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Tenner Nostalgia Facts you likely don’t know
Posted on 9/19/24 at 11:12 pm
Posted on 9/19/24 at 11:12 pm
Separate from the cat fights over the game I like to read up on SEC teams and learn their background. Toby Rowland put out some great stuff and I’ll post it here for folks to learn about them:
Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium is named after Brigadier General Robert Neyland, winningest coach in Vols history. He served in both World Wars. A defensive genius, his Vols posted 112 shutouts in the 216 games he coached…17-in-a-row from 1938-40.
Tennessee’s checkerboard end zones come from Ayers Hall, an academic building near the stadium w/checkerboard design at top. Coach Neyland told players to “run toward the checkerboard” on offense. In ‘64 Coach Dickey painted the end zones as checkerboards
Tales of “Smokey” - Volume 1
In 1953 Tennessee held a halftime contest to select an official dog mascot. Rev. W.C. Brooks’ bluetick coonhound named “Brooks’ Blue Smokey” got the loudest cheer from fans. He was the 1st of now 11 “Smokies.”
Tales of “Smokey” - Volume 2
In 1955, Kentucky students dognapped “Smokey II” for 8 days, parading him around in a Kentucky sweater before returning him. A week later, 3 Vanderbilt students attempted the same heist, but took the wrong dog.
Tales of “Smokey” - Vol. 3
“Smokey II” survived a scare at the 1957 Sugar Bowl when the Baylor bear took several swats at him. Unfortunately, “Smokey II” died in 1963, reportedly after he was fed chocolate pie at the Kentucky game.
“Tales of Smokey” - Vol. 4
During the 1991 UCLA game, “Smokey VI” suffered heat exhaustion in 100+ degree temps and was listed on the Vols injury report until he returned. A kennel mate named "Woody" took over while he recovered.
Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium is named after Brigadier General Robert Neyland, winningest coach in Vols history. He served in both World Wars. A defensive genius, his Vols posted 112 shutouts in the 216 games he coached…17-in-a-row from 1938-40.
Tennessee’s checkerboard end zones come from Ayers Hall, an academic building near the stadium w/checkerboard design at top. Coach Neyland told players to “run toward the checkerboard” on offense. In ‘64 Coach Dickey painted the end zones as checkerboards
Tales of “Smokey” - Volume 1
In 1953 Tennessee held a halftime contest to select an official dog mascot. Rev. W.C. Brooks’ bluetick coonhound named “Brooks’ Blue Smokey” got the loudest cheer from fans. He was the 1st of now 11 “Smokies.”
Tales of “Smokey” - Volume 2
In 1955, Kentucky students dognapped “Smokey II” for 8 days, parading him around in a Kentucky sweater before returning him. A week later, 3 Vanderbilt students attempted the same heist, but took the wrong dog.
Tales of “Smokey” - Vol. 3
“Smokey II” survived a scare at the 1957 Sugar Bowl when the Baylor bear took several swats at him. Unfortunately, “Smokey II” died in 1963, reportedly after he was fed chocolate pie at the Kentucky game.
“Tales of Smokey” - Vol. 4
During the 1991 UCLA game, “Smokey VI” suffered heat exhaustion in 100+ degree temps and was listed on the Vols injury report until he returned. A kennel mate named "Woody" took over while he recovered.
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Posted on 9/19/24 at 11:13 pm to OU Guy
“Tales of Smokey” - Vol. 5
“Smokey VII” roamed the sidelines for Tennessee for only 3 seasons. He was forced into early retirement after he nipped at the same UT band member in consecutive games in 1994.
“Tales of Smokey” - Vol. 6
“Smokey IX” was also feisty. In 2006 he bit an Alabama WR during pregame warmups who dove for a ball out of bounds. In another game, he ran onto the field and nipped the hip of the Vols’ deep snapper at halftime.
“Tales of Smokey” - Vol. 7 (Final Installment)
On game days “Smokey XI” (current Smokey) is handled by members of UT's Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. For home games, he spends the weekend in the fraternity house on campus.
