College Football / Spotlight

TELL LUTHER AND CHRISTINE

So what was so significant, besides the score, in Penn State’s 61-21 wipeout of Iowa?

Joe Paterno’s wonderful shades? Hayden Fry finally admitting he allows Craig T. Nelson to borrow his name to play Hayden Fox in “Coach”?

Nope. Something more trivial. It was the first-ever regular-season matchup between Division I coaches with 200 victories. And Paterno won it. He now has 260 victories in 29 seasons and Fry has 202 in 33.

BET MRS. FIELDS GOT IN

The Big Snub Award goes to Amos Lawrence, but that would mean some recognition for the former North Carolina running back and that would disqualify him. So let’s just say that if there actually was a Big Snub Award, Lawrence’s achievements would go unnoticed, automatically earning him the title.

Anyway, they retired the uniform numbers of 14 former Tar Heel football stars in ceremonies before North Carolina’s 49-0 shutout of Tulane at Chapel Hill, but Lawrence’s No. 20 was not among them.

This seemed a curious oversight to many, including Lawrence, an elementary school physical education teacher in Virginia. After all, he set 18 school records and is one of only two collegians (Tony Dorsett is the other) to rush for at least 1,000 yards each year at a school.

“It’s all mind-boggling to me,” The News & Observer of Raleigh quoted Lawrence, known as “Famous Amos.”

Memo to “Famous Amos”: That’s the way the cookie crumbles.

WHY NOTHING’S WRONG WITH THREE YARDS, CLOUD OF DUST

The best reason for sticking with the running game was presented by the LSU Tigers, who had three passes intercepted and run back for touchdowns in the fourth quarter and lost to Auburn, 30-26.

Said Auburn Coach Terry Bowden: “The second guessers and people in retrospect are going to have plenty of things to say.”

The second-guessers will descend upon LSU Coach Curley Hallman, who said he probably should have called a few more running plays, especially since he had a 23-9 lead in the fourth quarter.

Said Hallman: “You go back in hindsight, would I do it differently? Yeah, probably on a lot of ‘em. Maybe I’ll learn from this. Yeah, in hindsight, I would go back and run it.”

NOW, A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU BASEBALL FANS

Utah State beat Ohio University, 5-0, in Athens, Ohio, on a field goal and a safety.

Try as it might, Ohio University couldn’t get to first base.

AND THEY’LL DO IT FAST

Pittsburgh’s 27-3 loss to Ohio State was a simple matter of physics. How else can you interpret Pittsburgh quarterback Sean Fitzgerald’s explanation of a 27-3 loss to Ohio State?

Said Fitzgerald: “Big fast guys will beat small fast guys.”

NOTEWORTHY

--Auburn has the nation’s longest winning streak, 14 games.

--Coach Larry Smith’s winning streak at Missouri reached one. The Tigers ended a 17-game, four-year road losing streak with a 17-0 victory at Houston.

--Tim Murphy of Harvard, who took over when Joe Restic retired after 23 seasons, became the first Harvard coach to win his opening game since Art Valpey in 1948.

--Steve Stenstrom tied Jim Plunkett as Stanford’s winningest quarterback as the Cardinal defeated San Jose State, 51-20. Stenstrom got his 22nd victory.

--UNLV receiver Randy Gatewood set the NCAA I-A record for most catches and yards in a game. He had 23 receptions for 363 yards in a 48-38 loss to Idaho.

--Grambling defeated Morgan State by a mere 75 points, 87-12.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE

Grady Benton passed for 560 yards and a school-record eight touchdowns as West Texas A&M; outscored Howard Payne, 59-56.

Benton, a transfer from Arizona State, completed 41 of 69 passes, including three touchdowns to Brian Bailey. Benton also threw two touchdown passes to Brian’s twin brother, Brad Bailey.

FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY THEY SWEAR SOMEBODY WINS

The oldest big-school football rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains is what? Take a guess. Uh, uh, you’re wrong.

It’s Cincinnati vs. Miami of Ohio, two schools that have been knocking each other all over the football field for 99 years. Miami of Ohio leads the series, 53-39-7, the latest tie occurring at Oxford, Ohio, on Miami’s 37-yard field goal into a gusting wind as time ran out.

Jon Bacon kicked a school-record 58-yard field goal for the Bearcats. Final score: Cincinnati 17, Miami, Ohio, 17.

WHERE THERE’S A WILL, I GUESS THERE’S A WAY

How did SMU Coach Tom Rossley explain a 34-31 victory over New Mexico?

“The players willed themselves to win,” he said.

Oh, well, of course. If it was that simple, they ought to expand the scope of their powers. Maybe they should try willing themselves to ace trig class.

THE STORY FOR CYCLONES: NOT WINDLESS, BUT WINLESS

Well, looking at that old clock on the wall, it might be about time that somebody asks Jim Walden to start packing his bags.

