By: Jimmie McDowell
NEW YORK CITY---For the second successive year a Sophomore won the Heisman Trophy. Sam Bradford of Oklahoma shaded Colt McCoy of Texas and last year's winner Tim Tebow of Florida for the award. Over two dozen former winners were on hand to salute the 2008 winner. It was my 45th sucessive Heisman Dinner in New York dating back to 1962 when Oregon State's Terry Baker was the recipient and I was the Executive Sports Editor-Columnist of the Trenton (N.J.)Times.
Dick Kazmaier of Princeton was the senior member returning followed by Hop Cassady of Ohio State, Paul Hornung of Notre Dame, and John David Crowe of Texas A&M.Bradford and Tebow cross swords in post-season play. In regular season McCoy bested Bradford when Texas and Oklahoma collided. Florida's only loss was to Ole Miss, who now plays Texas Tech, the team that edged Texas in the Longhorns' only blemish of the season in the Cotton Bowl.
Bradford and McCoy return in 2009 and perhaps Tebow too. He is checking out his NFL possibilities in the upcoming pro draft.
Kazmaier is not the oldest living Heisman winner. The fabled Doc Blanchard of Army and Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame are still alive but not traveling much. When the two locked horns at Yankee Stadium in 1946 the Cadets and Black Knights battled to a scoreless tie. On one play Blanchard, nursing a bad leg, broke clear but was tackled by Lujack, saving the day for the Irish.
In later years Blanchard told Lujack he scared the hell out of him. Lujack was elated to hear the remark and then Blanchard added: "I thought I had killed you.
After the Heisman I returned to Mississippi for one day before my flight to Las Vegas for the All-American Football Foundation's 98th Banquet of Champions honoring Dr. Bill McColl and his son Rev.Ducnan McColl, both Stanford All-Americans and Notre Dame All-American George Kunz.
A sudden snowstorm hit Vegas, shutting down the airport. I had to fly to San Diego, spend a night at the airport in a chair for five hours before catching an early flight to Vegas. The McColls were there, as was Kunz. Bill later played for the Chicago Bears and his teammates included Joe Fortunato and Harper Davis of Mississippi State and Modest John Dottley of Ole Miss.
The Foundation's next two Banquets of Champions will be in Jackson, Feb. l6 and in Princeton March 9 following the Maxwell Club Dinner in Atlantic City Marech 6.At the Jackson Dinner Johnny Vaught's Glory Year Field Generals will honored. They include the late Charlie Conerly, Farley Salmon, Jimmy Lear,the late Eagle Day, Raymond Brown, Bobby Franklin, Jake Gibbs, the late Doug Elmore and Glynn Griffing.
Ole Miss has not won a SEC Championship since,including the Archie Mannng years
The Sugar Bowl is observing its 75the Anniversary this year and has invited the Most Valuable players over the years. The Sun Bowl in El Paso is also 75 years old.
The Grand Daddy of all Bowl games features two once beaten teams Penn State and the University of Southern California, pitting two great coaches, Joe Paterno and Pete Carroll. Joe Pa has a new three year contract at age 82 and has recovered from recent hip surgery. I wrote and wished him well, predicting that by the time of the Rose Bowl he would be twisting again like he did last summer.
Southern Mississippi concluded its season with a come from behind victory over Troy University in New Orleans, giving Larry Fedora a 7-6 mark in his initial season at USM. Ole Miss is the underdog in its battle with once beaten Texas Tech Jan. 2 in Dallas The Rebels lost two early season games with Wake Forest and Vanderbilt on the last play of both games. They could have been 10-2 instead of 8-4. Now will Houston Nutt's Red and Blue wind up 9-4 of 8-5?
When Ole Miss came back to beat TCU in an earlier Cotton Bowl Hermand Sidney (Eagle) Day became the Mississippi Gambler with his heroic performance. In another Cotton Bowl Eli Mannng sparked Ole Miss to victory and got a high NFL draft choice in the process. Will Jevan Snead become another Ole Miss Cotton Bowl hero? I think he might.
If he does he could be in the 2009 Heisman picture as a Junior.
----30----
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Army Navy Always Enjoyed
PHILADELPHIA-----Navy battered the Brave Old Army team,34-0, before a capacity crowd in the City of Brotherly Love. It was my 45th Army-Navy encounter. The teams meet here again in 2009 and then it is a question of where the 2010 classic will be played. Eight cities have expressed interest in hosting the Classic.
