Over the next three to four weeks Curveballs for Jesus will be looking back at the Philip Fulmer years. We will attempt at having a year-by-year breakdown of the season, personal reactions to the games, moments and memories. This is my way of saying, “Thanks Coach.” Please check back often to follow this series. I had to take a week off to get over the embarrassment that was the Wyoming game. I wanted to die, and couldn’t type.
Charlie Garner compiled 2,089 yards in two short years
1993 had the Tennessee faithful beaming with enthusiasm and high expectations. The Philip Fulmer led Volunteers were coming off a 38-20 blow out victory over the Boston College Eagles in the Hall of Fame Bowl. The Vols probably had one of the best backfields in college football led by Junior Quarterback Heath Shuler, and dominate running backs Charlie Garner, James Stewart, and Aaron Hayden. The defense was anchored down by linebackers Ben Talley Scott Galyon. The schedule proved to be average at best, with no real out of conference competition. However, the Vols would have to travel to Gainesville and Birmingham for their two biggest rivalry games.
The Big Orange got to play a warm up game in the season opener against Louisiana Tech 50-0. This set the tables for one of the biggest rematches from 1992. A rematch with new division rivals Georgia Bulldogs was set for Sept 11th at Neyland Stadium. This didn’t turn out to be the high flying point on point scoring affair like the previous game in between the hedges. Tennessee came out with a decisive 38-6 win over Ray Goff’s hapless Dawgs. This greased all the gears for the Vols showdown with the Gators down in Gainesville.
The Tennessee-Florida game by this time had truly taken on Rivalry status. Tennessee and Florida rarely played before divisional play, in fact only 23 times in 60 previous SEC Seasons. The 1990 game was the biggest dismantling that Steve Spurrier received until this past weekend’s Carolina beat down by Florida 55-6. It was a true embarrassment and Tennessee fans delighted in the destruction. The 1991 game exacted revenge for the Gator Nation, while Tennessee retook the series with the Beatdown In The Downpour in 1992. The 1993 game pitted the talented Vols versus a shaky Florida team, who started Niceville native frosh Danny Wuerffel. I honest feel terrible, but I don’t remember this game… we lost 41-34.
The Vols rebounded nicely after the loss reeling off wins against LSU and Duke, and also revenging the upset loss the previous year by beating Arkansas 28-14 in Little Rock. The wheels were greased for the October 17th battle with defending National Champions Alabama Crimson Tide.
Tennessee Vols and their faithful poured into the ghetto of Birmingham that is called Legion Field. Tennessee that day was clearly the better team, out gaining the Tide 406 to 370. That number is on top of the 5 turnovers that the Vols gave up. It was like Johnny Majors was still on the sidelines, as the Vols were self destructing. Despite the 5 turnovers, the Vols took a 17-9 lead with 14 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. This held strong halfway through the quarter, when Jay Barker took over and dinked and dunked his way into the end zone making the score 17-15. The Tide went for two with 23 seconds remaining, lining up in the wishbone with David Palmer at quarterback. The Deuce got loose, and put a deuce on the board, tying the game 17-17.
The Vols righted the ship after the Alabama demoralizing tie, and came out and exacted revenge on the Gamecocks 55-3. The Vols went on to outscore Louisville, Kentucky, and Vandy; 155-24. These enormous games put QB Heath Shuler in the running for the Heisman Trophy, an award that had eluded the University of Tennessee. Shuler completed 65% of his passes good for 2354 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also complimented his passing stats with 137 yards rushing (not including sacks) and 3 touchdowns. The Heisman would come down between Florida State standout QB Charlie Ward and Shuler. The eventual National Champ Ward would come out with the hardware that year, while Shuler finished 2nd.
give him 6!
The Vols accepted a bid to the Florida Citrus Bowl against Penn State. We got destroyed 31-13, in a game I choose not to remember.
After the game Vol Nation got some sad news, that Heath Shuler would forego his senior season to register for the NFL draft. He was the top pick of the Washington Redskins, and held out of camp for more money. That ruined the respect of his teammates, and eventually he was one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
All of Vol Nation didn’t know what to do in 1994. We had a solid back up in Jerry Colquitt, who looked good in a backup role in 92 and 93. An unfortunate accident that next year to Colquitt would eventually usher in an era of Tennessee football that has never been rivaled.
Check out Previous Years:
Ah, chronicling the rise of Foolmer are ye?
Nice work.