Remember the 80's?

#1
99bubble

99bubble

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#1
This is the decade I first became a UT fan. My first game was the smackdown on Auburn with Bo Jackson when they were number 1.

I've recently started remembering what that time was like. We started getting on the map again, finishing the year in the top 10. Then we were ranked in the top 5 during the season (can't remember exactly when; maybe you pros can help me) only to lose a heartbreaking game to UCLA at home.

The payoff for going through that rebuilding was the 90's. I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed the 90's without following the Vols through the 80's. So, although the last few years have been tough, I'm beginning to enjoy this process and with the recruiting class taking shape and Bray and the young ones starting to get better with each week it's only getting better. There will be setbacks along the way, like that UCLA loss way back when, but there is a great chance another decade of dominance is around the corner. And, with a little luck, maybe even better than the last decade of dominance.

While it's tough lately to be a Vol fan, it really will make the other side of this that much sweeter.

Go Vols! Let's win out and get to bowl game and then build on it next year after our top 15 recruiting class! :rock:
 
#3
#3
I was at that Auburn game too. I didn't really appreciate what I was witnessing. The current team is only going to get better. With time, and the addition of more players, this group of freshman could be really special.
 
#5
#5
My first memories are around the 1986-87 season, 1st grade or so. Just shades of rememberance, but it only got better from then on. :)
 
#6
#6
Unfortunately, the first thing I remember about Tennessee football is watching Herschel Walker annihilate Bill Bates.
 
#7
#7
Well guys, you should have been there in the 70s when we were winning 5,6, or even 7 games every year. Makes you appreciate those 9 and 10 win seasons a whole lot more.
 
#8
#8
GreveHaller said:
Well guys, you should have been there in the 70s when we were winning 5,6, or even 7 games every year. Makes you appreciate those 9 and 10 win seasons a whole lot more.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the Vols of today.
 
#9
#9
99bubble said:
This is the decade I first became a UT fan. My first game was the smackdown on Auburn with Bo Jackson when they were number 1.

I've recently started remembering what that time was like. We started getting on the map again, finishing the year in the top 10. Then we were ranked in the top 5 during the season (can't remember exactly when; maybe you pros can help me) only to lose a heartbreaking game to UCLA at home.
Click to expand...

I started following the VOLS in '79 when I was 10. I'm not sure if the UCLA game you are referring to is from 1985, but that was the first game I attended. It seemed like a loss because we blew a 26-10 4th quarter lead in the final 8 minutes to end up with a 26-26 tie.

But yeah, those were some fun years seeing the team build up from in the early 80's to knocking off #1 Auburn and Bo Jackson and steamrolling Miami in the Sugar Bowl in '85. Then falling off in '86-'88 only to rebound in '89 and then win the SEC and Sugar Bowl again in '90. Then the great run through the '90's culminating in the National Championship.

The 2000's on the other hand.... :banghead2:
 
#10
#10
I began following the Vols in 2000 as an 11 year old. My first real memory was the 2001 season and the heartbreak at the end (although the Capital One Bowl beatdown of UM was quite the memory).
 
#12
#12
I started following Tennessee football in 1995 or 1996, barely into grade school.

Best memory besides winning the '98 National Title for me is the '04 Florida game. I've never been more happy after a win than I was right then.
 
#13
#13
First games I remember were early 90s. My dad went to highschool with Bill Bates, pretty funny that he got destroyed. I don't understand this thing about calling it a "decade of dominance" we didn't exactly run the decade. If you like illiterations call it a "decent decade"
 
#14
#14
NoWooInRockyTop said:
First games I remember were early 90s. My dad went to highschool with Bill Bates, pretty funny that he got destroyed. I don't understand this thing about calling it a "decade of dominance" we didn't exactly run the decade. If you like illiterations call it a "decent decade"
Click to expand...

Tennessee won more games in the 90s than any other program that's a lot better than just decent
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#15
#15
First game for me was Sept 75 against Auburn. Larry Seivers skyed over 2 AU defenders to grab a pass and get the TD. There were still bleacher seats in the endzone and the big orange "UT" on the side of the hill the kids used to slide down. The last game of that year was against Vandy which we lost 17-14. I remember it because I was on the top row of section I and there was no upper deck above me.
 
#17
#17
I started following the Vols around 95-96 so I've been spoiled......the 90's were nice......early 2000's were good.....last 5 years......not so much
 
#19
#19
nickknx865 said:
I started following Tennessee football in 1995 or 1996, barely into grade school.

Best memory besides winning the '98 National Title for me is the '04 Florida game. I've never been more happy after a win than I was right then.
Click to expand...

So you were always a front-runner bandwagoner. Cool story bro.
 
#21
#21
IPorange said:
So you were always a front-runner bandwagoner. Cool story bro.
Click to expand...

Yes. Because my favorite college football team is 3-6 right now. My other favorite college team is on probation right now. My NFL team hasn't won a league title since 1962. My NBA team hasn't won crap in......a long time. MLB, ok, yea, the Sox are good and have been for a while now. My NHL team has never won a playoff series.

Yes, such a bandwagoner.
 
#22
#22
I was born in 86, so my earliest memories are of Andy Kelly's Vols. I had a decent understanding of what 98 meant @ the time. The problem was, every year after that I understood/learned more about the Vols, the program declined. (Generally speaking, of course) The upside being that we've gotten our bad years out of the way. (SURELY)
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#23
#23
Tennessee was chosen for me as my tournament team in march maddness many years ago at school. I was around 8 or 9 years old at the time, and have had a knack for the boys in orange ever since. I have buddies who attend school there and i have been on campus multiple times. Whats not to love?!


Btw i'm 20:)
 
#24
#24
99bubble said:
This is the decade I first became a UT fan. My first game was the smackdown on Auburn with Bo Jackson when they were number 1.

I've recently started remembering what that time was like. We started getting on the map again, finishing the year in the top 10. Then we were ranked in the top 5 during the season (can't remember exactly when; maybe you pros can help me) only to lose a heartbreaking game to UCLA at home.

The payoff for going through that rebuilding was the 90's. I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed the 90's without following the Vols through the 80's. So, although the last few years have been tough, I'm beginning to enjoy this process and with the recruiting class taking shape and Bray and the young ones starting to get better with each week it's only getting better. There will be setbacks along the way, like that UCLA loss way back when, but there is a great chance another decade of dominance is around the corner. And, with a little luck, maybe even better than the last decade of dominance.

While it's tough lately to be a Vol fan, it really will make the other side of this that much sweeter.

Go Vols! Let's win out and get to bowl game and then build on it next year after our top 15 recruiting class! :rock:
Click to expand...

The game against UCLA was a 26-26 tie to start the season....I remember it well...I have some great happy memories of the 80s and some bad ones too...However my first game in person was against Vanderbilt in 1973...Sat on those old wooden bleachers out in the north endzone..Hated those things, Easy way to get a splinter in your butt lol...My brother bought me a big orange UT flag that I waved the entire game...We won the game and from that moment on I was hooked and became a UT sports addict.
 
#25
#25
I vaguely remember the Sugar Bowl against Miami. I was 3 and in the living room at my grandfather's house. I thought it was an actual bowl of sugar too.
 
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