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

[PineyBluff Vo]

Peay: you forgot "Alabama" as the opponent in the sentence beginning "With the game tied at 34 with only minutes remaining..." I'll delete this line after you add it, too.

My parents were at that game: their favorite game ever. Love that you led with "Mumford." John Ward loved to say it.

 

[StarRaider]

Peay: you forgot "Alabama" as the opponent in the sentence beginning "With the game tied at 34 with only minutes remaining..." I'll delete this line after you add it, too.

My parents were at that game: their favorite game ever. Love that you led with "Mumford." John Ward loved to say it.

I was working in Montgomery County PA during that game, I called my mom and asked her to set the phone down near the radio so I could listen to the game (original streaming device) and went nuts in my work trailer when Johnnie Jones made that run (as described by John Ward with John Anderson making all kinds of noise in the background).

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

I was working in Montgomery County PA during that game, I called my mom and asked her to set the phone down near the radio so I could listen to the game (original streaming device) and went nuts in my work trailer when Johnnie Jones made that run (as described by John Ward with John Anderson making all kinds of noise in the background).

Long distance???

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I was working in Montgomery County PA during that game, I called my mom and asked her to set the phone down near the radio so I could listen to the game (original streaming device) and went nuts in my work trailer when Johnnie Jones made that run (as described by John Ward with John Anderson making all kinds of noise in the background).

Heh, this is EXACTLY how I listened to the Arkansas game in '98. Stationed at the Pentagon, game wasn't on TV there, nor any local radio, so listened to it through the phone while talking with my Mom and Dad who had it on radio. Since my Mom was in the house and my dad in the garage, I was hearing it in a weird kind of stereo. Couldn't actually understand much of it, but I definitely got it when my dad started yelling that the Arkansas QB fumbled the ball.

Go Vols!

p.s. Yep, @TennesseeTarheel , long distance for me.

 

[StarRaider]

Long distance???

yes indeed on the company's dime. notice that i did not disclose who i was working for just in case the statutes of limitations for long distance phone calls have not run out.

 

[IndianaVol]

yes indeed on the company's dime. notice that i did not disclose who i was working for just in case the statutes of limitations for long distance phone calls have not run out.

Is there even such a thing as a long distance charge on a land line phone anymore?

 

[Rifleman]

Peay: you forgot "Alabama" as the opponent in the sentence beginning "With the game tied at 34 with only minutes remaining..." I'll delete this line after you add it, too.

My parents were at that game: their favorite game ever. Love that you led with "Mumford." John Ward loved to say it.

I'll never forget listening to this one on the radio. Hell, I still listen to it! John Ward calling a Bama whupping at Neyland is for me is as soothing as rain on a tin roof or a Beethoven sonata.

 

[peaygolf]

Peay: you forgot "Alabama" as the opponent in the sentence beginning "With the game tied at 34 with only minutes remaining..." I'll delete this line after you add it, too.

My parents were at that game: their favorite game ever. Love that you led with "Mumford." John Ward loved to say it.

Thanks bud! it was late and my mind was asleep

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

yes indeed on the company's dime. notice that i did not disclose who i was working for just in case the statutes of limitations for long distance phone calls have not run out.

DISA card? I had my number memorized - something like 24 numbers.

(Now I can't remember my cell phone number)

 

[ArdentVol]

48 days.............

#48 - Jamie Rotella

Rotella was part of a stellar linebacking corps that played in the '60s and early '70s. From NJ, Rotella burst onto the scene in his first varsity year , making 112 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions in 1970. As a junior in 1971, he played in 10 games and intercepted one pass and continued being a tackling machine, registering 111 tackles and a forced fumble. His senior season was one for the record books. While earning a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll, he also set a then record 190 tackles for the season, still 2nd on the single season list at UT. He was honored as a 1st Team All-SEC player and 1st Team All-American. He finished his career as the all-time leader in tackles, with 413 (in only 3 seasons and 32 career games.) To this day, Rotella is remembered as a true leader and one of the most dominant defensive players in school history. UT had a record of 31-5 during his seasons at UT, one of the best stretches in school history.

View attachment 473015

one of my favorites in those crazy daze

 

[ArdentVol]

55 days................

