12-18-2004, 02:33 PM
Bama in the MCB.
Mason said the Gophers will face “a lot of challenges" in the December 31 bowl game against Alabama, but added that he is looking forward to it on a personal and a professional level.
“I’ve never had an opportunity to face Alabama before, after all these years of watching them from afar," Mason said. “I’ve watched [Alabama] all my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a finalist for the 'Bear’ Bryant Award [honoring the national Coach of the Year] a couple of times, so I am very excited to be facing the school where he coached.
“It will probably be like a home game for them [in Nashville], as far as the crowd," Mason said. “Maybe it won’t be quite like Bryant-Denny Stadium, but it sure won’t be the Metrodome, either."
Mason said the Gophers will face “a lot of challenges" in the December 31 bowl game against Alabama, but added that he is looking forward to it on a personal and a professional level.
“I’ve never had an opportunity to face Alabama before, after all these years of watching them from afar," Mason said. “I’ve watched [Alabama] all my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a finalist for the 'Bear’ Bryant Award [honoring the national Coach of the Year] a couple of times, so I am very excited to be facing the school where he coached.
“It will probably be like a home game for them [in Nashville], as far as the crowd," Mason said. “Maybe it won’t be quite like Bryant-Denny Stadium, but it sure won’t be the Metrodome, either."