Countdown to September 1st vs Ball State (Top 250 Vols)

[thedocvol]

I did a quick check.......I think it's the highest award given to a former Vol.......

Wow good to know thanks

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

208 days……

#208 - W.O. Lowe

Lowe played at UT from 1914-1916 and then in 1919, following WWI. Lowe played Tackle on two of the Vols best teams. His unique ability to block men much bigger and his quickness on defense helped the Vols to a 9-0 record in 1914 and an 8-0-1 record in 1915. The Vols won the SIAA championship both seasons. “Chink” Lowe went to war in Europe, where he was awarded the Navy Cross. Lowe returned to UT after the war and played his final season in 1919. The Vols didn’t have their best team, but Lowe was spectacular in his play. Lowe was named All-Southern for 1916 and 1919 and was captain of the ‘19 team.

View attachment 433242

Didn't he have three brothers who also played football for Tennessee?

 

[peaygolf]

Didn't he have three brothers who also played football for Tennessee?

Look at #214!

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

Look at #214!

Pay no attention to me, it's my first day back at school in a week. Middle school minds capture my adult intellect, lol.

 

[thedocvol]

Didn't he have three brothers who also played football for Tennessee?

Yes he did. JG, Andy and Ted

 

[OneManGang]

I did a quick check.......I think it's the highest award given to a former Vol.......

Clifton B. Cates earned a Navy Cross and two Distinguished Services Crosses for gallantry during WW!. He was also on the 1914 and 1915 Vol teams. He retired after serving as Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1954.

 

[thedocvol]

Actually forgot about Gen. Austin Shofner. Not sure what medals he was awarded but bet they’re higher.

 

[OneManGang]

BG Shofner earned a DSC in WWII.

 

[peaygolf]

206 days……

#206 - Mack Franklin

Franklin was a starter at defensive end from 1951-1953 and teamed with Doug Atkins for the first two years, in what is often called the best “book-ends” in SEC history. Atkins gets most of the glory, but Franklin was as good as anyone. A dominant run stopper, Franklin helped the Vols to the ‘51 NC and an 8-2-1 record in ‘52. The play that stands out for Franklin was his blocked punt vs Alabama in ‘52 that set up the Vols first TD in the 20-0 win over Bama. Franklin would be named All-SEC in 1952 and 1953 and was captain of the ‘53 squad.

 

[Volizona]

Clifton B. Cates earned a Navy Cross and two Distinguished Services Crosses for gallantry during WW!. He was also on the 1914 and 1915 Vol teams. He retired after serving as Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1954.

View attachment 433314

The players of that generation were a lot smaller and not nearly as fast or strong as today’s players but why do I get the sense that they were 10x tougher.

 

[OneManGang]

The players of that generation were a lot smaller and not nearly as fast or strong as today’s players but why do I get the sense that they were 10x tougher.

Because life itself was 10x tougher. If you wanted a job done, there were three main sources of power: steam, animal muscle and human muscle. That was why a lot of guys liked football. Compared to the work they'd been doing at home, it was easy.

 

[peaygolf]

205 days............

#205 - Tyler Bray


Say what you want, Bray could play. Bray played in a total of 28 games (starting 23) as a Vol from 2010-2012. Although UT never had a winning season with him or Dooley, his stats get him on my list:

*69 TD passes (3rd),
*7,444 passing yards (4th),
*530 yards passing in one game is a UT record,
*four 400 yard passing games,
*two games with 5 TD passes,
*tied a school record with 37 competitions in a game.
*second most passing yards in a season with 3,612
* 10 consecutive games with multiple TD passes

He only started 5 games in 2010 going 4-1, and 7 games in 2011 going 3-1 before his injury vs UGA and 1-1 after his return. Bray decided to forgo his senior season and was signed as an UFA by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. He has stuck around in the league ever since as a back-up, playing for three teams.

 

[MemphisVol77]

The players of that generation were a lot smaller and not nearly as fast or strong as today’s players but why do I get the sense that they were 10x tougher.

Because life itself was 10x tougher. If you wanted a job done, there were three main sources of power: steam, animal muscle and human muscle. That was why a lot of guys liked football. Compared to the work they'd been doing at home, it was easy.

