Last weekend’s trip to Bowling Green was great!  Yes, the Hoosiers gave me indigestion, but the atmosphere there at that stadium was absolutely fantastic.

One cheek hill.  That is what I call Neylan Stadium in Knoxville.

Translation:  The seat numbers are WAY too close together.  This was the case at WKU as well.  I don’t remember that malady the last time I was there to watch the Hilltoppers take on the Marshall Thundering Herd.  Maybe my cheeks have gained some width?  Maybe the upper deck seats are closer together than the ones downstairs?  It doesn’t matter.  I lived to tell the story.

There were some stories to tell from that trip to Bowling Green!

1.  There was a VERY POLITE fan about six rows behind us.  He spoke up when compelled to do so.  His voice sounded like the character on the old TV show FRASIER named Noel Shemski.  I laughed out loud and so did my dear wife, Carrie, when Western spread the field much to the delight of “Noel”.  He declared this, very emphatically…”Six receiver set!”  Well, sorry Noel.  Six receivers is a penalty.  But I am glad you were excited and reported your delight to us!

2.  Did you ever watch the ABC television show from the late 80s and early 90s called COACH?  I sure did.  In a few episodes, Coach Hayden Fox had run-ins with the band director Riley Pringle.  Well, Riley Pringle lives!

During halftime, the WKU Band was on the field performing their very nice show.

As is the custom, the Indiana kick-off specialist came out to swing his leg a few times during halftime.  He was as polite as he could be.  The band was still playing and the IU kicker put his kicking tee on the sideline to steer clear of the band.  Well, the Riley Pringle of Western Kentucky took umbrage with this intent.  He GRABBED THE BALL OFF THE TEE and stepped toward the field and would NOT give the ball back to the Indiana kicker.  It was surreal!  After I was sure what was going on, I pointed it out to Carrie.  She cackled.  Sio did I!  This was an ESPN SPORTSCENTER moment that was never recorded.  It plays over in my mind.  That is it.  I have searched for video footage of this rhubarb.  Can’t find it.

An Indiana ambassador and a Western Kentucky ambassador finally made peace between the band director and the Indiana kicker.  I loved every second of it.  I only wish I had a picture!

This will have to do!

On to this week’s picks!

Iowa  beats Maryland…The Hawkeyes have something to prove.  Look for a blowout!

Georgia beats Arkansas…This is going to be fun!  Pick for Lewis Grizzard!

Michigan beats Swissconsin...And I can’t wait!

Purdue beats Minnesota…In the parlance of Keith Jackson, “It should be a good one.”

Louisville beats Wake Forest…BB&T Field is not an intimidating place to play. Been there.

USC beats Colorado…Can it get any worse for the men of Troy?  I hope not!

Notre Dame beats Cincinnati… And I am looking forward to it.

Brother Tim Petty, you know it is coming.  2 years ago we were there in the heat of Bryant-Denny!

It was an experience I will cherish!

Ole Miss beats Alabama…Turnovers. Just wait.

Kentucky beats Florida…The Cats are real, believe it or not!

Indiana beats Penn State…Go Hoosiers!  I STILL BELIEVE!

Nebraska beats Northwestern…The Huskers lose to the Wildcats at home? Nah.

UCLA beats Arizona State…I will be pumped at 10:30 EDT.  In the Rose Bowl!  Just hope there are not hideous alternate uniforms for the Bruins.

LSU beats Auburn…Were they not playing Auburn back in the day when an LSU touchdown pass by Tommy Hodson set off the seismograph at the LSU Geology department?  Earthquake time again in a night game at Death Valley.

Enjoy the games this weekend!  I know I will.

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson

I was delighted to be on hand to see the North Harrison Cougars dispatch the Eastern Musketeers 42-6!  This was Friday!

We needed a victory and we got one!

On Saturday morning, I took a walk and I took some pictures.  My walking trail is always ready for a good photo.  I think this qualifies.

On Saturday my dear wife, Carrie, and I were on hand to see the Indiana Hoosiers take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.  I was not enamoured with the Hoosiers’ effort.  This coming from a man who made hotel reservations for the Big Ten Championshp and the Rose Bowl.  Are these goals out of reach?  Not yet.  I still have my reservations.  But the Hoosiers will need to beat Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State.  Oh my!

On Monday, I was delighted to help the North Harrison JV football team to earn a 48-12 victory over Eastern.

This was good times!

We have some great college football this weekend.  This Ole Miss fan will be hosting Brother Tim Petty, a good Bama man, for a watch party.  2 years ago we were in T-Town for this game and it was a great experience.

We press onward!

Go Rebs!

Go Cougars!

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson

Oh my.

So disappointed by the Indiana Hoosiers implosion against the UC Bearcats.  I hope the Hoosiers can run Saturday night.  They shot themselves in the foot so many times I have my doubts.

