Mitchell Grabs Top Accolade

Freddie Mitchell sprinted toward the end zone, then slowed to turn around. He surely would score, but not before extending the ball toward the defender chasing him and offering him a few choice words.

Mitchell scolded his highly touted pursuer thusly: “You can’t stop me! Bye-bye!”

Mitchell immediately drew a taunting penalty, as if he cared. In what might well have been his final college game, Mitchell outdueled Wisconsin cornerback Jamar Fletcher, winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back.

Mitchell caught nine passes for 180 yards, the latter figure setting a Sun Bowl record. His Bruins lost the 67th Sun Bowl Friday to Wisconsin, 21-20, but Mitchell was selected as the game’s most valuable player.

“I thought Freddie did an incredible job,” said UCLA tight end Bryan Fletcher, a high school teammate of Jamar but no relation. “He wasn’t hindered at all by Jamar. It was like a regular defensive back was covering him.”

Said UCLA Coach Bob Toledo: “If that’s the best defensive back in the country, then this guy ought to be the best receiver in the country. I think our guy won the battle.”

Mitchell, who was outraged to lose the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver, and Fletcher constantly yapped back and forth in the weeks preceding the Sun Bowl, and during the game.

“I don’t take it personally,” Fletcher said. “He likes to have fun on the field.”

Fletcher goaded the Bruins into two penalties, besides Mitchell’s for taunting. In one, Mitchell was cited for a personal foul after shoving Fletcher. In the other, the Bruins were cited for unsportsmanlike conduct before the opening kickoff, as Fletcher and several UCLA players tussled during warmups. Bryan Fletcher said Jamar incited the incident by “slapping Ricky Manning in the face.” Jamar Fletcher dismissed the affair as “a lot of guys talking.”

Said Mitchell: “I liked that. It reminded me of the Florida-Florida State rivalry.”

Mitchell said he planned to return to his Florida home and discuss with his family whether to skip his senior season and make himself available for the NFL draft. The UCLA players and coaches generally believe Mitchell will go pro.

After saying Friday, “As of right now, I’m staying,” he followed by saying, “It’s like a Michael Vick stay,” referring to the Virginia Tech quarterback who, like Mitchell, has retreated from an initial vow to return.

Fletcher did record an interception, and Mitchell did praise Fletcher as “a great cornerback.” But, when asked what advice he would give Fletcher, who also is considering turning pro, Mitchell laughed and said, “Please stay. After that game, he’s got to.”