Thursday, October 19, 2006
Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol.12
Welcome to Coach Scooter’s Weekend Preview of the College Football Diary! This week, the Vols host Alabama in what should be another great SEC battle that could decide who will be playing in Atlanta on December 2nd. Let’s look at that game, as well as the other great games around the country.
Saturday Games
(5) Texas at (17) Nebraska
Noon- ABC - Brent Musburger/Bob Davie
This game will be big for both programs. Texas needs the game to stay in the BCS title hunt. Nebraska needs the game to get back on the national radar. Bob Davie needs to smack Brent Musburger.
Michigan State at Northwestern
Noon - GP - Wayne Larrivee/Kelly Stouffer
How did this game get on the CFD? My research staff is really getting lazy on me these days. I would rather watch the Joey Chitwood Stunt Team wreck Gary Danielson’s Chevette for 60 minutes…
UCLA at (10) Notre Dame
2:30 – NBC – Tom Hammond/Pat Haden
Hmm, who do you think USC Alum Pat Haden will be pulling for in this game? It’s kind of like asking FDR who he is rooting for when Hitler State goes up against Stalin Tech.
Iowa at (2) Michigan
3:30 – ABC – Brad Nessler/Bob Griese/Paul McGuire
Iowa has been doing a darn good imitation of another team in the Big 10 the last few games (Bonus points if you can name who that could be) and a trip to Ann Arbor is not what the doctor ordered. Lloyd Carr has placed an order, and that’s for a large can of “you know what” to be opened at 3:30 on Saturday.
(13) Georgia Tech at (12) Clemson
7:45 – ESPN – Mike Patrick/Todd Blackledge
The two titans of the conference meet in Clemson in what could be a preview of th
e 2006 ACC Championship game. Many questions arise in this one. Is this the game Calvin Johnson puts himself in the thick of the Heisman race? Will Clemson fix their special team issues? Will this guy (right) be at the game?
Alabama at (7) Tennessee
3:30 – CBS – Verne Lundquist/Gary Danielson
Once again the third Saturday in October means Tennessee and Alabama are renewing their long rivalry. The Vols are explosive, and have had a week to prepare, however, remember 1990 when the Big Orange blasted Steve Spurrier and Florida 45-3, then laid an egg the next game in a 9-6 loss to Bama?
Who’s playing on the Plaines next, Foghat?
Auburn got a written warning from the SEC about playing loud music between plays during the Florida game last Saturday night. Associate League Commissioner Charles Bloom told the media, “The music violated the SEC's restriction on "institutionally-control
led computerized sound systems." However, Bloom did not say who reported the violation.
The SEC rule states: "The use of institutionally-controlled computerized sound systems, including music, and institutionally-controlled artificial noisemakers shall be restricted to pre-game, halftime, post-game, after a score and team or media timeouts."
Among the music played were, Eye of the Tiger and Crazy Train. I think they could set the music to whatever was going on during the game so they could get around the SEC rules. When they have a game sewn up, they could play Loser, by Beck. When there is a late hit out of bounds, Party out of Bounds by the B-52’s. When the opposing team has to call an unnecessary timeout, how about Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin? When the opposing team has a penalty, Breakin’ the Law, by Judas Priest. If the Tigers swarm over a QB and get a sack, it’s gotta be Jailbreak, by AC/DC. When Tuberville comes out of the tunnel, they could play The Gambler. And finally, just for Sweetie who is a closet Styx fan, AU could play Too Much Time on My Hands, when the opposing team gets a delay of game penalty. What do you think?
My question is why do you need to pipe in music during the game when you have a band? Isn’t the band a part of the college football experience? If I want to hear rock music, I’ll go see Motley Crue. When I want to see the best football in the country, I am going to a stadium in the SEC. I’m sure Auburn has a great band, why doesn’t someone in charge let them play? Pretty soon, you’ll see some hammer head in an Army jacket shouting to the crowd, “Let them play, let them play…” (Bonus points if you can tell me what movie that line is from).
