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

[peaygolf]

114 days……

#114 - 45-17 vs #17 Michigan (2002 Citrus Bowl)

After the disheartening loss in the SECG, most believed UT would be flat facing Michigan. That was definitely wrong. UT built an early lead with Casey Clausen running the show. Tennessee never trailed, opening a 24-10 halftime lead before Clausen burned the Wolverines with a pair of big plays in the second half. He tossed a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten with 5:23 left in the third quarter, then connected with Kelley Washington for a 37-yard scoring strike 1:23 into the final period. Tennessee scored again just 24 seconds later as Jabari Greer's interception set up Travis Stephens' three-yard touchdown run that made it 45-10.

Clausen completed 26 of 34 passes for a career-high 393 yards and 3 TDs and also ran for 2 touchdowns. The Vols would finish 11-2 and ranked #4 in the country. The “what ifs” still linger, but the victory over Michigan helped ease the pain just a little…….

 

[Orange.]

114 days……

#114 - 45-17 vs #17 Michigan (2002 Citrus Bowl)

After the disheartening loss in the SECG, most believed UT would be flat facing Michigan. That was definitely wrong. UT built an early lead with Casey Clausen running the show. Tennessee never trailed, opening a 24-10 halftime lead before Clausen burned the Wolverines with a pair of big plays in the second half. He tossed a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten with 5:23 left in the third quarter, then connected with Kelley Washington for a 37-yard scoring strike 1:23 into the final period. Tennessee scored again just 24 seconds later as Jabari Greer's interception set up Travis Stephens' three-yard touchdown run that made it 45-10.

Clausen completed 26 of 34 passes for a career-high 393 yards and 3 TDs and also ran for 2 touchdowns. The Vols would finish 11-2 and ranked #4 in the country. The “what ifs” still linger, but the victory over Michigan helped ease the pain just a little…….

View attachment 550899

One of my favorite games in real time but bittersweet before and after for the reasons you mention. It was a beat down.

 

[OneManGang]

114 days……

#114 - 45-17 vs #17 Michigan (2002 Citrus Bowl)

After the disheartening loss in the SECG, most believed UT would be flat facing Michigan. That was definitely wrong. UT built an early lead with Casey Clausen running the show. Tennessee never trailed, opening a 24-10 halftime lead before Clausen burned the Wolverines with a pair of big plays in the second half. He tossed a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten with 5:23 left in the third quarter, then connected with Kelley Washington for a 37-yard scoring strike 1:23 into the final period. Tennessee scored again just 24 seconds later as Jabari Greer's interception set up Travis Stephens' three-yard touchdown run that made it 45-10.

Clausen completed 26 of 34 passes for a career-high 393 yards and 3 TDs and also ran for 2 touchdowns. The Vols would finish 11-2 and ranked #4 in the country. The “what ifs” still linger, but the victory over Michigan helped ease the pain just a little…….

View attachment 550899

That 2001 campaign ranks with 1999 in disappointment. The Vols were 6-1 in SEC play (10-1 overall) going in to the SEC Championship Game against a 4-3 LSU squad they had already beaten earlier in the year. The Vols had beaten Florida in The Swamp 34-32 in the final game of the season that had been postponed due to 9/11. Upon their return from Gainesville, Vol faithful showered the team with roses, symbolic of going to the Rose Bowl which was hosting the National Championship Game. LSU had different plans and Tennessee went into the SECCG flat, assuming the win was "in the bag.". The Tigers came from behind to whip Our Beloved Vols 31-20.

Nebraska took Tennessee's place in the National Championship Game in the Rose Bowl and got trashed by Miami 37-14.

 

[peaygolf]

113 days…..

#113 - 20-0 vs Alabama (1955)

This was the first Alabama game of the Bowden Wyatt era. After two years with Harvey Robinson, the reigns were handed to the legend Wyatt. The Vols lost the first two games and looked sloppy in a victory over Chattanooga the week before, so the game in Birmingham could make or break the season.

Sparked by a spectacular performance by Johnny Majors, the Vols left little doubt in the outcome. Majors ran for 117 yards, completed 4-5 passes for 44 yards, returned three punts for 51 yards and two kickoffs for 52 yards. The defense only allowed Alabama one serious scoring opportunity, but Tommy Brunson’s fumble recovery stuffed it out.

The Vols would finish with a 6-3-1 record and Alabama would finish 0-10. It wasn’t the records of the teams playing that Saturday in Birmingham that made the game so important, it was the manner in which UT played that gave hope for the future without General Neyland on the sidelines. Fans now believed in Wyatt.

