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

[peaygolf]

65 days…….

#65 - Richmond Flowers

No. His stats don’t rank in the upper echelon of UT greats, but if you know football, Richmond Flowers was one of the best. Speed was his weapon. In his first season with the varsity, he caught 35 passes for 407 yards and 5 TDs. He also carried the ball 19 times for 82 yards. He was instrumental in the Bowl win over Syracuse and was named to the sophomore All-SEC team. As a junior in 1967, Flowers caught 41 passes for 585 yards and 4 TDs. He also had 8 kickoff returns for 173 yards. He helped UT to an SEC Championship and a National Championship, while being named 2nd Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American by the Football News. In 1968, he was moved to full time tailback and battled injuries all season. He still had 375 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. He scored twice in the UCLA win and scored the only touchdown in the 10-9 victory over Alabama. He also caught 25 passes for 180 yards and was named 2nd team All-SEC. For his career, Flowers had 1,659 yards from scrimmage and 16 TDs. He was also a word class track athlete, and narrowly missed out on the 1968 Olympics due to an injury. He was a 2nd round pick by the Cowboys and also played for the Giants and in the WFL.

 

[IndianaVol]

He did have a son, Cam, who played at UT. He got himself in some trouble……

Jerod Mayo was #134 on my list

Ah, thanks for the added info...some legacies pan out, some fall on ill fate.

Yes, after I typed that I recalled Jerod already being mentioned. Perhaps I'm not as young as I thought.

 

[Rifleman]

 

[peaygolf]

64 days…….

#64 - Graham “Little” Vowell

Vowell and his brother “Big” Vowell came to UT in 1914 from Martin, TN. Graham became one of UTs earliest national football figures. As a 190 lbs end, Vowell was anything but little. In 1914, he was part of the first team to defeat Vanderbilt and helped UT to a 9-0 record and a conference championship. He scored 3 touchdowns in the win over Kentucky. In 1915, the Vols finished 4-4, but Vowell was named to the All-Southern team. In 1916, the Vols went 8-0-1, and shared the conference championship. Vowell scored the winning TD in Tennessee’s first ever Homecoming game vs Vanderbilt. Captain Vowell was the only unanimous All-Southern selection in 1916 and was named 3rd Team All-American. He was the first UT player recognized as an All-American. Georgia Tech coach John Heisman said, 'In taking G. Vowell, captain of Tennessee, for one end we can hardly make a mistake. This chap is very big for an end, weighing 190 pounds, very fast and very willing. He knows the game as very few ends know it in the South, and he can do most everything the game calls for and do it well. He gets down the field like an express train, he runs hard and well with the ball, he dams things up on defense all the time, and he catches most anything in the shape of a forward pass.' After the 1916 season, Vowell left to serve in WWI as a Marine. He returned to Tennessee in 1921 to play his last season. He was playing a different position, Tackle. The Vols finished with a 6-2-1 record, and Vowell was again named All-Southern. After the season, Vols fans in Knoxville gave him a gold watch to show their appreciation. Vowell was a 3X All-Southern and the Vols first All-American. He rightfully deserves more recognition and fame than he has. He is a true Volunteer legend!

 

[Rifleman]

64 days…….

