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

[MAD]

Did some “Jimmy Streater scrambling,” and made it work!

Well played

 

[peaygolf]

139 days...........

#139 - Buster Stephens

In 1944 and 1945, Stephens was as good as any Vol ever. In his first career game, Stephens returned a kickoff 91 yards for a TD and threw a TD pass. Against UF, he scored two TDs of over 75 yards and had punt returns of 65 yards and 50 yards in the win over Clemson. As a heavy underdog in Baton Rouge, Stephens threw two TD passes in the 13-0 win vs LSU. Stephens help lead UT to a 7-0-1 regular season and a trip to the Rose Bowl. For his efforts, he was named 1st Team All-SEC. In 1945, Stephens was injured on the first play of the first game, and missed a couple of games during the season, but still made a huge impact. In his first game back, he scored from 58 yards on his first play and added another TD. In the win vs UNC, he returned an interception for a TD to ice the victory. Even though he didn't play as much due to his lingering injury, Stephens was named 2nd Team All-SEC. Unannounced, he decided to give up football following the '45 season and returned home to Etowah and went to work at the L&N railroad as a fireman. In two short years, Stephens made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic playmakers in UT history.

 

[IndianaVol]

139 days...........

#139 - Buster Stephens

In 1944 and 1945, Stephens was as good as any Vol ever. In his first career game, Stephens returned a kickoff 91 yards for a TD and threw a TD pass. Against UF, he scored two TDs of over 75 yards and had punt returns of 65 yards and 50 yards in the win over Clemson. As a heavy underdog in Baton Rouge, Stephens threw two TD passes in the 13-0 win vs LSU. Stephens help lead UT to a 7-0-1 regular season and a trip to the Rose Bowl. For his efforts, he was named 1st Team All-SEC. In 1945, Stephens was injured on the first play of the first game, and missed a couple of games during the season, but still made a huge impact. In his first game back, he scored from 58 yards on his first play and added another TD. In the win vs UNC, he returned an interception for a TD to ice the victory. Even though he didn't play as much due to his lingering injury, Stephens was named 2nd Team All-SEC. Unannounced, he decided to give up football following the '45 season and returned home to Etowah and went to work at the L&N railroad as a fireman. In two short years, Stephens made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic playmakers in UT history.

View attachment 447802

Crazy odd about just giving up football and going back home like that...although being right at the end of WW 2 I wonder if it wasn't related in some way.

Definitely not something you would see such a player do these days.

 

[peaygolf]

138 days.....

#138 - Cameron Sutton

Sutton made himself known quickly, starting all 12 games as a freshman in 2013. He made 39 tackles, had 2 interceptions (1 returned for a TD), and 2 fumble recoveries. He was named Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American. As a soph, he began returning punts, averaging 11.3 yards and scoring on a 76 yarder vs Vandy. He also made 37 tackles had 13 PBUs, and 3 picks. In 2015, Sutton averaged 18.3 yards per punt return and scored 2 TDS. He added 6 PBUs and one interception. He was named 1st Team All-American as a return specialist by The Sporting News. As a senior, Sutton only played in 7 games due to injury, but still had 23 tackles and 4 PBS. He finished his career as the Vols all-time leader with 37 PBUs. He averaged 14.3 yards per punt return and had 3 TDs. He was 3rd round pick by the Steelers and still a starter for Pittsburgh.

 

[peaygolf]

137 days……

#137 - Terry Fair

During his freshman season in 1994, he tallied 41 tackles, an interception, and three passes broken up, and was named to the All-SEC Freshman team. The following season, he recorded 50 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up. During his junior year in 1996, he recorded 33 tackles, four interceptions, and three passes broken up, and returned 29 punts for 400 yards and two touchdowns. During his senior season in 1997, Fair recorded 39 tackles, five interceptions, and nine passes broken up, and returned 19 punts for 272 yards, helping the Vols win the SEC Championship. He was named All-SEC in 1996 and 1997. Fair was a 1st round pick by Detroit in 1998 and played six seasons in the NFL.

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

Well CRAP!!!!!!!!

The UTAD, the SEC Network, and the home office in Birmingham have no respect for the meticulous research and organization you have put into this thread, peaygolf.