This is a special night for me.

Time flies.  On this night in 1989, I attended an Ole Miss vs. Arkansas game in Jackson, Mississippi with my Aunt Barbara.  It was the first of many games we would attend together in Jackson, Oxford, Bloomington, and Lexington.

These are our ticket stubs.  I am glad I have both of them!!!  Sorry, Aunt Barbara.

It was the first time I ever saw a “Hog Head” in person.  This would be an apparatus an Arkansas fans wears on their head in support of their team.  Coming in to the game Arkansas was 2-0 and ranked #8.  Ole Miss was 3-0.  Arkansas won 24-17.  It was a great game.  I returned with Aunt Barbara to the same stadium, Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson in 1991.  The Rebs won that one 20-17.  The 1989 Rebels?  They finished 8-4 with a win over Air Force in the Liberty Bowl.

On to this week’s picks:

Marshall beats App. State...I have been to Boone, NC.  The football field is the only flat spot on campus.  It is a special place too.

Wake Forest beats UVA…The Deacons are playing well.  Amen!

LSU beats Mississippi State…I want to pick Mike Leach’s team but my gut tells me otherwise.

Notre Dame beats Swissconsin…Don’t root for Irish often.  Hope they whip Bucky!

NC State beats Clemson…Yes.  I believe the Wolfpack wins this one.

Purdue beats Illinois…The Boilers are improving.

Iowa beats Colorado State…Look out for these Hawkeyes.  America should be on alert.

Duke beats Kansas…Dukies whipped Northwestern last week.  Very nice.

UCLA beats Stanford…Cos USC lost to them. It’s like that.

Indiana beats Western Kentucky…

My dear wife, Carrie, and I will be there on Saturday.  We are looking forward to it.  The last time we were there we got disappointed by a Marshall stumble and fall.

Kentucky beats South Carolina…Wildcats had plenty to work on this week.  They fixed some things.  Just watch.

UNC beats GA Tech…The Rambling Wreck will be one.

USC beats Oregon State…Hated to see Clay Helton get the axe.  Good luck, USC!

I FUUUUUUUMMBLED!

Louisville beats Florida State…thanks to a good Cardinal for pointing out my omission here.  The Cards may be the last stand for one particular coach?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Speaking the college football predicting rights…

Danny Johnson

54 degrees on the backporch at 6:55 PM on this Wednesday Night.

As a kid, this was a night to go to church at Brownstown Baptist.  I miss that place.

Got more of Brownstown than I had hoped for this past Friday and Monday.

Returning to Blevins Stadium to play on the artifical turf field was a new experience for me.  My old playground is gone.  What I saw was a bit indifferent to me.

It was not my playground.  But I sure was glad to be there.

The North Harrison Cougars were defeated by Brownstown Central 43-12.  It was not good.

My high school football career was succesful.  I measure it on four games.  We went to Brownstown to play the Braves my 9th grade year and won 27-14. This was 1982.  The Braves were riding an 18 game winning streak coming into that one.  No Cougar team has broken a winning streak like that one since.  In 1984, I kicked my first extra point in the North endzone of Blevins Stadium.  The NH Cougars defeated the Braves 59-0 that night.  To this day, that is Brownstown Central’s worst defeat on their home field.  I love it. Had we lost these games on my return trips to Blevins Stadium, I don’t even want to think about it.

The other two games?  My senior year in 1985.  We beat Corydon 23-0.  Always nice to get a shutout.  I missed one extra point that season and it was in this game.  Looking at the score, yes, I did kick a field goal.

1985 was the year Indiana began High School Football Sectionals similar to basketball, of course.  In the first sectional game in NHHS history we beat the Mitchell Bluejackets 17-12.   It was great.

Hanging with my dear friend Barry Hall after the game was special.  He played for my Dad at Brownstown Central in the 70s.  I am so blessed to have had so many great experiences framed around this game of football.  This was a special moment for sure.

Ironically, three days later, Barry and I would be across the field from each other again.

This was 4th and goal.  We lost the Junior Varsity game to BCHS 14-8 in overtime.  The refs said we had one overtime.  We were a yard away from making it 14-12 and looking for a 2 point conversion.  I was so proud of our boys’ effort.  Our best runner was out.  We played smart, tough football.  It was fun.

This was not so fun on Saturday.  Well, the craic was good.  Look that Irish word up!

Indiana had the UC Bearcats whipped in the first half.  A phantom targeting call on Indiana’s best player through the team into turmoil.  A 14-0 lead turned into a 38-24 loss.  It was bad.

It was good at this point!

A PAT is always good!

I was delighted to be in the biggest non-conference crowd since, they said on TV the late 1980s.  I think I was there.  It was Mizzou in 1989.  I know it was.

Good times.

Go Cougars!

Go Hoosiers!

This was Post 632.  And so it goes.