The Iowa State coach is 0-3 this season, 28-50-2 since he came to the campus in Ames, Iowa, in 1987 and has had one winning season.

The Cyclones’ latest defeat was to Western Michigan. This happened despite, according to an Associated Press report, a “tricky Cyclone Stadium wind.”

It might be blowing one way now. Whatever woes Walden had, they’re stacked even higher now. He lost his top two quarterbacks to injuries and finished the game with former walk-on defensive back Jeff St. Clair at the position.

YOU CAN’T SHUCK ALCORN; AIR MCNAIR STILL FLYING

Here is the Steve McNair update: Alabama State held Alcorn State’s star quarterback to less than 600 yards total offense for the first time this season.

McNair earned 452 yards total offense, 344 yards with his passing, in Alcorn’s 39-7 victory at Lorman, Miss.

Alcorn State is a Division I-AA school.

WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM A BUNCH OF TURTLES?

Allen Williams of Maryland rushed for 163 yards in a 24-13 victory over West Virginia and it was nearly 100 yards more than the Terrapins had managed in their two previous games.

Maryland was averaging 33.5 yards rushing a game, but Williams came close to matching that average on one play--a 25-yard touchdown run.

IT’S A MATH PROBLEM: YOU KNOW, LONG DIVISION

So you like playing with the Big Boys? Northeast Louisiana, a former I-AA power playing in Division I-A for the first time this season, got drubbed, 70-6, by Georgia in Athens, Ga.

The Indians are 0-3.

It was Georgia’s biggest victory since beating The Citadel, 76-0, in 1958 and the worst setback for the Indians since a 63-0 loss at Cincinnati in 1977.

BUT IT’LL LOOK LIKE A LINE DRIVE IN THE BOX SCORE

Virginia overcame seven turnovers and nine penalties to defeat Clemson 9-6.

The Cavaliers were in well, bad company, all right. Oklahoma overcame 11 turnovers and three lost fumbles to defeat Texas Tech, 17-11.

SOMETIMES IT’S SO EASY (AND SOMETIMES IT’S NOT)

--Last year, Boston College and Virginia Tech combined for 1,126 yards as the Eagles won, 48-34. The same two teams managed 468 yards this time as the Hokies avenged last year’s loss, 12-7.

--Nebraska last year gained only 208 yards rushing against UCLA but had 234 yards on the ground by halftime this time. The Cornhuskers totaled 484 yards on the ground in their 49-21 victory over the Bruins.

--Notre Dame was held to 60 yards rushing in the first half of its 21-20 victory over Michigan State. The Irish piled up 209 yards in the second half as they came from behind to win.

THEY CAME, THEY SAW THEY DIDN’T LOSE

We hear enough about the heroes. Let’s have a cheer for the doormats. Better make these former doormats, though. You probably won’t have these guys to wipe your cleats on anymore.

--Kent broke major-college football’s longest losing streak, beating Akron, 32-15, for its first victory in 18 games.

--Northwestern beat Air Force, 14-10, to end a 10-game winless drought.

--SMU broke a six-game home losing streak with its victory over New Mexico.

DUCKS’ HOME CROWD NOT WHAT IT’S QUACKED UP TO BE

The 25,358 in Eugene who came to watch Oregon’s 34-16 loss to Utah represented the Ducks’ smallest home crowd in 10 years.

HOW THE TOP 25 FARED

RANK: 1

TEAM: Florida (3-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Tennessee, 31-0; After this, Gators don’t figure to be tested until they play Auburn at home on Oct. 15 and Georgia at home on Oct. 29. Then it’s up to Florida State on Nov. 26.

NEXT: at Mississippi, Oct. 1

*

RANK: 2

TEAM: Nebraska (3-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated UCLA, 49-21; Quarterback Tommie Frazier’s latest solid effort, team’s 484 rushing yards proved Cornhuskers weren’t guilty of looking past Bruins to those pesky Tigers.

NEXT: Pacific

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RANK: 3

TEAM: Florida State (3-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Wake Forest, 56-14; Remember Derrick Brooks? Demon Deacons will. After atwo-game suspension, he caused a fumble, blocked a punt and had five tackles and one sack.

NEXT: North Carolina

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RANK: 4

TEAM: Michigan (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: Colorado

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RANK: 5

TEAM: Miami (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: Washington

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RANK: 6

TEAM: Penn State (3-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Iowa, 61-21; How bad was it? The Nittany Lions led, 42-0, 37 seconds into the second quarter and quarterback Kerry Collins was pulled with 11:05 remaining in the first half.

NEXT: Rutgers

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RANK: 7

TEAM: Colorado (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Wisconsin, 55-17; Suddenly, Nebraska doesn’t appear to be such a lock for the Big Eight title. Suddenly, the place to be next month is Lincoln, Neb., on Oct. 29.

