RE: The heat. Of course hot weather has been around for awhile now. I think one of the things that has changed from the 30's and 40's is that we play the games so much earlier now. In 1946, the year I was born, the Irish played their first game Sept 28th. Little cooler even in the South in late September. I know when I was a student our 1st game in 1964 v Tulane was at night on Sept 19th, but by the early 60's teams had gone to a 10 game schedule. Our 2nd home game vs Army on Oct 3rd was also at night.
From the book "Cougars of Any Color, the Integration of University of Houston Athletics, 1964-1968" by Katherine Lopez, 2008, Chapter 2 Note 4 (on page 186) reads: "Chief" Bender coached at Wazzu 1906-1907 (13-1) and 1912-1914 (8-11). In retiring from coaching, he moved to Houston and was hired as a PE teacher at UH. UH didn't actually sponsor a football team until 1946, but UH did have a volunteer football squad start up in 1927, which was initially coached by Bender. Bender named his team the Cougars, which continues to be the UH mascot, as well as the college's newspaper (The Cougar). (Bender passed in 1928 after coaching the team for the 1927 season.) Cougars of Any Color John R. Bender - Wikipedia
Well one of the highest rated players in the 2019 class, a 5* DE from NJ who signed with the Tide, Antonio Alfano has sort of disappeared according to Nick Saban. He's been suspended for unspecified reasons and didn't dress for the NMST game. Not a good start for the kid on a team coached by a no nonsense guy like Saban. I wonder if he'll be in the transfer portal soon. Nick Saban says highest-rated 2019 signee serving suspension ‘has kind of disappeared’
Sometimes recruits and coaches just do not work out. He was not the first and he will not be the last. New Jersey and Alabama life might have been quite different for this young man?
You're gonna have to take that up with 'the man' KP. That sure does sound kind of ominous for the kid's future at Bama. Then again, reading the full quote, it seems like there may be room for redemption.
Gators haven't lost in Kentucky in 30 years! And here I thought that Kentucky broke the streak last year! I didn't realize that Kentucky has a grad transfer QB from Troy who was really good for them last year.
The rumor is that Alfano has academic problems and is not addressing them. I think this would apply in New Jersey as well as Alabama.
Well the issue is now out there. He's not been attending classes because his Grandmother has become very ill and he's taken it hard. He entered the transfer portal today. His dad want's him to stay at Alabama. Antonio Alfano's Father Explains His Son's Decision On Twitter
I can sympathize with the young man, he is facing some difficult times and especially being away from home.
Sounds like he needs to drop out and take a red shirt year, go home and be with his family. Then either go back to Alabama in the Spring or transfer somewhere. I'll bet if he transfers with the family illness, him being so far from home, etc that if he decides to transfer that he'll get immediate eligibility.
Will be at NRG Stadium tonight for the Wash State Cougars vs the Houston Cougars, courtesy of Kes! Scott will be there as well as some of Kesley's family.
Funny thing but Danny Kanell on ESPNU when making his prediction about the Wash St/Houston game commented that he would be concerned that the WSU Cougars wouldn't fair well in the heat and humidity of Houston...guess he didn't get the memo that it's being played at NRG. Although I'm not sure if the roof will be open or closed to tell you the truth.
My contest picks are off to a roaring start (that's sarcasm). Wake Forest is beating the hell out of North Carolina.