• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    Archives
     By  Staff Reports Published 
    12:54 pm Tuesday, October 8, 2002

    Two games, two totally different views

    By By Stan Torgerson / guest columnist
    Oct. 8, 2002
    What coaches say immediately after a game, particularly if they lose, and what they say the next day can be two entirely different things.
    Take Jackie Sherrill for instance. On his Sunday TV show he tried to put on the best possible face for the home folks. You would expect him to do that. He praised some of his kids for playing well and explained his team was short handed because of injuries. His comments on the Bulldogs offensive effort were a bit short of being candid, but that is to be expected as well. He was obviously trying to make chicken salad out of chicken feathers.
    But the truth is that the defeat at South Carolina was MSU's eighth consecutive loss on the road dating back to their 45-30 defeat at Ole Miss in 2000. It also marked the Bulldogs seventh consecutive SEC road loss, again dating back to 2000. The Dogs are 1-4 this season and 4-12 including last year.
    His team is in trouble and so is he. The natives are restless. The drums are beating in the background. The gallows are under construction. Another performance or two such as the one Saturday and the rope will be hanging there on the ready.
    His postgame comments Saturday afternoon at South Carolina were resigned and virtually apolgetic.
    They started with the standard coaching cliche to end all coaching cliches.
    Have you ever heard a coach say his kids gave up? Of course not. Kids don't give up. They get bewildered, tired, desperately unhappy but they don't give up. Coaches can. Fans do. Writers are cruel. But the kids themselves don't give up.
    It was Sherrill's next statement that got to me.
    You mean it was a moral victory for the Bulldogs that South Carolina only scored 13 points in the second half after leading 21-0 at the turn? Holding the Gamecocks to 34 points is not a moral victory when your team has only 10.
    Give Sherrill credit for facing the truth after the game when he said this: "South Carolina dominated our defense. We were not sharp throwing and catching the ball in the first part of the game. We couldn't make plays up front. They dominated us."
    Then Jackie put the season on the line.
    But how if the talent isn't there?
    Jackie may be discouraged but State's players still have some fight in them.
    Mario Hagan, LB: "This season, it continues to go downhill. We need to keep playing, keep practicing and turn it around. We have to keep fighting. It's a long season and we still have a long way to go."
    Kevin Fant, QB: "When everyone does their job we will put points on the board."
    The next two games couldn't have come at a better time for the battered Bulldogs. Troy State comes to Starkville Saturday and, while they upset MSU last year, if the Bulldogs have any gas left in their tank this is a game they should and must win.
    The week after that Sherrill's kids go to Memphis to play a Tiger team that has proven not to be as good as believed preseason. Then an open date before tackling the murderer's row of Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Ole Miss. Hagan is right. There still is a long way to go. But if State loses to Troy State or Memphis or both, then we may see some giving up, including a coach forced to give up his job.
    On another note, there's no doubt the win over Florida will be regarded as one of the classic moments in Ole Miss football history. The fans know it, the coaches know it. The players know it.
    Coach David Cutcliffe: "I feel we are capable of playing with anyone when we play our best football. It's important for our team to understand that and this win is reassurance of that."
    Eli Manning, QB: "This is probably the biggest win I've ever had. It wasn't the prettiest but it was about the sweetest I've had."
    Matt Grier whose interception and runback for a touchdown produced the winning points: "We came out today and played as a team. We really didn't notice it was Florida on the other side of the ball. We treated this game like any other one this year."
    Defensive captain Eddie Strong: "I knew suiting up against Florida was going to be a big deal when I was out there on the first snap. I knew then we were going to step up big."
    Two dressing rooms with two different attitudes. But of course, with two different results as well.

    Also on Franklin County Times
    Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
    High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
    Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
    Brannon King For the FCT 
    July 16, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
    Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
    HERE AND NOW
    Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
    July 16, 2025
    You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
    Lifestyles, News
    Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
    Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
    July 16, 2025
    GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    European travel builds bonds across cultures
    Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
    European travel builds bonds across cultures
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 16, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
    Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
    Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 16, 2025
    PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    King becomes elementary curriculum director
    Lifestyles, Russellville
    King becomes elementary curriculum director
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 16, 2025
    RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    New Junior Leaders begin their training
    Franklin County, News
    New Junior Leaders begin their training
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 16, 2025
    FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
    Main, News, Russellville, ...
    Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
    Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
    July 16, 2025
    R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Latest Local News
    Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
    Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
    RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
    July 16, 2025
    Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
    Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
    You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
    July 16, 2025
    Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
    Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
    GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
    July 16, 2025
    European travel builds bonds across cultures
    European travel builds bonds across cultures
    RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
    July 16, 2025
    Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
    Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
    PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
    July 16, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Audit: City leaders are operating in a fiscally responsible manner
    July has given the City of Russellville a couple of good reasons to celebrate other than the traditional Fourth of July Jam on Sloss Lake.On July 2, t...
    July 16, 2025
    Augusto Simon Diaz
    July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
    July 16, 2025
    Jamie Kerby Cummings
    July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
    July 16, 2025
    Julie “ JuJu” Welch Black
    July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
    July 16, 2025
    Scott Noel Benford
    July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
    July 16, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
    Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
    RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
    July 16, 2025
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    Jeffreys named new head football coach at Red Bay
    RED BAY -- Tyler Jeffreys has been named the new head coach at Red Bay High School. Jeffreys is stepping in to replace Heath Childers, who recently re...
    July 9, 2025
    Hamilton to play baseball at Blue Mountain College
    Hamilton to play baseball at Blue Mountain College
    RED BAY -- Red Bay High School’s Reed Hamilton has officially signed a scholarship to continue his education and baseball career at Blue Mountain Coll...
    July 9, 2025
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    PHIL CAMPBELL -- A familiar face will be leading the Phil Campbell High School Lady Bobcats softball program next season. Darby Allison, a 2007 gradua...
    July 2, 2025
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) has signed 6 Franklin County students to its 2025–26 Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME)...
    July 2, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , Franklin County Times