The Bulldogs are now on the bus, headed back to Barbourville. It's been a long day to say the least. However, I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to say "Thank you" to all the parents, friends, family, students and fans that came to Fort Wayne to support the Bulldogs in the NAIA playoffs.
By my estimation, there were between 200-300 Bulldog supporters there - a nice size crowd, in my humble opinion. I know the drive for us was 6-plus hours and I know others had greater distances to travel. Your support is very much appreciated.
Like I said in previous posts, I firmly believe this season was just a stepping stone of what is yet to come. I believe there are some good football yet to be played at Burch/Nau Field, and your support makes it possible and worth.
From the team, the coaching staff and the athletic department, I again say, "Thank you."
Showing posts with label Bulldogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bulldogs. Show all posts
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Just like that, it's over
I really don't know what to say after Union's 58-3 loss at Saint Francis today. I mean, Union didn't play that bad, but Saint Francis played very well.
The Cougars took advantage of great field position. They averaged started their drives on the Union 39 in the first half and finished the game with an average field position of Union 48. When a team is getting great field position like that, it's tough to beat them, I don't care who the team is.
The Bulldogs should be proud of all they've accomplished this season, and I really hope this loss doesn't sour that for them. Union did a heck of a lot more than anyone expected, but a lopsided loss like that tends to dampen things.
It's just a rough way to end the season.
Hopefully, the Bulldogs can take this feeling and use it for motivation heading into next season. Union has a good number of players returning, and this sour taste in their mouths could make them hungry next season.
Here are some things to think as the Bulldogs now close the book on 2008 and begin preparing for 2009:
The Cougars took advantage of great field position. They averaged started their drives on the Union 39 in the first half and finished the game with an average field position of Union 48. When a team is getting great field position like that, it's tough to beat them, I don't care who the team is.
The Bulldogs should be proud of all they've accomplished this season, and I really hope this loss doesn't sour that for them. Union did a heck of a lot more than anyone expected, but a lopsided loss like that tends to dampen things.
It's just a rough way to end the season.
Hopefully, the Bulldogs can take this feeling and use it for motivation heading into next season. Union has a good number of players returning, and this sour taste in their mouths could make them hungry next season.
Here are some things to think as the Bulldogs now close the book on 2008 and begin preparing for 2009:
- Union returns its entire offensive line, and there will be just ONE senior next year on the 0-line.
- Terence Pollock, Mike Brinkley and all but one wide receiver will return. Pollock ran for over 1,300 yards this year, Brinkley threw for more than 2,500 yards and 32 touchdowns and a band of young receivers will be back in the fold. How can you not be excited about that?
- The Bulldog secondary will return. With another year of maturity, the Union defensive backs should begin to shut down the opposition's passing game.
- Five of the six regularly-used defensive linemen return. The d-line did a great job this season making its way to the backfield and opening lanes for the Bulldog linebackers.
- Jacob Appleby still has three years left. The place-kicker booted 13 fields and made 46 PATs. I'll take 85 points out of my kicker any time.
While the loss does leave a bitter taste in my mouth right now, all is not lost.
In fact, this may just be the beginning.
Friday, November 21, 2008
And we're off ...
Well, the Bulldogs are FINALLY on the road en route to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The buses were supposed to pull out the Centennial parking lot at 8 a.m. HOWEVER, departature was delayed nearly an hour after one of the buses didn't want to start up this morning. (Shoot, it's around 20 degrees this morning, I didn't want to get going this morning.)
But after waiting nearly an hour for the bus to arrive, we pulled out just before 9 a.m. and are headed north - to where it's colder.
Although the little hiccup with having to wait for a bus to arrive, the mood of the team is good. Everyone is just taking everything in stride, enjoying the ride and getting ready for the weekend of playoff football.
You got a player or two trying to sing along with their Ipod. The movie "Next" is now playing on the DVD player on our bus and folks are settling in for the trip.
For a program making its first-ever playoff appearance the team appears to be taking a very businesslike approach, like it's just another game on the schedule.
