The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 49

COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Cincinnati Enquirer FNK Sunday, October 24. 1999 C9 No. 14 takes it to UK Buried early, UC rallies, falls short Standings Big Ten Conf. Penn State 4 0 Wisconsin 4 1 Michigan State 3 2 Indiana 3 2 Michigan 2 2 Minnesota 2 2 OHIO STATE 2 2 Purdue 2 3 Illinois 1 3 Northwestern 1 3 Iowa 0 4 C-USA Conf. Southern Mississippi 4 0 East Carolina 2 1 Louisville 2 1 Alabama-Birmingham 2 1 Memphis 1 1 Houston 1 2 Tulane 1 2 Army 1 3 CINCINNATI 0 3 MAC East Division Conl.

Marshall 4 0 Akron 4 1 MIAMI 4 1 Ohio 3 2 Kent 1 4 Bowling Green 1 5 Buffalo 0 6 West Division Vv vt i I wJ All 8 0 All 5 2 All 7 0 Western Michigan Northern Illinois Eastern Michigan Toledo Central Michigan Ball State SEC Eatt Division The Associated Press UC cornerback Bobby Fuller pushes Southern Miss wide receiver Todd Pinkston out of bounds. Southern Miss hangs on for 28-20 victory BY STAN CALDWELL Enquirer contributor HATTIESBURG, Miss. It was the same song, second verse for the University of Cincinnati. For the second straight week, the Bearcats dug themselves a hole they could not quite get themselves out of Saturday, as 21st-ranked Southern Mississippi held on for a 28-20 Conference USA victory before a crowd of 24,012 at Roberts Stadium. The Bearcats fell behind 28-0 before staging a furious second-half rally.

UC had a chance to pull out the win in the final minute, but a last-second Hail Mary attempt was knocked down by Southern Miss. UC's fourth consecutive defeat dropped the Bearcats to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in C-USA, while USM climbed to 5-2 and remained alone in first place in the conference at 4-0. "That's been our M.O. all season," UC head coach Rick Minter said. "It seems like we expend ourselves getting back into games, then we don't have anything left to get over the hump." Last week, the Bearcats overcame a 21-0 first-half deficit, then came back to tie, only to lose to UAB on a last-second field goal.

"In the first half, we were stopping ourselves," Bearcat quarterback Deontey Kenner said. "We weren't making the right plays at the right time. But when we put our minds to it, we're capable of playing with anybody." Bad luck dogged UC from the opening coin toss, which the Golden Eagles won. They promptly chose to defend the north end zone, from which a brisk wind was blowing. UC went nowhere on its first possession, then gave USM excellent field position at the Eagle 43.

USM immediately drove 57 yards on nine plays, with Derrick Nix getting the touchdown from 5 yards out. The Bearcats then drove to the Eagle 49, but Robert Cooper fumbled, and Adalius Thomas recovered for USM. The Golden Eagles wasted no time, as Jeff Kelly hit a wide-open Sherrod Gideon for a 51-yard scoring strike on the first play. "It's the same thing that happened the last time we played said. "The wind is always a factor here late in the year, and whoever wins the toss has the advantage in the first and fourth quarters." Jason Mammarelli had two kicks blocked the first half and the Bearcats also botched the snap on a PAT.

"I'd comment on our kicking game, but it'd be X-rated," Minter said. "Our punting game was solid, but we got nothing out of our return game, our kickoff coverage was horrible and our field goal-point after game was horrible. That's seven points we lost because of mistakes in the kicking game, and that might have been the difference." Or the difference might have been a questionable offensive pass interference call late in the first half that wiped out an apparent UC touchdown from Kenner to LaDaris Vann from 21 yards. Vann was ruled to have pushed off on the play. "That was big," Kenner said.

"We could have scored in the first half if we hadn't had that call. But a football game is a game of a lot of plays, and you can't put it all on one play." The rout appeared to be on when Southern Miss made it 28-0 on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Kelly to Todd Pink-ston. However, from that low point, the Bearcats suddenly a decisively turned the game around. Kenner suddenly began finding the range. Before he was through, Kenner would complete 35 of 59 passes for 407 yards.

The attempts set a new school record, the completions tied a school record and the yardage tied for the second-most in UC history. "The numbers don't mean anything to me," Kenner said. "I'd rather throw for 90 yards and win. You have to compete the whole game, and we didn't do that." Kenner's chief target was junior Antonio Chatman, who had a breakout game, with nine catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Trailing 28-0, Cooper got the tough yards on UC's first scoring drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kenner to Chatman.