NEXT: at Michigan

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RANK: 8

TEAM: Notre Dame (2-1)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Michigan State, 21-20; This time the Irish got it right. Down, 20-14, quarterback Ron Powlus drove team to game-winning score, a 15-yard touchdown pass to Robert Farmer.

NEXT: Purdue

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RANK: 9

TEAM: Arizona (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: at Stanford

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RANK: 10

TEAM: Wisconsin (1-1)

SYNOPSIS: Lost to Colorado, 55-17; Badger fans will soon get a good idea whether they have any hope of needing Rose Bowl tickets this season. After this whipping, Buffaloes test Michigan.

NEXT: Indiana

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RANK: 11

TEAM: Auburn (3-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated LSU, 30-26; Larry, Moe would be proud of LSU Coach Curley Hallman, who called for Jamie Howard (six interceptions) to pass, leading, 26-23, at the Auburn 32 with 2:06 left.

NEXT: East Tennessee State

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RANK: 12

TEAM: Alabama (3-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Arkansas, 13-6; The Tide offense hardly monsoon-like as it relied on team’s defense to win at Fayetteville, holding Razorbacks to three first downs in second half.

NEXT: Tulane

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RANK: 13

TEAM: UCLA (2-1)

SYNOPSIS: Lost to Nebraska, 49-21; The Bruins can claim that absence of wide receiver J.J. Stokes hampered offense, but the defense was no match for bigger, stronger Cornhuskers.

NEXT: Washington State

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RANK: 14

TEAM: Texas A&M; (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: Southern Mississippi

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RANK: 15

TEAM: Tennessee (1-2)

SYNOPSIS: Lost to Florida, 31-0; Three games into the season and the only thing the Volunteers know for sure is that they have no idea who should start at quarterback.

NEXT: at Mississippi St.

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RANK: 16

TEAM: North Carolina (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Tulane, 49-0; The Tar Heels have defeated Texas Christian and the Green Wave, which committed five turnovers Saturday. Is that any way to prepare for the Seminoles?

NEXT: at Florida State

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RANK: 17

TEAM: Texas (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: at Texas Christian

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RANK: 18

TEAM: Virginia Tech (3-0)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Boston College, 12-7; The Eagles made debut in expanded stadium, but 12,000 extra seats don’t help when you have to use three different quarterbacks because of injuries.

NEXT: W. Va., Thursday

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RANK: 19

TEAM: Washington (1-1)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: at Miami

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RANK: 20

TEAM: USC (1-1)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: Baylor

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RANK: 21

TEAM: Oklahoma (2-1)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Texas Tech, 17-11; The Sooners switch to natural grass after playing home games on AstroTurf since 1969 and look what happens. They struggle to defeat Red Raiders.

NEXT: Iowa State, Oct. 1

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RANK: 22

TEAM: BYU (2-1)

SYNOPSIS: Lost to Colorado St., 28-21; Four sacks and four interceptions by the Rams and 27 of 57 passing by Cougar quarterback John Walsh added up to the upset.

NEXT: New Mexico

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RANK: 23

TEAM: Ohio State (2-1)

SYNOPSIS: Defeated Pittsburgh, 27-3; The Panthers lost to the Buckeyes, 63-28, last season so maybe this is a good sign for Johnny Majors. Plus, injured running back Curtis Martin did not play.

NEXT: Houston

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RANK: 24

TEAM: Washington St. (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: at UCLA

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RANK: 25

TEAM: North Carolina St. (2-0)

SYNOPSIS: Idle.

NEXT: Western Carolina

Top Performers

PASSING

Player Comp. Att. Yds. TD MAXWELL, Nevada 34 55 430 2 DAVIS, Nevada Las Vegas 30 46 381 4 WALSH, Brigham Young 27 57 358 2 McCOY, Utah 28 39 309 2 DEAN, Florida 18 26 303 2 KNAKE, Texas Christian 19 29 299 4 FOLEY, Maryland 24 37 287 1 HILL, Colorado St. 17 31 280 0 HOWARD, Louisiana St. 18 41 280 1

RUSHING

Player Carries Yards TD SMITH, Indiana 19 221 2 OLIVER, Fresno St. 37 220 1 MITCHELL, Stanford 21 179 3 PHILLIPS, Nebraska 19 178 1 CHANEY, Indiana 17 167 1 WHATLEY, Kent 17 166 4 SMITH, East Carolina 23 165 2 WILLIAMS, Maryland 23 163 1 CHRISTOPHERSON, Wyoming 35 163 1

RECEIVING

Player No. Yards TD GATEWOOD, Nevada Las Vegas 23 363 1 VAN DYKE, Nevada 12 143 1 GORMAN, Ball St. 11 200 3 SIMON, Maryland 11 129 1 SHWIEGER, Kansas St. 10 137 1 PETTUS, Wake Forest 10 110 0 RIOS, Minnesota 10 98 0 BAILEY, Nevada Las Vegas 9 159 4 FUNDERBURK, Rutgers 9 159 2