#64 - Graham “Little” Vowell

Vowell and his brother “Big” Vowell came to UT in 1914 from Martin, TN. Graham became one of UTs earliest national football figures. As a 190 lbs end, Vowell was anything but little. In 1914, he was part of the first team to defeat Vanderbilt and helped UT to a 9-0 record and a conference championship. He scored 3 touchdowns in the win over Kentucky. In 1915, the Vols finished 4-4, but Vowell was named to the All-Southern team. In 1916, the Vols went 8-0-1, and shared the conference championship. Vowell scored the winning TD in Tennessee’s first ever Homecoming game vs Vanderbilt. Captain Vowell was the only unanimous All-Southern selection in 1916 and was named 3rd Team All-American. He was the first UT player recognized as an All-American. Georgia Tech coach John Heisman said, 'In taking G. Vowell, captain of Tennessee, for one end we can hardly make a mistake. This chap is very big for an end, weighing 190 pounds, very fast and very willing. He knows the game as very few ends know it in the South, and he can do most everything the game calls for and do it well. He gets down the field like an express train, he runs hard and well with the ball, he dams things up on defense all the time, and he catches most anything in the shape of a forward pass.' After the 1916 season, Vowell left to serve in WWI as a Marine. He returned to Tennessee in 1921 to play his last season. He was playing a different position, Tackle. The Vols finished with a 6-2-1 record, and Vowell was again named All-Southern. After the season, Vols fans in Knoxville gave him a gold watch to show their appreciation. Vowell was a 3X All-Southern and the Vols first All-American. He rightfully deserves more recognition and fame than he has. He is a true Volunteer legend!

People think the college football names meme is a new phenomenon, but that 1916 all Southern Team included some good ones:

Pup Phillips
Moon Ducote
Froggie Morrison
Chink Lowe (Vol who served in the 90th Aero Squadron in WWI . . . was awarded the Navy Cross)
Red Floyd
Red Jones
Doc Rodes
Si Bell
Irby Curry

 

[peaygolf]

63 days…..

#63 - Raynoch Thompson

Thompson was one of the surest tacklers in UT history. He started 36 game in his career, and was a great leader. He was ineligible as a freshman, but as a sophomore in 1997, he had 67 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception. In 1998, he lead the team with 89 tackles and 19 “big plays.” He had five games with at least 10 tackles. He had two fumble recoveries vs UF and forced two fumbles vs Houston. He was named 1st Team All-SEC and 3rd team All-American. As a senior in 1999, Thompson lead the team with 87 tackles and 14 “big plays.” He had 12 tackles vs UF and UK, and 11 more vs Memphis. After the season, he was named 1st Team All-SEC and 1st team All American. For his career, Raynoch had 243 tackles, 22TFLs, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. He was a 2nd round pick by the Cardinals in 2000 and played until 2004.

 

[Rifleman]

 

[peaygolf]

62 days.............

#62 - Micky Marvin

Not often mentioned when the "greatest lineman" debate is discussed, Marvin was a mauler from his guard position. Marvin played from 1973-1976 and is one of the most decorated linemen in UT history. His teams were not some of the greatest, so his exploits don't always go noticed. During his first two seasons, the Vols did go to two Bowl games while finishing in the top 20. Those two seasons, Marvin blocked for the likes of Haskel Stanback, Stanly Morgan, and Condredge Holloway. His last couple seasons were not as successful, but not because of Marvin's play. Not for his brute strength, Marvin was a 3X All-SEC 1st Team selection and a 2nd Team All-American in 1975. He played in the 1977 East-West Shrine Game and was drafted in the 4th round by the Raiders. He went on to win 2 Super Bowls with Oakland.

 

[Tin Man]

62 days.............

#62 - Micky Marvin

Not often mentioned when the "greatest lineman" debate is discussed, Marvin was a mauler from his guard position. Marvin played from 1973-1976 and is one of the most decorated linemen in UT history. His teams were not some of the greatest, so his exploits don't always go noticed. During his first two seasons, the Vols did go to two Bowl games while finishing in the top 20. Those two seasons, Marvin blocked for the likes of Haskel Stanback, Stanly Morgan, and Condredge Holloway. His last couple seasons were not as successful, but not because of Marvin's play. Not for his brute strength, Marvin was a 3X All-SEC 1st Team selection and a 2nd Team All-American in 1975. He played in the 1977 East-West Shrine Game and was drafted in the 4th round by the Raiders. He went on to win 2 Super Bowls with Oakland.

View attachment 468986

Love it when you feature players from teams at Tennessee during my matriculation.

 

[OneManGang]

Love it when you feature players from teams at Tennessee during my matriculation.

I second that.

