1951 Tennessee Volunteers football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=1951
Team=Tennessee Volunteers


ImageSize=
Conference=Southeastern Conference
Division=
ShortConference=SEC
CoachRank=1
APRank=1
Record=10-1
ConfRecord=5-0
HeadCoach=Robert Neyland
OffCoach=
DefCoach=
OScheme=Single Wing
DScheme=Multiple
StadiumArena=Shields-Watkins Field
Champion=National Champions
SEC Champions
BowlTourney= Sugar Bowl
BowlTourneyResult= L, 13-28 vs. Maryland

In his next to last season as head coach, General Robert Neyland led Tennessee football team to a National title. The 1950 team had gone 11-1, setting the ground work for this season. The Vols would put together an undefeated regular season and be awarded with the national title before the bowl season began (as was the convention at that time). The Alabama game on the Third Saturday in October that season, was the first ever nationally televised game for both teams.

Prominent Players

The 1951 team featured Hank Lauricella, that season's Heisman Trophy runner up, and Doug Atkins, a future college football and NFL Hall of Fame performer. James Haslam Jr., a future business and civic leader in Knoxville was a captain on the 1952 team, and a prominent member of this squad.

The team featured six all conference players: Lauricella, Atkins, Ted Daffer, John Michaels, Bill Pearman, and Bert Rechichar. Laricella, Daffer and Pearman were also named All American following the year.

Schedule

Sources

* 2006 Tennessee Volunteers Football Media Guide
* [http://www.utsports.com Offical School website]