Miami spares the rod…again
Nothing that happens at the University of Miami surprises me. Seeing the disgusting scene at the Orange Bowl last Saturday night against Florida International made me ashamed to say I was a college football fan, and after hearing University of Miami President Donna Shalala gassing about a zero tolerance policy, it made me tell everyone I was into curling during Saturdays in the fall. She reminded me of those parents who need the Super Nanny to come in and help her discipline her children.
Taking a cue from the football team, Shalala shook her fist for emphasis as she con
firmed sanctions levied against 13 football players for their role in a sidelines-clearing brawl were fair, justified and strong enough to satisfy the school. She also proclaimed a zero tolerance policy for all Miami athletes. That, along with 12 one-game suspensions, one indefinite suspension and orders that all players involved in Saturday's brawl do community service, is sufficient punishment.
“This university will be firm and punish people who do bad things,” Shalala said. “But we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation. I will not hang them in a public square. I will not eliminate their participation at the university. I will not take away their scholarships.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Panthers took a much harsher stance -- dismissing two players, Chris Smith and Marshall McDuffie Jr., and extending the suspensions of all other 16 sanctioned players indefinitely. Shalala’s vehement support of the discipline is much like the U.S. telling Kim Yong Il, “We don’t condone what you did, and will impose a one day sanction plus give you a zero tolerance policy. The U.S. also promises that since North Korea is part of the world, we will never do anything to throw you under the bus to the U.N.”
Another disturbing image of the ugly incident was former Miami player Lamar Thomas’ comments during the CSS broadcast of the game. When the fight began, Thomas cheered UM on, plus said he wanted to join the fight on the field.
''You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked,'' Thomas told viewers. "You don't come into the Orange Bowl playing that stuff. I was about to go down the elevator and get into that thing.'' He added, ''Why don't they just meet outside in the tunnel after the ball game and get it on some more? You don't come into the Orange Bowl, baby -- we've had a down couple of years -- but you don't come in here talking trash.”
“UM officials were consulted about the dismissal,” said CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman, “And they were supportive of the decision.”
I guess because Thomas cannot contribute to on the field heroics, he gets thr
own under the bus, but the players, who can still bring millions of dollars to the program, will be given another chance. Shalala and Coker should both be standing in the same unemployment line as Thomas, since their actions say it is OK to be a criminal. Anywhere else, those players would be in jail, but as long as you are an athlete bringing in millions of dollars to the school, you get a free pass. The actions of Shalala, Coker and Thomas, are as shameful as those of the players.
Let me relate a story of someone who did things the right way.
On a Sunday morning in November 1963, Coach Bear Bryant took a phone call from the owner of a Tuscaloosa beer joint called Captain Cooke's. His QB, some kid named Joe Namath, went there with the football manager, Jack (Hoot Owl) Hicks, after the established midnight curfew.
Bryant confronted Namath, who said, "Yes, sir, I was there."
Bryant said, "I can either suspend you or I can let you play in these last two games. If I let you play, then I'll have to resign because I'll be violating all my principles of coaching."
Namath said, "I'll take my punishment."
Without its star quarterback, who had been told by Bryant he could return to the squad for spring practice if he behaved, Alabama beat Auburn, then nipped Ole Miss 12-7 in the Sugar Bowl. The next year, Namath led Alabama to the national championship. He cited Bryant's suspension as a turning point in his life. "I grew up overnight," he said.
President Shalala, Coach Coker, it’s not a matter of throwing a kid under the bus. It is a matter of teaching the kids right and wrong, and unfortunately, that means having the courage to take away the privilege of playing college sports. What have they learned by this slap on the wrists? Nothing.
Namath said he grew up overnight, and I bet those players involved in this ugly mess would say the same thing years from now if someone at Miami did the right thing.
Well, that’s it for another week. I hope everyone has a blast watching the V
ols and Tide play, and hopefully it will be a great day in Big Orange Country. I will be at the game with Sweetie, so I will have a special tailgating report (with pictures) for the Tuesday column, so you won’t want to miss it. Don’t forget before, during and after the game, rub those orange and white rosaries, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!