The Vols may not have been as successful as we would have liked, but for the most part the games were fun, the beer at Sam & Andy's was ice cold and fifty cents a mug, and the wimmen were gorgeous, warm, and willing.

Good times, good times ...

 

[peaygolf]

61 days……

#61 - Paul Naumoff

Quick, powerful, and extremely aggressive are a few of the words that best describe Naumoff. The Columbus, Ohio native played varsity football for the Vols from 1964-1966. In 1964, he was a reserve defensive end and actually played some offense, catching two passes for 40 yards. In 1965, Naumoff was a starter on defense and helped anchor a line that held its opponents to only 98 points for the season. He entered his senior season as a favorite for national notoriety on the line, but volunteered to change positions as co-captain of the team after linebacker Tom Fisher's sudden death by automobile accident earlier in the year. From his new position, he led the Vols to an 8-3 record and allowed the opposing teams only 99 points, the last time the Vols allowed less than 100 points in a season. Naumoff is most famous for his jarring tackle of Larry Csonka in the Gator Bowl, preserving the 18-12 victory. Naumoff was named 1st Team All-SEC and consensus 1st Team All-American after the ‘66 season. In 1967, he was a 3rd round pick by the Lions and only missed 2 games in his NFL career.

 

[OneManGang]

61 days……

#61 - Paul Naumoff

Quick, powerful, and extremely aggressive are a few of the words that best describe Naumoff. The Columbus, Ohio native played varsity football for the Vols from 1964-1966. I 2964, he was a reserve defensive end and actually played some offense, catching two passes for 40 yards. In 1965, Naumoff was a starter on defense and helped anchor a line that held its opponents to only 98 points for the season. He entered his senior season as a favorite for national notoriety on the line, but volunteered to change positions as co-captain of the team after linebacker Tom Fisher's sudden death by automobile accident earlier in the year. From his new position, he led the Vols to an 8-3 record and allowed the opposing teams only 99 points, the last time the Vols allowed less than 100 points in a season. Naumoff is most famous for his jarring tackle of Larry Csonka in the Gator Bowl, preserving the 18-12 victory. Naumoff was named 1st Team All-SEC and consensus 1st Team All-American after the ‘66 season. In 1967, he was a 3rd round pick by the Lions and only missed 2 games in his NFL career.

View attachment 469250

2964?

Truly a Vol for the ages!!!

LOL!

JK!, I know full well what it's like trying to post coherently in the wee hours!

 

[peaygolf]

2964?

Truly a Vol for the ages!!!

LOL!

JK!, I know full well what it's like trying to post coherently in the wee hours!

Haha..

 

[MAD]

Let’s play stump the Peay.

 

[peaygolf]

Let’s play stump the Peay.

View attachment 469347

Greg Amsler. 1989

 

[OneManGang]

Vs LSU at Tiger Stadium. Vols prevailed 45-39.

 

[MAD]

Greg Amsler. 1989

Bingo

 

[peaygolf]

60 days........

#60 - Deon Grant

As a freshman Grant made 10 tackles as a back-up and special teams player, causing one fumble. As a sophomore, Grant led the Vols with 5 interceptions and finished with 62 tackles. Grant tied for the NCAA lead in 1999 with nine interceptions for 167 return yards, propelling him to All-America status his junior year. Grant finished the 1999 campaign with 69 tackles and eight pass breakups. He had two picks in three different games and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting three passes versus Auburn. His leaping interception in UT's overtime win over Florida in 1998 was one of the biggest plays of in the Vols' march to the national title. Grant left Tennessee after his junior year to go to the NFL, but left his mark as one of the Vols' all-time great defensive backs. His nine picks in 1999 tied him for second on the single-season interception chart, and he stood fifth on the career list with 14. In 2000, Grant was a 2nd round pick by the Panthers and played with four teams through the 2011 season and won a Super Bowl with the Giants.

 

[OneManGang]

 

[peaygolf]

59 days…….

