Countdown to September 2nd vs UVA. (Top 150 Vols wins)

[peaygolf]

Would enjoy seeing this record broken on, say, September 30.

I had to look up the opponent....... making sure that wasn't the Peay game.

 

[peaygolf]

146 days…..

#146 - 27-0 Emory & Henry (1921)

On September 24, 1921, Tennessee opened the season with the christening of Shields-Watkins Field. The heavily favored Vols only led the Wasps 6-0 at the half, but 3rd quarter TDs by Roe Campbell and Hal Blair helped UT expand the lead and garner outright victory.

Threatening weather kept the crowd limited to around 1,500 people, but they got to see the Vols win the first game played at what is today Neyland Stadium. The Vols would go undefeated at home that first season in their new stadium, and laid the foundation of so many amazing memories at the greatest college football stadium in the country.

 

[MAD]

146 days…..

#146 - 27-0 Emory & Henry (1921)

On September 24, 1921, Tennessee opened the season with the christening of Shields-Watkins Field. The heavily favored Vols only led the Wasps 6-0 at the half, but 3rd quarter TDs by Roe Campbell and Hal Blair helped UT expand the lead and garner outright victory.

Threatening weather kept the crowd limited to around 1,500 people, but they got to see the Vols win the first game played at what is today Neyland Stadium. The Vols would go undefeated at home that first season in their new stadium, and laid the foundation of so many amazing memories at the greatest college football stadium in the country.



View attachment 545617

That must have been some inspirational halftime speech.

 

[peaygolf]

145 days…..

#145 - 31-13 vs #21 South Carolina (2009)

Decked out in black jerseys for the first time since adopting orange tops in 1922, Tennessee turned three South Carolina fumbles into touchdowns and beat the Gamecocks (No. 22 BCS, No. 21 AP) 31-13.

Captains Eric Berry and Montario Hardesty approached athletic director Mike Hamilton on Wednesday, asking to wear an all-black uniform. A local Knoxville company quickly produced the black jerseys with orange numbers. Black pants couldn't be completed in time, so the Vols opted for orange bottoms.
After warming up in their traditional orange home jerseys, the Vols seemed to take the Gamecocks by surprise as they took the field in Halloween-inspired uniforms. Jonathan Crompton threw two touchdowns, Hardesty ran for two more and Rico McCoy forced two fumbles.
The win was the first, and only, victory over a ranked opponent during the lone Lane Kiffin season.
The black jerseys stirred up debate about alternate uniforms for fans, but there was no debate about the inspired emotion that the players had that special night!

 

[MAD]

145 days…..

#145 - 31-13 vs #21 South Carolina (2009)

Decked out in black jerseys for the first time since adopting orange tops in 1922, Tennessee turned three South Carolina fumbles into touchdowns and beat the Gamecocks (No. 22 BCS, No. 21 AP) 31-13.

Captains Eric Berry and Montario Hardesty approached athletic director Mike Hamilton on Wednesday, asking to wear an all-black uniform. A local Knoxville company quickly produced the black jerseys with orange numbers. Black pants couldn't be completed in time, so the Vols opted for orange bottoms.
After warming up in their traditional orange home jerseys, the Vols seemed to take the Gamecocks by surprise as they took the field in Halloween-inspired uniforms. Jonathan Crompton threw two touchdowns, Hardesty ran for two more and Rico McCoy forced two fumbles.
The win was the first, and only, victory over a ranked opponent during the lone Lane Kiffin season.
The black jerseys stirred up debate about alternate uniforms for fans, but there was no debate about the inspired emotion that the players had that special night!

View attachment 545774

Great pick. There was something so special about that night.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

147 days……

#147 - 68-0 vs TPI - Tennessee Tech (1951)

Tennessee Tech wasn’t the best team, or the best win in 1951, but the #1 ranked Vols still hold the largest margin of victory in the modern era of UT football. All- American Hank Lauricella only had 2 carries in his seven minutes of play, but both were touchdowns, including a 74 yarder. 59 Vols played in the game, including over a dozen freshman. The Vols did everything to keep the score from getting to out of hand, even kicking a FG on first down. UT would go on to win the National Championship in 1951, but the margin of victory that still stands makes this game one of the best wins……

View attachment 545413

The '51 team was the only Big Orange squad to average over 300 ypg rushing, 306.8 to be precise. That figure included 44 carries for 469 yds. against Tech and 513 yards rushing vs. Washington & Lee. See Football Fireworks: Tennessee's most explosive records.

