Replies: 48
| visibility 5
|
All-TigerNet [14518]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 20560
Joined: 8/19/99
|
Per Request: "Nothing Left to Win"
Sep 16, 2005, 9:45 AM
|
|
Nothing Left To Win.
In November 1989, we didn’t have much to play for against USC. We had locked up a bowl bid, had lost the ACC championship, and had no national title hopes.
In the words of Coach Ford as he addressed the team on the Sunday prior to the USC, “We got Nothing left to win.”
This struck many of us as somewhat odd. In fact our faces must’ve been quite slack-jawed, because the next thing out of Coach’s mouth was… “What? You think we got something left to win?”
Stunned silence enveloped the room.
And on that the meeting was adjourned.
The week was a bustling environment of press, campus activity, and a bittersweet thought this was our last regular season game. But many of us seniors couldn’t shake the thought of Coach Ford’s words…. “Nothing Left To Win.” As I hurried to the senior meeting with Coach Ford on Thursday afternoon, I anticipated what he would say to give me comfort, to ease the troublesome statement he had stuck in my mind.
We talked briefly about the itinerary for our trip, and the fact that we might not have a curfew after the game and that we could ride home with friends or family instead of a team trip. Nothing unusual… and then Ricardo Hooper brought it up…
“Coach, can we wear Orange on the road?”
Coach Ford laughed. “Uh, ha ha, uhhh Why in the world… you don’t need no orange pants. Naw I don’t think so.” Well it was worth a shot, I thought. Coach Ford added. “Anythin’ else?” The room stayed silent. “Alright then… see y’all at practice.”
Nothing said to ease my fears, nothing.
The Thursday night practice was COLD, and it went by way to quick. Before I knew it we were on our way to Columbia. We checked into the hotel, and had a late dinner, as it would be a night game on Saturday. The next day the team chose “Harlem Nights” as our team movie. I hated it. I remember thinking this just isn’t ANY fun. How could Coach Ford, just give up on us like this… how could he say we didn’t have anything to play for? How COULD HE??!!!
The rest of that day, I felt as though I was unprepared. I felt as if the last 3 years had been a blur, and I had learned nothing. Indeed, it was an unsettling trip to Williams Brice. As I got off the bus, I commented to Chip Davis about how I’d been feeling. “Me too” was his reply.
Warms ups were business as usual, and I remember being able to find my girlfriend and her friends easily in the Clemson crowd that had gathered at the corner of the stadium…
But I still couldn’t shake the feeling… “Nothing to win…”
The locker room was quiet.
Solemn.
Sad.
“I told y’all, y’all got nothing to win.” Coach Ford started. And then after a brief pause, he continued… his voice getting louder on every syllable, “And y’all don’t. But you got EVERYTHING to prove. Y’all can prove y’all are the WINNINGEST class in the ACC, y’all can prove we own them, and y’all can prove to all them writers and people who wanna WRITE YOU OFF!”
We sat in amazement… his fury was evident, and then it hit us… He WAS MAD. He was pissed off beyond belief… angry at those who snubbed their noses at a team that had beaten FSU in Tallahassee, angry at those who thought 8 wins going into the regular season finale against USC wasn’t good enough, angry at those who faulted his guys for losing a couple of games. And now his anger flowed white-hot, enveloping us all… setting off a fire inside each one of us… a fire he stoked by continuing, “I’m proud of y’all!”
And then his voice got soft… and he said, “Y’all ain’t got nothing to win… but everything to prove.”
And in a whisper he finished…. “Prove you deserve to wear these.”
And tossed a pair of Orange Pants onto the bench.
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [48512]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 30777
Joined: 11/15/99
|
Wow. Just Wow.***
Sep 16, 2005, 9:50 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [63]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 37
Joined: 1/31/99
|
Awesome -- Thanks
Sep 16, 2005, 9:56 AM
|
|
That was the 45-0 year -- correct? Unbelieveable game. I think Sparky subsequently said that he knew it would be a long night when he saw the Orange Pants. The poor backup QB (Demasi?) was running for his life the whole game.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [48512]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 30777
Joined: 11/15/99
|
Yep. 45-zip. Then we beat WVA 27-7 in the Gator Bowl***
Sep 16, 2005, 9:59 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
I'm good friends w/Dickie's brother who went to Clemson.