Sports diet, nutrition and medicine were not as advanced as now. Many injuries that today's players rest or rehab 2-6 weeks, then return at full capacity, were regarded as season inhibiting until the off season. I think players were more apt to play & practice through pain, prolonging full recovery from injuries.
Slight supposition on my part here, but I think team doctors weighed availability by pain tolerance more than recovery potential.

The game was played with much more physicality. You could earn your stripes on special teams by breaking up a return wedge with a horizontal dive if you were tough enough. Not in today's game though. I could give a billion other examples.......

Barefoot kickers.

Salt tablets.

 

[Tin Man]

Aside: Salt tablets were liberally dispensed at the 1970 Atlanta Pop Festival.

 

[peaygolf]

204 Days................

#204 - Denarius Moore

Moore, a Texas HS All-American, played at UT from 2007-2010. As a freshman, Moore was named Freshman All-SEC after catching 14 passes for 212 yards. As a soph, he had the 2 longest receptions of the season and finished with 271 yards and 2 TDs. Moore broke out in '09 with 40 receptions (only 1 during his first 3 games due to injuries) for 540 yards and 7 TDs. He also had 4 receptions for 67 yards and a TD in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. As a senior, Moore became only the 7th receiver to ever have over 2,000 career receiving yards. He hauled in 47 receptions for 981 ards and 9 TDs. He also had 82 rushing yards and a TD. He was the only receiver in the country to have two 200 yard receiving games in 2010, and was the first to do it in Tennessee history. He had 12 receptions of over 30 yards and had 228 yards vs South Carolina. For his career, Moore had over 100 yards rushing, 245 return yards, and 112 receptions for 2,004 yards and 18 TDs. Moore never made an All-Conference team, but his big plays and standing in the record books lead him on my list. In 2001, he was drafted in the 5th round by the Raiders. He played 4 seasons in Oakland and played his last season with Buffalo in 2015.

 

[OneManGang]

Aside: Salt tablets were liberally dispensed at the 1970 Atlanta Pop Festival.

Also at every pre- and early season football practice I was ever at from 68-74.

 

[ArdentVol]

206 days……

#206 - Mack Franklin

Franklin was a starter at defensive end from 1951-1953 and teamed with Doug Atkins for the first two years, in what is often called the best “book-ends” in SEC history. Atkins gets most of the glory, but Franklin was as good as anyone. A dominant run stopper, Franklin helped the Vols to the ‘51 NC and an 8-2-1 record in ‘52. The play that stands out for Franklin was his blocked punt vs Alabama in ‘52 that set up the Vols first TD in the 20-0 win over Bama. Franklin would be named All-SEC in 1952 and 1953 and was captain of the ‘53 squad.

View attachment 433398

not really bookends when it came to size?

 

[peaygolf]

not really bookends when it came to size?

Mack must have been quick and mean............cause he was not big!

 

[peaygolf]

203 days……

#203 - Talmadege “Sheriff” Maples

Maples was a Center on the 1931-1933 Vols teams, that some consider the best in school history. Maples headed a line that blocked for two of the greatest players ever to wear Orange……Bettie Feathers and Gene McEver. During Maples three seasons, UT had a 25-3-2 record and a win in the New York City Charity Bowl. A starter all three varsity seasons, Maples was considered, “as tough as a restaurant steak when it came up to backing up the line, and his outstanding play won him recognition as center on the mythical All-Southern team and honorable mention on Rice’s All-American. He performed the duties of captain well.” “Sheriff” was Tennessee’s first All-SEC player from Knoxville, when he was named to the team in 1933. Maples went in to become assistant Postmaster General of the United States.

 

[peaygolf]

202 days……

#202 - Jermaine Copeland

Copeland was a four year letterman from 1995-1998 and played four different positions while in Knoxville. He started off as a QB and then as a running back his first two seasons, rushing 31 times for 145 yards and 4 TDs, while also going 15-22 for 134 yards passing. He also played some WR as a sophomore, catching 16 passes for 191 yards. As a junior in 1997, Copeland moved to WR full time and had a breakout season, gathering in 58 receptions for 732 yards and 9 TDs. He quickly became one of Peyton’s safety nets and made some huge plays. He was also 2-2 passing for 65 yards. As a senior in 1998, Copeland’s numbers were down, due to a more run oriented game, but huge plays in the Syracuse game as well as the UF game, helped the Vols to the NC. He had 29 receptions for 438 yards and a touchdown. Jermaine would finish his career with 103 receptions for 1,361yards and 10 TDs, good for 19th all time in receptions. Copeland would go on to a stellar career in the CFL where he won 2 Grey Cups and was a 3X All-Star.

