This Field Goal Put Wolverines Ahead by .0002

Michigan’s stunning 13-9 upset of undefeated Ohio State on Saturday did more than end the Buckeyes’ national championship hopes. It also turned the tables in a long-running battle for supremacy in the Big Ten.

With the victory, Michigan moved two ten-thousandths of a point ahead of Ohio State. The Wolverines, at 390-149-18, have a won-lost percentage of .7163. The Buckeyes are .7161 with 374-141-24.

Before the game, Ohio State was .717 to Michigan’s .716. In case you’re wondering, tie games count as half won and half lost.

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Trivia time: Anyone with a long memory recall the last time USC defeated Notre Dame in football?

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Mulligan time: After President Clinton’s first tee shot flew off course in his heralded match with Greg Norman during the presidential visit to Australia, the Shark asked, “Are you going to hit another?”

When the President accepted the mulligan and things didn’t get much better, Norman said, “Someone call Maxfli and get some more balls.”

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I can see clearly now: Eric Lacroix of the Colorado Avalanche had help in ending a recent 13-game scoring slump.

Teammate Brent Severyn took Lacroix’s stick one morning and drew two eyes on the blade. Presto, Lacroix scored a goal that night.

Said Lacroix, “I guess it was a seeing-eye goal.”

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Oops: Somewhere over mid-America during a flight Sunday from Boston to LAX, an American Airlines voice said, “Here are some football scores: Indianapolis 27, New England 13.” Groans from the Boston travelers. “Detroit 31, Chicago 14.” Cheers from Bear baiters. “Baltimore 28, Jacksonville 25. Washington 19, San Francisco 16.”

Then silence, followed a few moments later with, “Let’s start over.” This time the right winning teams were identified . . . and the groaners cheered.

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Clean living: There were only three penalties called--one in each period--in the Mighty Ducks’ 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

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Dunks & Steals: To commemorate the NBA’s 50th anniversary, a CD called “NBA At 50--A Musical Celebration” is going on sale today.

The collection of 14 songs includes the late Marvin Gaye’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the 1983 All-Star game--first time on a U.S. release.

Interspersed throughout the record are radio excerpts from some of the NBA’s most exciting moments, such as Wilt Chamberlain scoring his 100th point in a 1962 game, John Havlicek’s steal with seconds remaining in the 1965 NBA playoffs, and the Chicago Bulls winning their fourth NBA title.

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Trivia answer: It was 1982--John Robinson’s last game of his first tenure at USC. Michael Harper scored with 48 seconds remaining for a 17-13 victory.

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And finally: If anyone took Albert Belle’s move from Cleveland to Chicago hard, it is Richard Balazs, finance director in Euclid, Ohio. He said that when Belle moves, Euclid coffers will lose $35,000 to $40,000 in income tax revenues Belle had paid as a resident of the Cleveland suburb.