 

[peaygolf]

144 days…..

#144 - 30-24 vs #21 Auburn (2018)

In Jeremy Pruitt’s first season, the Vols struggled to a 5-7 record, but a mid season win at Auburn gave hope for a decent season. Jarrett Guarantano threw for over 300 yards and 2TDs and Bryce Thompson returned a fumble for a touchdown as UT snapped an eleven game SEC losing streak. Hopes were high after beating a ranked team on the road, but we all know, unfortunately, how that worked out.

 

[MemphisVol77]

144 days…..

#144 - 30-24 vs #21 Auburn (2018)

In Jeremy Pruitt’s first season, the Vols struggled to a 5-7 record, but a mid season win at Auburn gave hope for a decent season. Jarrett Guarantano threw for over 300 yards and 2TDs and Bryce Thompson returned a fumble for a touchdown as UT snapped an eleven game SEC losing streak. Hopes were high after beating a ranked team on the road, but we all know, unfortunately, how that worked out.
View attachment 545937

Amazing how winning and a little bit of time can change perspective.

Going into 2018, having a couple highly rated CB recruits coming in (Bryce Thompson & Alonte Taylor) to utilize, were among the few causes for optimism we had.

This season while still definitely bright spots to look forward to, having highly rated DB recruits coming in to possibly have to rely on, is more a cause for concern than optimism.

 

[peaygolf]

143 days…..

#143 - 10-6 vs #15 Vanderbilt (1958)

The 1958 season was bittersweet. The Vols only had 4 wins on the season, but 3 were against ranked opponents. With a sellout crowd of 28,000 at Dudley Field in the final game of the season, Bill Majors passed for the Vols lone TD and Cotton Letner kicked a FG and a PAT for the winning points. But, the real hero of the day was lineman Ray Brann, who blocked with power, made several key tackles, recovered two fumbles, and intercepted a pass to keep the ‘Dores from victory.

 

[peaygolf]

142 days…..

#142 - 26-24 vs #23 Mississippi State (1991)

After a 2-0 start, the #6 Vols hosted the #23 Bulldogs. Trailing for the first time in the season, Andy Kelly led UT to 9 fourth quarter points and a huge early season victory. Kelly threw for 330 yards and 2TDs, the last one with only 1:50 left in the game. Kelly also rushed for a TD, the first of his career.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

147 days……

#147 - 68-0 vs TPI - Tennessee Tech (1951)

Tennessee Tech wasn’t the best team, or the best win in 1951, but the #1 ranked Vols still hold the largest margin of victory in the modern era of UT football. All- American Hank Lauricella only had 2 carries in his seven minutes of play, but both were touchdowns, including a 74 yarder. 59 Vols played in the game, including over a dozen freshman. The Vols did everything to keep the score from getting to out of hand, even kicking a FG on first down. UT would go on to win the National Championship in 1951, but the margin of victory that still stands makes this game one of the best wins……

View attachment 545413

Let's see if the Heup train can break that record here soon.

 

[IndianaVol]

142 days…..

#142 - 26-24 vs #23 Mississippi State (1991)

After a 2-0 start, the #6 Vols hosted the #23 Bulldogs. Trailing for the first time in the season, Andy Kelly led UT to 10 fourth quarter points and a huge early season victory. Kelly threw for 330 yards and 2TDs, the last one with only 1:50 left in the game. Kelly also rushed for a TD, the first of his career.

View attachment 546205

I recall going to the opener that year in Louisville at the old Cardinal Stadium on the Ky Fair and Expo Center grounds.
That was a weird stadium to see a football game as it was designed for "multi-sport" use, meaning baseball and sometimes soccer so the stands kind of did a near 270 degree wrap of the field with the Northeast corner open instead of a complete end being open like a more traditional stadium and only held like 45K.

Louisville wasn't quite the football program then that they are now as Basketball was still king. I think Schnellenberger had only been there a couple of years and they were still an Independent as the Big East (BBall was king, remember) didn't play football.

 

[Rifleman]

142 days…..

