The review of the top-6 UT-Florida games continues. Pics below narrative. September 19, 1876 Knoxville, TN – The University of Tennessee Orange Stockings, fresh off season-opening victories against Alcoa High and the East Knoxville Hunting and Fishing Lodge for the Overweight and Undermotivated, was preparing for its annual tilt with its long-time arch nemesis, the University of Florida Organization for Intercollegiate Athletic Accomplishment. UT coach “Big” Butch McCloskey, when asked about the frustration of being winless against UF’s notorious coach Jebediah van Gruenhausen III, simply replied, “He’s as arrogant an SOB as (Ulysses) Grant, and twice as ugly.” A record crowd of 700 filled the Andrew Johnson Memorial Yard for Recreation and Kinesthetic Activity, including more than 7 UF fans, who were all but worn out after the 39-day wagon trek through rural Appalachia, which included being victims of food raids by inebriated locals, and a nasty, throbbing string of rickets. UT took the field under the helm of Willie “Steamboat” Sherman, who the previous year had very narrowly missed winning the award for best college football player, then called the Heisman Physical and Competitive Accomplishment Ribbon of Distinction. In the first quarter, Steamboat Sherman completed all one of his passes, a 2-yard pitch that looked suspiciously like an accident, to WR Waylon “One-eye” Winfield, who made UT’s only score of the day. The PAT was botched because of field squirrels. The Florida OIAA established the run game early, and cocky young QB Millard Sackworth led UF to 3 first half scores, frequently waving his cloth headcover in the direction of the mortified fans. Squirrels messed up two of Florida’s PAT’s, and coach van Gruenhausen decided not to attempt the third. The game was cut short in the 3rd quarter when Coach McCloskey “went out for a shake” and didn’t come back. The final score, 18-6, opened the eyes of the nation to the emerging Florida football program, with many sportswriters proclaiming that UF fans would see many undefeated seasons in the future. Tennessee finished the season 4-3-1, with upset victories over Pellisippi State and the Cookeville Elks Lodge B-team. The Knoxville Evening Porch, along with several guys at a local bar, declared UT national champions, a banner that still hangs in my mind. Tailgating on Cumberland Halftime show "Big" Butch McCloskey (press photo) Johnson Yard after Florida's 2nd touchdown. Wily old Jebediah van Gruenhausen III, who had a 7-3 record against UT before dying of acute dysentery.