John Ward was the iconic Voice of the Vols for over 3 decades. Perhaps his most famous call came in his final season of 1998 when UT beat Florida for the 1st time in 8 years.
Despite its storied history in college football, Tennessee has never had a Heisman Trophy winner. A Volunteer has finished 2nd in the Heisman balloting 4 times.
1951 - Hank Lauricella
1956 - Johnny Majors
1993 - Heath Shuler
1997 - Peyton Manning
Contrary to popular belief, “Rocky Top” is NOT the fight song of Tennessee. The Vols’ fight song is “Down The Field.” It’s played every game when UT takes the field. Despite that fact, “Rocky Top” has often been voted the #1 college fight song.
Toby Rowland
@TRowOU
Voice of the Sooners, News9/NewsOn6 Contributor, Host of T-Row in the Morning Show on THE REF 1400AM, Ambassador, Author, Professor, Wagon Unhitcher
“Smokey VII” roamed the sidelines for Tennessee for only 3 seasons. He was forced into early retirement after he nipped at the same UT band member in consecutive games in 1994.
“Tales of Smokey” - Vol. 6
“Smokey IX” was also feisty. In 2006 he bit an Alabama WR during pregame warmups who dove for a ball out of bounds. In another game, he ran onto the field and nipped the hip of the Vols’ deep snapper at halftime.
“Tales of Smokey” - Vol. 7 (Final Installment)
On game days “Smokey XI” (current Smokey) is handled by members of UT's Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. For home games, he spends the weekend in the fraternity house on campus.
John Ward was the iconic Voice of the Vols for over 3 decades. Perhaps his most famous call came in his final season of 1998 when UT beat Florida for the 1st time in 8 years.
Despite its storied history in college football, Tennessee has never had a Heisman Trophy winner. A Volunteer has finished 2nd in the Heisman balloting 4 times.
1951 - Hank Lauricella
1956 - Johnny Majors
1993 - Heath Shuler
1997 - Peyton Manning
Contrary to popular belief, “Rocky Top” is NOT the fight song of Tennessee. The Vols’ fight song is “Down The Field.” It’s played every game when UT takes the field. Despite that fact, “Rocky Top” has often been voted the #1 college fight song.
Toby Rowland
@TRowOU
Voice of the Sooners, News9/NewsOn6 Contributor, Host of T-Row in the Morning Show on THE REF 1400AM, Ambassador, Author, Professor, Wagon Unhitcher
This post was edited on 9/19/24 at 11:20 pm
Posted on 9/19/24 at 11:19 pm to OU Guy
"Tales of Smokey" - Vol. 6
Alabama radio broadcast in the pregame prior to the TSiO:
"And let's go down on the field to Jerry Duncan. What do you see down there, Jerry?
"Well, Eli, Smokey just came out of the tunnel. He's about a hundred yards away from me, and if I had my deer rifle I believe I could drop him. Back to you, Eli."
Alabama radio broadcast in the pregame prior to the TSiO:
"And let's go down on the field to Jerry Duncan. What do you see down there, Jerry?
"Well, Eli, Smokey just came out of the tunnel. He's about a hundred yards away from me, and if I had my deer rifle I believe I could drop him. Back to you, Eli."
Posted on 9/19/24 at 11:23 pm to TheTideMustRoll
quote:I thought I’d heard them all but hadn’t heard that one.
Well, Eli, Smokey just came out of the tunnel. He's about a hundred yards away from me, and if I had my deer rifle I believe I could drop him. Back to you, Eli."
Pity he didn’t come prepared for the game.
Posted on 9/20/24 at 12:02 am to OU Guy
You done your research well
You get an A
You get an A
Posted on 9/20/24 at 12:05 am to TheTideMustRoll
Were not beating the nice allegations anytime soon
Posted on 9/20/24 at 12:20 am to OU Guy
Since the OU and Bama colors are similar. You should embrace the hate for Tennessee together.
Posted on 9/20/24 at 12:40 am to OU Guy
Nice job on the research. Poor Smokey the 2nd went through it being dognapped and swatted at by a bear then Ky causing his death by feeding him chocolate pie. 