The Bearcats then forced Southern Miss to punt for the first time, and swiftly drove 69 yards in seven plays, with Lloyd Garden getting the score from a yard out. Garden then made it 28-20 Conf. All Florida 4 1 6 1 Georgia 4 1 6 1 Tennessee 3 15 1 KENTUCKY 3 2 5 3 Vandertilt 2 3 5 3 South Carolina 0 6 0 8 West Division Mississippi State 4 0 7 0 Alabama 4 1 5 2 Mississippi 2 2 5 2 Arkansas 12 4 2 Auburn 14 3 4 Louisiana State 0 5 2 5 ACC Conf. All Florida State 6 0 8 0 Georgia Tech 3 1 5 1 Virginia 3 2 4 3 Clemson 3 2 3 4 Maryland 2 2 5 2 North Carolina State 2 3 5 3 Wake Forest 13 3 4 Duke 13 16 North Carolina 0 5 16 Big 12 North Division Georgia Kentucky rallied behind Dusty Bonner, cutting the lead to 21-13 on Bonner's 1-yard scor in? nass to Tames Whalen and Anthony White's 1-yard run. Bonner threw three more touchdown passes to Whalen in the second half covering 5, 2 and 32 yards, the last with 35 seconds remaining.

Bonner completed 33 of 52 passes for 421 yards, and Whalen had 10 catches for 151. Georgia had 1 1 sacks of Bonner, who had minus-64 yards on 15 carries. The Bulldogs defense had only 12 sacks in their first six games. The sacks enabled Georgia to hold Kentucky to minus-50 yards rushing. "We worked hard on the pass rush all week," Grant said.

"Coach stressed the pass rush, because they throw the ball a lot." Carter, who had quarterback draws covering 56 and 25 yards, got his 87 rushing yards on 11 carries. Georgia's other scores came on a 29-yard run by Patrick Pass, another 7-yard run by Sanks and a 42-yard sprint by Grant. "This is the type of momentum we needed," Sanks said. Kentucky. Georgia .10 7 M-M -14 7 21 7-49 First Quarter Ga-Grant 1 run (Hkies kick), Ga-Sanks 7 run (Hlnes kick), 9:24 Second Quarter Ga Edwards 20 pass from Carter (Hlnes kick), 11:37 Ky Whalen 1 pass from Bonner (Samuel kick), 1:19 Ky-Whlte I run (kick failed), 6:00 Third Quarter Ga MMcan 80 pass from Carter (Hem kick), 14:40 Ky-Whalen pass from Bonner (Samuel kick), 13:02 Ga-Pass 29 run (Hlnes kick), 10:1 Ga-Sanks 7 run (Hlnes kick), 0:32 Fourth Quarter Ga-Grant 42 run (Hines kick), 11:19 Ky-Whalen 2 pass from Bonner (Samuel kick), 8:5 Ky Whalen 32 pass from Bonner (Samuel kick), 0:35 6a 22 First downs 15 Rushes-yards Passing Comp-AH-tnf Return Yards Punts-Avg 24-150) 421 33-53-1 94 6-39 4-2 12-110 30:47 42-267 310 17-30-2 It 2-41 4-3 14-91 29:13 Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Time of Possession INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHtNG-Kentucky, White 4-12, Homer 3-5, 1-1, Bonner 15-(mmus 04), team Wminus 4).

Georgia, Carter 11-07, Sanks 13-83, Pass 1-44. Grant 3-44, Mitchell 2-7, Arnaud 1-5, MMcan 1-2, Green 3-(minus 9). PASSING-Kentucky, Bonner 33-52-1-421, Simon 0-1-0-0. Georgia, Carter 16-28-1-304, Mitchel l-l-O-e, Pass 1-1-1-0. RECEIVING Kentucky, Whalen 10-151, Shankiln 1-124, white 6-63, McCord 4-43, Homer 3-18, Simms 1-14, Davis 1-0.

Georgia, Greer 5-66, Pass 4-69, PIMps 3-66, Edwards 2-25, MMcan 1-80, McMlchael 1-5, Parker l-lminus 1). LOCAL COLLEGES IMC wins by air game 28-0 The Cincinnati Enquirer KINGS POINT, N.Y. Quarterback Jesse Lowery completed 18-of-24 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns, both the receiver Phil Beverly (three catches for 108 yards) as Thomas More defeated U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 28-0 Saturday. The Thomas More defense limited the Mariners to 88 yards total offense and just four first downs.

Senior end Richie Harr had eight tackles, four sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up. Thomas More 7 7-21 Merchant Marine TM-Beverty 81 yard, pass from Lowery (En glish kick) TM-Castlebury 5 yard pass from Lowery (English kick) TM-WMiems 3 yard run, (English kick) TM-Beverly 12 yard pass from Lowery A 2,911 HANOVER COLLEGE 29, MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 25: Hanover scored 15 points in the last 3:00 to overcome a 25-14 deficit and win its 30th straight regular-season home game. Hanover quarterback Eric Bruns (Summit Country Day) completed 19-of-41 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Joshua Ragon was 7-of-20 for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