#142 - 26-24 vs #23 Mississippi State (1991)

After a 2-0 start, the #6 Vols hosted the #23 Bulldogs. Trailing for the first time in the season, Andy Kelly led UT to 10 fourth quarter points and a huge early season victory. Kelly threw for 330 yards and 2TDs, the last one with only 1:50 left in the game. Kelly also rushed for a TD, the first of his career.

Great win! Was a beautiful day and the pads were popping. That was a well-coached State team that beat Texas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and lost to Bama by two field goals. Jackie Sherrill's first coaching job was under Coach Majors at Iowa State.

 

[peaygolf]

141 days……

#141 - 38-6 vs #22 Georgia (1993)

Heath Shuler threw two touchdown passes to Cory Fleming and No. 8 Tennessee scored twice in the last 1 minute 46 seconds of the first half as the Vols rolled to a 38-6 victory. Tennessee also got short scoring runs from Charlie Garner, who finished with 107 yards on 15 carries, James Stewart and reserve quarterback Jerry Colquitt.

This was the first big test for 1st “full season” coach Phil Fulmer. The Bulldogs had lost the weak before to South Carolina, so some luster was diminished, but beating Georgia is always sweet.

 

[Rifleman]

141 days……

#141 - 38-6 vs #22 Georgia (1993)

Heath Shuler threw two touchdown passes to Cory Fleming and No. 8 Tennessee scored twice in the last 1 minute 46 seconds of the first half as the Vols rolled to a 38-6 victory. Tennessee also got short scoring runs from Charlie Garner, who finished with 107 yards on 15 carries, James Stewart and reserve quarterback Jerry Colquitt.

This was the first big test for 1st “full season” coach Phil Fulmer. The Bulldogs had lost the weak before to South Carolina, so some luster was diminished, but beating Georgia is always sweet.

Ray Goff was a great coach . . .

 

[peaygolf]

Ray Goff was a great coach . . .

View attachment 546406

Great for UT............0-5.

 

[peaygolf]

140 days……

#140 - 21-6 vs #18 Georgia Tech (1957)

A Homecoming crowd of 48,000 saw the #9 Vols win their sixth straight game of the season after losing the first game. “The squads sparred around for much of the first quarter before the Vols took over near midfield with little time left in the period. Five plays into the drive, Tennessee found itself at Tech’s 25 and tailback Bobby Gordon found Bill Anderson on a jump pass to the Tech four. Three plays later, Tommy Bronson scored on a one yard dive to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the second quarter. With the aid of stifling defense, the Vols continued to keep the Jackets at bay and eventually increased their lead midway through the third quarter. The score was the result of a 44 yard reverse by Bill Anderson that increased the lead to 14-0. The Volunteers opened the final quarter with a 6 play touchdown drive capped off by a 2 yard run by Carl Smith with 10:10 remaining in the contest.”
Tough losses would follow the next two weeks, but this win showed how good the ‘57 team could be…..

 

[Orange.]

140 days……

#140 - 21-6 vs #18 Georgia Tech (1957)

A Homecoming crowd of 48,000 saw the #9 Vols win their sixth straight game of the season after losing the first game. “The squads sparred around for much of the first quarter before the Vols took over near midfield with little time left in the period. Five plays into the drive, Tennessee found itself at Tech’s 25 and tailback Bobby Gordon found Bill Anderson on a jump pass to the Tech four. Three plays later, Tommy Bronson scored on a one yard dive to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the second quarter. With the aid of stifling defense, the Vols continued to keep the Jackets at bay and eventually increased their lead midway through the third quarter. The score was the result of a 44 yard reverse by Bill Anderson that increased the lead to 14-0. The Volunteers opened the final quarter with a 6 play touchdown drive capped off by a 2 yard run by Carl Smith with 10:10 remaining in the contest.”
Tough losses would follow the next two weeks, but this win showed how good the ‘57 team could be…..
View attachment 546509

John Ward's sidekick Bill Anderson #15! . Team captain. Outstanding VFL and Tennessee football commentator.

