Today in Tennessee football history..........

[peaygolf]

November 20, 1971........

In the Vols last game at Stoll Field, Curt Watson ran for 152 yrds on 30 carries, including a 26 yrd td. UT had the lead 14-7, when Kentucky marched down the field and had the ball on the 9 yrd line. Carl Johnson picked off a Bernie Scruggs pitchout, and returned it 87 yrds for a touchdown, securing the 21-7 victory. Johnson’s td was one of seven interceptions returned for TDs during the ‘71 season.

Curt Watson and Carl Johnson
Vols and ‘cats

 

[Arrested Devolopment]

November 14, 1998........

Way too simple..........

The #10 Arkansas Razorbacks came to Knoxville to face the #1 ranked Vols. Arkansas raced out to a 21-10 halftime lead, that stunned the 106,000 fans. Traded field goals and a Tee Martin td run made the score 24-20.

For twelve minutes, neither team could score. Deon Grant blocked a FG attempt, but UT couldn’t muster points. With 2:54 seconds left, Arkansas attempted a punt, but a high snap led to a safety. Down two, UT couldn’t move the ball and turned the ball over on downs with less than 2 minuets left. Then.....the miracle happened. Clint Stoerner stumbled, then laid the ball on the ground, allowing Billy Ratliff to recover the ball on the Hogs 43 yrd line. Travis Henry took over, running 5 straight times and scoring with 31 seconds left, giving the Vols a 28-24 victory. Henry finished with 32 carries for 197 yrds and 1 huge touchdown!

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Magical season!

 

[peaygolf]

November 21, 1987..........

Down 20-17 in the fourth quarter, Jeff Francis hit Terrance Cleveland for their 2nd TD to give the Vols a 24-20 lead. Kentucky marched down the field and had 1st and goal at the 5. Three consecutive runs from Mark Higgs could not get the ‘Cats across the goal line. On 4th down from the one, SEC Defensive Player of the Week, Mike Whitehead, lost his helmet and stopped Higgs short of the goal line. An intentional safety helped preserve the 24-22 Vol victory. Reggie Cobb had 144 yrds rushing and eclipsed the 1,000 yrd barrier for the season.

Whitehead and The Stop!!!

 

[peaygolf]

November 22, 1975......

Big plays helped the Vols to a 17-0 lead over UK in Lexington. A long pass to Larry Seivers set up a Mike Gayles TD and Stanley Morgan scored on an 80 yrd run. Morgan had 138 yrds on 17 carries. UT had a hard time in the second half, but the defense held strong on 4th down with 3 minuets left, and secured the 17-13 victory. With the win, Tennessee became the eleventh team to win 500 career games.

 

[Tin Man]

In Fall of 1975, I ran into Stanley Morgan in Melrose Hall.

 

[peaygolf]

In Fall of 1975, I ran into Stanley Morgan in Melrose Hall.

Or did he run over you?????

 

[Tin Man]

Or did he run over you?????

Ha ha! No, he was relaxed and friendly.

 

[OneManGang]

November 22, 1975......

Big plays helped the Vols to a 17-0 lead over UK in Lexington. A long pass to Larry Seivers set up a Mike Gayles TD and Stanley Morgan scored on an 80 yrd run. Morgan had 138 yrds on 17 carries. UT had a hard time in the second half, but the defense held strong on 4th down with 3 minuets left, and secured the 17-13 victory. With the win, Tennessee became the eleventh team to win 500 career games.

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In the "Great Vol Wide Receivers" they asked Morgan about being converted from wide receiver to tail back. He said that to be a tailback in the SEC you have to be tough and that playing that spot toughened him up for the NFL. It must have worked as "Stanley Steamer" went to 4 Pro Bowls and averaged over 19 yards per catch during a 12-year career with the Patriots.

 

[peaygolf]

In the "Great Vol Wide Receivers" they asked Morgan about being converted from wide receiver to tail back. He said that to be a tailback in the SEC you have to be tough and that playing that spot toughened him up for the NFL. It must have worked as "Stanley Steamer" went to 4 Pro Bowls and averaged over 19 yards per catch during a 12-year career with the Patriots.

