peaygolf’s Countdown to Kickoff-2024

[Freak]

Thanks for the countdown @peaygolf

 

[Enki_Amenra]

We look at recent history with clear eyes. We often forget major moments/performances from the past.
This game by Hyatt isn't that.
It's THE best performance in UT history. Period.

Every factor was there. The down years. The streak. Can UT ever be a national power again. Is CJH the guy.

Those questions were answered by Hyatt and Hooker.

I almost put Hooker in the #1 slot with Hyatt, but I think Hyatt deserves to be singled out!

It was wild watching it live and, at the same time, knowing it was a legendary performance.

Rarely do we see something live that is so obviously a legendary game. Everything about that day was picture perfect for Vols fans.

 

[Tin Man]

Thanks for the countdown @peaygolf

What Freak said.

 

[Tin Man]

Ahem. @peaygolf

 

[peaygolf]

Game day!!!!!!!

The most important performance
Gene McEver-1928 vs Alabama
The 1928 outfit was Tennessee's first great team on a national level... Robert Neyland had been hired to turn around a struggling Tennessee outfit, and had recruited the "flaming sophmores", possibly the greatest collection of players ever to play on the same team in the history of the SEC. Bobby Dodd, Gene McEver, Buddy Hackman, and a quintet of linemen with no contemporary equal.

His first two seasons resulted in a quick turnaround(1926 = 8-1, 1927 = 8-0-1), but expectations were that his 1928 squad would be too inexperienced to be competitive... and the addition of the Rose Bowl champion Alabama Crimson Tide to the schedule did nothing to “hinder the proto-Legion of Miserables.”

The Volunteers first real test came in week three, versus an Ole Miss team that had been smacked around by an Alabama team that terrified everyone in Knoxville. The Rebels nearly pulled off the upset, but Buddy Hackman knocked down an attempted 2 point conversion at the end of the game to preserve a 13-12 win.

After struggling against a team that Alabama defeated by a 27-0 count, hopes were extremely low going into their first game against the Crimson Tide since 1914. Alabama had been to the Rose Bowl in 1925 and 1926, and hadn't lost a conference game in 5 years. Oddsmakers had Tennessee as a 5:1 underdog, with a spread of nearly 30 points... and confident Alabama fans were more than willing to take those bets from the Vol loyalists that made the trip south. In what was either a show of gamesmanship, or a coach underestimating his own team, Robert Neyland approached Wallace Wade before the game and came to an agreement to play an abbreviated second half if the game was out of hand.

Hopes for an Alabama blowout were dashed only seconds into the game as McEver returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a Volunteer TD. The Tide retaliated quickly, but failed to convert and trailed 7-6 just 5 minutes into the game. Tennessee added a safety and a TD pass from Dodd to McEver to extend their lead to 15-6, but Alabama answered once again... this time converting the XP to make it 15-13 at the half and the game had turned into a shootout. Or at least it seemed that way at the time... To the great sadness of Alabama fans, and to great detriment of their wallet the score never changed in the final 30 minutes. Tennessee had prevailed, the world was shocked, and people started paying attention to Tennessee.

McEver had single-handedly defeated the mighty Tide……and put Tennessee football on the national stage.

 

[peaygolf]

Cheers to all…..

Hope everyone has a wonderful 2024 football season!

 

[malinoisvol]

Thanks Peay!

 

[MAD]

Game day!!!!!!!

The most important performance
Gene McEver-1928 vs Alabama
The 1928 outfit was Tennessee's first great team on a national level... Robert Neyland had been hired to turn around a struggling Tennessee outfit, and had recruited the "flaming sophmores", possibly the greatest collection of players ever to play on the same team in the history of the SEC. Bobby Dodd, Gene McEver, Buddy Hackman, and a quintet of linemen with no contemporary equal.

His first two seasons resulted in a quick turnaround(1926 = 8-1, 1927 = 8-0-1), but expectations were that his 1928 squad would be too inexperienced to be competitive... and the addition of the Rose Bowl champion Alabama Crimson Tide to the schedule did nothing to “hinder the proto-Legion of Miserables.”

