Nebraska Got the Message and Had a Comeback, Too

Nebraska gave credit to Colorado quarterback Darian Hagan for inspiring its 19-14 victory over Oklahoma last Friday, rallying in the second half to earn a berth in the Orange Bowl.

“We had a message on the (bulletin) board,” Nebraska quarterback Keithen McCant said. “It was a quote from Hagan. He said Oklahoma would win because they have more team speed, and he told (sophomore tight end Johnny) Mitchell to shut up.

“The message I have for Darian is, it’s his turn to shut up. We’re going to the Orange (Bowl). They’re going to the where? Oh, yes, Blockbuster.”

Yes, Hagan and the Buffaloes will be free on New Year’s Day, but they’re still co-champions of the Big Eight.

“It bothers me that we have to share the championship with Colorado--the luckiest team in America,” Mitchell said. “Colorado still gets to play in a bowl game in Miami, just three days early.”

Trivia time: When was the last time the Rose Bowl participants had fewer losses than Washington (11-0) and Michigan (10-1)?

It figured: Last Sunday, the day after Florida defeated Florida State, 14-9, to hand the formerly No. 1-ranked Seminoles their second consecutive loss, the sun didn’t shine in Tallahassee.

“I wish I could say it came up,” Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden said. “But it didn’t. It’s raining here.”

Wait a minute: Noting that the Raiders’ 9-7 victory over the San Diego Chargers Sunday night was played before a capacity crowd of 56,780 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, ESPN’s Mike Patrick called the Raiders a big draw on the road “and at home.”

When the Raiders played the Chargers at the 92,488-seat Coliseum on Oct. 6, more than half the seats were empty.

The game drew 42,787.

I want my M(cKale) TV: Four 12-by-12-foot video screens have been installed in the corners of Arizona’s McKale Center--to show live action on the floor, replays and other highlights. According to Arizona publicists, the new video system, installed at a cost of about $1 million, is one of the few of its kind at a collegiate facility.

No doubt the players’ efforts helped pay for the video screens.

Sellouts are routine at McKale Center, where the Wildcats have won 64 games in a row.

You figure it out: In this week’s Associated Press college football rankings, Stanford is ranked lower than California and Colorado, but higher than Notre Dame.

The Cardinal defeated Cal and Colorado but lost to Notre Dame.

Patrick Division: ESPN’s roster of announcers includes Mike Patrick, Dan Patrick and Bill Patrick.

They are not related.

Trivia answer: Before the 1980 Rose Bowl game, USC was 10-0-1, Ohio State 11-0.

Quotebook: Announcer Paul Olden during KMPC’s broadcast of the Rams’ 27-6 loss to the Washington Redskins Sunday at Anaheim Stadium: “Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is strolling along the Rams’ sideline--the cheerleaders are at least 20 yards away.”