One of the “forgotten “ greats!!!!!

 

[peaygolf]

November 23, 1985.......

Leading Kentucky only 6-0 at the half, Darryl Dickey led the Vols to 22 3rd quarter points with his three TD passes (2 to Tim McGee) and finished the game 11-17 and 182 yards. Dickey was named AP and UPI Southeast player of the week. With the 42-0 victory in Lexington, the Vols inched closer to the SEC Championship.


McGee and Dickey

 

[peaygolf]

November 24, 1979.......

With 5 seconds left, Phil Ingram handled a poor snap and Alan Duncan kicked a 25 yrd field goal, to give the Vols a 20-17 victory in Lexington. The win assured the Vols of a Bluebonnet Bowl bid. With Jimmy Streater out with a knee injury, Jeff Olszewski filled in admirably. His main job was handing the ball off to Hubert Simpson. Simpson had a school record 35 carries for 181 yrds.

Duncan mobbed

Olszewski diving for yrds

 

[MAD]

November 24, 1979.......

With 5 seconds left, Phil Ingram handled a poor snap and Alan Duncan kicked a 25 yrd field goal, to give the Vols a 20-17 victory in Lexington. The win assured the Vols of a Bluebonnet Bowl bid. With Jimmy Streater out with a knee injury, Jeff Olszewski filled in admirably. His main job was handing the ball off to Hubert Simpson. Simpson had a school record 35 carries for 181 yrds.

Duncan mobbed
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Olszewski diving for yrds
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The following week we were all singing at the Vandy game, “Everything’s Better With Bluebonnet On It”.

 

[Tin Man]

The Bluebonnet Bowl... Doesn't that take you back...

 

[peaygolf]

The Bluebonnet Bowl... Doesn't that take you back...

yes it does

 

[Tennesseefan2019]

In honor of it being Vanderbilt week here's a Tennessee-Vanderbilt game of the past. On November 30th 1985 #10 ranked 7-1-2 Tennessee hosted 3-6-1 Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium. Tennessee's defense completely dominated and they crushed Vanderbilt 30-0 winning the SEC Championship. Tennessee coached by Johnny Majors finished 1985 9-1-2 and ranked #4 while Vanderbilt coached by Watson Brown finished 1985 3-7-1.

 

[peaygolf]

In honor of it being Vanderbilt week here's a Tennessee-Vanderbilt game of the past. On November 30th 1985 #10 ranked 7-1-2 Tennessee hosted 3-6-1 Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium. Tennessee's defense completely dominated and they crushed Vanderbilt 30-0 winning the SEC Championship. Tennessee coached by Johnny Majors finished 1985 9-1-2 and ranked #4 while Vanderbilt coached by Watson Brown finished 1985 3-7-1.



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this entire week will consist of Vandy blowouts!

 

[VolDave53]

In honor of it being Vanderbilt week here's a Tennessee-Vanderbilt game of the past. On November 30th 1985 #10 ranked 7-1-2 Tennessee hosted 3-6-1 Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium. Tennessee's defense completely dominated and they crushed Vanderbilt 30-0 winning the SEC Championship. Tennessee coached by Johnny Majors finished 1985 9-1-2 and ranked #4 while Vanderbilt coached by Watson Brown finished 1985 3-7-1.



View attachment 240564

The wife and I announced our engagement at that game. Took my Mom to the game with us. Honeymoon had us watching the Sugar Vols whip the 'Canes. Still together.

 

[peaygolf]

November 25, 1995.............

Tennessee ran and passed all over Vanderbilt for the entire game. Peyton Manning threw for 265 yrds and Jay Graham ran 39 times for 211 yrds, but trailed the 'Dores 7-6 late in the fourth quarter. Manning led the Vols on a 67 yrd drive which culminated with Graham scoring from the one with 2:59 on the clock. The defense would hold and allow the Vols to escape with a 12-7 victory. The defense held Vandy to 192 total yards for the game.

 

[Tennesseefan2019]

November 25, 1995.............