 

[peaygolf]

136 days…..

#136 - Bert Rechichar

Rechichar, from Pennsylvania, played baseball and football for UT from 1949-1951. Playing with some of the biggest starts in school history, Rechichar hasn’t been recognized as one of the greats, but his versatility and athleticism puts him on my list. In 1950, he helped the Vols to a 10-1 record and led the team in receiving yards, punt return yards, and interceptions. His 100 yard punt return vs Washington & Lee is still a record and his 50 yard interception return in the same game was the difference in the victory. He had 7 ints during the season and led the Vols with 815 total yards from scrimmage. He was named 2nd team All-SEC. As a senior captain, he ran for 140 yards, caught 2 TDs, returned punts, and kicked some extra points and 2 field goals. He was also exceptional at his defensive back position and was named 1st team All-SEC, helping UT to a National Championship. He was the 10th pick in the NFL draft by the Browns and became a 3X Pro Bowler and 2X NFL champion with the Colts.

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

136 days…..

#136 - Bert Rechichar

Rechichar, from Pennsylvania, played baseball and football for UT from 1949-1951. Playing with some of the biggest starts in school history, Rechichar hasn’t been recognized as one of the greats, but his versatility and athleticism puts him on my list. In 1950, he helped the Vols to a 10-1 record and led the team in receiving yards, punt return yards, and interceptions. His 100 yard punt return vs Washington & Lee is still a record and his 50 yard interception return in the same game was the difference in the victory. He had 7 ints during the season and led the Vols with 815 total yards from scrimmage. He was named 2nd team All-SEC. As a senior captain, he ran for 140 yards, caught 2 TDs, returned punts, and kicked some extra points and 2 field goals. He was also exceptional at his defensive back position and was named 1st team All-SEC, helping UT to a National Championship. He was the 10th pick in the NFL draft by the Browns and became a 3X Pro Bowler and 2X NFL champion with the Colts.

View attachment 448535

While he was with the Colts, Rechichar kicked a 56 yard FG, which stood as an NFL record for 17 seasons until it was broken by Tom Dempsey's 63 yarder in 1970.

 

[peaygolf]

While he was with the Colts, Rechichar kicked a 56 yard FG, which stood as an NFL record for 17 seasons until it was broken by Tom Dempsey's 63 yarder in 1970.

“Bert told holder Tom Keane: ‘Get that ball down because I got to go to the bathroom.’ Then he drove the kick, on his initial try, clear over the back line from 56 yards. The then-record kick made Rechichar an instant celebrity. And he managed to do it while wearing a regular, soft-toed football shoe, not the box-type of kicking boot he would later use."

 

[MAD]

Happy 4/19

 

[peaygolf]

Happy 4/19

The "Ice Man" cometh.

 

[peaygolf]

135 days……

#135 - Alvin Harper

After a redshirt year in ‘86, Harper caught 15 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown in 1987. In ‘88, he was second on the team with 37 receptions and 487 yards. He set a then school record with 12 receptions vs Washington State. In ‘89, his receptions went down, but only because of a run heavy offense. He only had 13 receptions for 246 yards, but the team leader only had 34 for the season. As a senior, Harper had a breakout season, finishing second on the team with 37 receptions for 567 yards and a school record 8 TDs. He was named 2nd team All-SEC and was the MVP in the 1991 Hula Bowl. During his career, Harper had 103 receptions for 1,547 yards and 16 TDs, helping UT win back to back SEC championships. His numbers aren’t at the top of the record books, but anyone who remembers watching him glide, knows how good he was. The Cowboys picked him #12 overall in the ‘91 draft, where he excelled and helped them win 2 Super Bowls.