Questions & Comments: volsdiary@yahoo.com
Saturday Games
(5) Texas at (17) Nebraska
Noon- ABC - Brent Musburger/Bob Davie
This game will be big for both programs. Texas needs the game to stay in the BCS title hunt. Nebraska needs the game to get back on the national radar. Bob Davie needs to smack Brent Musburger.
Michigan State at Northwestern
Noon - GP - Wayne Larrivee/Kelly Stouffer
How did this game get on the CFD? My research staff is really getting lazy on me these days. I would rather watch the Joey Chitwood Stunt Team wreck Gary Danielson’s Chevette for 60 minutes…
UCLA at (10) Notre Dame
2:30 – NBC – Tom Hammond/Pat Haden
Hmm, who do you think USC Alum Pat Haden will be pulling for in this game? It’s kind of like asking FDR who he is rooting for when Hitler State goes up against Stalin Tech.
Iowa at (2) Michigan
3:30 – ABC – Brad Nessler/Bob Griese/Paul McGuire
Iowa has been doing a darn good imitation of another team in the Big 10 the last few games (Bonus points if you can name who that could be) and a trip to Ann Arbor is not what the doctor ordered. Lloyd Carr has placed an order, and that’s for a large can of “you know what” to be opened at 3:30 on Saturday.
(13) Georgia Tech at (12) Clemson
7:45 – ESPN – Mike Patrick/Todd Blackledge
The two titans of the conference meet in Clemson in what could be a preview of th
e 2006 ACC Championship game. Many questions arise in this one. Is this the game Calvin Johnson puts himself in the thick of the Heisman race? Will Clemson fix their special team issues? Will this guy (right) be at the game?Alabama at (7) Tennessee
3:30 – CBS – Verne Lundquist/Gary Danielson
Once again the third Saturday in October means Tennessee and Alabama are renewing their long rivalry. The Vols are explosive, and have had a week to prepare, however, remember 1990 when the Big Orange blasted Steve Spurrier and Florida 45-3, then laid an egg the next game in a 9-6 loss to Bama?
Who’s playing on the Plaines next, Foghat?
Auburn got a written warning from the SEC about playing loud music between plays during the Florida game last Saturday night. Associate League Commissioner Charles Bloom told the media, “The music violated the SEC's restriction on "institutionally-control
led computerized sound systems." However, Bloom did not say who reported the violation.The SEC rule states: "The use of institutionally-controlled computerized sound systems, including music, and institutionally-controlled artificial noisemakers shall be restricted to pre-game, halftime, post-game, after a score and team or media timeouts."
Among the music played were, Eye of the Tiger and Crazy Train. I think they could set the music to whatever was going on during the game so they could get around the SEC rules. When they have a game sewn up, they could play Loser, by Beck. When there is a late hit out of bounds, Party out of Bounds by the B-52’s. When the opposing team has to call an unnecessary timeout, how about Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin? When the opposing team has a penalty, Breakin’ the Law, by Judas Priest. If the Tigers swarm over a QB and get a sack, it’s gotta be Jailbreak, by AC/DC. When Tuberville comes out of the tunnel, they could play The Gambler. And finally, just for Sweetie who is a closet Styx fan, AU could play Too Much Time on My Hands, when the opposing team gets a delay of game penalty. What do you think?
My question is why do you need to pipe in music during the game when you have a band? Isn’t the band a part of the college football experience? If I want to hear rock music, I’ll go see Motley Crue. When I want to see the best football in the country, I am going to a stadium in the SEC. I’m sure Auburn has a great band, why doesn’t someone in charge let them play? Pretty soon, you’ll see some hammer head in an Army jacket shouting to the crowd, “Let them play, let them play…” (Bonus points if you can tell me what movie that line is from).
Miami spares the rod…again
Nothing that happens at the University of Miami surprises me. Seeing the disgusting scene at the Orange Bowl last Saturday night against Florida International made me ashamed to say I was a college football fan, and after hearing University of Miami President Donna Shalala gassing about a zero tolerance policy, it made me tell everyone I was into curling during Saturdays in the fall. She reminded me of those parents who need the Super Nanny to come in and help her discipline her children.
