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

#981
#981
peaygolf said:
Hope so……..
actually…… I don’t want “great” games. I want blowout wins
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Haha yep!

But...one thing we have learned from Saban's dominance this past decade+: being at a blowout level above the competition most weeks does not make for fun or compelling football. It's nice if it's your team because of bragging rights, but aside from that it's not even as fun for fans as a nice, close, compelling finish would be.

So I would like to see a lot of "great games"...that we win...against top notch competition.

We can blow out Vandy and Mizzou and South Carolina. And win close ones against Georgia and Bama and Ohio State.

I'm totally good with that.

Go Vols!
 
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#985
#985
VFL-82-JP said:
Haha yep!

But...one thing we have learned from Saban's dominance this past decade+: being at a blowout level above the competition most weeks does not make for fun or compelling football. It's nice if it's your team because of bragging rights, but aside from that it's not even as fun for fans as a nice, close, compelling finish would be.

So I would like to see a lot of "great games"...that we win...against top notch competition.

We can blow out Vandy and Mizzou and South Carolina. And win close ones against Georgia and Bama and Ohio State.

I'm totally good with that.

Go Vols!
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UT Baseball blowouts were a lot of fun this year.
 
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#988
#988
peaygolf said:
15 days……

#15 - Bob Johnson

After arriving from Bradley Central in 1964 as Doug Dickey’s first recruit, Johnson was moved from tackle to center, and he quickly became the greatest center in UT history. The Vols were 25-6-2 during his three seasons at the position, and Johnson’s blocking helped usher in a new era in UT football. In 1965, the Vols finished 8-1-2 and ranked #7. Johnson helped lead a balanced attack, and his leadership on the line helped lay the groundwork for a new found passing attack. As a junior, in 1966, the passing game would set every school record. The Vols would finish 8-3 and were Gator Bowl champs. Johnson was named 1st Team All-SEC and was a 1st Team All-American. In 1967, Johnson helped lead the Vols to a 9-2 record, a SEC Championship, and a #2 national ranking. His blocking helped the passing game flourish and opened huge holes for Chadwick and Pickens. Johnson was named All-SEC and was a unanimous 1st Team All-American. He was named the Jacobs Trophy winner as the best blocker in the SEC and finished 6th in the Heisman Trophy voting. He was also an Academic All-American and Senior Class President in 1967. Coach Dickey said he was the greatest leader, on and off the field he ever saw. Johnson was the first pick by the Bengals in their franchise history, and became a perennial All-Pro. Johnson was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

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My altime favorite. First saw him play while selling cokes up and down Neyland steps in ‘66. As a plus then I lived north of Cincinnati when he was drafted and also became a lifelong Bengals fan
 
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#989
#989
1974Vol said:
Great athlete and involved in one of the sorriest instances involving a Vol crowd. In 1983 we were driving for what looked like a win over Ol' Miss in Knoxville, when he threw a pick that sealed the win for the Rebels and cost Tennessee a chance at a 10 win season. Some idiot fan hurled a stadium seat at him as he left the field through the North end zone. He wasn't hurt thankfully, but many at the time speculated that it played into his decision not to play football his senior season in 1984.
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Methinks that his being 1st round draft pick by the SF Giants might have had more to do with his decision.
 
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#991
#991
ArdentVol said:
gained sense of his greatness during bengal years
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One of my favorite memories of UT football is the matchup between two All Americans in the 68 Orange Bowl - Granville Liggins,the great Oklahoma nose guard vs. the best center I ever saw, Bob Johnson. Pure perfection of play between the two until Liggins went out of the game in the 2nd quarter with a severe knee injury. What happened next is the essence of sports. Johnson and an Oklahoma staff member carried Liggins off the field to the bench. Measure of a true man.
 
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#992
#992
13 days…..

#13 - John Henderson

“Big John” was a Nashville native and came to UT as a freshman in 1998, but was not academically eligible his first season. Practicing with a Championship team must have helped him get ready. As a sophomore, John played in every game, starting the final eight at defensive tackle. He made great strides during the season, making 3 TFLs vs Bama and South Carolina and recorded four sacks for the season. In 2000, Henderson had one of the greatest defensive seasons in school history. He had 71 tackles, 12 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. He was a constant disruption in the opposing backfield. Huge games vs UF and LSU got him national exposure and he helped UT allow only 817 yards rushing, a school record. He was a Nagurski Award finalist and was awarded the Outland Trophy as the nation’s finest defensive lineman. He was also 1st team All-SEC and 1st team All-American. His senior season was hampered by injury, but he was still dominant. His 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries were less than 2000, but his presence opened up opportunities for others on the field. He helped UT to a 11-2 record and a top 5 ranking. He was an Outland Trophy finalist and again was named All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. Following his time in Knoxville, Henderson was the 9th pick in the NFL draft by Jacksonville and was a consistent All-Pro. Henderson reminded fans of Reggie, and with good reason. If he had been healthy his senior season, he very well might be considered the greatest Volunteer defensive player ever!

248E70D2-C7EF-48ED-80AE-53DB104529AB.png
 
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#993
#993
Elder Son&Heir (a Jags fan) and I went to see Jacksonville play the Titans in Nashville while Big John was playing for the Jags. He had played HS ball at Nashville Pearl Cohn which is just across the highway from Titans Stadium. Big John had his own cheering section in the stands that day.

I was also present for his first appearance in the Orange & White game. He wasn't hard to spot, being head and shoulders taller than anyone else on the defense!
 
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#995
#995
peaygolf said:
13 days…..

#13 - John Henderson

“Big John” was a Nashville native and came to UT as a freshman in 1998, but was not academically eligible his first season. Practicing with a Championship team must have helped him get ready. As a sophomore, John played in every game, starting the final eight at defensive tackle. He made great strides during the season, making 3 TFLs vs Bama and South Carolina and recorded four sacks for the season. In 2000, Henderson had one of the greatest defensive seasons in school history. He had 71 tackles, 12 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. He was a constant disruption in the opposing backfield. Huge games vs UF and LSU got him national exposure and he helped UT allow only 817 yards rushing, a school record. He was a Nagurski Award finalist and was awarded the Outland Trophy as the nation’s finest defensive lineman. He was also 1st team All-SEC and 1st team All-American. His senior season was hampered by injury, but he was still dominant. His 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries were less than 2000, but his presence opened up opportunities for others on the field. He helped UT to a 11-2 record and a top 5 ranking. He was an Outland Trophy finalist and again was named All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. Following his time in Knoxville, Henderson was the 9th pick in the NFL draft by Jacksonville and was a consistent All-Pro. Henderson reminded fans of Reggie, and with good reason. If he had been healthy his senior season, he very well might be considered the greatest Volunteer defensive player ever!

View attachment 482168
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Love that pic.
 
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