#59 - Andy Kelly

Kelly, a Dayton, Tn native, didn’t play much as a freshman in 1988 when UT went 5-6. Kelly began his sophomore season behind Sterling Henton, but got his chance with during the Alabama game, and never looked back. Simply put, Kelly was the most prolific QB in UT history, until Manning. He finished 1989, with 1,299 yards and 7 touchdowns, helping UT to a Co-SEC championship and a Cotton Bowl victory. In ‘90, he took on a more active role in the offense, passing for 2,241 yards and 14 TDs. He set the record for most passing yards in a season, most completions in a game, and most yards in a game (399 vs ND.) he helped lead a major win over UF and guided the Vols to an SEC Championship and a comeback victory over Virginia in the Sugar Bowl. As a senior, Kelly etched his name in Vols lore, mounting the epic comeback vs Notre Dame and led Ut to the Fiesta Bowl. He passed for 2,759 yards and 15 TDs, shattering his own single season record. For his career, Kelly threw for 6,397 yards and 36 TDs and was named 2nd Team All-SEC twice. He left UT as it’s all time passing leader and became one of the greatest players in Arena Football history. Three New Year’s Day bowls, epic wins, and records galore get you high on my list.

 

[malinoisvol]

59 days…….

#59 - Andy Kelly

Kelly, a Dayton, Tn native, didn’t play much as a freshman in 1988 when UT went 5-6. Kelly began his sophomore season behind Sterling Henton, but got his chance with during the Alabama game, and never looked back. Simply put, Kelly was the most prolific QB in UT history, until Manning. He finished 1989, with 1,299 yards and 7 touchdowns, helping UT to a Co-SEC championship and a Cotton Bowl victory. In ‘90, he took on a more active role in the offense, passing for 2,241 yards and 14 TDs. He set the record for most passing yards in a season, most completions in a game, and most yards in a game (399 vs ND.) he helped lead a major win over UF and guided the Vols to an SEC Championship and a comeback victory over Virginia in the Sugar Bowl. As a senior, Kelly etched his name in Vols lore, mounting the epic comeback vs Notre Dame and led Ut to the Fiesta Bowl. He passed for 2,759 yards and 15 TDs, shattering his own single season record. For his career, Kelly threw for 6,397 yards and 36 TDs and was named 2nd Team All-SEC twice. He left UT as it’s all time passing leader and became one of the greatest players in Arena Football history. Three New Year’s Day bowls, epic wins, and records galore get you high on my list.

View attachment 470069

Loved it when Andy was at QB.

 

[peaygolf]

Loved it when Andy was at QB.

Funny story I was told…….

Rhea County’s starting QB was a friend of mine who played golf with me at The Peay. They ran the option or wishbone, and my friend quit football to focus on golf. Kelly was moved to QB and they changed the offense to fit him since he couldn’t run a lick.

 

[Tin Man]

The 1990 Cotton Bowl was a perfect New Years Day for Vols fans. I say it’s great to be a Tennessee Vol!

 

[peaygolf]

58 days…….

#58 - Abe Shires

Shires was from West Virginia and played Tackle from 1938-1940, the greatest years in Vols history. Standing 6’2” and weighing 220 lbs, Shires was huge for his time. Big, powerful, and “mean,” he opened holes for legends like Bob Foxx and George Cafego, and anchored a defensive unit that shutout 26 opponents during a 33 game stretch. His blocking and tackling helped Tennessee to outscore its opponents 837-75 and be crowned SEC champions 1938, 1939 and 1940 and a share of 2 National Championships. Shires was a 2X All-SEC honoree, a 1st team All-American in 1939, and 3rd team All-American in 1940. He was a 2nd round pick by the Cleveland Rams in 1941, but WW2 delayed his NFL career until 1945, where he played one season for Philadelphia.

 

[HollowaytoSeivers]

Let’s play stump the Peay.

View attachment 469347

I'm not convinced it can be done.