Taking a cue from the football team, Shalala shook her fist for emphasis as she con
firmed sanctions levied against 13 football players for their role in a sidelines-clearing brawl were fair, justified and strong enough to satisfy the school. She also proclaimed a zero tolerance policy for all Miami athletes. That, along with 12 one-game suspensions, one indefinite suspension and orders that all players involved in Saturday's brawl do community service, is sufficient punishment.“This university will be firm and punish people who do bad things,” Shalala said. “But we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation. I will not hang them in a public square. I will not eliminate their participation at the university. I will not take away their scholarships.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Panthers took a much harsher stance -- dismissing two players, Chris Smith and Marshall McDuffie Jr., and extending the suspensions of all other 16 sanctioned players indefinitely. Shalala’s vehement support of the discipline is much like the U.S. telling Kim Yong Il, “We don’t condone what you did, and will impose a one day sanction plus give you a zero tolerance policy. The U.S. also promises that since North Korea is part of the world, we will never do anything to throw you under the bus to the U.N.”
Another disturbing image of the ugly incident was former Miami player Lamar Thomas’ comments during the CSS broadcast of the game. When the fight began, Thomas cheered UM on, plus said he wanted to join the fight on the field.
''You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked,'' Thomas told viewers. "You don't come into the Orange Bowl playing that stuff. I was about to go down the elevator and get into that thing.'' He added, ''Why don't they just meet outside in the tunnel after the ball game and get it on some more? You don't come into the Orange Bowl, baby -- we've had a down couple of years -- but you don't come in here talking trash.”
“UM officials were consulted about the dismissal,” said CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman, “And they were supportive of the decision.”
I guess because Thomas cannot contribute to on the field heroics, he gets thr
own under the bus, but the players, who can still bring millions of dollars to the program, will be given another chance. Shalala and Coker should both be standing in the same unemployment line as Thomas, since their actions say it is OK to be a criminal. Anywhere else, those players would be in jail, but as long as you are an athlete bringing in millions of dollars to the school, you get a free pass. The actions of Shalala, Coker and Thomas, are as shameful as those of the players.Let me relate a story of someone who did things the right way.
On a Sunday morning in November 1963, Coach Bear Bryant took a phone call from the owner of a Tuscaloosa beer joint called Captain Cooke's. His QB, some kid named Joe Namath, went there with the football manager, Jack (Hoot Owl) Hicks, after the established midnight curfew.
Bryant confronted Namath, who said, "Yes, sir, I was there."
Bryant said, "I can either suspend you or I can let you play in these last two games. If I let you play, then I'll have to resign because I'll be violating all my principles of coaching."
Namath said, "I'll take my punishment."
Without its star quarterback, who had been told by Bryant he could return to the squad for spring practice if he behaved, Alabama beat Auburn, then nipped Ole Miss 12-7 in the Sugar Bowl. The next year, Namath led Alabama to the national championship. He cited Bryant's suspension as a turning point in his life. "I grew up overnight," he said.
President Shalala, Coach Coker, it’s not a matter of throwing a kid under the bus. It is a matter of teaching the kids right and wrong, and unfortunately, that means having the courage to take away the privilege of playing college sports. What have they learned by this slap on the wrists? Nothing.
Namath said he grew up overnight, and I bet those players involved in this ugly mess would say the same thing years from now if someone at Miami did the right thing.
Well, that’s it for another week. I hope everyone has a blast watching the V
ols and Tide play, and hopefully it will be a great day in Big Orange Country. I will be at the game with Sweetie, so I will have a special tailgating report (with pictures) for the Tuesday column, so you won’t want to miss it. Don’t forget before, during and after the game, rub those orange and white rosaries, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!Questions & Comments: volsdiary@yahoo.com
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol. 11
Welcome to Coach Scooter’s College Football D
iary !
It’s Alabama week and that means things are getting serious in Big Orange Country. This long time southern rivalry dates back to 1901 with Alabama leading the all time series 44-37-7, plus they won last year’s game in Tuscaloosa 6-3. The Vols were off last week, while the Tide won in overtime over Ole Miss 26-23. Since the Vols did not play last week, I thought it would be fun to list my top five favorite Tennessee-Alabama moments from the past. I would enjoy reading your top five games in this series, so drop me a message at: volsdiary@yahoo.com.