The Volunteers first real test came in week three, versus an Ole Miss team that had been smacked around by an Alabama team that terrified everyone in Knoxville. The Rebels nearly pulled off the upset, but Buddy Hackman knocked down an attempted 2 point conversion at the end of the game to preserve a 13-12 win.

After struggling against a team that Alabama defeated by a 27-0 count, hopes were extremely low going into their first game against the Crimson Tide since 1914. Alabama had been to the Rose Bowl in 1925 and 1926, and hadn't lost a conference game in 5 years. Oddsmakers had Tennessee as a 5:1 underdog, with a spread of nearly 30 points... and confident Alabama fans were more than willing to take those bets from the Vol loyalists that made the trip south. In what was either a show of gamesmanship, or a coach underestimating his own team, Robert Neyland approached Wallace Wade before the game and came to an agreement to play an abbreviated second half if the game was out of hand.

Hopes for an Alabama blowout were dashed only seconds into the game as McEver returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a Volunteer TD. The Tide retaliated quickly, but failed to convert and trailed 7-6 just 5 minutes into the game. Tennessee added a safety and a TD pass from Dodd to McEver to extend their lead to 15-6, but Alabama answered once again... this time converting the XP to make it 15-13 at the half and the game had turned into a shootout. Or at least it seemed that way at the time... To the great sadness of Alabama fans, and to great detriment of their wallet the score never changed in the final 30 minutes. Tennessee had prevailed, the world was shocked, and people started paying attention to Tennessee.

McEver had single-handedly defeated the mighty Tide……an out Tennessee football on the national stage.

View attachment 672051

That was such a great exciting read.
You truly saved the best for last.
Thank you so much.

 

[Smokey X]

Game day!!!!!!!

The most important performance
Gene McEver-1928 vs Alabama
The 1928 outfit was Tennessee's first great team on a national level... Robert Neyland had been hired to turn around a struggling Tennessee outfit, and had recruited the "flaming sophmores", possibly the greatest collection of players ever to play on the same team in the history of the SEC. Bobby Dodd, Gene McEver, Buddy Hackman, and a quintet of linemen with no contemporary equal.

His first two seasons resulted in a quick turnaround(1926 = 8-1, 1927 = 8-0-1), but expectations were that his 1928 squad would be too inexperienced to be competitive... and the addition of the Rose Bowl champion Alabama Crimson Tide to the schedule did nothing to “hinder the proto-Legion of Miserables.”

The Volunteers first real test came in week three, versus an Ole Miss team that had been smacked around by an Alabama team that terrified everyone in Knoxville. The Rebels nearly pulled off the upset, but Buddy Hackman knocked down an attempted 2 point conversion at the end of the game to preserve a 13-12 win.

After struggling against a team that Alabama defeated by a 27-0 count, hopes were extremely low going into their first game against the Crimson Tide since 1914. Alabama had been to the Rose Bowl in 1925 and 1926, and hadn't lost a conference game in 5 years. Oddsmakers had Tennessee as a 5:1 underdog, with a spread of nearly 30 points... and confident Alabama fans were more than willing to take those bets from the Vol loyalists that made the trip south. In what was either a show of gamesmanship, or a coach underestimating his own team, Robert Neyland approached Wallace Wade before the game and came to an agreement to play an abbreviated second half if the game was out of hand.

Hopes for an Alabama blowout were dashed only seconds into the game as McEver returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a Volunteer TD. The Tide retaliated quickly, but failed to convert and trailed 7-6 just 5 minutes into the game. Tennessee added a safety and a TD pass from Dodd to McEver to extend their lead to 15-6, but Alabama answered once again... this time converting the XP to make it 15-13 at the half and the game had turned into a shootout. Or at least it seemed that way at the time... To the great sadness of Alabama fans, and to great detriment of their wallet the score never changed in the final 30 minutes. Tennessee had prevailed, the world was shocked, and people started paying attention to Tennessee.

McEver had single-handedly defeated the mighty Tide……and put Tennessee football on the national stage.

View attachment 672051

thx Peay

 

[IndianaVol]

Best player gets the most important performance...what a way to wrap up another stellar countdown.

Thanks Peay...your efforts entertaining us these last week's have been much appreciated!!!