THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 Page 9 SPORTS | FROM Page 8 are stories for another day. Although, just for context, yes, “I Was There” in December 1982, just under a year earlier (when it was still called “Schaefer Stadium”) for the notorious Patriots-Dolphins 3-0 “snow plow” game, too!) This one certainly was up there in importance, for sure – with Cowboy Jack Bicknell’s BC Eagles on one side and future Patriots assistant coach Ray Perkins leading Alabama on the other sideline; this was a national level game at the time. CBS televised in nationally, a big deal in college in those days, nothing like it is today. Talk about pressure and a target on his back – Perkins was in his fi rst year as Alabama head coach – succeeding to that point the most legendary college football head coach in history, Bear Bryant, who had won more national titles than any coach ever, six of them. Alabama had come out of the gate on fi re in 1983, winning four straight and rising as high as #3 in the national polls before a pair of tough losses to then #3 Penn State and #11 Tennessee knocked them back down them down to #18. But Perkins and the Tide roared back with three straight wins over three more Top 20 opponents to climb back to #13. Alabama that year was like many in the old-school collegiate days, playing at monster strength of schedule. How many teams these days play an entire season of ranked, Top 20 opponents as the Tide did in 1983? At 7-2 coming into the BC game, Alabama was a big favorite on the road “up North” over the Eagles. It was the best start in years for BC football BC came in at 8-2, its best start in years as Bicknell and the Eagles were experiencing the fi rst wave of “Flutie Fever.” BC had played only one ranked opponent that season and lost, 27-17, to #12 West Virginia. But this was Alabama. A perennial national title contender under Coach Bryant and Coach Perkins was expected to stay that course. Future Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback Doug Flutie, leading BC in his junior year season, was quickly building a following for the surprisSPORTS | SEE Page 11 Oil Burner Service • Oil Filter • Cleaning • Tune-Up $140 Call 781-324-2770 A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 When #13-ranked Alabama came to Foxborough in 1983 to play #15-ranked Boston College, its fi rst-year head coach Ray Perkins, above, had mighty big shoes to fi ll since he was replacing the most iconic and winningest coach in Crimson Tide history, Bear Bryant. (Courtesy Photo) DOORBUSTER SPECIALS! Same Location * Same Service for over 48 Years... OPEN & READY TO SERVE YOU! MASKS REQUIRED ---------Chris Dan Steve GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Cigar Accessories * Bongs * Vapes * Juice * Juuls * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products SMOKER’S DELIGHT 15 Cigars - 4 Year Old Tobacco - Handmade - Long Leaf Filler Individually Wrapped - Only $43.95 HUMIDOR SPECIALS Desktop Humidors Plus 5 Selected Cigars - EXTRA SPECIAL at $48.95 Travel Humidors Starting at $25.00 Cigar Bundles starting at $49.95 GIFT PACKS under $50.00 Box Specials DEEP DISCOUNTS ON ALL MAJOR BRANDS! YOU WILL LOVE OUR SELECTION & PRICES! STORE HOURS: 8 AM - 7 PM, Mon. - Sat. Sunday, 8 AM - 6 PM Starter Set Limited Time!
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