Sep 16, 2005, 10:00 AM
[ in reply to Awesome -- Thanks ] |
|
Apparently, after one near-sack by Levonster, Levon said to Dickie, "you better tell your boys up front to block better" to which Dickie replied, "you're telling me?"
Aaaaaargh hahahahahaha!
I'll see Dickie at his brothers wedding in October and remind him of that event.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [49487]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 38926
Joined: 12/31/97
|
I worked with Dickie as a runner at Nelson Motors...
Sep 16, 2005, 12:20 PM
|
|
that was one of his favorite stories.
He also said that when Todd came out against Nebraska that year and the coach was looking for him to put him in late in the fourth quarter, he was hiding behind the gatorade.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
That's hilarious. It sounds like the same sense of humor
Sep 16, 2005, 1:35 PM
|
|
his little brother, Birdie, has.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [2054]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4019
Joined: 6/29/01
|
Who has a DVD of the game?
Sep 16, 2005, 10:09 AM
|
|
I was working at the Canteen that night and never got to see the game. I listened to it on the radio though. Very happy with the outcome...
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [2428]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3613
Joined: 1/6/99
|
I have it, tmail MBRO or see
Sep 16, 2005, 10:10 AM
|
|
www.orangeandwhitevideo.com
its a great one.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
Must have been awesome playing at Williams Brice.***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:13 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [3226]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 2821
Joined: 9/9/99
|
I regret that I have but one point to give :).***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:19 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Commissioner [940]
TigerPulse: 78%
Posts: 2890
Joined: 4/25/04
|
Well said***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:32 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Oculus Spirit [83585]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 80317
Joined: 11/29/99
|
Cobb rocks! The only thing I remember about that game
Sep 16, 2005, 10:20 AM
|
|
was the USC annoucer in the 4th, after we had beaten 'em like a drum, saying with no enthusiasm over an over: "Henderson"..."Allen"..."Henderson"..."Allen"...
He didn't even add Henderson for five or Allen for six, he was a beaten man, too.
Also, I remember being drunk sitting in the Capital Cafe at about 3:00 in the morning and seeing the USC QB from Atlanta(who played for the injured Todd Ellis in that game), don't recall his name.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [2578]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 8498
Joined: 8/26/03
|
I thought Dickie Demasi, from Cola, started that game...
Sep 16, 2005, 10:42 AM
|
|
did we knock him out? Seems like someone else did play some at QB. Poor Harold Green...he was baout all USC had that night and that wasn't much.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Oculus Spirit [83585]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 80317
Joined: 11/29/99
|
I just talked to a Coot friend from Aiken...said he thought
Sep 16, 2005, 10:52 AM
|
|
his last name was Turner.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
110%er [5406]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4974
Joined: 6/2/01
|
Pat Turner.***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:53 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Oculus Spirit [83585]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 80317
Joined: 11/29/99
|
Thanks, I think Demasi and Turner both played in that game.
Sep 16, 2005, 11:07 AM
|
|
Turner was the USC punter I think.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
110%er [5406]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4974
Joined: 6/2/01
|
Converted linebacker. Don't think he was a punter.***
Sep 16, 2005, 12:16 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Oculus Spirit [83585]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 80317
Joined: 11/29/99
|
I think you're right. I may be thinking of Gordon Beckham.***
Sep 16, 2005, 12:20 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [2578]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 8498
Joined: 8/26/03
|
ahhh...what legendary names... ;)***
Sep 16, 2005, 1:00 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Oculus Spirit [83585]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 80317
Joined: 11/29/99
|
Yea, all those preseason Heisman winners.***
Sep 16, 2005, 1:24 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
110%er [5406]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4974
Joined: 6/2/01
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [49487]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 38926
Joined: 12/31/97
|
I shoved a big fat obnoxious drunk carolina fan
Sep 16, 2005, 11:26 AM
|
|
down some stairs at that game. He was sitting next to my brother and I and kept getting madder and madder about the game. At halftime, when Allen came out on his crutches, the four or five folks in our section wearing orange started cheering him with everyone else. This guy went ballistic and turned and started screaming at my 15 year old brother. As he leaned in I started to reach for him. Then he lost his balance and this huge fat guy was falling on my brother. I grabbed hsi shirt and just kind of guided his momentum past both of us. He then lost his footing and fell and rolled a couple of step before catching himself. Before he could get back up and try to kill me, the cops came up and hauled him away.