 

[Tin Man]

135 days……

#135 - Alvin Harper

After a redshirt year in ‘86, Pickens caught 15 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown in 1987. In ‘88, he was second on the team with 37 receptions and 487 yards. He set a then school record with 12 receptions vs Washington State. In ‘89, his receptions went down, but only because of a run heavy offense. He only had 13 receptions for 246 yards, but the team leader only had 34 for the season. As a senior, Harper had a breakout season, finishing second on the team with 37 receptions for 567 yards and a school record 8 TDs. He was named 2nd team All-SEC and was the MVP in the 1991 Hula Bowl. During his career, Harper had 103 receptions for 1,547 yards and 16 TDs, helping UT win back to back SEC championships. His numbers aren’t at the top of the record books, but anyone who remembers watching him glide, knows how good he was. The Cowboys picked him #12 overall in the ‘91 draft, where he excelled and helped them win 2 Super Bowls.
View attachment 448820

Please, read your post for editing.

 

[Tin Man]

The 1990 Cotton Bowl pitted Majors’ Vols against Hatfield’s Razorbacks. What a game! Chuck Webb could not be contained. Carl Pickens seemingly did everything needed to secure victory, and Alvin Harper out ran the Arkansas secondary for the prettiest TD reception of Jan. 1, 1990. Harper also covered the Razorbacks’ onside kick attempt to cement the win. I had the pleasure and privilege to witness it in person and was in just the right place to view Harper streaking down the sidelines.

 

[IndianaVol]

135 days……

#135 - Alvin Harper

After a redshirt year in ‘86, Harper caught 15 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown in 1987. In ‘88, he was second on the team with 37 receptions and 487 yards. He set a then school record with 12 receptions vs Washington State. In ‘89, his receptions went down, but only because of a run heavy offense. He only had 13 receptions for 246 yards, but the team leader only had 34 for the season. As a senior, Harper had a breakout season, finishing second on the team with 37 receptions for 567 yards and a school record 8 TDs. He was named 2nd team All-SEC and was the MVP in the 1991 Hula Bowl. During his career, Harper had 103 receptions for 1,547 yards and 16 TDs, helping UT win back to back SEC championships. His numbers aren’t at the top of the record books, but anyone who remembers watching him glide, knows how good he was. The Cowboys picked him #12 overall in the ‘91 draft, where he excelled and helped them win 2 Super Bowls.
View attachment 448820

Harper at 135...I can't wait to see who is coming down the pipe.
Side note of honesty though, Alvin was always one of my favorites.

 

[peaygolf]

134 days……

#134 - Jerod Mayo

Mayo is one of the best in a long history of great linebackers, and probably the best since the early 2000’s. After redshirting in ‘04, he appeared in 6 games in ‘05, collecting 13 tackles. He cracked the starting lineup in 2006, where he immediately made a huge impact. He finished third on the team with 83 tackles (48 solos), including five sacks for minus 40 yards, 12.5 stops for losses of 51 yards and a quarterback pressure. He also recovered one fumble and deflected a pass. Rivals.comsubsequently named him to their All-American second team. For his junior season, Mayo moved to middle linebacker and started all 14 games. Serving as the defensive squad's co-captain, he went on to register 140 tackles in 2007. He added 1.5 quarterback sacks for minus 11 yards, 8.5 stops for losses and five quarterback pressures, and also returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown. Mayo was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and also earned All-American second-team honors by The NFL Draft Report. He declared for the draft early and was the 10 pick in the ‘08 draft by the Patriots. He helped them win a Super Bowl and was a 2X Pro Bowl selection.

 

[MAD]

134 days……

#134 - Jerod Mayo

Mayo is one of the best in a long history of great linebackers, and probably the best since the early 2000’s. After redshirting in ‘04, he appeared in 6 games in ‘05, collecting 13 tackles. He cracked the starting lineup in 2006, where he immediately made a huge impact. He finished third on the team with 83 tackles (48 solos), including five sacks for minus 40 yards, 12.5 stops for losses of 51 yards and a quarterback pressure. He also recovered one fumble and deflected a pass. Rivals.comsubsequently named him to their All-American second team. For his junior season, Mayo moved to middle linebacker and started all 14 games. Serving as the defensive squad's co-captain, he went on to register 140 tackles in 2007. He added 1.5 quarterback sacks for minus 11 yards, 8.5 stops for losses and five quarterback pressures, and also returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown. Mayo was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and also earned All-American second-team honors by The NFL Draft Report. He declared for the draft early and was the 10 pick in the ‘08 draft by the Patriots. He helped them win a Super Bowl and was a 2X Pro Bowl selection.