#55 - Curt Watson

The "Crossville Comet", for you real youngsters, is often regarded as the greatest fullback in Tennessee history. His marvelous body control, powerful legs, and natural gift for finding gaps in the opposition’s defense made Watson an offensive threat that propelled the Tennessee Volunteers to the top of the Southeastern Conference. Watson made the starting lineup at the beginning of his sophomore year and led the Volunteers to a 9-1 season and an SEC championship in 1969, followed by an appearance in the Gator Bowl. In the succeeding season, Tennessee’s record climbed to 10-1, and Watson led the Vols to a 34-13 victory over the Air Force Academy in the Sugar Bowl. Watson’s senior year found the Volunteers with a 9-2 record and an invitation to play Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl. Despite suffering from a painful rib injury that kept him out of this bowl game until late in the third quarter, Watson, padded and bandaged, provided the rushing punch necessary to lead the Vols to a late fourth-period touchdown and a 14-13 victory. Curt Watson still ranks tenth among Tennessee’s all-time rushing leaders. In three years as the starter, Watson never rushed for less that 700 yards in a season and held the record for most yards in a game (197) and in a career when he left UT. He ended his career with a school-record 2,364 yards on 529 rushes, twenty-two touchdowns, and a 5.4 yards-per-carry average. Watson was named 1st Team All-SEC all three years at Tennessee. Watson moved on to two years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. He then joined the Navy and was accepted for flight school. His eleven years as a Navy pilot included a four-stint with the internationally heralded Blue Angels.

View attachment 471275

truly one of my all-time favorites

 

[ArdentVol]

54 days……

#54 - Keith DeLong

DeLong comes from a long family line of distinguished Vols. As a freshman linebacker, Keith was one of two true freshman to see action, making 19 tackles, mainly on special teams. As a sophomore in 1986, DeLong was limited due to a back injury, but played in 9 games, making 27 tackles. In 1987, Keith became a star, making 125 tackles. He had 16 stops vs Auburn, 17 vs Vanderbilt, and 13 in the Peach Bowl. He was named 2nd Team All-SEC and won SEC defensive player of the week twice. In 1988, as a captain, DeLong continued his dominance, leading the team with 159 tackles, including a monster game vs Alabama, where he made 23 stops. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award and was named 1st team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. For his career he made 330 tackles, 16 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. DeLong was a 1st round pick by the 49ers and played from 1989-1993, winning one Super Bowl. According to his coach, Johnny Majors, "they don't come any finer as a college performer than Keith DeLong."

View attachment 471490

went to most of his Dad's games

 

[peaygolf]

36 days…….

#36 - Dale Carter

A JUCO star, Carter played two seasons in Knoxville in 1990 and 1991, and helped the Vols to an 18-5-2 record, one SEC Championship, and a Fiesta Bowl berth. In two seasons, he became one of Tennessee football’s most prolific cornerbacks and return specialists. Those two years were all he needed to become one of the greatest players to ever play for the Vols. The breakout game for Carter came in 1990 against the Florida Gators. That game, UT was holding onto a 7-3 lead at halftime. However, Carter returned the opening kickoff in the second half for a touchdown. He also had two interceptions and broke the game open, leading the Vols to a 45-3 victory in their first matchup with Florida under Steve Spurrier. Carter finished the ‘90 season with 58 tackles, returned one of his five interceptions for a TD, and led the nation with 507 yards on 17 returns for an average of 29.82 yards per return. Carter also returned 29 punts for 381 yards, a 13.1-yard average. He also had two interceptions and 10 tackles in the Sugar Bowl win over UVA. He was named All-SEC as a free safety and All-American as a kick returner. As a senior, Carter continued his efforts, making 50 tackles, intercepting 4 passes, and averaging 23.1 yards per kick return. His interception in the Notre Dame game lead to the winning touchdown in the “Miracle in South Bend.” He was a finalist for the Thorpe Award and was again named 1st team All-SEC and All-American. In only 23 games, Carter had over 100 tackles, 9 interceptions, and over 1,600 return yards on punts and kicks. He was electric with the ball in his hands, and is widely considered one of the most underrated Vols in school history.

