A dose of reality

Sporting News, The, Sept 19, 1994 by Michael Bradley

As game time approaches, the players mill about in the small locker room -- half the team doesn't even have hooks on which to put its clothes -- as coaches hold last-minute strategy sessions. With 10 minutes to kickoff, Stowers gathers the team and asks senior linebacker Scott Davis to lead a prayer. "Lord, Coach said for us to reach for a stone," Davis says. "But let us not reach for a stone but within ourselves."

Then, it's Stowers' turn. Part of the pregame speech is canned. He reviews his six keys to winning -- outhitting the opponent, no penalties, no turnovers, no errors on special teams, responding in critical situations and winning the fourth quarter. Then, it's inspiration time. Again, he pulls out the stone. "They got more players than we do, but I don't care," he says in an even voice. "They got more coaches than we do, but I don't care. They may have better footballs and shoulder pads than we do, but I don't care.

"I brought the stone with me, and we have just one shot. We need it right between the eyes. You realize what kind of history you can make today. Right between the eyes."

The game is 1 minute, 1 second old when Miami scores for the first time. A 31-yard T.D. run by James Stewart is set up by a 64-yard kickoff return by Jammi German. Miami's offensive line dwarfs the GSU defenders, who find out quickly that heartspeed can't overcome genetics.

Things don't get any better for the rest of the half. Chris Wright catches the ensuing kickoff near the sideline at the 5, loses his balance and staggers out of bounds at the 8. The GSU offense is powerless against Miami's faster, taller front seven. Compounding the problem is a string of penalties that wipes out any progress. After a snap over Miami punter Mike Crissy's head gives GSU a first down on the Hurricanes 44, a personal-foul penalty kills the Eagles' opportunity. GSU recovers two fumbled punts during the first half but can't score. After one of the turnovers, Haley attempts a 38-yard field goal, but the snap sails over the holder's head. "All we do is stop ourselves," Stowers grouses on the sideline. "It's the dadgum B-12 shots." After Miami's fourth touchdown, Stowers is upset by the Hurricanes' trademark end-zone bacchanal. He asks to speak to a pair of officials about the antics, but they just smirk. "They think we're all full of crap," he says. "They won't even come over and talk to me."

At halftime, Georgia Southern has minus-11 yards total offense and trails, 28-0, and Stowers heats up. "We have too many penalties, dadgumit," he shouts, his anger finally overcoming his patience and optimism. "We snap the ball over our heads on a field goal. We're pissing down our legs. We're too old for that.

"We're in the game if we don't do too many dadgum stupid things. It's time to grow up. I'm going to put the pressure on you. If you're not tough enough to make the plays, then you're not tough enough to win a national championship. I got enough rings up on the wall. I'm trying to get y'all one.