Testaverde Slightly Injured in Motor Scooter Accident

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde of the University of Miami fell off his motor scooter on his way home from a team meeting and is listed as doubtful for today’s game with East Carolina at the Orange Bowl.

Testaverde, the overwhelming favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this season, suffered multiple scrapes, bruises and some swelling as a result of the single-vehicle accident late Tuesday night.

“Vinny had just left a team meeting at approximately 10:45 p.m. and was on his way home,” Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson said. “He simply lost control.”

The accident occurred just outside the school’s athletic center, and Testaverde was taken into the training room for medical treatment. Testaverde does not own a car and used the scooter only for campus transportation. He shares a house a few blocks from the athletic center with three other Miami football players.

Johnson said Testaverde may be able to play a little against East Carolina. The game is the last of the regular season for the top-ranked Hurricanes, who have a 10-0 record and a date with No. 2 Penn State in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl game Jan. 2, provided they beat East Carolina. Even without Testaverde, Miami should have little trouble doing that. East Carolina has a 2-8 record.

“We will just have to wait and let him determine how he feels,” Johnson said. “Our number one concern at this point is Vinny’s safety and well-being.”

And in Austin, Tex., the well-being of University of Texas Coach Fred Akers could be seriously affected today when the Longhorns play Texas A&M.;

What’s at stake?

Akers’ job, for one thing.

For Texas, there’s also the chance to avoid its first losing season in 30 years.

For A&M;? A second consecutive Southwest Conference championship and another trip to the Cotton Bowl are the prizes.

The Longhorns (5-5) failed to receive a bowl bid this year for the first time since Akers replaced Darrell Royal after the 1976 season. Royal did not have a losing season in 20 years, and Akers has had nine consecutive winning seasons.

Another loss to the 8-2 Aggies, though, might be the last for Akers, 48, whose record at Texas is 86-30-2 but who has won only five of nine against A&M.;

Asked about his job security, Akers said: “I’ve had too many other things to think about.”

At College Park, Md., Maryland will try to beat Virginia for the 15th consecutive season Friday and end a disappointing season on a positive note. Maryland is 4-5-1, and Virginia is 3-7.

Although Maryland has just two losses and a tie in its last three outings, Coach Bobby Ross said he is happy with the way Maryland has played recently. The Terrapins had chances to win each of those games in the final seconds but didn’t because of late field goals by North Carolina and Clemson and a missed two-point conversion against Penn State.

Four of Maryland’s five losses have been to teams headed for bowl games. Onthe other hand, Virginia goes into its last game of the season with a five-game losing streak.