1981 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Last updated

1981 Tennessee Volunteers football
Garden State Bowl champion
Garden State Bowl, W 28–21 vs. Wisconsin
Conference Southeastern Conference
Record8–4 (3–3 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Bill Pace (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator Bobby Jackson (2nd season)
Captains
  • James Berry
  • Lemont Holt Jeffers
  • Lee North
Home stadium Neyland Stadium
Seasons
  1980
1982  
1981 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 6 Georgia + 6 0 010 2 0
No. 7 Alabama + 6 0 09 2 1
Mississippi State 4 2 08 4 0
Tennessee 3 3 08 4 0
Florida 3 3 07 5 0
Auburn 2 4 05 6 0
Kentucky 2 4 03 8 0
Ole Miss 1 4 14 6 1
LSU 1 4 13 7 1
Vanderbilt 1 5 04 7 0
  • + Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1981 Tennessee Volunteers football team (variously "Tennessee", "UT" or the "Vols") represented the University of Tennessee in the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of eight wins and four losses (8–4 overall, 3–3 in the SEC). The Volunteers offense scored 244 points while the defense allowed 265 points.

Contents

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 5at No. 10 Georgia L 0–4479,600 [1]
September 12at No. 5 USC *L 7–4362,147 [2]
September 19 Colorado State *W 42–093,972 [3]
September 26 Auburn
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
W 10–792,612 [4]
October 10 Georgia Tech *
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
W 10–794,478 [5]
October 17at No. 15 Alabama L 19–3878,550 [6]
October 24at Memphis State *W 28–951,668 [7]
November 7 Wichita State *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
W 24–2194,155 [8]
November 14 Ole Miss
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN (rivalry)
W 28–2090,955 [9]
November 21at Kentucky L 10–2154,604 [10]
November 28 Vanderbilt
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
W 38–3492,824 [11]
December 13vs. Wisconsin * Mizlou W 28–2153,220 [12]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Roster

1981 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 2 Lenny Taylor So
QB 6 Alan Cockrell Fr
WR 24 Clyde Duncan So
WR 26 Willie Gault Jr
WR 28 Anthony Hancock Sr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 40 Bill Bates Jr
DE 92 Reggie White So
DE 93 Mike Cofer Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 4 Fuad Reveiz Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Game summaries

At USC

Tennessee at USC
1234Total
Volunteers00707
Trojans62010743


Team players drafted into the NFL

PlayerPositionRoundPickNFL club
Anthony Hancock Wide Receiver111 Kansas City Chiefs
Brian IngramLinebacker4111 New England Patriots
LeMont Holt JeffersLinebacker6153 Washington Redskins
Terry Daniels10265 Washington Redskins

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 1987 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his 11th year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of ten wins, two losses and one tie and with a victory over Indiana in the Peach Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 293 points while the defense allowed 249 points.

The 1956 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1956 college football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Bowden Wyatt, in his second year, and played their home games at Shields–Watkins Field in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and one loss, as SEC Champions and with a loss against Baylor in the Sugar Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 275 points while the defense allowed 88 points.

The 1964 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1964 NCAA University Division football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Doug Dickey, in his first year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of four wins, five losses and one tie. The Volunteers offense scored 80 points while the defense allowed 121 points.

The 1967 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1967 NCAA University Division football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Doug Dickey, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of nine wins and two losses as SEC Champions and with a loss against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The Volunteers' offense scored 283 points while the defense allowed 141 points. At season's end, Tennessee was recognized as national champions by Litkenhous. Lester McClain became the first African American player in the program.

The 1972 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Bill Battle, in his third year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and two losses and a victory over LSU in the 1972 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 297 points while the defense allowed 100 points.

The 1975 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Bill Battle, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of seven wins and five losses. The Volunteers offense scored 253 points while the defense allowed 193 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 1991 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his 15th year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of nine wins and three losses and with a loss against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 352 points while the defense allowed 263 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 1983 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his seventh year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of nine wins and three losses and a victory over Maryland in the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 282 points while the defense allowed 165 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 1988 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1988 season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his 12th year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of five wins and six losses. The Vols' offense scored 212 points while the defense allowed 286 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 1984 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his eighth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of seven wins, four losses and one tie and a loss against Maryland in the Sun Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 327 points while the defense allowed 276 points.

The 1982 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of six wins, five losses and one tie and a loss against Iowa in the Peach Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 281 points while the defense allowed 239 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 1986 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his tenth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of seven wins and five losses and with a victory over Minnesota in the Liberty Bowl. The Volunteers offense scored 293 points while the defense allowed 249 points.

The 1974 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Bill Battle, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of seven wins, three losses and two ties. At season's end, Tennessee won the Liberty Bowl over Maryland. For the season, the Volunteers offense scored 211 points while the defense allowed 181 points.

The 1980 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of five wins and six losses.

The 1978 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his second year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of five wins, five losses and one tie.

The 1977 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Johnny Majors, in his first year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of four wins and seven losses.

The 1971 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Bill Battle, in his second year, and played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and two losses and a victory over Arkansas in the 1971 Liberty Bowl.

The 1958 Tennessee Volunteers represented the University of Tennessee in the 1958 college football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Bowden Wyatt, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Shields–Watkins Field in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of four wins and six losses.

The 1949 Tennessee Volunteers represented the University of Tennessee in the 1949 college football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Robert Neyland, in his 18th year, and played their home games at Shields–Watkins Field in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of seven wins, two losses, and one tie.

The 1947 Tennessee Volunteers represented the University of Tennessee in the 1947 college football season. Playing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Robert Neyland, in his 16th year, and played their home games at Shields–Watkins Field in Knoxville, Tennessee. They finished the season with a record of five wins and five losses.

References

  1. Smyth, Jimmy (September 6, 1981). "Georgia pounds Volunteers, 44–0". Johnson City Press-Chronicle. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  2. "USC puts Tennessee to rout in 43–7 win". The Los Angeles Times. September 13, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Vols romp by erring Rams, 42–0". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. September 20, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Majors proud of Tennessee 10–7 victory". The Selma Times-Journal. September 27, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Tennessee rebounds to beat Jackets 10–7". The Macon Telegraph & News. October 11, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Tide's first half monsoon wrecks Vols". The Tennessean. October 18, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "'Big Orange Hex' more powerful than 'Memphis Jinx'". The Leaf-Chronicle. October 25, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Tennessee dodges a Shock(er)". The Tennessean. November 8, 1981. Retrieved February 23, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Vols hold back Rebels". The Tampa Tribune-Times. November 15, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Wildcats silence Vols' thunder". The Paducah Sun. November 22, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Vandy refuses chance to tie". The Jackson Sun. November 29, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Tennessee's speed burns Wisconsin". Clarion-Ledger. December 14, 1981. Retrieved August 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "1982 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2012.