move by Coach Majors. Big plays and 100 yard games became the norm over the next three seasons. He set the then record with an 85 yard touchdown vs Vandy and will always be remembered for his 11 catches and 196 yards vs Wisconsin in the Garden State Bowl. Hancock finished his career with 106 receptions for 1,826 years and 12 TDs. He also had 262 yards rushing and 2TDs. He was the 11th pick in the ‘83 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, and although he never flourished in the NFL, he was the first of several Vols that helped coin the phrase “Wide Receiver U”

 

[peaygolf]

27 days.......

Eric Swanson, #27, was a JUCO transfer from California. Great hands got him on the field, even with Joey Clinkscales and Tim McGee on the roster. In ‘85, he caught a touchdown in the upset over Auburn and 2 TDs vs Vandy. During his two seasons, (‘84-‘85) Swanson caught 44 passes for 486 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was a 7th round pick by the Cardinals.

 

[Tnman1]

26 days, Willie Gault.......
Willie Gault was a wide receiver and kick returner for the Big Orange between 1979-82.
He was also a world-class sprinter for the Vols track team. Gault, a 1982 All-American at UT, still holds multiple return records.
Gault was a 1983 first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears. He played 11 seasons for the Bears and Los Angeles Raiders and was a Super Bowl Champion with Chicago in Super Bowl XX.
Gault had 44 receiving touchdowns in the league.
After football, Gault became an actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows including “Tales From the Crypt,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” “Grounded for Life” and “In the Heat of the Night.”

 

[OneManGang]

"Willie Gault, ladies and gentlemen, is running all the way to the state capitol!"

 

[peaygolf]

26 days, Willie Gault.......
Willie Gault was a wide receiver and kick returner for the Big Orange between 1979-82.
He was also a world-class sprinter for the Vols track team. Gault, a 1982 All-American at UT, still holds multiple return records.
Gault was a 1983 first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears. He played 11 seasons for the Bears and Los Angeles Raiders and was a Super Bowl Champion with Chicago in Super Bowl XX.
Gault had 44 receiving touchdowns in the league.
After football, Gault became an actor. He has appeared in numerous television shows including “Tales From the Crypt,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” “Grounded for Life” and “In the Heat of the Night.”View attachment 303205

you got a day ahead of me

26 days tomorrow.......

 

[peaygolf]

26 days........

From 1968-1970, Tim Priest, #26, was a member of one of the most prolific defensive backfields in NCAA history. In 1970, they collected 36 interceptions, with Priest grabbing 9 of them. He was a team captain and named All-SEC in 1970. He still holds the UT record with 18 career interceptions. After college, he became a judge and the color analyst for UT Vols radio.

 

[peaygolf]

25 days........

Eddie Brown, #25, was a DB/Punt returner that lettered from 1971-1973. He was team captain in ‘73 and was named All-SEC and 2nd team All-American. He finished his career with 199 tackles and had 10 interceptions with 1 returned for a TD. As a punt returner, he was one of the best in school history......74 returns for 788 yards and 2 touchdowns.
He was an 8th round pick by Cleveland in 1974. He would play for the Browns, Rams, and Redskins, playing in 2 Super Bowls and 2 Pro Bowls. He also played two seasons in the USFL.

 

[peaygolf]

24 days.........

Tony Thompson, #24, was a seldom used 5th year senior behind Reggie Cobb and Chuck Webb. In the second game of the ‘90 season, Webb went down with a season ending injury. In his first career start, Thompson rushed for 248 yards vs Mississippi State. After that, he emerged into a star. He finished the season with 1,261 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was named All-SEC and led the Vols to the SEC Championship. He capped his career with the winning touchdown in the Sugar Bowl vs Virginia.

 

[peaygolf]

23 days.........

Walter Slater wore a couple of numbers as a Vol, but his best season he wore #23. Slater left UT to fight in WWII after playing in ‘41-‘42, but returned for the 1946 season. He passed for 6 touchdowns, punted, returned one of his four interceptions for a touchdown, and was one of the best punt returners in the country. His 78 yard punt return vs North Carolina is one of legend. Late in the game, Slater found daylight, but was met by future HoF’er “Choo-Choo” Justice. Slater faked a lateral, which froze Justice long enough for Slater to score. UT would get the win and finish the season 9-1. Slater would go on to play in the NFL for the Steelers, but retired after 2 seasons over a contract dispute.

Slater smiles as the scores vs UNC

 

[peaygolf]

22 days.....