This post was edited on 9/20/24 at 12:43 am
Posted on 9/20/24 at 2:14 am to OU Guy
quote:
“Smokey IX” was also feisty. In 2006 he bit an Alabama WR during pregame warmups who dove for a ball out of bounds. In another game, he ran onto the field and nipped the hip of the Vols’ deep snapper at halftime.
It was actually a Kentucky punter practicing at halftime.
This post was edited on 9/20/24 at 3:14 am
Posted on 9/20/24 at 6:54 am to OU Guy
Peyton should've won the Heisman.
Shuler shouldn't have been second or third or fourth. It was a decent year but nothing special. 9-1-1 team. Averaged barely over 200 yards passing per game. 25 touchdowns. Whoopdeedoo.
Marshall Faulk ran for over 1500.
Shuler shouldn't have been second or third or fourth. It was a decent year but nothing special. 9-1-1 team. Averaged barely over 200 yards passing per game. 25 touchdowns. Whoopdeedoo.
Marshall Faulk ran for over 1500.
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:13 am to OU Guy
#KnowYourEnemy
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:34 am to koreandawg
quote:
Shuler shouldn't have been second or third or fourth. It was a decent year but nothing special. 9-1-1 team. Averaged barely over 200 yards passing per game. 25 touchdowns. Whoopdeedoo.
In 1993 Shuler led the SEC in completion %, Passing TDs, Average Yard per Attempt, and Passer Rating. He only ran for 3 TDs that season...but ran for 11 the year before.
He threw more TDs that season than Eric Zeier did at UGA...which anyone will admit, was a feat against SEC defenses of the early 90s. Oh...in Tennessee's offense, he was on the field 150 fewer plays than Zeier that season and still threw more TDs.
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:36 am to BigOrangeBri
Damn they couldn't get a better zoom on that? 
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:42 am to OU Guy
You failed to mention that the Beverly Hillbillies were the original handlers of Smokey
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:46 am to OU Guy
Rumor has it the Vols may wear their throwback unis Saturday.
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:46 am to koreandawg
Fulmer cost Peyton the Heisman . Fulmer is just hated by most of the cfb world.
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:53 am to llfshoals
Good old Jerry Duncan:
"Well, Eli, these Tennessee folks are really giving it to our boys down here, they hate us. But by God, I hate them too. Back to you, Eli."
"Well, Eli, these Tennessee folks are really giving it to our boys down here, they hate us. But by God, I hate them too. Back to you, Eli."
Posted on 9/20/24 at 7:58 am to POTUS2024
I learned something about tenner I wasn't aware of...according to that fellow in the video, Tennessee is a bunch of snitches? Is this true? Snitches?
Posted on 9/20/24 at 8:33 am to N0T SURE
quote:
I learned something about tenner I wasn't aware of...according to that fellow in the video, Tennessee is a bunch of snitches? Is this true? Snitches?
Fulmer testified against Bama to the NCAA. He wasn’t the only one but he takes all the blame.
Posted on 9/20/24 at 8:35 am to OU Guy
quote:
“Smokey VII” roamed the sidelines for Tennessee for only 3 seasons. He was forced into early retirement after he nipped at the same UT band member in consecutive games in 1994.
He was the best Smokey EVER. He was mean as Hell.
When introduced as a small puppy, he promptly squatted in the endzone and took a dump. To the cheers of a packed Neyland Stadium.
In 1992 he tried to kill Uga at Sanford. The handlers thought it would be a good idea to introduce the mascots. It was a very bad idea. Smokey almost pulled his handler down trying to get that bulldog. He was not playing, wanted that Dawg. Uga almost pulled his handler down, literally yelping in terror and trying to get away.
A band member and a Bammer are not all he bit. He bit fans, He bit a cheerleader, he even bit his handlers. The liability was just too great. Smokey interacts with a lot of people, and VII just wasn't a people or other animal type dog. He just had a mean disposition. He was definitely a my way, or your arse gets bit type dog.
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