The Nightcap: A Recap of Today’s Alabama News

 Alabama football: Kicker Foster improves

"Of his 23 kickoffs, 11 have gone for touchbacks. In last week’s game against Arkansas, he was 8-of-9, and on the one that got returned, Arkansas’ Dennis Johnson fumbled. As luck would have it, Foster recovered the ball."

At times last year, I wondered (on Twitter) if we couldn’t get someone from the soccer team to kick off for us. Granted, UA only has a women’s team but if we could only find our own Lucy Draper that would have been ok.  This was a good story that shows that hard work and determination pays off. Not only is Foster kicking into the end zone, he has hit a couple of nice field goals so far this season. Great work!

Who can stop NCAA’s Alabama Crimson Tide? Nobody

"So who’s to stop Alabama now that the Men of Troy have been slashed to their knees? That’s easy to answer. Nobody."

I doubt Coach Saban is going to stop preparations for the game to chide the Canadian media, but you never know. While we love to read, and hear, the Dynasty word; it is a title that is earned one week at a time. There is room for improvement every week. It’s great to be noticed all the way up in Calgary. I have a friend there. I wonder if she read the story?

Seven-touchdown underdog Florida Atlantic eyes history

"“Being average is contagious,” Saban said. “If you demand more of yourselves, you get more. If we went out and asked some 12-year-old kid, ‘What do you need to do to improve on?’ he’d probably have to sit there and think for a half-hour, 45 minutes about something he could improve on. If we went and asked Peyton Manning what could he improve on, he could probably write a novel about all the things he could do better relative to the success he’s had. There’s always room to improve. You’ve never really arrived.”"

This is what we have come to appreciate about Coach Saban’s style. I had an Auburn friend (I do have a few) tell me that Alabama football is boring and, at least, their games are exciting. Moral victories are wonderful things but, as Coach said, “being average is contagious.” Personally, I find few things more exciting than winning.

FAU football founder Howard Schnellenberger reflects on his days at Alabama

"“Alabama was always considered the toughest football team you’d ever play. If you were to beat them, you’d have to kill them.”"

Here’s to Alabama welcoming FAU to campus tomorrow. The team was founded by former Tide assistant Howard Schnellenberger, who retired last year and handed the leadership over to Carl Pelini.  Coach Schnellenberger built some programs out of nothing: MIami and Louisville pop to mind. He was one of the last Bear disciples to retire from coaching and, arguably, one of the most successful. Everyone welcome FAU to the Capstone and applaud for the program our guy built. Best of luck for a safe game, but I hope we cover. Coach Schnellenberger would understand.

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