Way Back Wednesday: Vols thrash UNLV in Condredge Holloway era uniforms
The Tennessee Volunteers will pay homage to Condredge Holloway, a pioneer in the program's history, when they wear an updated touch on the team's throwback jerseys the early 1970s. Holloway made history 51 years ago by becoming the first Black quarterback to start a game in the SEC in the Vols' 34-3 win over Georgia […]
The Tennessee Volunteers will pay homage to Condredge Holloway, a pioneer in the program's history, when they wear an updated touch on the team's throwback jerseys the early 1970s. Holloway made history 51 years ago by becoming the first Black quarterback to start a game in the SEC in the Vols' 34-3 win over Georgia Tech.
However, it wasn't the first time the team has worn the orange-shouldered throwback jerseys. In 2004, the Vols took the field against the UNLV Running Rebels to open the season. The Vols sported the look that the Holloway-led Vols wore on the road from in the early 1970s, with white helmets, white jerseys with orange shoulders, and white pants.
It was another day of firsts for a player wearing Holloway's number 7 in said uniforms. True freshman QB Brent Schaeffer got the start, and by doing so, he became the first true freshman QB since John Rausch for Georgia in 1945 to start an opener in the Southeastern Conference.
Schaeffer started off nervously, losing a fumble that ended up resulting in a UNLV field goal. However, he quickly settled in the following drive, which went 80 yards in 13 plays resulting in a 1-yard Schaeffer touchdown run.
But it wasn't just Schaeffer under center for UT. Fellow true freshman QB Erik Ainge came in and pushed the Vols' lead to 14-3 on a 42-yard touchdown to C.J. Fayton.
Schaeffer and Ainge took turns in the second half throwing the Vols into the end zone, with the former connecting from 35 yards with Robert Meachem and the latter with Tony Brown from 3 yards out, and Tennessee was on cruise control at 35-10. Schaeffer finished 7/10 for 123 yards and a passing touchdown while adding 29 rushing yards and a rushing score. Ainge went 10/17 for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The 2004 season was a memorable one, as the team finished the regular season 9-2 and won the SEC East, falling to Auburn 38-28 in the SEC Championship game. The Schaeffer vs. Ainge battle ultimately went in favor of Ainge, and Schaeffer ended up transferring to Ole Miss.
However, for at least one more night in Knoxville, he made #7 in a very familiar uniform look electric again.
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Featured image via Featured images via Mike DuBose / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK and Delores Delvin / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