Me? I'm pumped. Like I posted a couple days ago, I've been looking forward to seeing the Bulldogs make the playoffs. Even back in the early- and mid-1990s when I was working at Corbin Times-Tribune, I've been pulling for the Bulldogs to make the playoffs. I recall watching the 1995 team come up just short.
And since then, it's been a rocky ride for the Bulldogs. (Yet, there is no need to rehash all that.)
The 2008 season has been nothing but magical, and now we're on our way to take on the No. 3 team in the NAIA playoffs.
Despite the 'bus' issues, this is going to be a fun ride.
More from the road later.
The buses were supposed to pull out the Centennial parking lot at 8 a.m. HOWEVER, departature was delayed nearly an hour after one of the buses didn't want to start up this morning. (Shoot, it's around 20 degrees this morning, I didn't want to get going this morning.)
But after waiting nearly an hour for the bus to arrive, we pulled out just before 9 a.m. and are headed north - to where it's colder.
Although the little hiccup with having to wait for a bus to arrive, the mood of the team is good. Everyone is just taking everything in stride, enjoying the ride and getting ready for the weekend of playoff football.
You got a player or two trying to sing along with their Ipod. The movie "Next" is now playing on the DVD player on our bus and folks are settling in for the trip.
For a program making its first-ever playoff appearance the team appears to be taking a very businesslike approach, like it's just another game on the schedule.
Me? I'm pumped. Like I posted a couple days ago, I've been looking forward to seeing the Bulldogs make the playoffs. Even back in the early- and mid-1990s when I was working at Corbin Times-Tribune, I've been pulling for the Bulldogs to make the playoffs. I recall watching the 1995 team come up just short.
And since then, it's been a rocky ride for the Bulldogs. (Yet, there is no need to rehash all that.)
The 2008 season has been nothing but magical, and now we're on our way to take on the No. 3 team in the NAIA playoffs.
Despite the 'bus' issues, this is going to be a fun ride.
More from the road later.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Who Let the Dogs Out?!?!?!
Tonight, I went to Wal-Mart with my daughter in tow. And because my 5-year-old bundle of energy and joy was with me, she dedicated what channel my XM Radio got turned to. (What can I say, I'm a softee.)
On the way home, a song came on, one that I hadn't heard in a couple years. But yet, it was one that brought back a lot of memories.
Blaring through my speakers was "Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baha Men.
Like many, when the song came out, I liked it. It was fun, catchy and it fit Union. After all, we are the Bulldogs.
Well, during the 2000 season - the year the Baha Men produced their version of the song, the song got played at Burch/Nau Field. Over and over and over.
We played it when the team ran out on the field before the game. We played it when the team scored. We played it when the team into to the lockerroom at halftime and when they came back out for the second half.
And when Union won, it got played REPEATEDLY.
"Who Let the Dogs Out" was played on average 10-15 times per game.
Needlesstosay, many of us got sick of the song and it didn't get played again anywhere on campus for a long time following the 2000 football season.
But hearing the song again tonight brought back some fun memories, and some painful ones as well.
You see, it was five games into the 2000 season that Union won a game. That win was the first win in THREE YEARS, snapping a 25-game losing streak.
After beating Lambuth 14-10 to end the 1997 season, Union went 0-10 in 1998, 0-11 in 1999 and started the 2000 season 0-4 before enjoying a three-game win streak.
I have always enjoyed Union football. Saturday's at Burch/Nau Field are a blast for me, win or lose. (Obviously, it's always more fun when the Bulldogs win.)
Yet, there's always been something keeping the Bulldogs from getting over the hump.
I can't tell you how many games I've seen Union battle, go toe-to-toe against the opponent, only to come up just short of getting the victory.
One of the most gut-wrenching losses I've witnessed in Union history (that's encompassing all sports) came on Homecoming 2006 when the Bulldogs fell to Frostburg State 7-3. It was an ugly game. Neither offense get anything generated for the field was an absolute muddy mess. (This was the final season of Union having a natural grass surface.)
