In 1988, Tennessee football had suffered its first losing season since 1980. It was a major drop for a program that was trying to restore itself in the national picture and appeared to be on the rise under Johnny Majors. There were questions if the program would ever return. But Reggie Cobb made sure that happened.
A running back right out of Knoxville, Cobb, who passed away at age 50 over the weekend, reeled off an epic start to the 1989 season for the Vols. In doing so he ushered in the most successful period the Vols have enjoyed in the modern era.