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson

Okay.  I almost forgot to post these.

It is early Saturday morning and I am about to head out the door to drive up to Bloomington to watch the Hoosiers.

Opps…I was just told I am at the five minute warning.  Good to a dear wife, Carrie, to keep the day in perspective.

Miami beats Michigan State

Oklahoma beats Nebraska

Virginia Tech beats West Virginia

Notre Dame beats Purdue

Clemson beats GA Tech

Iowa beats Kent State

Duke beats Northwestern….I know, I know

Auburn beats Penn State

NC beats VA

Texas cooks Rice

Ole Miss beats Tulane

Florida beats Alabama

Gotta go!

Speak the rights…and GO IU!

The tiltle of this post is a reference to ELO’s song from their album Eldorado.  The lyrics are telling.

So I have not made much of my return to North Harrison Cougar Football.  In part, I am still processing it.  But know that I am glad to be back in the fray again.

I am sick as I write these words.  The NHHS JV Football Team, a group I have grown quite fond of, will soon  be lining up against the Charelstown Pirates JV team without me.  Damn this Upper Respritory Infection!  This is the first game I have missed this season.

Last week’s JV game against Corydon was cancelled.

I am with them in spirit.

This is a picture I took as the Cougars were defeating Corydon Central 28-7.  Never deny good light!

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Action from Friday night’s Varsity game against Charlestown.  It was not a memorable effort.

Action in the victory against Corydon Central.

I am missing the JV game right now, I can tell you.  It was tough telling boys I would not be there tonight.  It is for the best.

A photo of the JV team taking the field under the Friday Night Lights for the first time last Friday.  Yes.  I know.  This means you are either way ahead or way behind.  Sad to say, North was behind.

But we weren’t behind against Corydon.  And the guy who was on the field wearing #56 for the Cougars in a victory in 1985 was given the honor to present the Big Cat Classic Trophy to the North Harrison Cougars in 2021.  This was better than kicking a field goal in that game all those years ago.

The brown hair is grey now.

It was worth it.

Speaking the rights…as I am wondering what gives in Charlestown tonight.

Danny Johnson

September 11. 

This week twenty years ago pushed the college football season to the first weekend in December.  Indiana did not finish the season with a Purdue victory in the sideways rain in Bloomington that day.  That season ended with a victory over Kentucky, in a game moved from that fateful week in September to the last game of the season on December 1st.  It would also be the last game as head coach for the Hoosiers’  Cam Cameron.

Sitting here listening to Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising” album that was inspired by what happened on September 11, 2001.

My dear wife, Carrie, and I have been fortunate enough visit the 9/11 Memorial.  I am glad we went.  We learned so much.  Much of it was very difficult to learn.  I am haunted by the image of the lady in the green dress rubbing the name of an obvious loved one whose name is engraved in on of the two Reflecting Pools.  I felt guilty capturing such a personal image.  At the same time, it was a way to remember on a level most won’t experience.  A poigant moment worth sharing.  That is what I have decided.  I pray it has been a good decision.

College Football Week 2 is here.

Last week was a football disaster, if you are an Indiana University Football fan.  The team comes in ranked in the preseason for the first time I can remember in my 53 years.  The last time they were ranked in the preseason I was 5 months old.

Though I had seen the I-O-W-A flags run up and down Indiana’s Memorial Stadium many times, it was my first trip to Kinnick Stadium last weekend.  Made the trip with my friend Jerry Brown.  That made even the lousy performance by the Hoosiers a good time.

Indiana didn’t show up.  Jerry and I were more excited to be there than any player on the field I can tell you and they got their by plane.  That happens.  But like the old adage goes, THAT WAS A LONG WAY TO GO THE GET YOUR BUTT KICKED.  On the other hand, if you take away three plays.  Two of which were Santa inspired gifts from the boys in Red and White.  Those were two easy pick-six passes.  I felt for Michael Penix.  He played awful.  The other was a 59 yard run inspired by an IU brain fart on defense.  13-6  without those faux pas.  At least that is what I keep telling my optimistic self.  34-6 was the final.  No one expected that to happen.

The fans in Iowa were exceptionally nice all over town, save a couple middle finger waving guys in the second deck behind the endzone in front of us.  Perhaps some of that was a by-product of the fact that they were selling beer in Kinnick Stadium for the first time ever.  That still upsets me.  That college stadiums are selling alcohol is troublesome.  The players aren’t of age to buy it.  So you shouldn’t sell.  You should have to sneak it in, like Lewis Grizzard said was proper etiquette for college football games.

Last week we had 9 winners and 5 losers.

This week is cupcake week for many teams after a competetive first week.

Briefly…

Virginia beats Illinois…Illini won’t surprise again.

Minnesota beats Miami of Ohio…might be close.