With less than three minutes remaining, Union was up 3-0. Forced to punt, the feeling was good because the Bulldog defense had held strong ALL DAY. However, the punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown, sealing Union's fate.
I mention all this to just give you a sense of how fun, how amazing, how exciting this football season has been and continues to be.
The Bulldogs are 9-2!!! NINE WINS and just TWO LOSSES!!!
Since 1995, Union had not won more than four games in a season. In the three seasons prior to this year, the Bulldogs had just 11 wins.
And now Union is heading into the NAIA Playoffs!!!
How great is that?
Union has been blessed, especially in the past five, six years with some amazing teams. Women's basketball has been to three national championship tournaments. The baseball team went to the NAIA World Series and placed 5th. Women's soccer advanced to the Final Four in 2002, the same year the mountain biking team won the NCCA National Championship. The men's and women's tennis teams both have made back-to-back trips to the NAIA Sweet Sixteen, and the softball and volleyball teams each have won their first conference championships in program history.
Every program has enjoyed some sort of success this decade. All but football.
Until now.
So, tonight, as my daughter danced in the backseat to sounds of "Who Let the Dogs Out", I enjoyed the journey and the lengths the Bulldog football program has come over the years.
And the ride isn't over.
On the way home, a song came on, one that I hadn't heard in a couple years. But yet, it was one that brought back a lot of memories.
Blaring through my speakers was "Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baha Men.
Like many, when the song came out, I liked it. It was fun, catchy and it fit Union. After all, we are the Bulldogs.
Well, during the 2000 season - the year the Baha Men produced their version of the song, the song got played at Burch/Nau Field. Over and over and over.
We played it when the team ran out on the field before the game. We played it when the team scored. We played it when the team into to the lockerroom at halftime and when they came back out for the second half.
And when Union won, it got played REPEATEDLY.
"Who Let the Dogs Out" was played on average 10-15 times per game.
Needlesstosay, many of us got sick of the song and it didn't get played again anywhere on campus for a long time following the 2000 football season.
But hearing the song again tonight brought back some fun memories, and some painful ones as well.
You see, it was five games into the 2000 season that Union won a game. That win was the first win in THREE YEARS, snapping a 25-game losing streak.
After beating Lambuth 14-10 to end the 1997 season, Union went 0-10 in 1998, 0-11 in 1999 and started the 2000 season 0-4 before enjoying a three-game win streak.
I have always enjoyed Union football. Saturday's at Burch/Nau Field are a blast for me, win or lose. (Obviously, it's always more fun when the Bulldogs win.)
Yet, there's always been something keeping the Bulldogs from getting over the hump.
I can't tell you how many games I've seen Union battle, go toe-to-toe against the opponent, only to come up just short of getting the victory.
One of the most gut-wrenching losses I've witnessed in Union history (that's encompassing all sports) came on Homecoming 2006 when the Bulldogs fell to Frostburg State 7-3. It was an ugly game. Neither offense get anything generated for the field was an absolute muddy mess. (This was the final season of Union having a natural grass surface.)
With less than three minutes remaining, Union was up 3-0. Forced to punt, the feeling was good because the Bulldog defense had held strong ALL DAY. However, the punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown, sealing Union's fate.
I mention all this to just give you a sense of how fun, how amazing, how exciting this football season has been and continues to be.
The Bulldogs are 9-2!!! NINE WINS and just TWO LOSSES!!!
Since 1995, Union had not won more than four games in a season. In the three seasons prior to this year, the Bulldogs had just 11 wins.
And now Union is heading into the NAIA Playoffs!!!
How great is that?
Union has been blessed, especially in the past five, six years with some amazing teams. Women's basketball has been to three national championship tournaments. The baseball team went to the NAIA World Series and placed 5th. Women's soccer advanced to the Final Four in 2002, the same year the mountain biking team won the NCCA National Championship. The men's and women's tennis teams both have made back-to-back trips to the NAIA Sweet Sixteen, and the softball and volleyball teams each have won their first conference championships in program history.