October 20, 1928 – Tuscaloosa
Tennessee 15
Alabama 13
Rated anywhere from a 21 to 42 point underdog against the Crimson Tide, Tennessee coach Bob Neyland went to Alabama coach Wallace Wade before the game and suggested if the Tide were routing his Vols, the third and fourth quarters be shortened so it didn’t get too out of hand. Alabama had played in the previous two Rose Bowl games, winning in 1926, and was regarded as the established power in the south. Gene McEver took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a Tennessee touchdown, and needless to say, the second half was played in its entirety as the Vols won the game 15-13, and from that day forward, were on the college football map to stay.
October 21, 1939 – Knoxville
Alabama 0
Tennessee 21
The Vols blanked the Crimson Tide in route to becoming the last major college football team to go through a regular season unscored upon. This was also the game sophomore running back Johnny Butler ripped off a 56-yard touchdown run that has gone down in the annals as one of the great runs in of Tennessee football history. The Vols would play in their first Rose Bowl that season, losing to USC 14-0.
October 16, 1982 – Knoxville
Alabama 28
Tennessee 35
The Vols ended an 11 game losing streak to the Tide with a 35-28 in what would be the last game Bear Bryant would ever coach against Tennessee. The game sparked a wild celebration in Knoxville with both goal posts being torn down. The remains of one of the goal posts can be seen at the Old College Inn in west Knoxville.
October 14, 1995 – Birmingham
Tennessee 41
Alabama 14
Another long losing streak would fall as Peyton Manning completed an 80- yard touchdown pass to Joey Kent on the first play from scrimmage and the Vols never looked back. Jay Graham’s 75 yard touchdown run in the third quarter was icing on the Big Orange cake. This was also the first time the game was not held on the third Saturday in October since 1943.
October 25, 2003 – Tuscaloosa
Tennessee 51
Alabama 43 5 OT
In the longest, and highest scoring game in the history of the series, the Vols outlasted the Tide in five overtimes to erase the previous year’s loss in Neyland Stadium. The game was a tight defensive struggle that changed late in the fourth quarter when the Vols drove 81 yards in the last 1:52 to tie the score at 20. In the third OT, Bama took a seven point lead, and had the Vols down to their last play as Casey Clausen faced a fourth and 19 from the Tide 34. C.J. Fayton came up big as he caught Clausen’s perfect pass for 29 yards to get the Vols in close for the TD that tied the game. Clausen scored the game winner in the fifth overtime, and after a two point conversion, the Vols stopped Alabama to end the marathon contest.
Saturday Observations
Ohio State 38
Mich. State 7
You know that old Mr. Bill skit from Saturday Night Live? Well, Ohio State was playing the bully, Sluggo, and Michigan State was playing the part of Mr. Bill. Every time I flipped over to the game, John L. Smith had that round mouth yelling, “Oh noooooooo!” In fact, the game got so bad, ABC switched over to Missouri and Texas A&M so the kids would not be scarred for life after seeing that beating. Here is a prediction: Steve Mariucci will be seen in green and white before long.
Ole Miss 23
Alabama 26 OT
Did you notice that Genius Danielson didn’t have anything to say about t
he game because Florida wasn’t playing? He was like a fish out of water since he doesn’t know anything about any other SEC team. I liked when he kept saying things like, “That pass Wilson threw was almost as good as Chris Leak would have thrown,” or “Brent Shaffer is a pretty good runner, but for my money, I would rather have Tim Tebow back there…” I wish I could have hung out with him at the La Quinta Inn afterward to watch Florida take it on the chin because that would have been a party. I’ll bet he was on the phone yelling at someone from the airlines, “What do you mean those tickets to Tempe are non refundable?” By the way, it is going to be "Gary Dainelson Slurpee Night" at the next Florida home game. Get a preview of the collector's cup to the right...
Florida 17
Auburn 27
The score is a bit misleading since the Tigers scored via a fumbled lateral on the last play of the game, but if the truth be told, they deserved the win. In the second half, Auburn allowed zero points, and made the adjustments necessary to win the game and stay alive in the SEC race. I was a little surprised the Gators lost their composure when the Tigers turned up the heat. However, that’s what separates the good teams from the great ones.