Oregon beats Ohio State…Go Ducks Go!  I will be willing to lose a game a week picking against the Buckeyes.

Pitt beats Tennesse…The Johnny Majors Bowl III Pitt won in 1980 and 1983.  They will again today.

Penn State beats Ball State…Way too tempted to BSU upset.

NC State beat Mississippi State…Cowbells and Sword Swinging are at odds.

Texas beats Arkansas…So good to see these two playing again!

Indiana beats Idaho…Providing they find the stadium.  I think they will.  I still believe this team will go bowling again.

Kentucky beats Mizzou…QB in Blue had a nice start.

Ole Miss beats Austin Peay…Big crowd in Oxford.  Everyone will play tonight!

Marshall beats NC Central…Go Herd or Go home!

USC beats Stanford… Student body right?

Oregon beats Michigan…And it won’t be pretty.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson

Whoa Nelly!  I so miss Keith Jackson.  I miss him and his college football broadcasting more and more each year.

I so enjoyed calling high school football games on the radio.  That was fun.  Hanging out with my partner and good friend, Gus Stephenson, was the best part.  I will always have that.

This was the scoreboard last night at the North Harrison JV game against Scottsburg.  That was the final score in a weather shortened contest.  I can tell you I was delighted to have a meaningful role on the sidelines last night.

The last time I had a meaningful role in a JV game on this field was in 1993 when I was coaching the Corydon Panthers JV team.  We lost that night.  But we had fun.  We had a 67 yard TD drive and we ran the same play 13 times until we hit the endzone.  I hope Jon Conrad remembers toting the mail for all those carries.  I called him “The Condor”.  It was a great time.

I am so PROUD of the team effort the JV team put together last night.  They did not make mistakes.  They played responsibility football and it worked out in our favor.  It was nice to be a part of.  Thanks to Coach Mark Williamson for giving me this opportunity.

On to College Football!

This is the first full week of college football.  Whilst I DO NOT like what the Big Ten has done pitting so many conference foes against each other in Week 1, that is where we are.

This Saturday I will be in Iowa City to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes host the INDIANA HOOSIERS.  This is only the second time these teams have faced each other as “ranked” opponents.  I expect Kinnick Stadium to be a powder keg at kickoff.  My old friend, Jerry Brown, will be there with me to take it in.  I BELIEVE the Hoosiers will win.  I have to!  I am the man with hotel reservations in Indy for the Big Ten Championship Game and hotel reservations in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.  Heck yes, I BELIEVE!

I know, I know.  Tuesday is early to be making the weekend’s predictions, but, know that there are games on Thursday that need attention and I have a busy couple of nights ahead!

Week One College Football Predictions

Minnesota beats Ohio State…Look OSU has a new QB and this team is constantly reminded of how wonderful they are.  Nick Saban ain’t coaching the Buckeyes.  If there was ever a time for an upset, it is when the stadium is full again in Minneapolis and Goldy QB Tanner Morgan has something to prove.  That, and I just hope Brutus gets roasted!

NC State beats USF…The Wolfpack will get this one at home.

North Carolina beats Virginia Tech…Coach Mack Brown has the boys from Chapel Hill in good shape.

Duke beats Charlotte…Go Coach Cut Go!!!!

Northwestern beats Michigan State…The boys from Evanston will be tough again.

Kentucky beats Louisiana Monroe…Though I wish Coach Terry Bowden an upset.

INDIANA beats Iowa… The Hoosiers need this one to keep pace on the national stage.

The greatest IU game I ever witnessed in person was the Iowa game in 1988.  IU 45 Iowa 34 was the final score. ABC was there.  Lights were on the stadium for the first time that year.  Oh my, it was fun.

AT ran for more than 180 yards that day!

Marshall beats Navy… I know I am a Homer.  Even though Doc Holliday got a raw deal and was run out of town, the folks in Huntington need the Herd.  Go Herd or Go Home!

Purdue beats Oregon State…Coach Brohm will have some tools at PU and they will work.

Georgia beats Clemson…It has to come to an end for an ACC school losing its Golden Boy QB.  Trevor Lawrence comes around once in a lifetime.  The SEC is a grind EVERY YEAR that the ACC can’t comprehend.  Georgia wins by 17.  Yes, the SEC is that good.

Florida beats Florida Atlantic…Of course.  This is my cupcake.

UCLA beats LSU…Wow.  Seeing the LSU Tigers in my Rose Bowl Stadium.  I have been there twice since they have been there.  Which leads me to ask, have they ever been there?  The Bruins will be JACKED-UP for this one.

Notre Dame beats Florida State…FSU is still finding its stride.  ND should be good.

Ole Miss beats Louisville…Man, am I looking forward to this!  Go Rebs!  Hotty Toddy!

This will be fun this weekend, won’t it?

Root for your team, have fun…and speak the rights!

Danny Johnson