The funny thing was his wife sat there for the rest of the game with this odd grin on her face.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [35122]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 41748
Joined: 4/20/01
|
Too bad Tommy has now ruined our orange pant tradition...:(***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:24 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
"Our" ?***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:45 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [35122]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 41748
Joined: 4/20/01
|
I wuz there cheering in 1980....***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:53 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
you mean 81? I got left at home with a babysitter...
Sep 16, 2005, 10:59 AM
|
|
ONLY bowl game I've missed in my lifetime, go figure.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [35122]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 41748
Joined: 4/20/01
|
No, 1980...Mr. Willie Underwood...***
Sep 16, 2005, 11:01 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
Well, I was at least born then.. I can't be held responsible
Sep 16, 2005, 11:07 AM
|
|
for remembering something I couldn't even hold my own head up to watch.
Who is Willie Underwood? Google inconclusive.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [35122]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 41748
Joined: 4/20/01
|
Last game of career, 1st interceptions of career...***
Sep 16, 2005, 11:10 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
You know, yer a whole lot smarter than ya look ;)***
Sep 16, 2005, 11:13 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-TigerNet [10964]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 7692
Joined: 1/6/04
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [35122]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 41748
Joined: 4/20/01
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Rock Defender [54]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 35
Joined: 11/30/98
|
In the womb...***
Sep 16, 2005, 11:13 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
110%er [8142]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 19775
Joined: 6/6/03
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
110%er [8142]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 19775
Joined: 6/6/03
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [35122]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 41748
Joined: 4/20/01
|
Cause *we* wear them as much as a two-dick billy goat
Sep 16, 2005, 11:03 AM
|
|
on a Greek vasoline ship...
Or, they just ain't *special* anymore...
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
110%er [8142]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 19775
Joined: 6/6/03
|
I think losing in them regularly in the '90's caused that.***
Sep 16, 2005, 11:05 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [2578]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 8498
Joined: 8/26/03
|
the 1989 team....
Sep 16, 2005, 10:40 AM
|
|
probably one of the best Clemson teams, top to bottom ever. USC looked like a bunch of teenage girls out there that night trying to stop Clemson.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-TigerNet [14518]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 20560
Joined: 8/19/99
|
bad analogy.
Sep 16, 2005, 10:47 AM
|
|
We'd never hit a teenage girl like that
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [2084]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3431
Joined: 8/14/00
|
handicapped teenage girls***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:48 AM
[ in reply to the 1989 team.... ] |
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Starter [355]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 1030
Joined: 11/30/98
|
63-17 two years ago wasn't too shabby!***
Sep 16, 2005, 11:37 AM
[ in reply to the 1989 team.... ] |
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Asst Coach [723]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 1571
Joined: 11/14/01
|
Yes 45 - 0 with a chance to score again...took a knee each
Sep 16, 2005, 10:48 AM
|
|
down to run the clock out. Danny didn't believe in running up the score on a team. He said...gotta play'en next year.
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Team Captain [499]
TigerPulse: 90%
Posts: 1587
Joined: 8/25/03
|
Good stuff before a game like Miami***
Sep 16, 2005, 10:51 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [4444]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3616
Joined: 5/16/01
|
It must be cold in my office right now......
Sep 16, 2005, 10:52 AM
|
|
Goosebumps all over!!!
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
Orange Blooded [2361]
TigerPulse: 97%
Posts: 8247
Joined: 11/15/00
|
Re: WHEN'S THAT BOOK COMING OUT?!?!***
Sep 16, 2005, 12:16 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [32146]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 37356
Joined: 11/22/03
|
Have you ever posted the "Real F'n Tricky" talk.....
Sep 16, 2005, 1:47 PM
|
|
from the FSU game that same year?
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-TigerNet [14518]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 20560
Joined: 8/19/99
|
nope, for obvious reasons.***
Sep 16, 2005, 1:53 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://2cic.b-cdn.net/t/forum/b.gif) |
All-In [32146]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 37356
Joined: 11/22/03
|
Yeah...well...you have a point there...I'll just....
Sep 16, 2005, 3:03 PM
|
|
think about it to myself and make the hair stand up on the back of my neck!
|
|
|
|
Replies: 48
| visibility 5
|
|
|