Every program has enjoyed some sort of success this decade. All but football.
Until now.
So, tonight, as my daughter danced in the backseat to sounds of "Who Let the Dogs Out", I enjoyed the journey and the lengths the Bulldog football program has come over the years.
And the ride isn't over.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Brinkley and his band of merry men
OK, I have waxed rhapsodic about how fun and amazing this football season has been thus far ... and the scary part is that there are still SEVEN MORE GAMES LEFT!!!
The Bulldogs have taken us - well, at least me - on a fun ride. And one of the problems at the helm of this
thrilling ride is quarterback Mike Brinkley.
As with any new season, there are a number of question marks facing a team. For the Bulldogs, one of the big one was how to fill the void left by Joey Waters. He only threw for more than 3,200 yards and had 27 passing TDs last season. Not easy numbers to replace.
Yet, Brinkley has stepped in nicely.
The 6-foot-1 quarterback has not been flashy, has not racked up huge yardage, but more importantly he has held his composure and guided the team with limited mistakes. Through the first four games, Mike has thrown for 814 yards and 9 TDs and completed just under 61 percent of his passes. Against Georgetown, Mike managed the game very well as he threw for a season-high 253 yards and completed 77.3 percent of his passes.
And Brinkley has spread the wealth as well, hitting eight different receivers this season with only three registering double-digit catches. Ben Kelly leads the team with 19, while Kyle Callahan has 16 and Chris Thomas 13.
Additionally, there's been a different leading receiver each week. Callahan and Thomas led the team in week one with 7, then Kelly led the way against Malone and Faulkner with 6 and 4, respectively. Against Georgetown, the show belonged to Rolando Dyer, who hauled in a 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 TDs. Heading into the game, Dyer only had 2 catches for 32 yards.
Chew on this thought: Brinkley is just a freshman. With the maturity and composure he's showing in the pocket now, it gets me kind of jazzed to think about what's to come.
Here are some other random football tidbits:
The Bulldogs have taken us - well, at least me - on a fun ride. And one of the problems at the helm of this
thrilling ride is quarterback Mike Brinkley.As with any new season, there are a number of question marks facing a team. For the Bulldogs, one of the big one was how to fill the void left by Joey Waters. He only threw for more than 3,200 yards and had 27 passing TDs last season. Not easy numbers to replace.
Yet, Brinkley has stepped in nicely.
The 6-foot-1 quarterback has not been flashy, has not racked up huge yardage, but more importantly he has held his composure and guided the team with limited mistakes. Through the first four games, Mike has thrown for 814 yards and 9 TDs and completed just under 61 percent of his passes. Against Georgetown, Mike managed the game very well as he threw for a season-high 253 yards and completed 77.3 percent of his passes.
And Brinkley has spread the wealth as well, hitting eight different receivers this season with only three registering double-digit catches. Ben Kelly leads the team with 19, while Kyle Callahan has 16 and Chris Thomas 13.
Additionally, there's been a different leading receiver each week. Callahan and Thomas led the team in week one with 7, then Kelly led the way against Malone and Faulkner with 6 and 4, respectively. Against Georgetown, the show belonged to Rolando Dyer, who hauled in a 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 TDs. Heading into the game, Dyer only had 2 catches for 32 yards.
Chew on this thought: Brinkley is just a freshman. With the maturity and composure he's showing in the pocket now, it gets me kind of jazzed to think about what's to come.
Here are some other random football tidbits:
- The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 34-0 in the third quarter this season.
- In addition to being on a 6-game win streak, Union has won its last 3 in a row on road, its last 3 in a row at Burch/Nau Field and its last 3 in a row versus ranked opponents.
