Forever151, Bobby played on some truly extraordinary pass defenses. In 1969, he was used primarily as a kick returner, but opponents completed 152-288 passes for 1990 yds. and 11 tds, with 30 interceptions. In 1970, Tennessee was even better; opponents completed 174-358 passes for 1963 yds. and only 4 tds, with a mind-boggling 36 interceptions. That is an incomprehensible 1:9 ratio for touchdowns/interceptions. Bobby also set the single-season school record with 10 interceptions that year. Over those two years, we intercepted an astonishing 1 out of every ten pass attempts.
The 1970 and 1971 Tennessee teams also established single-season NCAA records in four separate defensive categories. Some of these records remain unbroken to this day and, given the efficiency of modern offenses, probably never will be broken.
MOST OPPONENTS TURNOVERS
57Tennessee, 1970 (21 fumbles recovered, 36 interceptions)
MOST YARDS GAINED ON INTERCEPTION RETURNS
782Tennessee, 1971 (25 interceptions)
HIGHEST AVERAGE PER INTERCEPTION RETURN
(Min. 10-14 ints.) 36.3Oregon St., 1959 (12 for 436)
(Min. 15 ints.) 31.3Tennessee, 1971 (25 for 782)
MOST TOUCHDOWNS ON INTERCEPTION RETURNS
7Tennessee, 1971 (25 interceptions; 287 pass attempts against)
Please note that, in the 1971 Sugar Bowl victory (34-13) over Air Force, we had an additional four fumble recoveries and four interceptions. Bowl games were not counted statistically in those days. Otherwise, our NCAA single season record for turnovers would be 65, not 57.