Countdown to Kickoff vs South Carolina

9 days...........

Tori Noel, #9, was a hard hitting safety from Memphis Melrose. After playing mop up duty in ‘93, and redshirting in ‘94, Noel found his role as a starter in 1995. Noel was a leader on some of UT’s best teams, and was known for making big plays. He finished his career with 196 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 16 PBU’s. In 1999, Noel played one season for the Barcelona Dragons of NFLE.
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9 days...........

Tori Noel, #9, was a hard hitting safety from Memphis Melrose. After playing mop up duty in ‘93, and redshirting in ‘94, Noel found his role as a starter in 1995. Noel was a leader on some of UT’s best teams, and was known for making big plays. He finished his career with 196 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 16 PBU’s. In 1999, Noel played one season for the Barcelona Dragons of NFLE.
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I saw him play a game his Sr Year in HS.

There was no doubt he was gonna be a star at the next level. I'm glad he chose UT.
 
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9 days...........

Tori Noel, #9, was a hard hitting safety from Memphis Melrose. After playing mop up duty in ‘93, and redshirting in ‘94, Noel found his role as a starter in 1995. Noel was a leader on some of UT’s best teams, and was known for making big plays. He finished his career with 196 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 16 PBU’s. In 1999, Noel played one season for the Barcelona Dragons of NFLE.
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Laying the wood to Freddie! Perfect picture selection.
 
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8 days.........

RandyWallace, #8, was a strong armed quarterback from 1974-1976 that never got the credit he deserved, He led the Vols to big wins over Maryland and LSU, but gets too much blame for some bad losses. Following a legend like Condredge Holloway was hard, but Wallace held his own. For his career, Wallace threw for 2,536 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 572 yards and 6 TDs.
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7 days.........

Rashaan Gaulden #7, was a safety from 2014-2017. After playing sparingly as a freshman, he suffered a foot injury before his sophomore season and redshirted. In 2016, Gaulden made a huge impact, having 6 TFL and 4 passes defended. As a redshirt junior, Gaulden had double digit tackles vs Carolina and UF and recovered three fumbles. Gaulden decided to forgo his last year at UT, and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 3rd round of the ‘18 draft. For his career, Gaulden recorded 140 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 Birds!!!!!!!!!!!!
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7 days.........

Rashaan Gaulden #7, was a safety from 2014-2017. After playing sparingly as a freshman, he suffered a foot injury before his sophomore season and redshirted. In 2016, Gaulden made a huge impact, having 6 TFL and 4 passes defended. As a redshirt junior, Gaulden had double digit tackles vs Carolina and UF and recovered three fumbles. Gaulden decided to forgo his last year at UT, and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 3rd round of the ‘18 draft. For his career, Gaulden recorded 140 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 Birds!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Should also note SEC soccer returns today. Tennessee faces Alabama at 2:00 p.m. on the SEC Network.
@StrangeVol has a thread in the Lady Vols Forum SOCCER is BACK BABY!!!
This will end a 191-day span during which no Tennessee athletics varsity competitions have taken place.
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6 days.......

Without a doubt, my favorite player to ever wear Tennessee Orange, #6, Jimmy Streater. The “Sylva Streak” was the reincarnation of Condredge Holloway, but without the team around him. He burst onto the scene in the 1977 opening game vs Cal, with an 80 yard touchdown, and continued to make huge plays for the next three seasons. Most known for leading the Vols to the upset win over Notre Dame in 1979, Streater was the schools all-time career leader in total yards when he left Knoxville. He finished his career with 3,433 yards passing (17 TDs) and 1,374 yards rushing (25 TDs). After being named All-SEC in ‘79 and leading UT back to a Bowl game for the first time in five years, Streater went and played in the CFL, where his scrambling could be used more effectively, but injuries plagued his career.
After football, Streater was plagued with health issues and passed away at the age of 46. In my humble opinion......Streater was a true legend of Vols football!
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My reasoning behind Streater being my favorite player is simple. Between ages 7-9, I went to probably 15-18 UT games. I saw him in the game vs California (Majors' first game), his 85 yard td to Hancock vs Vandy, the win vs Auburn, the Notre Dame win, and the comeback to tie vs Oregon St. He was my idol as a kid.

Years later, Joe Biddle wrote a story about him in the paper. I knew Joe a little bit and called him. I got the phone number to the rehabilitation center Jimmy was living in, and called him. We talked for almost an hour about his playing days, life, and his struggles. I was going through some of the same struggles, and he was open and honest with me. I've been fortunate to have many great experiences in my life, but talking to my childhood idol about real life issues and struggles is at the top of the list. RIP Jimmy. See ya down the road.

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6 days.......

Without a doubt, my favorite player to ever wear Tennessee Orange, #6, Jimmy Streater. The “Sylva Streak” was the reincarnation of Condredge Holloway, but without the team around him. He burst onto the scene in the 1977 opening game vs Cal, with an 80 yard touchdown, and continued to make huge plays for the next three seasons. Most known for leading the Vols to the upset win over Notre Dame in 1979, Streater was the schools all-time career leader in total yards when he left Knoxville. He finished his career with 3,433 yards passing (17 TDs) and 1,374 yards rushing (25 TDs). After being named All-SEC in ‘79 and leading UT back to a Bowl game for the first time in five years, Streater went and played in the CFL, where his scrambling could be used more effectively, but injuries plagued his career.
After football, Streater was plagued with health issues and passed away at the age of 46. In my humble opinion......Streater was a true legend of Vols football!
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He's another Vols QB that would've been fantastic to watch running today's RPO offenses. He was a lot of fun to watch during my junior high years.
 
During my extended matriculation, Tennessee’s starting quarterbacks were Holloway, Wallace, and Streater.
I don’t go that far back but I’m very familiar with the whole “extended matriculation” concept. I was in school when Peyton was there, but I’m more than a decade older than him. Ahhh, misspent youth....
 
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5 days.........

In 1972, Gary Valbuena #5, came to Knoxville as a strong armed JUCO QB from California. He had the unfortunate situation of playing alongside Condredge Holloway, but when the situation arose, Valbuena rose to the occasion with big moments. He won as a starter vs Hawaii and almost led UT to victory over Auburn and Alabama after Holloway went out with injuries. His best game was in 1972 vs Wake Forrest, when he threw 3 long touchdown passes. He finished his career with 823 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in ‘73 and ended up playing in the WFL for the Southern California Sun. He also played in the 1974 US-Japan American Football Game.

Valbuena in the US-Japan Game........

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4 days.........

Craig Faulkner, #4, was a crafty WR that was a fan favorite from 1990-1993. As a redshirt sophomore in ‘91, Faulkner started 12 games and was the second leading receiver on the team and had over 100 yards vs Vandy. He was also the second leading receiver as a junior with over 100 yards vs Vandy again. As a senior, he set personal bests in receptions, yards, and TDs. For his career, Faulkner had 110 receptions for 1,705 yards and 9 touchdowns.
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