- Union is 4-0 for the first time in program history. Other first-time 4-0 teams this season include the Tennessee Titans, who've never reached that mark even during the franchise's heyday as the Houston Oilers.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Not the same ol' Bulldogs
In case you've been hiding under a rock, the Bulldog football team is off to one of its better seasons in years. Union is 3-0 for the eighth time in program history and the first time since 1994!And as they go for its first-ever 4-0 start, the Bulldogs will square off against Georgetown in a battle of NAIA Top 20 teams - and Union is the higher ranked team at No. 16 with the Tigers coming in at No. 18.
Can the Union-Georgetown game be any bigger? It's the Mid-South Conference East opener for both. The Bulldogs snapped a 23-game losing streak against Georgetown with a 28-21 decision on the Tigers home field to end the 2007 season. (Oh, and by the way, that loss kept Georgetown out of the playoffs for the first time in 12 years and snapped the Tigers' streak of winning and/or sharing the conference championship at 11 years.) So, revenge will be on Georgetown's mind come Saturday.
These are certainly fun times. Don't know about you, but I can't wait until game time.
Here are some more random football notes:
- One player to watch for - because opposing defenses will be - is No. 26 Terence Pollock. All Mr. Pollock did last week was ripped of a 198-yard, 2-touchdown performance, earning him the MSC Offensive Player of the Week nod. On the season, he's rushed for 400 yards and is on pace to become just the third player in program history to rush for a 1,000 yards in a season. Also, he is only 223 yards away from becoming the third player to run for 2,000 yards in a career!!! Currently, Terence is ranked third in the NAIA in rushing yards per game at 133.3.
- Willie Williams is certainly making his presence felt as he ranks fourth, fifth and 13th in the NAIA in tackles for a loss, sacks and total tackles.
- Jacob Appleby has played just 3 games in his collegiate career, but he's already making an impact. Currently, he ranks third in the NAIA in Kicking Scoring with an 8.3 points-per-game average. At Faulkner last week, Jacob booted three field goals to tie the school record and scored 11 of the team's 23 points as he was named the MSC Special Teams Player of the Week.
- The Bulldogs have rushed for 608 yards and passed for only 561. The last time Union finished the season with more yards rushing than passing was in 2003 when it ran for 1838 and passed for 1370.
- In the previous seven seasons Union started the year 3-0, the team finished no worse than .500 (5-5 in 1993). The Bulldogs posted a winning record in the other six seasons.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Just some random thoughts ...
It's kind of a quiet week here in the SID Office, so here are just some random thoughts and interesting tidbits - at least they're interesting to me, but I'm a stats geek so what do I know.
First, our women's soccer team lost 5-3 at Asbury. At first glance, it seems the Lady Bulldog defense had some issues. Well, they did but not the kind you might be thinking about. Asbury scored 3 of its 5 goals on penalty kicks!!!
I've been covering soccer for 15 years now, and this is the first time I've ever seen 3 PKs in one game let alone by one team. Brittany Puryear made 6 saves, but stopping a PK is not an easy
chore.
On a side note, Ashley Hall is really burning up the back of the net!!! After yesterday's 2-goal performance, the sophomore now has 8 tallies on the season to tie her for second on the squad. Ashley had just 9 goals in 15 games last season.
Don't worry, the Lady Bulldogs will rebound from this.
Next, how 'bout the roll the Bulldog soccer team has begun the season on???
Union is 5-1-2 after yesterday's 3-1 victory over Berea. Had to do some digging for this tidbit, but the last time the Bulldogs began the year 5-1-2 was in 2001 when they ended the year 16-4-2, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA and missed advancing to the national tournament by ONE GAME - but we won't talk about that.
The thing I'm enjoying most about the Bulldogs is their balanced-scoring attack. There are literally 4 or 5 guys that can score at any moment with a number of other players able to chip a crucial goal when the need arises.
Watch out Appalachian Athletic Conference! Here comes the Bulldogs!
The Lady Bulldog volleyballers have a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde season early on. The start out the year going 3-1 against NCAA Division II schools, but open AAC play 1-2.
However, Union's turned things around with three straight AAC victories and sit third in the standing with a 4-2 league mark.
