Photo by UT Sports Information
Austin Denney scores the first touchdown in the 1966 Alabama game.
The legends of Tennessee football are getting away from us.
The record book shows that Austin Denney, who died Jan. 20, 18 days after his 65th birthday, still holds the Tennessee record for touchdowns by a tight end in a season (7). Those seven touchdown catches allowed Denney to lead the team in scoring that season.
A native of Nashville who played at 6-2, 227, and lettered in 1965 and 1966, Denney spent the 1964 season at fullback, moving to tight end in 1965. Give whoever made that decision a gold star.
The tight ends of future years, Ken DeLong, Sonny Leach, Tommy West, Reggie Harper, Nate Middlebrooks, and even Jason Witten, to name just a few, have flirted with Denney’s single-season record, but have fired and fallen back. DeLong did manage to tie Denney’s career record of 9 TD grabs by a tight end, but Ken did it in three seasons, Denny in two.
The record book, as is often the case, doesn’t tell the entire story.
“The death of Austin Denney leaves a glaring gap in the Tennessee football family,” former News Sentinel sports editor Marvin West said today. “Watching Austin as a blocker, receiver, and strong runner after the catch shaped my first opinion of what a tight end was supposed to be.”
While his individual stats, 35 catches for 470 yards in 1965 and 1966, 21 for 264 the latter season, may not seem impressive by today’s standards, Denny was among a number of players Doug Dickey inherited on his arrival in Knoxville who made significant contributions to bringing the Vols back to the nation’s elite.
Consider the sophomore class Dickey had to build on. There were, among others, Denney, Johnny Mills, Paul Naumoff, Mack Gentry, Derrick Weatherford, Bobby Morel, Art Galiffa, Dewey Warren, Harold Stancell, Jerry Smith, Tom Fisher, Ron Widby, and Doug Archibald. Over the next three years, they would be an integral part of Tennessee football. The class might have been small in numbers, but it was big in terms of impact.
Coaches always talk about players “buying in” to a new coaching staff. It’s apparent this group did.
Denney, who wore No. 84, was a co-captain with classmate Naumoff his senior season and was one of four Vols to earn All-America honors, three from this group (Widby, Naumoff, and Denney), the other being 1964 recruit Bob Johnson. Only twice in Vol history, 1939 and 1966, have four Vols been named All-America in the same season.
Denney caught TD passes against Army and Houston in 1965 and was a dominating player the next year. Opposing teams had to account for his presence in the middle of the field, with no one relishing the thought of meeting him head-on. In parlance of the day, he was a “load.”
In 1966, he had two touchdown receptions against Auburn and one against Alabama. Late in the Alabama game, the Vols trailing 11-10, he brought Vol fans to their feet, catching a halfback pass from Charley Fulton that brought the Vols deep into Tide territory.
The Vols played some pretty good football in those days, days some people unwittingly consider the “Dark Ages” of Tennessee football. The game may look different today, but, as you watch Denney, Mills, Warren, Widby, and the others play, the game was not only exciting, but well-played.
The memories of Austin’s time at Tennessee come quickly for all who saw him in an orange shirt.
“I remember him as an outstanding player, a strong captain, and a good man,” West said.
Austin Denney (Jan. 2, 1944 – Jan. 20, 2009)
Requiescat in pace.
Tom Mattingly is the author of “The Tennessee Football Vault: The Story of the Tennessee Volunteers, 1891-2006” (2006), to be published in second edition in 2009, and “Tennessee Football: The Peyton Manning Years” (1998). He may be reached at tjmshm@comcast.net. His News Sentinel blog is called “The Vol Historian.”
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Comments » 32
volunteers4life writes:
Hate to hear that he didnt live long enough to see what this next chapter in Vol history under CLK will be....
forkball writes:
One tough Donelson Don.
fencevol writes:
I came to UT in 1966 to play baseball I was a scared freshman from Massachusettes, who khew 2 people on campus. Sitting in front of Gibbs Hall one evening, Austin came over to me and started up a conversation. Whe're you from, what do you play etc. You hungry ? We went to Vol Market for hot dogs and tomalles. Talked a little more and he kind of said stay out of trouble and work your tail off. I never really talked to him at any length again. But I will always remember that encounter with that fine man. I will trully miss you Austin.
CHS52VOL writes:
An excellent article, paying homage to a true Tennessee Vol legend. Precious memories...how they linger!
In 1965 (or'66?) my wife and I attended the UT vs UCLA game at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Bruins prevailed in a close, hard-fought game, 16-10, I believe. I doubt there were more than a few hundred Vol fans, but we were loud! The "Swamp Rat"-Dewey Warren, Austin Denney, Ron Widby, and all the other Vols held the Tennessee banner high! Paul Naumoff put one slobberknocker hit on the UCLA quarterback, Gary Beban, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy and beat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. When it was over, UCLA knew they had been in a football game.
My condolences to the family of Austin Denney.
VolFaninTriCities writes:
Great Article. We all need to keep his family in our prayers.