Over 80 of these 100 games have been played in Philadelphia and the City Fathers are going all out to convince Army and Navy officials that the game should always be held here. Over the years no other city has been a better host. The Army-Navy game I missed was the one played in the Rose Bowl where there was a major transportation problem getting all of the Midshipmen and Cadets non-football players to the Stadium.
Part of the package includes paying travel expenses for the Brigade and the Corps. Navy's Coach is Ken Niumatalolo, the first Samoan collegiate head football coach. Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk promoted the longtime assistant to the top job when Paul Johnson accepted the Georgia Tech assignment Stan Brock moved up at Army when Bobby Ross retired.
President George W. Bush, attending the game for the last time as Commander in Chief, walked towards the 50-yard line for the coin toss ceremony noted that the placekicker had left a football on the tee as he left warmup for the ceremony, delighted the crowd by kicking the ball quite impressively, making one wonder if Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would offer the outgoing President a job as a field goal and extra point specialist.
The night before a VIP reception was held for the Navy and Army brass and other notables in the beautiful Philadelphia Civic Center. A battle of the Bands highlighted the event with cheer-leaders dueling to a draw, while both bands played their hearts out. A lovely Navy cheerleader noted my presence and asked me if I wanted to dance with her. I could see why. Old Wagon Wheel dancers of downtown Jackson never die. Naturally I accepted the pretty lady Middie's invitation.
Sadler's dancing machine band was as great as ever. I look forward to returning to Philadelphia next year.
On another note as Bowl games were being announced I hasten to say that the All-American Football Foundation members, including over 150 colleges, do not vote until AFTER the post season games have been played. Only then do the members vote and select their All-America teams and Coaches of the Year in all divisions as well as National Champions in all divisions plus selecting 11 Colonel Red Blaik senior leadership Scholarship honorees.
While Oklahoma and Florida, once beaten, play in the designated major college championship game the All-American Football Foundation noted that the other contenders included two perfect record teams, Boise State and Utah plus once defeated Texas, Alabama, Penn State, USC, Ball State, and Texas Tech.
Penn State and USC have to think that which ever team wins the Rose Bowl the winner should have every right to share the national title with Oklahoma or Florida.
I will be in the Boston area for the AAFF's New England Banquet of Champions followed by the trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy festivities. I have attended every Heisman Dinner since my first one in 1962--46 years. It's always a pleasure to be there. Terry Baker of Oregon State was the winner .
Roger Staubach and Joe Bellino are Navy's Heisman winners. Army claimed three Heismans with Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, and Pete Dawkins. December in New York is a special time of the year for me. Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's , Lunch at the 21 Club, Dinner at Neary's. I lived in the City for 17 years, and worked there for almost three decades. New York, New York, a wonderful town.
---30------
Over 80 of these 100 games have been played in Philadelphia and the City Fathers are going all out to convince Army and Navy officials that the game should always be held here. Over the years no other city has been a better host. The Army-Navy game I missed was the one played in the Rose Bowl where there was a major transportation problem getting all of the Midshipmen and Cadets non-football players to the Stadium.
Part of the package includes paying travel expenses for the Brigade and the Corps. Navy's Coach is Ken Niumatalolo, the first Samoan collegiate head football coach. Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk promoted the longtime assistant to the top job when Paul Johnson accepted the Georgia Tech assignment Stan Brock moved up at Army when Bobby Ross retired.
President George W. Bush, attending the game for the last time as Commander in Chief, walked towards the 50-yard line for the coin toss ceremony noted that the placekicker had left a football on the tee as he left warmup for the ceremony, delighted the crowd by kicking the ball quite impressively, making one wonder if Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would offer the outgoing President a job as a field goal and extra point specialist.
The night before a VIP reception was held for the Navy and Army brass and other notables in the beautiful Philadelphia Civic Center. A battle of the Bands highlighted the event with cheer-leaders dueling to a draw, while both bands played their hearts out. A lovely Navy cheerleader noted my presence and asked me if I wanted to dance with her. I could see why. Old Wagon Wheel dancers of downtown Jackson never die. Naturally I accepted the pretty lady Middie's invitation.
Sadler's dancing machine band was as great as ever. I look forward to returning to Philadelphia next year.