 

[Orange.]

113 days…..

#113 - 20-0 vs Alabama (1955)

This was the first Alabama game of the Bowden Wyatt era. After two years with Harvey Robinson, the reigns were handed to the legend Wyatt. The Vols lost the first two games and looked sloppy in a victory over Chattanooga the week before, so the game in Birmingham could make or break the season.

Sparked by a spectacular performance by Johnny Majors, the Vols left little doubt in the outcome. Majors ran for 117 yards, completed 4-5 passes for 44 yards, returned three punts for 51 yards and two kickoffs for 52 yards. The defense only allowed Alabama one serious scoring opportunity, but Tommy Brunson’s fumble recovery stuffed it out.

The Vols would finish with a 6-3-1 record and Alabama would finish 0-10. It wasn’t the records of the teams playing that Saturday in Birmingham that made the game so important, it was the manner in which UT played that gave hope for the future without General Neyland on the sidelines. Fans now believed in Wyatt.

View attachment 551059

Suck it, Bama

 

[Vol49er]

113 days…..

#113 - 20-0 vs Alabama (1955)

This was the first Alabama game of the Bowden Wyatt era. After two years with Harvey Robinson, the reigns were handed to the legend Wyatt. The Vols lost the first two games and looked sloppy in a victory over Chattanooga the week before, so the game in Birmingham could make or break the season.

Sparked by a spectacular performance by Johnny Majors, the Vols left little doubt in the outcome. Majors ran for 117 yards, completed 4-5 passes for 44 yards, returned three punts for 51 yards and two kickoffs for 52 yards. The defense only allowed Alabama one serious scoring opportunity, but Tommy Brunson’s fumble recovery stuffed it out.

The Vols would finish with a 6-3-1 record and Alabama would finish 0-10. It wasn’t the records of the teams playing that Saturday in Birmingham that made the game so important, it was the manner in which UT played that gave hope for the future without General Neyland on the sidelines. Fans now believed in Wyatt.

View attachment 551059

Make Alabama 0-10 Again (I’ll settle for 2-10)

 

[Tin Man]

An Alabama 20-year losing streak to the Vols would be acceptable, whatever their record against others.

 

[peaygolf]

112 days……

#112 - 20-0 vs #18 LSU (1939)

The Vols entered Batin Rouge on an eighteen game winning streak and had shutout ten in a row. A full house of 45,000 waited to see if the Tigers dangerous passing attack could finally threaten UT……it couldn’t.

The game was scoreless late in the first quarter, when Johnny Butler hit Bob Andridge on a 9 yard touchdown to put UT in the lead. Late in the 2nd, after an interception, George Cafego scored from sixteen yards out to make it 14-0. The second half was again dominated by the Vols defense. After another turnover, the Vols increased the lead to 20-0, and LSU never threatened.

The LSU game was the last major test UT would face during the ‘39 regular season, which would see the Vols go undefeated and unscored upon.

 

[peaygolf]

111 days.........

#111 - 38-7 vs #22 Texas A&M (2005 Cotton Bowl)

"Probably our best effort of the year," coach Phillip Fulmer called it. It also was the most lopsided victory in the school's 45-game bowl history. The Volunteers (10-3) came within 5:13 of their first bowl shutout since the last time they played the Aggies, way back in the 1957 Gator Bowl.

The rout began when CJ Fayton turned a short pass into a 57-yard touchdown on the game's seventh play. Tennessee surprised A&M by continuing to pass and the Vols defense stunned the Aggies by producing five turnovers. A&M had just eight all season. Rick Clausen showed the poise and patience of a season leader, not a junior transfer who was beaten out by two freshmen and was playing only because they were both hurt. He finished 18-of-27 for 222 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks.

Riggs followed his career-high 182 yards in the SEC championship with 102 and a touchdown on 18 carries. Houston ran 13 times for 62 yards, enough to make him and Riggs the first Tennessee teammates to have 1,000 yards in the same season.

After losing to Auburn in the SECCG, the Cotton Bowl victory was a nice way to end a successful season. The Vols were ranked #13 to end the year. Things were looking good for the future after the win, but expectations can the fickle.

 

[peaygolf]

110 days….

#110 - 40-13 vs #25 LSU (2022)

No. 8 Tennessee made its first trip to LSU in over a decade a memorable one as the Volunteers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 40-13 win over the No. 25 Tigers. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for Tennessee in the cross-division series and marked the program's first win over LSU since 2005.