InertGas writes:
The 1966 Alabama game mentioned in the article was my first ever at Neyland. The vision of his over the shoulder catch that set up the field goal try is forever burnt into my brain. Austin had a helluva game. The field goal by the way was GOOD. Rest in peace, we've never had another like you.
jakethevolguy writes:
Austin was a great football player and a fine man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. God bless.
If he can get his shoulder healthy, I think that Tyler Maples will be a tight end out of the Austin Denny mold.
blitzshoot writes:
Good man. Good life. May God be with you and your loved ones at this hour and for eternity. God speed.
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Yes, during his time he was one of several great high school athletes that played at Donelson High. Was a horse on that great high school basketball team, which became a proverbiel who's who in Nashville area athletes.
TommyJack writes:
Of all the games I saw, the 66' Bama game sticks most in my mind. Kids now may wonder how a relatively low scoring game could be so much fun. I'm telling you, you could hear the pads knocking above the roar of the rain and crowd. I was sitting in the student section. Umbrellas were allowed in those days, adding to the misery. My point is, Austin Denney was a huge factor in that game. And it was a classic TN/AL game. The images and smells are still vivid in my mind. The best "losing" game I ever saw. IF we lost. Still not sure about that kick. Austin Denney, R.I.P.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
this just sucks. the wwii vets, the old vols, too many strong people passing too soon.
I'll say this for Mr. Denney, I surely hope he passed somewhat on his own terms, as a man, and not the neglected vegetable so many of us will ultimately degrade to in our old age.
theoldbear writes:
I had some classes with Austin Denney. Some folks called him "Big Red". Others called him "The Big Kahuna." He played that role, with bleached blond hair, one summer as a promotion for a local radio station.
He also came in and played defensive tackle on the goal line defense.
In the pros, he played for the Bears, and the Bills, and actually returned to fullback to block for O.J. Simpson.
I think he was blocking for Simpson during that record-setting season.
I recall that he lost a son to drowning many years ago.
Austin Denney was a part of some of the best football the University of Tennessee has ever played. Four All-Americans on one team! A half-dozen that went on to outstanding pro careers.
I feel older this morning, and somehow less than I was when I woke up, feeling the loss of one who was my contemporary on The Hill.
volfan#207874 writes:
I cherish the time Austin came to my home, a few (maybe several) years back, and we replayed several games and events of UT football, and life on campus as well. A very intersting and modest man who captured the listeners ear, without dominating the conversation. Earth has been a much better place since Austin has cast his shadow upon it. Earth's loss is Heaven's gain.
TommyJack writes:
Good take.
leedsvol2007 writes:
I think all of us who started to follow the Vols in the 60's are feeling a little older today.
Austin Denney was a Tennessee icon and we are all saddened by his passing.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
So long, All Vol.
Man played when the girls wore the ear rings.
jlm35 writes:
Best posting I've ever seen on this site. Yes, Austin Denny was special.
newtonrail writes:
Fond memory TJ.. Had broken up with now ex wife, and my date wasn't into football in the rain. I have worn rain suits so long now, had forgotten how hard it was to see through umbrellas, plus having others dripping down back,legs, etc. My prayers to the Denney family.
bobbarbilly writes:
I never saw him play. Didn't have enough money, but I certainly remember his name echoing from my transistor radio on waves of the golden voice of John Ward on a Saturday afternoon.
A great vol has passed. May God shed peace on his family.
pecaro#648647 writes:
I think you're a year off on the UCLA game. They played in Memphis in 1965 (first game ever), skipped a year, then played in the Coliseum the first game in 1967. Austin had finished up the year before. But he was GREAT! I enjoyed watching he and Dewey Warren hook up so much that I pledged to name my first son after them. Did it too.
CHS52VOL writes:
Thanks for setting this 75 year old brain straight. When I used to recount a certain story, and was slightly inaccurate, my wife would begin singing, "I remember it well".. and laugh. I am certain that The Swamp Rat was the QB, because he was one of my favorites. Appreciate the correction.
mattingly writes:
Even though the Vol passing game of the 1960s seems modest by today's standards, no one up until that time at Tennessee scattered defenders in the secondary like Austin did. There were times he looked like a man among boys, much like Ken DeLong or Jason Witten. Austin was in the mold of a John Mackey or a Mike Ditka. As Vol fans always say to each other, No. 84 could play the game.
db11_cn writes:
Not to jump off subject too much, but didn't that Donelson basketball team also include W.A. Wright? And did they not also lose a huge number of regular season games (like all but 4) due to injuries and got everyone healthy at tournament time and rode all the way deep into the state tournament? I did not know Austin Denney was part of that team.
VolInIndy writes:
Wow, over 25 posts without people ripping on each other. That in itself is a tribute to Austin.
Count me among those glued to the old Sears Silvertone solid state portable radio listening to John Ward as my Dad worked my butt off and taught me the values few of the younger generation have.
Unfortunately, I went to the Hill for five years in the early 70s and shelved a lot of those values for a while. Good thing my Dad wasn't around anymore to be disappointed in me.