On another note as Bowl games were being announced I hasten to say that the All-American Football Foundation members, including over 150 colleges, do not vote until AFTER the post season games have been played. Only then do the members vote and select their All-America teams and Coaches of the Year in all divisions as well as National Champions in all divisions plus selecting 11 Colonel Red Blaik senior leadership Scholarship honorees.
While Oklahoma and Florida, once beaten, play in the designated major college championship game the All-American Football Foundation noted that the other contenders included two perfect record teams, Boise State and Utah plus once defeated Texas, Alabama, Penn State, USC, Ball State, and Texas Tech.
Penn State and USC have to think that which ever team wins the Rose Bowl the winner should have every right to share the national title with Oklahoma or Florida.
I will be in the Boston area for the AAFF's New England Banquet of Champions followed by the trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy festivities. I have attended every Heisman Dinner since my first one in 1962--46 years. It's always a pleasure to be there. Terry Baker of Oregon State was the winner .
Roger Staubach and Joe Bellino are Navy's Heisman winners. Army claimed three Heismans with Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, and Pete Dawkins. December in New York is a special time of the year for me. Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's , Lunch at the 21 Club, Dinner at Neary's. I lived in the City for 17 years, and worked there for almost three decades. New York, New York, a wonderful town.
---30------
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Coaching is a Tough Profession
BY Jimmie McDowell
Bowl Invitations follow this weekend. Ole Miss and Southern Mississippi will go bowling this year, getting additional practice time, a second spring training no less, in preparation for tough opponents. Mississippi State, fresh from a Liberty Bowl triumph last year, expected an even larger bowl this time around.
Sylvester Croom, the SEC Coach of the Year last year, is looking for a new job now after resigning following a dismal year, taking home three million dollars in the process. I expect Sly to land on his feet.
Other jobs are available, assuring the lobby of the American Football Coaches Convention being packed as out-of-work coaches look for another assignment. I appreciated the invitation from the AFCA to attend the annual Coach of the Year Dinner. I started going to this convention in 1952 while beating the drums for Mississippi Southern College and have attended most of the Conventions since. I appreciated being named an Honorary Life Member of the AFCA over 15 years ago.
When the All-America Football Foundation was launched in 1994 Coach Bob Devaney of Nebraska who was the Cornhuskers' Athletic Director was the first coach to respond and wish us well with a substantial check.
Boston College was next, thanks to the legendary Athletic Director Bill Flynn.
Awards presentations will be announced prior to the Heisman Trophy Dinner in New York Dec.13 on a ESPN TV Special from Florida. Maxwell Club voters had to vote before some of the season ending important games. The Heisman deadline is after the Conference Championship games and other traditional finales, including the UCLA-Southern California showdown. If the Tronans win they will play Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl.
In Clarksdale this week the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced that Juan Joseph of Millsaps' small college powerhouse was chosen the Charlie Conerly Awardee, edging two Ole Miss All-Americans OffensiveTackle Michael Oher and Defensive lineman Peria Jerry, who both should be in the Senior Bowl and be high NFL draft choices.
Mike Dubose did an outstanding job guiding Millsaps to a magnificent season and is deserving of being considered for a Division One coaching job. The one-time Alabama head coach is much appreciated on Methodist Hill.
Southern and Ole Miss both finished strong with the Golden Eagles under their new coach Larry Fedora remaining in the bowl family after a sluggish start after it appeared that their consecutive post season play come to a screeching stop.
The All-America Football foundation, after dinners in Newton, Ma. Dec. ll and Las Vegas Dec. l8 will return to Princeton, New Jersey for its 199th Dinner March 9 after its 99th Banaquet in Jackson Feb. 16 at the Jackson Hilton. The Quarterbacks of Johnny Vaught's championship Glory Years will be honored and remembered: Charlie Conerly, Farley Salmon, Jimmy Lear, Eagle Day, Raymond Brown, Bobby Franklin, Jake Gibbs, Doug Elmore, and Glynn Griffing.
When the Ole Miss Centennial team was announced Eagle Day commented that how do you select the top Quarterback and suggested that quarterbacks who led teams to a conference title certainly should be considered. Eagle Day led Ole Miss to TWO SEC championships.