This was a tough one for me. Ricky Townsend is the reason I probably broke a toe when I was a child, trying to kick a football barefooted. But, I have to go with Floyd Miley, #22. Miley came to Knoxville as a WR from FT. Lauderdale, but was moved to DB. He lettered from ‘88-‘91 and had 84 career tackles and 4 interceptions. A solid career, but he will always be remembered for two things: 1) His 97 yard return of a blocked extra point vs Ole Miss and, 2) His touchdown return of a blocked field goal vs Notre Dame that started the “Miracle at South Bend” in 1991. Today, he is a motivational speaker and minister.

Miley’s return vs ND

 

[MAD]

22 days.....

This was a tough one for me. Ricky Townsend is the reason I probably broke a toe when I was a child, trying to kick a football barefooted. But, I have to go with Floyd Miley, #22. Miley came to Knoxville as a WR from FT. Lauderdale, but was moved to DB. He lettered from ‘88-‘91 and had 84 career tackles and 4 interceptions. A solid career, but he will always be remembered for two things: 1) His 97 yard return of a blocked extra point vs Ole Miss and, 2) His touchdown return of a blocked field goal vs Notre Dame that started the “Miracle at South Bend” in 1991. Today, he is a motivational speaker and minister.

Miley’s return vs ND
View attachment 304266

I’ll forgive you for not choosing Ricky
At least he got an honorable mention.
And what were you thinking kicking barefoot?

 

[peaygolf]

I’ll forgive you for not choosing Ricky
At least he got an honorable mention.
And what were you thinking kicking barefoot?

I was young and dumb

 

[peaygolf]

The day is getting closer...............and I need a win after The Peay loss!

 

[peaygolf]

21 days........

Versatile. Explosive. Two words that describe #21 Stanley Morgan. The 2X All-SEC wingback/running back rushed for 1,952 yards and 28 touchdowns (5.5 avg) and caught 48 passes for 1,048 yards and 8 touchdowns (22.8 avg). He was the first Vol to rush for over 200 yrds in a single game when he ran for 201 vs Hawaii.
Morgan was a first round pick by the Patriots and was a 4X Pro Bowler. He averaged over 20 yards a reception each of his fist six seasons.
Morgan is a true Legend!

 

[Tin Man]

I met Stanley Morgan in a second floor hallway of Melrose Hall. He was natural, unassuming, and friendly.

 

[Volbackhomefromtx]

22 days.....

This was a tough one for me. Ricky Townsend is the reason I probably broke a toe when I was a child, trying to kick a football barefooted. But, I have to go with Floyd Miley, #22. Miley came to Knoxville as a WR from FT. Lauderdale, but was moved to DB. He lettered from ‘88-‘91 and had 84 career tackles and 4 interceptions. A solid career, but he will always be remembered for two things: 1) His 97 yard return of a blocked extra point vs Ole Miss and, 2) His touchdown return of a blocked field goal vs Notre Dame that started the “Miracle at South Bend” in 1991. Today, he is a motivational speaker and minister.

Miley’s return vs ND
View attachment 304266

Both great choices. Miley’s incredible touchdown is indelible in my memory. Given the score at the time, that touchdown gave me hope despite the differential. Townsend started my lifelong great appreciation for kickers.

 

[peaygolf]

20 days.........

Walter Chadwick, #20, lettered from 1965-1967. The Georgia native played tailback and helped the Vols to three Bowl games and the ‘67 SEC Championship. In ‘67, he led the Vols in rushing and scored 11 touchdowns. For his career, Chadwick accounted for 1,306 yrds rushing, 409 receiving yards, and 305 yards in kickoff returns. He was 2-2 passing, both for touchdowns, including the game winning score vs Alabama in 1967. After UT, he was drafted by Green Bay and played one season in the CFL for Winnipeg.

 

[Knox-a-rue]

20 Days.

 

[peaygolf]

View attachment 304618
20 Days.

He's the obvious #20

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

What peaygolf does with this forum many times is show us the not so obvious choice to be recognized for his number. Many of us know the accomplishments of "Cheese," but may not have an idea of what Chadwick did because it was a different era of Big Orange football.

As a middle school social studies teacher and amateur history buff, I have enjoyed reading the stories of the men who have worn the Orange and White; especially those who have had their accomplishments blurred by time.

 

[peaygolf]

19 days.........

Jeff Francis, #19, was a three year starter from 1986-1988. He became only the third QB in school history to throw for over 2,000 yards and was UT’ all time leader in passing yards when he graduated. For his career, Francis threw for 5,867 yards and 31 touchdowns and was the MVP in the Liberty Bowl. He was drafted in the 6th round by the Raiders. After being cut, he signed with Cleveland and played in one game, vs the Steelers. He was 2-2 for 26 yards.