Vanderbilt 24
Georgia 22
The surprise of the day took place in Athens as the Bulldogs stumbled their way to a stunning 24-22 loss to Vanderbilt. Bryant Hahnfeldt's 33-yard field goal with two seconds remaining was the deciding play, and it ended all those heart breaking losses where the ‘Doores fall short in the end. They did the same thing in Knoxville last year so that goes to show you can never take anyone for granted in the SEC.
They will give anyone a microphone these days...
Did anyone catch Desmond Howard’s comments on the College Football Fi
nal show? When the analyst’s were picking their top five, Howard picked California fifth. Chris Fowler asked, “Well, what about Tennessee beating them in the first game of the year? They have the same record,” to which Howard laughed and said, “Well, maybe, but Cal is pounding everyone they have played since.” Friends should not let friends talk into a microphone when they make absurd statements like that. This makes me believe Howard must have gone to the Gary Danielson School of broadcasting.
With that, Coach Scooter got a great trivia question this week from a reader named Dane who wrote:
I have a question: Who scored the two point conversion to win the 1984 game Alabama game?
I told Dane the answer, but I will post it to see if you can get the correct answer. Your choices are:
A) J.J. McKlesky
B) Johnnie Jones
C) Joey Clinckscales
D) Tony Robinson
All right, Vol fans, our moment has come. Over 100 years of tradition are rolled up in this thing we do every October with the Tide, and it is truly something to beautiful for all of us to savor, from the tailgate to the final gun. Make sure to rub those orange and white rosaries, repeat your game maxims, and make sure never to take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Until Friday, Vol fans, this is Coach Scooter bidding you a Big Orange good-bye, and a big Go Vols!
iary !
It’s Alabama week and that means things are getting serious in Big Orange Country. This long time southern rivalry dates back to 1901 with Alabama leading the all time series 44-37-7, plus they won last year’s game in Tuscaloosa 6-3. The Vols were off last week, while the Tide won in overtime over Ole Miss 26-23. Since the Vols did not play last week, I thought it would be fun to list my top five favorite Tennessee-Alabama moments from the past. I would enjoy reading your top five games in this series, so drop me a message at: volsdiary@yahoo.com.October 20, 1928 – Tuscaloosa
Tennessee 15
Alabama 13
Rated anywhere from a 21 to 42 point underdog against the Crimson Tide, Tennessee coach Bob Neyland went to Alabama coach Wallace Wade before the game and suggested if the Tide were routing his Vols, the third and fourth quarters be shortened so it didn’t get too out of hand. Alabama had played in the previous two Rose Bowl games, winning in 1926, and was regarded as the established power in the south. Gene McEver took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a Tennessee touchdown, and needless to say, the second half was played in its entirety as the Vols won the game 15-13, and from that day forward, were on the college football map to stay.
October 21, 1939 – Knoxville
Alabama 0
Tennessee 21
The Vols blanked the Crimson Tide in route to becoming the last major college football team to go through a regular season unscored upon. This was also the game sophomore running back Johnny Butler ripped off a 56-yard touchdown run that has gone down in the annals as one of the great runs in of Tennessee football history. The Vols would play in their first Rose Bowl that season, losing to USC 14-0.
October 16, 1982 – Knoxville
Alabama 28
Tennessee 35
The Vols ended an 11 game losing streak to the Tide with a 35-28 in what would be the last game Bear Bryant would ever coach against Tennessee. The game sparked a wild celebration in Knoxville with both goal posts being torn down. The remains of one of the goal posts can be seen at the Old College Inn in west Knoxville.
October 14, 1995 – Birmingham
Tennessee 41
Alabama 14
Another long losing streak would fall as Peyton Manning completed an 80- yard touchdown pass to Joey Kent on the first play from scrimmage and the Vols never looked back. Jay Graham’s 75 yard touchdown run in the third quarter was icing on the Big Orange cake. This was also the first time the game was not held on the third Saturday in October since 1943.
