Official Countdown to the 2019 Tennessee Vols Football Season

90 days.........

On November 18,1978, aided by All-American Roland James’ 90 yrd interception return, Tennessee deafened Ole Miss 41-17. James would have 7 ints for 126 yrds for the season.
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89 days.........

In 1994, Peyton Manning completed 89 passes for 1,141 yrds and 11 of his 89 career touchdown passes. Manning sits atop of the Vols record book and 4th in SEC history with his touchdown total.
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Willie Gault caught 89 passes for 1482 yards that went for 10 TDs in his career.

As a kick returner he returned 78 punts for 659 yards and 1 TD and as for kicks offs he had 78 returns for 1854 yards with 4 TDs, he ran one TD all the way to the State Capital.
 
Willie Gault caught 89 passes for 1482 yards that went for 10 TDs in his career.

As a kick returner he returned 78 punts for 659 yards and 1 TD and as for kicks offs he had 78 returns for 1854 yards with 4 TDs, he ran one TD all the way to the State Capital.
One my all time favorite Vols
 
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88 days.......

On January 1, 1943, Vols QB Walter Slater was 7-15 for 88 yrds in a 14-7 victory over #4 Tulsa in the Sugar Bowl. UT would finish 9-1-1 and ranked #7.
After leaving Knoxville to serve in WWII, Slater would return to finish his playing career as a Vol. He would play one season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and led the NFL in punt return yards. He left the team over a $500 contract dispute.
Slater would go on to be a High school coach and mayor of St Augustine Beach, Fl.
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88 days.......

On January 1, 1943, Vols QB Walter Slater was 7-15 for 88 yrds in a 14-7 victory over #4 Tulsa in the Sugar Bowl. UT would finish 9-1-1 and ranked #7.
After leaving Knoxville to serve in WWII, Slater would return to finish his playing career as a Vol. He would play one season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and led the NFL in punt return yards. He left the team over a $500 contract dispute.
Slater would go on to be a High school coach and mayor of St Augustine Beach, Fl.
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It always baffled me how St. Augustine became so great. Now I know.
 
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Almost went to Flagler College there. Great city. Oldest in the US
We were heading down to Daytona and got off to a late start and ended up pulling in there(I hit the wall so to speak when it came to driving and needing to sleep.) for the night. It was more morning than night. After spending the day there we ended up coming back and staying there for a different vacation.
 
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87 days.........

On September 28, 1991, the #5 Vols defeated #13 Auburn 30-21, with the help of an Andy Kelly to Carl Pickens 87 yrd TD pass (2nd longest in school history.) Kelly finished the game with 355 yrds passing and Pickens had 172 yrds receiving. The two also had a 67 yrd TD for good measure.
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How about defeating Auburn at Auburn in 2018? Find that good news where you can.

For sure. I made plans that ended up falling thru to attend that game. It would have been a good one to attend. I haven’t seen us win there yet. Bring on 2032. I would like to see us play 9 SEC teams in the regular season. With rotating home and home games with the west teams.
 
86 days........

On September 7, 1996, Terry Fair returned a 4th quarter punt 86 yrds for a TD in the Vols 35-20 victory over UCLA. Later on in November, Fair did it again by returning a 3rd quarter punt 86 yrds for another TD in a 55-14 Homecoming win over Arkansas.
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85 days.......

Lots of good ones for 85, but I can’t pass up my favorite Vol...and I was there as a 9 yr old.

On December 1, 1979, Jimmy Streater, who was cleared to play minutes before the game after missing the previous two, connected on an 85 yrd TD pass to Anthony Hancock in the Vols 31-10 victory over Vanderbilt. They also teamed up for a 41 yrd TD as well. Hancock had 163 yrds receiving and Streater had 236 yrds passing. Streater set the record for most passing yards in school history that day and the 85 yarder was the longest in school history at the time. RIP Jimmy!
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84 days..........

On January 1, 1986, Tennessee faced second team All-American Vinny Testaverde and the Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl. The key factor in the Vols 35-7 victory was the exceptional play of Ken Donahue’s Defense. The explosive Hurricanes were held to 269 yrds of offense. The Vols Defense also recorded 7 sacks for 84 yrds of losses.
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83 days.........

During his stellar career in Knoxville, Johnny Majors did many things on the football field.
He ran for 1,622 yrds, threw for 1,135 yds, returned punts and kicks, and even had 2 interceptions. Last, but not least, Majors averaged 39.1 yrds on 83 career punts. A living legend!

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81 days........

On November 3, 2001, the Vols traveled to South Bend to play the Irish. After a scoreless 1st quarter, Julian Battle forced a fumble, picked it up and raced 81 yards for a TD. Battle would force 2 fumbles that day and help lead UT to a 28-18 victory!
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84 days..........

On January 1, 1986, Tennessee faced second team All-American Vinny Testaverde and the Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl. The key factor in the Vols 35-7 victory was the exceptional play of Ken Donahue’s Defense. The explosive Hurricanes were held to 269 yrds of offense. The Vols Defense also recorded 7 sacks for 84 yrds of losses.
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Drove from Bristol to watch this game with 5 of my buddies. Got to see my good friend Todd Kirk #66 start at center. Great memories!
 
In '79, I finally completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Tennessee. At the time, I thought it had taken me forever to become an alumnus. Ha! What a long, strange trip it's been since then...
 

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