Hendon Hooker led the way for Tennessee with 239 yards passing and another 56 rushing, and the Volunteers defense also delivered in some key moments. LSU's depleted offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels, surrendering five sacks. Jabari Small ran for two touchdowns and totaled 127 yards on 22 carries.

The win in Baton Rouge was huge for momentum, as the Vols would face Alabama the following week…….

 

[Orange.]

111 days.........

#111 - 38-7 vs #22 Texas A&M (2005 Cotton Bowl)

"Probably our best effort of the year," coach Phillip Fulmer called it. It also was the most lopsided victory in the school's 45-game bowl history. The Volunteers (10-3) came within 5:13 of their first bowl shutout since the last time they played the Aggies, way back in the 1957 Gator Bowl.

The rout began when CJ Fayton turned a short pass into a 57-yard touchdown on the game's seventh play. Tennessee surprised A&M by continuing to pass and the Vols defense stunned the Aggies by producing five turnovers. A&M had just eight all season. Rick Clausen showed the poise and patience of a season leader, not a junior transfer who was beaten out by two freshmen and was playing only because they were both hurt. He finished 18-of-27 for 222 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks.

Riggs followed his career-high 182 yards in the SEC championship with 102 and a touchdown on 18 carries. Houston ran 13 times for 62 yards, enough to make him and Riggs the first Tennessee teammates to have 1,000 yards in the same season.

After losing to Auburn in the SECCG, the Cotton Bowl victory was a nice way to end a successful season. The Vols were ranked #13 to end the year. Things were looking good for the future after the win, but expectations can the fickle.

110 days….

#110 - 40-13 vs #25 LSU (2022)

No. 8 Tennessee made its first trip to LSU in over a decade a memorable one as the Volunteers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 40-13 win over the No. 25 Tigers. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for Tennessee in the cross-division series and marked the program's first win over LSU since 2005.

Hendon Hooker led the way for Tennessee with 239 yards passing and another 56 rushing, and the Volunteers defense also delivered in some key moments. LSU's depleted offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels, surrendering five sacks. Jabari Small ran for two touchdowns and totaled 127 yards on 22 carries.

The win in Baton Rouge was huge for momentum, as the Vols would face Alabama the following week…….

View attachment 551539

I think placing these two games side by side was a stroke of genius, Peay. That game in Baton Rouge was the moment, to me, that it felt like we were equal to 2005 -- and still ascending.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

110 days….

#110 - 40-13 vs #25 LSU (2022)

No. 8 Tennessee made its first trip to LSU in over a decade a memorable one as the Volunteers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 40-13 win over the No. 25 Tigers. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for Tennessee in the cross-division series and marked the program's first win over LSU since 2005.

Hendon Hooker led the way for Tennessee with 239 yards passing and another 56 rushing, and the Volunteers defense also delivered in some key moments. LSU's depleted offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels, surrendering five sacks. Jabari Small ran for two touchdowns and totaled 127 yards on 22 carries.

The win in Baton Rouge was huge for momentum, as the Vols would face Alabama the following week…….

View attachment 551539

If you go back and watch this clip of Hyatt scoring on this deep ball the crowd eruption from our fans in an away venue was incredibly loud. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard an away crowd be this loud before. That day was a lot of fun.

 

[SmokinBob]

If you go back and watch this clip of Hyatt scoring on this deep ball the crowd eruption from our fans in an away venue was incredibly loud. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard an away crowd be loud before. That day was a lot of fun.

That was the most fun I’ve had at an away game!

 

[volbound1700]

That 2001 campaign ranks with 1999 in disappointment. The Vols were 6-1 in SEC play (10-1 overall) going in to the SEC Championship Game against a 4-3 LSU squad they had already beaten earlier in the year. The Vols had beaten Florida in The Swamp 34-32 in the final game of the season that had been postponed due to 9/11. Upon their return from Gainesville, Vol faithful showered the team with roses, symbolic of going to the Rose Bowl which was hosting the National Championship Game. LSU had different plans and Tennessee went into the SECCG flat, assuming the win was "in the bag.". The Tigers came from behind to whip Our Beloved Vols 31-20.

Nebraska took Tennessee's place in the National Championship Game in the Rose Bowl and got trashed by Miami 37-14.

Agree, this is where the heat fell on Fulmer. 1997 (I will add it as well), 1999, 2001, and 2002 should have all been better seasons than what happened on the field.

 

[peaygolf]

109 days……

#109 - 13-0 vs Kentucky (1937)

On a cool Thanksgiving day in Lexington, George Cafego and Babe Woods scored TDs as the Vols defeated UK 13-0. The defense was tremendous, keeping Wildcat great Bob Davis pinned in all day.