 

[peaygolf]

139 days……

#139 - 17-14 vs #17 South Carolina (2000)

After a 2-3 start to the season, things looked bleak, but after a win the week before vs Alabama, the Vols traveled to Columbia. An early turnover on a fumbled put set up Travis Henry’s first TD. The Vols looked like they would stretch the lead early in the 2nd quarter, but an 81 yard interception return tied the game at 7-7. A long TD pass by the Gamecocks and a UT field goal left the score 14-10 with about 7 minutes left in the game.
Casey Clausen went 6-7 and Travis Henry ran for 30 yards on the final drive, highlighted by him one yard touchdown with 26 seconds left to give the Vols a 17-14 victory. Henry finished with 115 yards rushing and the Vols held USCjrs to only 24 rushing yards. The winning continued for the rest of the regular season as UT finished 8-3 and a Bowl game in Dallas.

 

[peaygolf]

138 days…..

#138 - 17-14 vs Kentucky (1975)

Stanley Morgan scored early on an 80 yard run and Larry Seivers set up a Mike Gayles TD with a 36 yard reception to give the Vols a 17-0 2nd quarter lead in Lexington. After that, the offense sputtered and UK made a valiant comeback by scoring 13 unanswered points to trim the lead to four points. With 3 minutes left at the Vols 37 yard line, the Wildcats failed on a 4th down conversion, and the Vols ran out the clock for the victory. Morgan led UT with 138 yards on 17 carries.

UK was a bad team in 1975 and UT looked sloppy in the win, but the importance of the win wasn’t who they beat. The 17-13 victory was the 500th chalked up to the Vols since football was inaugurated on an intercollegiate basis in 1891 and placed the Vols in the elegant company of only eleven other schools to have accomplished the feat at that time….Truly a milestone win!!

 

[Tin Man]

Once, I threw a frisbee that my roommate failed to catch. His wave at it lifted it just enough to muss Chancellor Reese’s hair as it buzzed by. Yes, I almost smacked Jack Reese in the head with a frisbee. That I didn’t is the reason I continued to matriculate and eventually graduated from UT.

 

[peaygolf]

137 days……

#137 - 21-14 vs Minnesota (1986 Liberty Bowl)

The 1986 season started out as a disaster after the ‘85 Sugar Bowl season. After a 2-5 start, the Vols reeled off four consecutive wins to reach 6-5 and accepted an invitation to play Minnesota in the Liberty Bowl. Jeff Francis led UT with 243 passing yards and 3 TDs, while Joey Clinkscales caught TD passes of 18 yards and 15 yards. The victory gave UT a winning record and kept some momentum from the previous several seasons.





EDIT: That was a cold a$$ night.....

 

[Volinnooga]

At the time though.......It was a huge win for the program.....

I recall game 1 was a rather unimpressive win, and this game didn’t start out very well. We fell behind early but then Dobbs took over.

 

[peaygolf]

136 days….

#136 - 10-7 vs Auburn (1981)

Neither team was ranked, but after getting beat by Georgia and USC by a combined score of 87-7 in the opening two weeks, UT was in a must win. UT had beaten an overmatched Colorado St team the week before with a freshman QB, Alan Cockrell, making his first start. All eyes were on UT, as another SEC loss and a 1-3 start would be disastrous. On the fifth play of the game, Cockrell was lost for the season and Steve Alatorre entered. With the Vols trailing 7-3, Alatorre drove the Vols down the field and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a keeper in the second quarter. Both defenses held during the second half, but Auburn marched down the field with 5 minutes left and had the ball on the 4 yard line with 15 seconds left, but was out of time outs. Tiger QB, Ken Hobby fumbled the snap and fell on the ball as time ran out, preserving the Vols third win in a row over Auburn.
The Vols would go on to finish 7-4 and win the Garden State Bowl. A loss vs Auburn would have most certainly sent the season in a tailspin. The ‘81 season might have been Coach Majors best coaching job after the horrific start. The Auburn victory turned the season around……..

 

[peaygolf]

135 days……

#135 - 38-31 vs #19 Georgia (2015)

The Vols came into the game with a record of 2-3 and had blown 2TD leads in their three losses. The Vols decided to break tradition with the debut of the Smoky Grey uniforms, but quickly fell behind 24-3 with about 3 minutes left in the first half. A Dobbs TD pass on 4th and 8 with a minute left and a FG after Georgia fumbled the kick off cut the lead to 24-17. The second half belonged to Josh Dobbs, as he passed for 2 TDs and ran for another as UT held on for the third largest comeback in school history. Dobbs threw for over 300 yards, rushed for over 100 yards, and accounted for all 5 touchdowns. The Vols would only lose once again during the season.