Tennessee ran and passed all over Vanderbilt for the entire game. Peyton Manning threw for 265 yrds and Jay Graham ran 39 times for 211 yrds, but trailed the 'Dores 7-6 late in the fourth quarter. Manning led the Vols on a 67 yrd drive which culminated with Graham scoring from the one with 2:59 on the clock. The defense would hold and allow the Vols to escape with a 12-7 victory. The defense held Vandy to 192 total yards for the game.

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I was hitting my head against the wall the whole 2nd half thinking Tennessee can't lose to Vandy!

 

[peaygolf]

I was hitting my head against the wall the whole 2nd half thinking Tennessee can't lose to Vandy!

Me too. I had come back home from Florida for Thanksgiving and went to the game. I’m thinking, why did I waste my time.......

 

[peaygolf]

November 26, 1977.......

Vandy came to Knoxville at the end of a disappointing year. In a way to infuse the team, Coach Majors layed out All Orange uniforms (1st time in school history). The decision worked, as the Vols scored 21 second quarter points and routed the ‘Dores 42-7. Jimmy Streater ran for 3 TDs and passed for another. Greg Jones made his last game his best game. The SR linebacker had 19 tackles, 6 assists, and interception, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup!

First UT/Vandy game I went to......

Streater

Jones and Noonan (from Dyersburg...OD)

 

[ETV]

November 25, 1995.............

Tennessee ran and passed all over Vanderbilt for the entire game. Peyton Manning threw for 265 yrds and Jay Graham ran 39 times for 211 yrds, but trailed the 'Dores 7-6 late in the fourth quarter. Manning led the Vols on a 67 yrd drive which culminated with Graham scoring from the one with 2:59 on the clock. The defense would hold and allow the Vols to escape with a 12-7 victory. The defense held Vandy to 192 total yards for the game.

View attachment 240681

Against Woody Widenhofer's defense, Cutcliffe seemed to struggle inside the red zone.

 

[OneManGang]

Ah, Jimmy Noonan, AKA the Tazmanian Devil!

I recall a time when Majors was frustrated by his punting unit and decided to hold open tryouts for deep snapper. A friend who had been a punter and frequent target for my snaps in high school encouraged me to give it a shot. I considered it until the next Saturday when UT played Colorado State (I think). Anyway, Noonan put FIVE opposing centers out of the game. The last guy just kind of dribbled the ball back on a punt. I was sitting with my friend and I just turned to him and said, "No effing way!"

My buddy went on to be sports editor of the Beacon (post-Finebaum). He had made some comments about fan behavior that got a number of students riled up, with some threats of physical violence. I was driving with him on campus one day and asked if he was worried. We were at the intersection of Volunteer Blvd. and what is now Peyton Manning Pass when Noonan walked by. My friend looked at me and said, "Hell, no. HE (pointing at Noonan) is on my side!"

 

[Tin Man]

Ah, Jimmy Noonan, AKA the Tazmanian Devil!

I recall a time when Majors was frustrated by his punting unit and decided to hold open tryouts for deep snapper. A friend who had been a punter and frequent target for my snaps in high school encouraged me to give it a shot. I considered it until the next Saturday when UT played Colorado State (I think). Anyway, Noonan put FIVE opposing centers out of the game. The last guy just kind of dribbled the ball back on a punt. I was sitting with my friend and I just turned to him and said, "No effing way!"

My buddy went on to be sports editor of the Beacon (post-Finebaum). He had made some comments about fan behavior that got a number of students riled up, with some threats of physical violence. I was driving with him on campus one day and asked if he was worried. We were at the intersection of Volunteer Blvd. and what is now Peyton Manning Pass when Noonan walked by. My friend looked at me and said, "Hell, no. HE (pointing at Noonan) is on my side!"

My matriculation at Tennessee overlapped that of Jimmy Noonan and Paul Finebaum. We are contemporaries as well, OMG?

 

[OneManGang]

My matriculation at Tennessee overlapped that of Jimmy Noonan and Paul Finebaum. We are contemporaries as well, OMG?

So it would seem '75-'81 for me - took '79 and '80 off to work in local government.