View attachment 449066

Look man, everything's better with Mayo.

 

[IndianaVol]

Look man, everything's better with Mayo.

YES, we need more Mayo commercials.
The one or two I saw were fantastic!!!

 

[peaygolf]

133 days...........

#133- Elvin Butcher

From 1925-1927, Butcher teamed with J. Barnhill to anchor one of the best O Lines in UT history. Butcher, the starting center for each of those seasons, opened huge holes for the backs, and was a terror on defense as well. The Vols record for those seasons was 21-3-2. and had a share of the SIC Championship. In 1927, Butcher helped lead the Vols to an 8-0-1 record and was named All-South and was named to several All-American teams. His most dominant game was the 7-7 tie with Vandy, where he dominated the Vandy All-American he was facing. In the victory over North Carolina, Butcher intercepted 4 passes, etching his name in Volunteer lore.

 

[MAD]

133 days...........

#133- Elvin Butcher

From 1925-1927, Butcher teamed with J. Barnhill to anchor one of the best O Lines in UT history. Butcher, the starting center for each of those seasons, opened huge holes for the backs, and was a terror on defense as well. The Vols record for those seasons was 21-3-2. and had a share of the SIC Championship. In 1927, Butcher helped lead the Vols to an 8-0-1 record and was named All-South and was named to several All-American teams. His most dominant game was the 7-7 tie with Vandy, where he dominated the Vandy All-American he was facing. In the victory over North Carolina, Butcher intercepted 4 passes, etching his name in Volunteer lore.
View attachment 449330

Wonder if they are related?

 

[peaygolf]

Wonder if they are related?

View attachment 449412

Nice!!!!!

 

[peaygolf]

132 days……

#132 - Albert Dorsey


Albert Dorsey roamed the defensive backfield for the Vols as a starter in 1967, the year Tennessee went 9-2 and won the SEC championship finished ranked No. 2 in the final AP and UPI polls.
That was the same year Dorsey was named All-America for his defensive performances. He pick off 6 passes on the season and was one of the best tacklers in the SEC. Among his greatest was the 1967 version of the Third Saturday in October. Tennessee entered the game in Birmingham with their first national ranking of the season at No. 7 , while Alabama was No. 6. Dorsey picked off three passes that afternoon to seal Vols' 24-13 win at Legion Field, snapping the Crimson Tide's 25-game winning streak. Yes, Dorsey only lettered two seasons, starting only one, but what he did in 1967 gets him on my list!

 

[peaygolf]

131 days…….

#131 - Marquez Callaway

What could have been…..if he had a QB. Callaway played sparingly in 2016 as a freshman, catching only one pass and returning 2 punts. But, one of his punts was a 62 yard TD return vs Tenn. Tech. In the opening game as a sophomore, he had 115 yards and two 2nd half TDs to helped defeat Ga. Tech. He finished the ‘17 season with 24 receptions and 5 TDs. As a junior, he led UT with 592 yards receiving, while averaging 12 yards per punt return, which included an 82 yard touchdown return vs Charlotte. His senior season was his best, recording 30 catches for 635 yards and 6 TDs. He had four 100 yard games and led the Vols with a 14 yard punt return average, including a 65 yard touchdown vs South Carolina. He finished his career with 92 receptions for 1,646 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking No. 16 UT history in receiving yardage ... His career 13.6 punt return average ranks fourth in school history and his three punt return touchdowns are second all-time .. Competed in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl postseason all-star game. Callaway signed as an UFA in 2020 with New Orleans and has worked his way on as a part time starter for the Saints.

 

[Orange.]

@peaygolf, a lot (not all) of your posts (in this thread only) look like the attached in dark mode. Not sure why. For example, 139. 138, 131. Thanks for this great thread.

 

[peaygolf]

@peaygolf, a lot (not all) of your posts (in this thread only) look like the attached in dark mode. Not sure why. For example, 139. 138, 131. Thanks for this great thread.View attachment 449967

Hium? I have no idea…. Not even sure how to do “dark mode.” I’ll see if I can figure it out.
thank you