I will attend the Army-Navy game one again in Philadelphia with President George W. Bush also on hand. I have missed one Army-Navy game since I saw my first one in 1962, missing only the game played in theRose Bowl in Pasadena, This will be my 45th Army-Navy game.
I will also attend my 46th Heisman Trophy Dinner at the New York Hilton Dec. 15. I will miss my first National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Dinner this year since my first one in 1962. Appreciated the Invitation but with Dinners in New England and the West I simply could not stay that long in New York this time around.
My pick for the Heisman: Colt McCoy of the University of Texas.
His Longhorn backup of two years ago,Jevan Snead of Ole Miss, will be a Heisman candidate the next two years if he continues to improve like he did since his redshirt season in Johnny Rebtown
, ===30=======
Bowl Invitations follow this weekend. Ole Miss and Southern Mississippi will go bowling this year, getting additional practice time, a second spring training no less, in preparation for tough opponents. Mississippi State, fresh from a Liberty Bowl triumph last year, expected an even larger bowl this time around.
Sylvester Croom, the SEC Coach of the Year last year, is looking for a new job now after resigning following a dismal year, taking home three million dollars in the process. I expect Sly to land on his feet.
Other jobs are available, assuring the lobby of the American Football Coaches Convention being packed as out-of-work coaches look for another assignment. I appreciated the invitation from the AFCA to attend the annual Coach of the Year Dinner. I started going to this convention in 1952 while beating the drums for Mississippi Southern College and have attended most of the Conventions since. I appreciated being named an Honorary Life Member of the AFCA over 15 years ago.
When the All-America Football Foundation was launched in 1994 Coach Bob Devaney of Nebraska who was the Cornhuskers' Athletic Director was the first coach to respond and wish us well with a substantial check.
Boston College was next, thanks to the legendary Athletic Director Bill Flynn.
Awards presentations will be announced prior to the Heisman Trophy Dinner in New York Dec.13 on a ESPN TV Special from Florida. Maxwell Club voters had to vote before some of the season ending important games. The Heisman deadline is after the Conference Championship games and other traditional finales, including the UCLA-Southern California showdown. If the Tronans win they will play Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions in the Rose Bowl.
In Clarksdale this week the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced that Juan Joseph of Millsaps' small college powerhouse was chosen the Charlie Conerly Awardee, edging two Ole Miss All-Americans OffensiveTackle Michael Oher and Defensive lineman Peria Jerry, who both should be in the Senior Bowl and be high NFL draft choices.
Mike Dubose did an outstanding job guiding Millsaps to a magnificent season and is deserving of being considered for a Division One coaching job. The one-time Alabama head coach is much appreciated on Methodist Hill.
Southern and Ole Miss both finished strong with the Golden Eagles under their new coach Larry Fedora remaining in the bowl family after a sluggish start after it appeared that their consecutive post season play come to a screeching stop.
The All-America Football foundation, after dinners in Newton, Ma. Dec. ll and Las Vegas Dec. l8 will return to Princeton, New Jersey for its 199th Dinner March 9 after its 99th Banaquet in Jackson Feb. 16 at the Jackson Hilton. The Quarterbacks of Johnny Vaught's championship Glory Years will be honored and remembered: Charlie Conerly, Farley Salmon, Jimmy Lear, Eagle Day, Raymond Brown, Bobby Franklin, Jake Gibbs, Doug Elmore, and Glynn Griffing.
When the Ole Miss Centennial team was announced Eagle Day commented that how do you select the top Quarterback and suggested that quarterbacks who led teams to a conference title certainly should be considered. Eagle Day led Ole Miss to TWO SEC championships.
I will attend the Army-Navy game one again in Philadelphia with President George W. Bush also on hand. I have missed one Army-Navy game since I saw my first one in 1962, missing only the game played in theRose Bowl in Pasadena, This will be my 45th Army-Navy game.
I will also attend my 46th Heisman Trophy Dinner at the New York Hilton Dec. 15. I will miss my first National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Dinner this year since my first one in 1962. Appreciated the Invitation but with Dinners in New England and the West I simply could not stay that long in New York this time around.
My pick for the Heisman: Colt McCoy of the University of Texas.
His Longhorn backup of two years ago,Jevan Snead of Ole Miss, will be a Heisman candidate the next two years if he continues to improve like he did since his redshirt season in Johnny Rebtown
, ===30=======
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