How 'bout them Bulldogs!!!

WOW!!!

What else is there to say after the amazing football game this weekend?

The Bulldogs defeated the then-No. 24 team in the nation. They did it in an impressive manner, dominating ball control in the second half and just wore down Malone. It was a true team effort. The defense did all it could to keep the team in it in the first half, while the offense seized control of things in the second half.

Malone might've had more yardage and more first downs, but Union led in the category that matters most - the FINAL SCORE!!! 35-28.

In amongst the great team effort were some spectacular individual performances.

Kyle Callahan had just four catches all day, but he hauled in three TD passes - all three of which were SportsCenter worthy.

After a rough first half, running back Terence Pollock, Darrell Taylor, Tim Coffey and Ben Kelly did what they needed to do to eat up the clock and keep Malone's offense off the field. Quarterback Mike Brinkley did a commendable job of managing the clock and guiding the team to victory. And just think, Brinkley's just a freshman.

On defense, the line did a tremendous job getting pressure on the quarterback while the linebackers and secondary just did their thing.

The Bulldogs are now 2-0!!! It's been since 1994 that Union has been able to say that.

And now, the Bulldogs are ranked in the NAIA Top 25!!!

Union is currently tied for No. 18 in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Poll. The last time Union was ranked the year was 1996 - and the ranking did not last long. The Bulldogs finished the 1995 season 7-2-1 and ranked 16th, just missing the NAIA playoffs. So, coming off the stellar, Union entered the 1996 season with high hopes and expectations and were ranked in the Top 25.

But things didn't go so well for Union in 1996. The Bulldogs finished the year 1-9 - with the only win being an 24-23 overtime victory over Cumberland (Ky.) College. (So, the year wasn't a total loss :-D )

The 1996 began a long, dry spell for the Bulldogs. Union has not had a winning season since 1995.

Twelve seasons and counting ...

Hopefully, the counting stops in 2008.

There's something special going on with this year's Bulldogs. The offense is relatively young yet overflowing with talent. The defense has strong senior leadership, especially in the linebacking corps. And it just seems everything is aligning just so, giving at least this old SID the hopes that a winning football season is just over the horizon.

I've been at Union since 1999, but I remember the winning seasons in the early 1990s. I was working at the local newspapers at the time, and football Saturday in Barbourville was an event - and it still is. The fans have always come out and supported the Bulldogs. Union football fans are among the most loyal and faithful. Yet, there was a certain buzz around Burch/Nau Field during those winning seasons.

And now, that buzz is starting to come back. Don't believe me? Then join me at Burch/Nau Field on Sept. 27 to see for yourself.