I hope Austin knew how much we all admired him and I pray his family are finding peace in his passing through our Saviour.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well said, brother! I just buried my father this week--that's why I was off the net for a few days. To me, he was one of the reasons for the name, "The Greatest Generation". He had a rich, full life of 96 years, serving his Lord, his country, and his family, and was a passionate Vol fan all his days. I never heard him speak an ill word of anyone. I knew Austin Denney and all those other great Vols mentioned in the article. They were THE Vols of the spring of my life. Life is so precious for the memories it enfolds.
volbald writes:
1966 "Rosebonnet Bowl" - Denny would be a starter and an All-American tight end if he had played in 1985, 95, or 2005. Miami may have had a tight end 6 or so years ago that looked about as good every once in a while as Denny looked in every game.
MoVol writes:
Thoughts and prayers with the Denny family.
Like several others, I remember the '66 Alabama monsoon game. Charley Fulton's pass, Denny's catch, and the field goal attempt.
But if you remember, there was also a disputed phanton time out called which forced UT to try the FG from a strange angle. BUT IT WAS GOOD.
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Yes, Wright played with Denney on the 62-63 bb team and I thought the 63-64 team that won the state (28-4). I thought Denney was a member of that '64 team but maybe not. I think Boots Donnelly was a member of that team, I use to remember the other starters but it's been so long. Anyway, Austin Denney was a great high school bb player but a better football player.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Really! Much, much, much too young to die! Get smart people, start alkaizing your diets as quickly as possible. And live forever! We watched Austin play and remorse his loss, he helped to give us cherished memories and a greater good will, and a greater love for our University of Tennessee. Wish think about his lose and for his loved ones with passion, grace, and happiness, for it is in giving that we receive, and in dying that we receive eternal life. Remember Christians have ministries, Moselems do not, that I know of, they just try to life good lives at the most and try to overcome evil. Have a great day and believe inthe Lord Jesus! INheritor of wealth and health and who holds the keyes to life an death.
ect1983 writes:
I cant remember yesterday, but I remember UT games from my childhood like they were yesterday. The 1966 Bama game..I was a soph in HS sitting with my Dad in VV.
Vols ahead of Bryant's best team ever 10-0 after 3 qtrs. In the 4th qtr, Stabler led Bama to a TD,went for 2 and made it. They got the ball right back and went down and kicked a field goal with about 2 plus minutes to go,and went ahead, 11-10. The kicker was Steve Davis.
On the ensuing kickoff, we "faircaught" the ball, something I had never seen on a kickoff. On the halfback pass from Charlie Fulton to Austin Denney, there was only one man between Austin and the goal line....All-American Bobby Johns, who weighed about 155 lbs soaking wet...I thought Denney would bowl him over, but he didn't. Tackled inside the 20, we ran a draw to the 3 yrd line. SOMEONE allegedly called a timeout with 13 secs to go, while we were on the right hashmark. The plan had been to run one more play, then call a TO and kick from the middle. The goalposts were the old short kind , and I THINK were on the goal line. The kicker was Gary Wright. He kicked that ball through , and then it tailed off to the right AFTER it went through. There was an inordinately long pause before that ref made the call.NO GOOD !
EPILOGUE
1. Bear Bryant had his back to the field when the Vols kicked that FG---when asked what Bama would have done if UT had kicked it straight, he said "We'd have blocked the son of a bitc%"
2. The story was headlined in the New York Times that Sunday "Alabama tops Tennessee 11-10"
3. Sports Illustrated covered the game and had numerous pictures in next weeks edition.
4. The refs name was Jimmy Harper----he reffed EVERY UT-Bama game....and I never quit hating him (not literally) for missing that call.
5. The Ut kicker, Gary "Wide" Wright, from Heflin, Alabama. He got over it quickly, cause he knew he had made it.
6. I immediately started crying....and still feel like it whenI think of that game
7. In 1997, I went to a medical meeting in Napa, CA. I belong to a medical group , based in the south, representing states from VA to Texas. We all know each other---Every year, the host state picks out where the meeting will be, and all the speakers, social stuff, etc. The Alabama delegation was in charge that year.
One of the speakers was none other than Steve Davis, the Bama kicker from 1966. It turns out that his Dad was a high school coach in Columbus , GA...he had five sons; four are Physicians., one is a Dentist (Steve is a Dermatologist in Napa), and 4 kicked for Bama. He is a great guy, and a very successful physician. Two of his brothers were also there.
8. I told Steve Davis he had ruined my life in 1966; he laughed.....but didn't say he was sorry about it.
9. I got a few tears in my eyes about Austin Denney's passing last week; he died way too young.
mattingly writes:
My recollection, confirmed by the game program, is that the referee that day was Charles W. Bowen, not Jimmy Harper. Regardless, it was a disappointing moment, even nearly 43 years later. That part of history is discussed in the "Tennessee Football Vault" (2006).
orangebloodgmc writes:
Thanks for the good article, Mr. Mattingly. 1966 was the first season that I followed Tennessee football. They were giants, back then.
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