COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT : EARLY RETIREMENT

So confident were USC coaches, those assigned to watch the game from the Cotton Bowl press box left their seats with six minutes to go in the third quarter to join the team on the sidelines.

QUOTEWORTHY “It was hard to stop.”

--Zach Thomas, Texas Tech’s All-Southwestern Conference linebacker after facing USC’s offense.

“I would have taken a 12-1 season in September but I sure wouldn’t have wanted that 1 to be Auburn.”

--Alabama Coach Gene Stallings, after his team’s 24-17 victory Citrus Bowl victory.

“This is why I didn’t stay in Texas to play football.”

--Nebraska center Aaron Graham, while carrying the Orange Bowl trophy above his head.