Scanning the Lady Bulldog stats, it's amazing how balanced it is. There are number of players leading the charge at the net, Monica Moreland and Christina Prindle are handling the assists
and digs just fine, but two players really stand out to me.
First, junior Brooke Vinovich currently has nearly as many digs (92) as she does kills (94). I don't know why, but that's impressive to me. To be able to dominate the net like she does as well as get back and play defense just shows what kind of athlete Brooke is.
Also, freshman Amelia Cantrell is proving to be a valuable asset in her first season with the Lady Bulldogs. She's helped out with 41 kills thus far and is second on the team in blocks with 25 total blocks. All I can say is keep up the good work!!!
Lastly, the Bulldog cyclists are rolling, rolling, rolling. In their first two weekends of races, they have proven to be very strong unit and appear to be getting things in order for another NCCA National Championship run.
We're just four weeks into the fall sports season, and it's been a fun one thus far. Don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what the rest of the year will bring.
First, our women's soccer team lost 5-3 at Asbury. At first glance, it seems the Lady Bulldog defense had some issues. Well, they did but not the kind you might be thinking about. Asbury scored 3 of its 5 goals on penalty kicks!!!
I've been covering soccer for 15 years now, and this is the first time I've ever seen 3 PKs in one game let alone by one team. Brittany Puryear made 6 saves, but stopping a PK is not an easy
chore.On a side note, Ashley Hall is really burning up the back of the net!!! After yesterday's 2-goal performance, the sophomore now has 8 tallies on the season to tie her for second on the squad. Ashley had just 9 goals in 15 games last season.
Don't worry, the Lady Bulldogs will rebound from this.
Next, how 'bout the roll the Bulldog soccer team has begun the season on???
Union is 5-1-2 after yesterday's 3-1 victory over Berea. Had to do some digging for this tidbit, but the last time the Bulldogs began the year 5-1-2 was in 2001 when they ended the year 16-4-2, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA and missed advancing to the national tournament by ONE GAME - but we won't talk about that.
The thing I'm enjoying most about the Bulldogs is their balanced-scoring attack. There are literally 4 or 5 guys that can score at any moment with a number of other players able to chip a crucial goal when the need arises.
Watch out Appalachian Athletic Conference! Here comes the Bulldogs!
The Lady Bulldog volleyballers have a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde season early on. The start out the year going 3-1 against NCAA Division II schools, but open AAC play 1-2.
However, Union's turned things around with three straight AAC victories and sit third in the standing with a 4-2 league mark.
Scanning the Lady Bulldog stats, it's amazing how balanced it is. There are number of players leading the charge at the net, Monica Moreland and Christina Prindle are handling the assists
and digs just fine, but two players really stand out to me.First, junior Brooke Vinovich currently has nearly as many digs (92) as she does kills (94). I don't know why, but that's impressive to me. To be able to dominate the net like she does as well as get back and play defense just shows what kind of athlete Brooke is.
Also, freshman Amelia Cantrell is proving to be a valuable asset in her first season with the Lady Bulldogs. She's helped out with 41 kills thus far and is second on the team in blocks with 25 total blocks. All I can say is keep up the good work!!!
Lastly, the Bulldog cyclists are rolling, rolling, rolling. In their first two weekends of races, they have proven to be very strong unit and appear to be getting things in order for another NCCA National Championship run.
We're just four weeks into the fall sports season, and it's been a fun one thus far. Don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what the rest of the year will bring.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
What a day!
Autumn Combs broke Union's career blocks record as a junior. Now the question is can she get to the single-season record of 273? She had 232 last season. Only time will tell.
Don't forget to come out Tuesday night to see Union host Cumberlands. Action gets underway at 7 p.m.
At Burch/Nau Field, Jason Lanham made his home debut as a head coach a memorable one. The Lady Bulldogs won 9-0 with two players posting hat tricks in the process. The thing about the two players with the hat tricks... one is a sophomore and the other is a freshman. The future and present are bright for the Lady Bulldogs.