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

37 days……

#37 - Johnnie Jones

Out of Mumford, Tn, Jones was a work horse for Coach Majors. As a freshman in 1981, Jones played very little, gaining a total of 25 yards. In ‘82, Jones was splitting time at tailback, a had good games vs Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt. For the season, he had 421 yards and 4 touchdowns. With the starting job seemingly in hand as a junior, Jones injured his ankle and played only sparingly in the first three games, prompting him to consider quitting football. Listening to his father’s advice, Jones stuck it out for one more week. Six days later, Jones erupted for 121 yards in front of his family and friends vs The Citadel in Memphis. The rest is history. A few weeks later, Jones etched his name into lore. In the annual battle with Alabama, and the game tied at 34 with only minutes remaining, Jones took a 3rd and 11 pitch, and weaved his way 66 yards for the winning TD. He finished with 112 yards for the game. The following few weeks, Jones set two UT records with 41 carries for 234 yards vs Rutgers. He broke his own record with 248 yards vs Vanderbilt. He also the MVP of the Citrus Bowl win over Maryland, rushing for 154 yards and two 4th quarter touchdowns in the 30-23 victory. He finished with 1,116 yards (first Vol ever over a thousand) and 5 TDs and was named 1st team All-SEC. Jones started off the ‘84 season as a Heisman candidate, and rushed for 203 yards in the opener and followed that up with 197 yards in game two and 118 yards in the tie with Army. He injured himself vs Auburn and fought the injury the rest of the season. He still managed to score the game winning TD vs Bama again, and record 100 yard games down the stretch vs UK and Vanderbilt. Jones was again named 1st team All-SEC, as well as 2nd team All-American, rushing for 1,290 yards and 10 TDs. For his career, Johnnie rushed for 2,852 yards and 19 TDs. He held records in total rushing yards, most carries in a single game, most yards in a single game, and most consecutive 100 yard games (6) when he left UT. Several backs have surpassed his totals since, but Jones was the first. He helped set the stage for the ‘85 season and the resurgence of Vols football into the national spotlight again. Jones is still revered for his greatness and deserves to be mentioned more as one of the greatest backs in school history.

View attachment 475630

My dad officiated some of Johnnie's games at Mumford. That was a pretty good trip from Paris on a Friday afternoon; he would have to leave right after school to make it there on time. Johnnie became one of my dad's favorites, and as a result, one of mine as well.

 

[ArdentVol]

65 days…….

#65 - Richmond Flowers

No. His stats don’t rank in the upper echelon of UT greats, but if you know football, Richmond Flowers was one of the best. Speed was his weapon. In his first season with the varsity, he caught 35 passes for 407 yards and 5 TDs. He also carried the ball 19 times for 82 yards. He was instrumental in the Bowl win over Syracuse and was named to the sophomore All-SEC team. As a junior in 1967, Flowers caught 41 passes for 585 yards and 4 TDs. He also had 8 kickoff returns for 173 yards. He helped UT to an SEC Championship and a National Championship, while being named 2nd Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American by the Football News. In 1968, he was moved to full time tailback and battled injuries all season. He still had 375 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. He scored twice in the UCLA win and scored the only touchdown in the 10-9 victory over Alabama. He also caught 25 passes for 180 yards and was named 2nd team All-SEC. For his career, Flowers had 1,659 yards from scrimmage and 16 TDs. He was also a word class track athlete, and narrowly missed out on the 1968 Olympics due to an injury. He was a 2nd round pick by the Cowboys and also played for the Giants and in the WFL.

View attachment 468190

wish i still had the No. 22 orange and white jersey that i treasured while in hs
had the good fortune to watch him at several track meets,
{a good neighbor of ours went up against richmond in regonal meet while in HS)

 

[MAD]

*Make sure you read the fine print.

 

[peaygolf]

35 days..............

#35 - Ted Daffer

Guard Ted Daffer locked down the middle of the defensive line during a dominant time for Tennessee football. He was a 2X All-SEC performer and was the only two-time All-America from the 1950 or 1951 squads.
Fellow All-Americas Bud Sherrod, Bill Pearman and Doug Atkins joined Daffer, a three-year starter for the Vols at guard, on the defense. They helped Tennessee to an 11-1 record and a national championship from one poll in 1950, losing only the second game of the season to Mississippi State.
Daffer returned the following season to help the squad become consensus national champions in 1951, going undefeated in the regular season. He is remembered for his constant harassment of UK quarterback Babe Parilli in the showdown in Lexington. Being the only player elected All-American twice on the great teams of 1950 and 1951 earns Daffer a place high on the list. His speed and power around the edge were unmatched in the country.....except for maybe Atkins.

 

[ArdentVol]

was working in office in tuscaloosa and listened to game on bama broadcast. Spent more time keeping my mouth shut amid flights from co-workers for shots from the marlboro reds and laid low after that run.

It just happened that i was newbie to bammerland after moving from NC that spring

 

[MAD]

 

[Orange.]

was working in office in tuscaloosa and listened to game on bama broadcast. Spent more time keeping my mouth shut amid flights from co-workers for shots from the marlboro reds and laid low after that run.

It just happened that i was newbie to bammerland after moving from NC that spring

Did you just call bama "the marlboro reds"? That's precision bombing.

