Hall of Fame
Joe Burke is one of the top receivers in school history. He posted 94 career receptions for 2,145 yards and 25 touchdowns from 1977-80. His 22.8 yards per catch over four years is still the Southern Conference.
Burke had a breakout sophomore season when he finished with 30 catches for 844 yards and eight TDs. He led the nation that season with 28.1 yards per catch. That number also stands as the SoCon single-season mark.
Burke held UTC’s career receiving yards record until it was broken by Terrell Owen in 1995. It is still third all-time at UTC. His 25 TDs is the Mocs’ record, while he is tied for fifth with 26 scores overall. He also holds the school record with 10 100-yard receiving games.
Five times in his career Burke posted over 30 yards per catch in a game. He set the school record with 48.3 yards per catch when he had three receptions for 145 yards on Oct. 18, 1980 against Appalachian State. He finished his senior year with a then-school-record 10 receiving TDs, a mark that is still third all-time at UTC.
