gnm53108
Go VOLS!
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Imagine being at Notre Dame in 1979. You’re ranked #13, and you’re playing a road game at Tennessee, who just lost at home to Rutgers the previous Saturday.32 Days!
Hubert Simpson wore #32. He burst onto the scene in 1979 and helped Tennessee to one of the first signature wins under third-year head coach Johnny Majors.
From down the road in Athens, Tennessee, Simpson played at McMinn County High School before joining the Vols in 1976. It took some time for him to impact Tennessee's offense, but he had a memorable--and historic--starting debut against No. 13 Notre Dame at Neyland Stadium on Nov. 10, 1979.
Coming off of an upset loss to Rutgers at home the week before, the Vols reversed course vs. the Fighting Irish. Behind Simpson and quarterback Jimmy Streater, Tennessee routed Notre Dame, 40-18.
Playing fullback, Simpson tied a program record with four rushing touchdowns to go along with 117 yards, out-shining touted Fighting Irish Vagas Ferguson, who was held to just 88 yards and was stopped by the Tennessee defense in a game-altering goal-line stand in the first half.
Simpson had his most productive season that year, rushing for 792 yards and six touchdowns on 157 carries.
In three seasons, Simpson combined for 1,516 yards and 11 scores, which ranks 32nd in program history.
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at one time that was an NCAA or SEC record35 Days!
#35 William Howard was a four-year letter winner and All-SEC running back at Tennessee between 1984-87 before a productive two-year stint in the NFL.
Howard signed with the Vols out of Lima Senior High School in Ohio in 1984, and was a reserve running back on Tennessee's 1985 SEC Championship team that beat Miami in the Sugar Bowl.
Howard had his best campaign as a junior in 1986, rushing for nearly 800 yards and 14 touchdowns in just eight games. He was key in helping turn the Vols' season around after a 2-5 start. Tennessee won its last five games to finish 7-5, and Howard was named Second Team All-SEC.
Over four seasons, Howard accounted for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns on 398 carries, and caught 70 passes for more than 600 yards and another score.
Howard remains in the Vols' record books in consecutive rushes by the same player with 16 against Ole Miss in 1986.
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You remind me of a friend from Michigan who would regurgitate a weak point and chew on it over and over again, subjecting everyone to repetitious argument. Punting effectively is a critical element of the game. Pin your opponent deep in their own territory, increasing your opportunity to thwart their drive, and take over possession at an advantageous field position. Maxim #6 isn’t just about blocking kicks or receiving your opponent’s kicks and mounting a return.Receiving kicks, yes, punting not so much. It is really hard to score when you kick the ball to the other team.
if you have the lead this always worksYou remind me of a friend from Michigan who would regurgitate a weak point and chew on it over and over again, subjecting everyone to repetitious argument. Punting effectively is a critical element of the game. Pin your opponent deep in their own territory, increasing your opportunity to thwart their drive, and take over possession at an advantageous field position. Maxim #6 isn’t just about blocking kicks or receiving your opponent’s kicks and mounting a return.
Heck, arguably the worst coach in Volunteer history scored off a "punt"...an onside kick goes in the records as a punt.Receiving kicks, yes, punting not so much. It is really hard to score when you kick the ball to the other team.
The white shoes era!26 Days!
Willie Gault, who starred for Tennessee as a wide receiver and kickoff returner with world-class speed and was an All-American in both football and track between 1979-82, wore #26.
Gault was a standout football and track star at Griffin High School in Georgia before signing with the Vols in 1979. He made limited contributions as a freshman, catching three passes for 95 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown reception in Tennessee's 51-18 win over Utah.
Gault had a record-breaking campaign as a sophomore in 1980, setting a single-season record for kickoffs returns for touchdowns with three, one of which went for 98 yards to headline a 51-13 victory against Vanderbilt in Nashville.
As a receiver, Gault had 14 receptions for 240 yards and a 48-yard touchdown catch in a 51-13 rout of Kentucky that season.
Gault upped his receiving numbers in each of his last two seasons with the Vols, turning a career-best 668 yards and four scores on 50 catches as a senior in 1982, earning both All-SEC and All-America status.
Away from football, Gault won six individual SEC and two national titles for Tennessee's track and field team and was an 11-time All-American. He qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, though the U.S. boycotted the event.
Gault was taken as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears where he spent five seasons and was a member of the Super Bowl XX-winning team.
After being traded to the Los Angeles Raiders, Gault played another six seasons before retiring following the 1993 season. In 11 seasons in the NFL, Gault totaled 333 receptions, 6,635 yards and 44 touchdowns as a receiver and 1,088 yards and a touchdown as kick returner.
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Gault was one of my favorites growing up...Wide Receiver U was in full force !!!26 Days!
Willie Gault, who starred for Tennessee as a wide receiver and kickoff returner with world-class speed and was an All-American in both football and track between 1979-82, wore #26.
Gault was a standout football and track star at Griffin High School in Georgia before signing with the Vols in 1979. He made limited contributions as a freshman, catching three passes for 95 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown reception in Tennessee's 51-18 win over Utah.
Gault had a record-breaking campaign as a sophomore in 1980, setting a single-season record for kickoffs returns for touchdowns with three, one of which went for 98 yards to headline a 51-13 victory against Vanderbilt in Nashville.
As a receiver, Gault had 14 receptions for 240 yards and a 48-yard touchdown catch in a 51-13 rout of Kentucky that season.
Gault upped his receiving numbers in each of his last two seasons with the Vols, turning a career-best 668 yards and four scores on 50 catches as a senior in 1982, earning both All-SEC and All-America status.
Away from football, Gault won six individual SEC and two national titles for Tennessee's track and field team and was an 11-time All-American. He qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, though the U.S. boycotted the event.
Gault was taken as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears where he spent five seasons and was a member of the Super Bowl XX-winning team.
After being traded to the Los Angeles Raiders, Gault played another six seasons before retiring following the 1993 season. In 11 seasons in the NFL, Gault totaled 333 receptions, 6,635 yards and 44 touchdowns as a receiver and 1,088 yards and a touchdown as kick returner.
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