 

[peaygolf]

201 days..............

#201 - Greg Jones

Accolades don't always prove greatness. Jones was a four year letterman who played for Coach Battle from 1974-1976 and one year under Majors in 1977. Out of Bristol, Jones was a back-up in '74, but still had 14 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. 1975 was a breakout season for Jones, where he made 99 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 ints. His junior season was his best, collecting 136 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries (2 vs Memphis St,) and another int. He played an epic game vs Alabama, where he collected 25 tackles in the loss. As a senior, the change in defense didn't hurt him. He was a tackling machine with 128 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions. In the Vandy game, he tied his personal record with 25 tackles. Jones finished his career with 377 tackles (5th all-time in UT history,) 7 forced fumbles (2nd all-time,) and 6 interceptions. His numbers and impact on the field get him on my list......even though he never made an All- Conference team.

 

[Tin Man]

From the student section, I watched Greg Jones play throughout his tenure. We enrolled at the same time. My matriculation lasted a year beyond his own.

 

[peaygolf]

200 days……

#200 - Anthony Parker

After redshirting in 2004, Parker played in six games in 2005, even starting one at center. In 2006, Parker became a full time starter at Right Guard, but struggled at run blocking during the 9-4 season. As a junior, Parker got it all together. He became a good run blocker was was as good as anyone in the country as a pass protector. He was the leader on maybe the best OLine in UT history; having a 1,000 yard rusher and only giving up 4 sacks in 14 games. Parker helped lead UT to the SEC east title and was named 1st team ALL-SEC and was 2nd team All-American. In 2008, Parker had some turmoil. Dave Clawson didn’t work as OC, UT finished 5-7, and Parker was arrested for disorderly conduct. His play on the field was still great, as he was named 2nd team All-SEC after his senior season. An All-American, All-SEC, and a pivotal role in one of the best OLine’s in school history gets him on my list.

 

[ArdentVol]

201 days..............

#201 - Greg Jones

Accolades don't always prove greatness. Jones was a four year letterman who played for Coach Battle from 1974-1976 and one year under Majors in 1977. Out of Bristol, Jones was a back-up in '74, but still had 14 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. 1975 was a breakout season for Jones, where he made 99 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 ints. His junior season was his best, collecting 136 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries (2 vs Memphis St,) and another int. He played an epic game vs Alabama, where he collected 25 tackles in the loss. As a senior, the change in defense didn't hurt him. He was a tackling machine with 128 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions. In the Vandy game, he tied his personal record with 25 tackles. Jones finished his career with 377 tackles (5th all-time in UT history,) 7 forced fumbles (2nd all-time,) and 6 interceptions. His numbers and impact on the field get him on my list......even though he never made an All- Conference team.

View attachment 434235

never all-SEC??
that's shocking
a true favorite

 

[ArdentVol]

202 days……

#202 - Jermaine Copeland

Copeland was a four year letterman from 1995-1998 and played four different positions while in Knoxville. He started off as a QB and then as a running back his first two seasons, rushing 31 times for 145 yards and 4 TDs, while also going 15-22 for 134 yards passing. He also played some WR as a sophomore, catching 16 passes for 191 yards. As a junior in 1997, Copeland moved to WR full time and had a breakout season, gathering in 58 receptions for 732 yards and 9 TDs. He quickly became one of Peyton’s safety nets and made some huge plays. He was also 2-2 passing for 65 yards. As a senior in 1998, Copeland’s numbers were down, due to a more run oriented game, but huge plays in the Syracuse game as well as the UF game, helped the Vols to the NC. He had 29 receptions for 438 yards and a touchdown. Jermaine would finish his career with 103 receptions for 1,361yards and 10 TDs, good for 19th all time in receptions. Copeland would go on to a stellar career in the CFL where he won 2 Grey Cups and was a 3X All-Star.

View attachment 434107

slipped my mind that he was an RB for a wshile. Didn't realize he had such a successful career in Canada