October 25, 2003 – Tuscaloosa
Tennessee 51
Alabama 43 5 OT
In the longest, and highest scoring game in the history of the series, the Vols outlasted the Tide in five overtimes to erase the previous year’s loss in Neyland Stadium. The game was a tight defensive struggle that changed late in the fourth quarter when the Vols drove 81 yards in the last 1:52 to tie the score at 20. In the third OT, Bama took a seven point lead, and had the Vols down to their last play as Casey Clausen faced a fourth and 19 from the Tide 34. C.J. Fayton came up big as he caught Clausen’s perfect pass for 29 yards to get the Vols in close for the TD that tied the game. Clausen scored the game winner in the fifth overtime, and after a two point conversion, the Vols stopped Alabama to end the marathon contest.
Saturday Observations
Ohio State 38
Mich. State 7
You know that old Mr. Bill skit from Saturday Night Live? Well, Ohio State was playing the bully, Sluggo, and Michigan State was playing the part of Mr. Bill. Every time I flipped over to the game, John L. Smith had that round mouth yelling, “Oh noooooooo!” In fact, the game got so bad, ABC switched over to Missouri and Texas A&M so the kids would not be scarred for life after seeing that beating. Here is a prediction: Steve Mariucci will be seen in green and white before long.
Ole Miss 23
Alabama 26 OT
Did you notice that Genius Danielson didn’t have anything to say about t
he game because Florida wasn’t playing? He was like a fish out of water since he doesn’t know anything about any other SEC team. I liked when he kept saying things like, “That pass Wilson threw was almost as good as Chris Leak would have thrown,” or “Brent Shaffer is a pretty good runner, but for my money, I would rather have Tim Tebow back there…” I wish I could have hung out with him at the La Quinta Inn afterward to watch Florida take it on the chin because that would have been a party. I’ll bet he was on the phone yelling at someone from the airlines, “What do you mean those tickets to Tempe are non refundable?” By the way, it is going to be "Gary Dainelson Slurpee Night" at the next Florida home game. Get a preview of the collector's cup to the right...Florida 17
Auburn 27
The score is a bit misleading since the Tigers scored via a fumbled lateral on the last play of the game, but if the truth be told, they deserved the win. In the second half, Auburn allowed zero points, and made the adjustments necessary to win the game and stay alive in the SEC race. I was a little surprised the Gators lost their composure when the Tigers turned up the heat. However, that’s what separates the good teams from the great ones.
Vanderbilt 24
Georgia 22
The surprise of the day took place in Athens as the Bulldogs stumbled their way to a stunning 24-22 loss to Vanderbilt. Bryant Hahnfeldt's 33-yard field goal with two seconds remaining was the deciding play, and it ended all those heart breaking losses where the ‘Doores fall short in the end. They did the same thing in Knoxville last year so that goes to show you can never take anyone for granted in the SEC.
They will give anyone a microphone these days...
Did anyone catch Desmond Howard’s comments on the College Football Fi
nal show? When the analyst’s were picking their top five, Howard picked California fifth. Chris Fowler asked, “Well, what about Tennessee beating them in the first game of the year? They have the same record,” to which Howard laughed and said, “Well, maybe, but Cal is pounding everyone they have played since.” Friends should not let friends talk into a microphone when they make absurd statements like that. This makes me believe Howard must have gone to the Gary Danielson School of broadcasting.With that, Coach Scooter got a great trivia question this week from a reader named Dane who wrote:
I have a question: Who scored the two point conversion to win the 1984 game Alabama game?
I told Dane the answer, but I will post it to see if you can get the correct answer. Your choices are:
A) J.J. McKlesky
B) Johnnie Jones
C) Joey Clinckscales
D) Tony Robinson
In case you missed it, the Vols were on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. Here is what it looked like. Enjoy!
All right, Vol fans, our moment has come. Over 100 years of tradition are rolled up in this thing we do every October with the Tide, and it is truly something to beautiful for all of us to savor, from the tailgate to the final gun. Make sure to rub those orange and white rosaries, repeat your game maxims, and make sure never to take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Until Friday, Vol fans, this is Coach Scooter bidding you a Big Orange good-bye, and a big Go Vols!
