These Football Players Aren’t in It for Glory

Thursday will be a special day at Fitchburg (Mass.) State. It will mark the fourth anniversary of the school’s only varsity football victory in its 44 games since the Falcon program began in 1984.

On Sept. 21, 1985, the Division III Falcons beat New York Maritime, 28-23. Although it has since resumed competition, New York Maritime did not field a team in 1986.

“You have to love football to play at Fitchburg State,” said starting center Dan Marrash, 24, a nursing student with a 3.2-grade point average. He acknowledged that it can get discouraging, “but we keep after each other. And someday, somehow we know we are going to win.”

Euphoria U.: Tennessee’s 24-6 victory over then-No. 6 UCLA at the Rose Bowl last Saturday night was a major upset. But Tennessee quarterback Sterling Henton might have lost his perspective on the season as a result. Said Henton: “We’ve got a chance at the championship; we’re the best in the nation.”

The Volunteers defeated mighty Colorado State, 17-14, in their opener.

Only the names change: Coach Jimmy Johnson and quarterback Steve Walsh are gone, but little else has changed at the University of Miami.

On the opening kickoff against Wisconsin last Saturday, the No. 3 Hurricanes were penalized for a personal foul. Four plays later, Miami defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy was flagged for roughing the passer.

“It’s the same old team,” Miami offensive tackle Mike Sullivan said. “I saw them (the defense) talking some trash. I saw everyone jumping up and down on the sidelines. I saw all of the above. The first two penalties should tell everything. Those were the nice, passive fouls this team is known for.”

Miami won, 51-3.

Where it hurts: Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden after his No. 16 Seminoles lost at home, 34-23, to No. 10 Clemson: “Not only did they win, they came out here in our backyard and kicked us. That’s the first time a team has come in here to Tallahassee and done that.”

The now-unranked Seminoles have given up 64 points and 816 yards in their first two games.

Trivia question: Lester Hayes of the then-Oakland Raiders set the American Football Conference record for interceptions with 13 in 1980. Who holds the National Football League record?

Fifty years ago today: The New York Yankees won their fourth consecutive American League pennant as they beat the Detroit Tigers, 8-5.

Trivia answer: Dick (Night Train) Lane of the Rams with 14 in 1952.

Quotebook: New Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones on his team’s 28-0 loss at New Orleans: “People told me not to get involved with the Cowboys if you can’t get your butt kicked on Sunday and still function on Monday.”