University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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8 Book I You Voltuneers f all on hard times The first half of Tennesseets 1988 foot- ball season is one that many fans will not soon forget. The team began the year by losing its first six games, something that no other Volunteer team had ever done before. Three of the six losses were not even close, as the composite score of 124-39 would indicate. The defense allowed an average of more than 460 yards per game, and the offense - despite having one of the best balanced attacks in the country - struggled to put points on the board. However, many fans had delusions of grandeur about the team coming into this season, and why not? The Volunteers were coming off a 10-2-1 year, and they still had stars Jeff Francis and Keith DeLong for another season. Many football publications had them listed in the Top 20 during the preseason, saying that they might be the fldarkhorse the Southeastern Conference. Unfortunately, Tennessee and its fans found out early that skilled players are not the only important people on a football team. Following the 1987-88 season, three experienced offensive linemen - John Bruhin, Harry Galbreath and Todd Kirk - and three valuable defensive backs - Terry McDaniel, Victor Peppers and Andre Creamer -- were gone, and suddenly there were several voids to fill. The offensive line was not expected to be much of a problem, because there were players such as Robbin Perry, Eric Still and Antone Davis ready to take over. However, Perry was injured in the spring, and soon after the season started Still and Davis sustained ankle injuries. That left the Volunteers with a thin, inexperienced line heading into an unenviable early-season sche- dule, which included Georgia, LSU and Auburn three out of the first four weeks. As bad as the situ- ation was on the offensive line, the secondary was even worse. The absence of McDaniel - a first-round draft choice by the Los Angeles Raiders - along with Peppers and Creamer, created perhaps the biggest problem for the coaching staff. Sophomores Preston War- ren and Jeremy Lincoln were tabbed as their replacements, but neither player had seen much action during their brief collegi- ate careers. The safety position appeared to be the stronger area, with Cedric Kline and Kelly Days both coming back with adequ- ate experience, but shoulder injuries put them on the bench before the season started. Throughout the spring and fall practices, head coach Johnny Majors repeatedly warned about the team,s inexperience, but it wasnlt until the season opener against Georgia that people started to believe him. The Bulldog offense rolled up 404 yards rushing en route to a 28-17 win. Many of the runs by Rodney Hampton 083 yardsl and Tim Worley 026 yardsi came at the expense of the rookie players. The Tennessee offense moved the ball well in its first game, and the team led at half- time 10-7. But a crucial fumble by Francis on third and goal late in the game gave- Georgia the break John Kotlowski it needed. The Duke Blue Devils invaded Neyland Stadium on a rainy September night and leftrwith a 31-26 victory. The Blue Devils rolled up more than,500 yards total offense and didnlt look at all like they were perennial doormats. Tennes- see, on the other hand, did. Entering the LSU game with an 0-2 record, the Volunteers were far from confident. The Tigers took advantage of this by coasting to a 34-9 win in what was fast becoming typical Tennessee football weather - rainy and depressing. Once again the defense was shoddy, and LSU quarterback Tommy Hodson had a field day, completing his first 12 passes. Tennessee went to Auburn the next week, hoping to salvage some pride and prove some of its critics wrong. For the first 30 minutes, it appeared as if the team would. Trailing 10-6 at halftime, the Volunteers opened up the second half by fumbling on their first three possessions. The Tigers, behind SEC quarterback leader Reggie Slack, cashed in on these mistakes, and the end result was a 38-6 win. Tennessee continued to slide against Washington State. In one case, this game was the final straw. Following the Cougars 52-24 shellack- ing, Majors announced the resignation of defensive coordinator Ken Donahue. Washington State had amassed more than 600 yards in total offense, led by quarter- back Timm Rosenbach, who threw for five touchdowns. Despite the teams 0-5 record, there were still people who continued to hold onto the dream of a winning season. This was a team that had to play no less than 10 redshirt players at one time. This was a team that had not played a consis- tent ballgame in nine months. It was a team that didnlt think it could win. Tennessee enjoyed an open week before taking on traditional rival Alabama, The defense played a solid first half, despite giving up a 60-yard bomb early in the opening quarter. The Volunteers went into the lockeroom trailing 14-9, but one of the Tideis scores came on an intercep- tion return. If the offense had come to life like the defense had, Tennessee would have won the contest. But Alabamals defense would not allow the offense to get into a rhythm, and the Volunteers fell 28-20. It was their third consecutive loss to the Tide. -by Bill Bryant Defensive tackle Mark Moore takes a needed cool- down break. The Tennessee defense spent a lot of time on the field but failed to stop the onslaught in its first six games.

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John Kotlowski 1. Jana Surber and Sandra Papuchis try to raise the rather low spirits of the crowd. 2. Rainy days and Saturdays bring the V013 down, but the fans keep coming out. 3 Wrapping up another haIf-time circle drill, the Pride of the Southland Marching Band takes a bow. 4. This host of Volunteer defenders allowed LSU 257 yards rushing. 5. Smokey, UTts que-tick mascot, has howled for the football team since 1953. 6. Volunteer head coach Johnny M 'ors switched mid- season from the dapper coat and tie look back to his orange and white coaching clothes.

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A Taste of the Beach Book I 9 Students tdigi into new sand e' volleyball court The Student Aquatic Center brought the beach to heathen pus as sand volleyball became one of the hottest UT ' crazes s1nce students started bar crawling on the Strip. Whether people liked diving deep into a bed of sahd awhile goi W'for'l'that crucial dig or just sWattmg at the bail while gettihg a tan, this game fit the bill. ' ' a Aquatic eenter officials ordered the old shuffleboard , :tcourts ripped out last spring and put in something they .fthought Stud 1 t i 1 uldsgnse, said Harold DentOn, pro- gram director iiThere was injo e gomg around that we had more use , 1 ti '1' 11.1 r 1 John Kollowski on the volleyball court in its first week than we had on the shuffleboards in 15 years? Denton said Denton credited program director Alan Lambert with the idea for the court. tiHe tLamberD designed and built the court. It,s been the biggest and most popular thing in yearsft Denton said. The game is fun because it is laid back, and during in- tramural play, games were self-officiated. Denton said that these aspects made the games less like hard competition. We havenit had any protests since the beginning. The nice thing about volleyball is that if there is a major pro- blem, you can replay the pointfi Denton said. iiThis is laid back, have a good time volleyball, Den- ton said. ttThe important thing is to have fun, and thatis what people are out here to do. That is not to say the competition did not get tough. Play could become as intense as the teams wanted it to get. Sand brings an entirely new dimension to volleyball because it is harder to play in. The first time you get on the sand you realize how hard it is to move. Wetre having more folks in the league games because you donit have to cover as much ground, Denton said. League play lasted through the end of September and games were played during the week from 6 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. However, pickup games usually were going on whenever the court was not being used by the leagues. It was not uncommon to walk by the court at midnight or later and see people out spiking and digging by the light of the softball fields. Denton said he felt the popularity of the game here was because of'sand volleyballis national appeal. itA lot of our students are into ESPN and it,s almost impossible to turn on that station without seeing sand volleyball, Denton said. iiThe Student Aquatic Center has recreated the beach here, and for that reason itis quite popular, Denton ad- ded. ttWetve got some people who are quite good at it? -by Andy Logan Intramural teams Reese East 5 and the Dickfers clash in the net, enjoying the popularity of outdoor sand volleyball court at the Student Aquatic Center.