The Vols would finish the season 6-3-1 and Kentucky was 4-6. The impact of this game wasn’t notable at first, but it started something that we may never see again as UT fans. This win over Kentucky started a streak of 23 consecutive victories for the Vols…….

 

[Orange.]

109 days……

#109 - 13-0 vs Kentucky (1937)

On a cool Thanksgiving day in Lexington, George Cafego and Babe Woods scored TDs as the Vols defeated UK 13-0. The defense was tremendous, keeping Wildcat great Bob Davis pinned in all day.

The Vols would finish the season 6-3-1 and Kentucky was 4-6. The impact of this game wasn’t notable at first, but it started something that we may never see again as UT fans. This win over Kentucky started a streak of 23 consecutive victories for the Vols…….


View attachment 551656t

Didn't work out like that Kentuck program cover imagined.

When I read this my first thought was: We are going to break that record! GBO!

 

[peaygolf]

Didn't work out like that Kentuck program cover imagined.

When I read this my first thought was: We are going to break that record! GBO!

21 more to go……

 

[Orange.]

21 more to go……

We're 42-0 in this thread already!

 

[peaygolf]

We're 42-0 in this thread already!

Only wins in this thread my friend.................

 

[peaygolf]

108 days……

#108 - 45-23 vs #17 Virginia Tech (1994 Gator Bowl)

Both teams finished the regular season with 8-4 records, but UT had won their final 5 games. Freshman Peyton Manning was starting at QB due to injuries and he and the Vols kept getting better and better each week.

James Stewart scored twice on one-yard runs and hit Kendrick Jones on a halfback option pass that gave Tennessee a 35-7 lead with 2:13 left in the half. Stewart's final touchdown, a four-yard run early in the fourth period, gave the Vols a 42-16 lead. Manning was 12-19 for 189 yards and a touchdown in the 45-23 victory.

The Vols would finish the season ranked #22 and riding a six game winning streak. The momentum at the end of the season, and this victory, showed what was coming in the future. The next several years were going to be special…….

 

[peaygolf]

EDIT:

Being at The Swamp and winning the Gator Bowl was nice BTW..........That was one of my Top 10 games I've ever been to!

 

[peaygolf]

107 days…..

#107 - 27-13 vs Alabama (1951)

The Vols would defeat the Tide 27-13 in their 1951 matchup in Birmingham. Alabama would only finish 5-6, while the Vols would finish the regular season 10-0 and win the national championship.

It’s not the matchup, the rankings, or the over all play on the field that makes this particular game so important. It the impact it had on the national exposure UT would garnish from it.

This was the first nationally televised game in UT history. Hank Lauricella was magnificent as usual and Ted Daffer and Pug Pearman spearheaded the defense. It was UTs first win in Birmingham since 1940 and the 27 points were the most UT had ever scored vs Bama, but the national tv exposure is why it makes it on my list……

 

[Tin Man]

107 days…..

#107 - 27-13 vs Alabama (1951)

The Vols would defeat the Tide 27-13 in their 1951 matchup in Birmingham. Alabama would only finish 5-6, while the Vols would finish the regular season 10-0 and win the national championship.

It’s not the matchup, the rankings, or the over all play on the field that makes this particular game so important. It the impact it had on the national exposure UT would garnish from it.

This was the first nationally televised game in UT history. Hank Lauricella was magnificent as usual and Ted Daffer and Pug Pearman spearheaded the defense. It was UTs first win in Birmingham since 1940 and the 27 points were the most UT had ever scored vs Bama, but the national tv exposure is why it makes it on my list……


View attachment 551990

The turnovers... The turnovers...

 

[OneManGang]

The turnovers... The turnovers...

Joseph Conrad smiles.

 

[peaygolf]

106 days…..

#106 - 30-16 vs #21 UCLA (1991)

With temperatures on the field at 115 degrees, survival was the main goal as the #11 Vols hosted UCLA.

Despite having its ground game shut down all day, Tennessee never trailed. Tennessee scored first on a 34-yard pass from Andy Kelly to Carl Pickens in the first quarter. Darryl Hardy blocked a punt that lead to a quick score, Tracy Smith returned an interception for a 38 yard TD, and a short run by JJ McCleskey was enough for the victory. Kelly threw for 275 yards and Pickens had 104 yards receiving. Earnest Fields and Shazzon Bradley combined for 21 tackles, as UT held UCLA to less than 300 yards of offense.

The victory showed the country how good UT could be in 1991. Huge upcoming games vs ranked teams were on the schedule and the Vols looked poised for a great season.