 

[peaygolf]

34 Days...............

#34 - Carl Pickens

Carl Pickens was a staple in the Vols' offense during his three years and earned national recognition his junior year with an All-America nod in 1991. Pickens caught 49 passes for 817 yards his junior year for an average of 17.9 yards per catch. His 79.73 receiving yards per game led the SEC. Quarterback Andy Kelly hooked up with Pickens for an 87-yard touchdown against Auburn for what was the longest pass play in school history at the time. His numbers the previous year, however, were even better when he had 53 catches for 917 yards. He led the Vols both seasons in receptions and yards. He played both ways in 1989, recording four interceptions in four games at free safety. He was named the Defensive MVP of the 1990 Cotton Bowl. and was also a 2X All-SEC selection in 1990 and 1991. For his career, he had 109 receptions for 1,875 yards and 13 TDs, 912 return yards and 2 TDS, and an interception returned for a TD. Pickens was the Cincinnati Bengals' No.1 draft choice in the 1992 NFL Draft after deciding to bypass his senior campaign at UT.

 

[MemphisVol77]

34 Days...............

#34 - Carl Pickens

Carl Pickens was a staple in the Vols' offense during his three years and earned national recognition his junior year with an All-America nod in 1991. Pickens caught 49 passes for 817 yards his junior year for an average of 17.9 yards per catch. His 79.73 receiving yards per game led the SEC. Quarterback Andy Kelly hooked up with Pickens for an 87-yard touchdown against Auburn for what was the longest pass play in school history at the time. His numbers the previous year, however, were even better when he had 53 catches for 917 yards. He led the Vols both seasons in receptions and yards. He played both ways in 1989, recording four interceptions in four games at free safety. He was named the Defensive MVP of the 1990 Cotton Bowl. and was also a 2X All-SEC selection in 1990 and 1991. For his career, he had 109 receptions for 1,875 yards and 13 TDs, 912 return yards and 2 TDS, and an interception returned for a TD. Pickens was the Cincinnati Bengals' No.1 draft choice in the 1992 NFL Draft after deciding to bypass his senior campaign at UT.

View attachment 476336

The Venus Fly Trap.

Did they call him that while at UT, or was it not until he was in the NFL?

 

[peaygolf]

The Venus Fly Trap.

Did they call him that while at UT, or was it not until he was in the NFL?

Think it was nfl…… not 100%

I’ve actually never heard him called that…….that’s why I think it must have been after UT.

 

[IndianaVol]

The Venus Fly Trap.

Did they call him that while at UT, or was it not until he was in the NFL?

Think it was nfl…… not 100%

I’ve actually never heard him called that…….that’s why I think it must have been after UT.

Do believe the term was coined by the media in Cincinnati after Pickens garnered Offensive POY with 99 receptions as a rookie...followed that up with a 100 catch season.

 

[peaygolf]

33 days……

#33 - Condredge Holloway

Quite possibly, the most revered Vol of all time. Holloway is a true legend in every aspect and a true VFL. In his first game of his first varsity season in 1972, Holloway became the first black quarterback to start in the SEC, and guided the Vols to a win over Georgia Tech. Holloway would guide the Vols to a 10-2 record, a win over #6 Penn St, and a Bluebonnet Bowl win over LSU. For the season, he threw for 807 yards and 3 TDs, attempted a then record 91 passes without an interception, and was named SEC sophomore of the year. As a junior, the “Artful Dodger” was 89 of 154 passing for 1,149 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 433 yards and four scores on 128 carries. Throughout the season, Holloway weaved and scrambled his way into the hearts of fans across the country. He led the Vols to the Gator Bowl and was selected as 1st team All-SEC, 2nd team All-American, and was named College Football Player of the Year by the Atlanta Sports Club. Holloway’s senior-season statistical totals included 1,146 passing yards and 267 rushing yards for 1,413 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns (five passing, two rushing). He fought injuries all season, but still led UT to dramatic finishes vs UCLA, Clemson, Vanderbilt, and the Liberty Bowl win over Maryland. When he was finished at UT, Holloway was the all-time leader in total yards with 4,068. His 23 victories were the most ever during a three year career. He was third in passing yards with 3,102 and had the lowest interception percentage by a passer (2.9, 12 in 407 attempts). Holloway was also a standout player on the baseball team and turned down a pro career out of high school to join the Vols. After college, Holloway went to play in the CFL, where he continued his legendary status and became one of the greatest players in their league’s history. Yes, his numbers are average for today’s standards, but what he did in his era, his impact culturally, his toughness, and his amazing talent make him one of the greatest quarterbacks in school history. Imagine what he would do in today’s game……