Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 9, 1993

Remember last year when Penn State was invited to the Blockbuster Bowl shortly after spring practice? . . .

This year, bids to the Rose Bowl might not go out until after Thanksgiving. . . .

If UCLA and Ohio State stumble along the way, the Bowl matchup could be determined by the Arizona-Arizona State game Nov. 26 at Tempe and the Wisconsin-Michigan State game Dec. 5 at that hotbed of American football, Tokyo. . . .

The Bruins are heavy favorites over improving Arizona State Saturday at Pasadena, but have lost to Bruce Snyder-coached teams three consecutive times. . . .

The last time UCLA and USC played the cross-town game, each with a chance to win the Pacific 10 Conference championship, was 1988 when Rodney Peete and Troy Aikman were the quarterbacks and the Trojans won before 100,741 at the Rose Bowl, 31-22. . . .

The Raiders must be improving if they got more rushing yardage than penalty yardage at Soldier Field. . . .

Chicago’s successful onside kick was one of three shown on local television Sunday. Indianapolis had one against Washington and so did the New York Giants against Dallas. . . .

With his name, Bear wide receiver Tom Waddle belongs on the Mighty Ducks. . . .

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Washington Redskin owner Jack Kent Cooke gave Coach Richie Petitbon a less-than- rousing endorsement Monday on the Doug Krikorian-Brian Golden show on KMPC. . . .

Look-alikes: Sam Wyche and Super Dave Osborne. . . .

Wayne Fontes is right. His Detroit Lions deserve some respect. . . .

The San Diego Chargers will be tough down the stretch after a slow start for the second consecutive year. . . .

It is nice to see that Loy Vaught is getting plenty of playing time from Clipper Coach Bob Weiss. Granted he had Ken Norman, but one of Larry Brown’s biggest mistakes was not utilizing Vaught’s rebounding and shooting skills enough. John Williams got more minutes a game than Vaught last season. . . .

Now I know why Magic Johnson was so crazy about Laker rookie Nick Van Exel. . . .

Charles Smith, who plays small forward for the New York Knicks although he is 6-feet-10, continues to have problems guarding quicker players. In 40 minutes this season, he has committed nine fouls. . . .

Four starters from UCLA’s 1991-92 team are on NBA rosters--Don MacLean and Mitchell Butler with Washington, Tracy Murray with Portland, and Gerald Madkins with Cleveland. Richard Petruska, who redshirted that season, is with Houston. . . .

Mismatch of the weekend was Shaquille O’Neal against Shawn Bradley. . . .

The Seattle SuperSonics new front line of Shawn Kemp, Detlef Schrempf and Sam Perkins is super. . . .

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I wonder if the Hockey News wants to revise its rating of Wayne (the Eighth Greatest) Gretzky. . . .

If Evander Holyfield says it is only 50-50 that he will continue his boxing career after regaining the heavyweight title, he is a lousy oddsmaker. . . .

Rich Rose, president of Caesars World Sports, is trying to line up a bout for Riddick Bowe. Manager Rock Newman said Bowe is eager to fight as early as January. . . .

Sugar Ray Leonard will serve as host for boxing promotions at the 15,000-seat arena in the new MGM Grand hotel. . . .

The Golden State Boxers Assn. will honor Art Aragon, Enrique Bolanos, George Latka and John Thomas at a dinner Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Hollywood. . . .

Thumbs up to the Oak Tree Racing Assn. and Santa Anita management for staging a marvelous Breeders Cup, the best in the 10-year history of the event. . . .

No horse has broken down on two Breeders’ Cup days at Santa Anita and two at Hollywood Park. . . .

The Chicago Bulls have lost three consecutive times on nights they were awarded their NBA championship rings. Oh well, at least they won’t have that problem next year.