The men's contest took a little while to unfold. But when it did, Union came out on top. No matter what happened with the stopping of play, coming back out, warming up, and then going back in, Union kept focused. Also, the team looked impressive with the mixture of new faces and experienced players on the pitch.
I was impressed with the attendance at today's games. It was great to see so many Union fans out supporting the soccer teams today. Everyone there gave Union a home-field advantage.
Well, it is time for a long weekend! Enjoy Labor Day and stay tuned for what's next.
Don't forget to come out Tuesday night to see Union host Cumberlands. Action gets underway at 7 p.m.
At Burch/Nau Field, Jason Lanham made his home debut as a head coach a memorable one. The Lady Bulldogs won 9-0 with two players posting hat tricks in the process. The thing about the two players with the hat tricks... one is a sophomore and the other is a freshman. The future and present are bright for the Lady Bulldogs.
The men's contest took a little while to unfold. But when it did, Union came out on top. No matter what happened with the stopping of play, coming back out, warming up, and then going back in, Union kept focused. Also, the team looked impressive with the mixture of new faces and experienced players on the pitch.
I was impressed with the attendance at today's games. It was great to see so many Union fans out supporting the soccer teams today. Everyone there gave Union a home-field advantage.
Well, it is time for a long weekend! Enjoy Labor Day and stay tuned for what's next.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
That time...
Well, it is that time again - the Fall sports are starting! The Union men's and women's soccer teams kick the 2008 season off later today at West Virginia Tech. This weekend, volleyball plays four times at a tournament hosted by Anderson University while the cyclist ride to the University of Missouri.
It's just hard to believe that classes start today. It seems like just yesterday we were relaxing and getting ready for the fall sports, well now the seasons are HERE. The great thing about the new seasons are the hopes and dreams of championships are alive for everyone.
The new season brings championship dreams for everyone. The volleyball team looks to repeat the 2007 AAC crown this season. The soccer teams should contend for the conference titles. The cycling team fell short of the MWCCC championship last season, but should contend for the program's fifth conference title.
Now, I didn't forget about football and cross country as both open next weekend. I'll have some notes and thougths on the teams next week.
This should be a great year once again for Union athletics and each of you can keep up with it at www.ucbulldogs.com.
It's just hard to believe that classes start today. It seems like just yesterday we were relaxing and getting ready for the fall sports, well now the seasons are HERE. The great thing about the new seasons are the hopes and dreams of championships are alive for everyone.
The new season brings championship dreams for everyone. The volleyball team looks to repeat the 2007 AAC crown this season. The soccer teams should contend for the conference titles. The cycling team fell short of the MWCCC championship last season, but should contend for the program's fifth conference title.
Now, I didn't forget about football and cross country as both open next weekend. I'll have some notes and thougths on the teams next week.
This should be a great year once again for Union athletics and each of you can keep up with it at www.ucbulldogs.com.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
It's an exciting time!!!
Well, it's just about official. Summer is over. At least for me it is.You see, the fall sports season kicks off in earnest tomorrow when the Union men and women's soccer team open up at West Virginia Tech. From here on out, it'll be non-stop sports until mid-may - unless the Bulldog baseball team extends the season with another trip to the NAIA World Series. (Which wouldn't be a bad thing. I would like to make the trip Idaho again :-D)
But while life might get crazy now, I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. It's been too quiet the past few months. Sure, Gene and I have gotten a lot done during the summer. The fall media guides all finished (and will be appearing www.ucbulldogs.com very soon!!!), and we've gotten a jump on the winter media guides as well. We've added a few new wrinkles to the web site as well, especially a new photo gallery which will get put the use VERY SOON. But we have to during the summer because once the season starts; it's anything goes from that point. And it feels like every day is game day.
But I love game day.
There is nothing like it. Watching two teams warm up for competition and then squaring off on the field of play, putting forth their best efforts as they strive for victory ... I can't wait.
And now I don't have to for the season, it is upon us.
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