msj -o 8 O-B Hanover 0 14 8 15-29 MSJ-Schorsch 15 pass from Raoon (Fugate kick) H-Morrls 40 pass from Bruns (Taylor kick) H-WHson 14 pass from Bruns (Taylor kick) MSAnderson 2 run (kick no good) MSJ-Perks 15 pass from Ragon (kk no good) MSJ-Anderson 1 run (kick blocked) H-Joey Ott recovered blocked punt, 13 run (Bruns pass to Agan) H-Agan 13 pass from Bruns (Taylor kick) Records: MSJ 2-0, 1-4; 7-0, 44 WILMINGTON 32, WABASH 30: Adam Ryan (Elder) completed 23-of-52 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns to lead Wilmington (6-1, 3-1). Wilmington College 12 14-32 7-38 Wabash College -10 4 WAB-Free 46 yard field ooal WAB-Casper 36 yard pass from Knott (Free kick) yard pass from Ryan (pass failed) WAB-Casper 23 yard pass from Knott (kick failed) WL-Vanscoy 9 yard pass from Ryan (pats failed) WIL-Grueser 32 yard fumble recovery (kk failed) WAB Pugh 4 yard run (Bower kick) WIL-Ryan 6 yard run (Ryan run) WIL-Cam 4 yard pass from Ryan (kick failed) WAB-Ryan 4 yard pass from Knott (Bower kick) A 1,456 MOUNT UNION 56, MARIETTA 21: Gary Smeck threw five touchdown passes as Mount Union extended its NCAA record with its 49th straight victory. 69 years later same results: Vols win Dawgs score early, often, OVerDOWer CatS The Associated Press ATHENS, Ga. The way Kentucky coach Hal Mumme saw it, 14th-ranked Georgia finally woke up. "We knew coming into the game that Georgia was a sleeping giant," Mumme said after Georgia's 49-34 victory Saturday.

The Bulldogs struck for an early 14-0 lead set up by a blocked punt and a fourth-down gamble that failed. QuLncy Carter passed for 304 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 87 as the Bulldogs used big plays offensively and defensively to overpower Kentucky. "They struggled early in games against Central Florida and LSU, but today, they came out with fire," Mumme said. "Our line couldn't compete with their line early in the game, and as the game went on, they were getting sacks due to bad snaps and coverage." Carter connected with Terr-ence Edwards on a 20-yard scoring play in the second quarter and opened the third period with an 80-yarder to Brett Mil-lican. Georgia (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) took a 14-0 lead on the Wildcats (5-3, 3-2) in the first six minutes.

Kendrell Bell broke through to block Andy Smith's punt after the game's first series, giving Georgia a first down at the Kentucky 8. Three plays later, Charles Grant, a defensive end used as a running back in short-yardage situations, hammered the final yard for a touchdown. When the Wildcats failed on a fourth-and-12 gamble at their 18, Georgia immediately scored when Jasper Sanks ripped off runs of 11 and 7 yards. "I was glad to see us put it all together," Georgia coach Jim Donnan said. "A game like this will be good for our confidence." Despite falling behind 21-0, The Associated Press County High grad Shaun kick), 13:55 Ten-T.

Martin 6 run (Walls kick) 5:14 Third Quarter Ten-D. Martin 43 pass from T. Martin (Wets kick), 11:13 Fourth Quarter Ten-T. Martin 21 run (Wans kick), 8:26 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHIHG-Tennessee, Lewis 23-117, T. Martin 9-49, Henry 12-32, Crosby 1-1, Team 3-(mlnus 9).

Alabama, Alexander 20-98, Mlkms 1-1, McCHntock 1-0, Zow Mmmus 2), Watts Mmmus 3). PASSING-Tennessee, Martin 11-17-0-147, Matthews 0-1-0-0. Alabama, Zow 19-37-0-168, Watts 1-3-0-5. RECEIVING-Tennessee, Wilson 5-53, 0. Martin 1-43, Parker 1-22, Stallworth 1-11, Johnson 1-10, Crosby 1-8, Lewis 1-0.

Alabama, Alexander Tne Associated Press as he holds up a sign wmmm mm on another 1-yard plunge with 2:02 to play. UC forced USM to punt on its last series, and with 49 seconds to play, the Bearcats had a chance to pull the game out. Kenner was able to get UC to the Bearcat 42, but could not find a miracle at the end. Cincinnati Southtrn Miss -00 7 7 13-20 7 o-ia First Quarter USM-Nix 5 run (Hanna kick), 47 USM-Gideon 49 pass from Kely (Hanna kick), 5:21 Second Quarter USM Gideon t2 pass from Keliy (Hanna kick), 2:51 Third Quarter USM-Pinkston 41 pass from Key (Hanna kick), 7:27 Cin Chatman 9 pass from Kenner (Ruffin kick), 2.53 Fourth Quarter On-Garden I run (kick failed), 13 21 On-Garden 1 run (Ruffin kick), 2:02 Cin USM First downs 21 17 Rushes-yards 37 122 33-115 Passing 407 237 Comp-Attlnt 35 59-0 12-17-0 Return Yards 13 00 Punts-Avo, 2-29 5-44 Fumbles-Lost l-l 1-1 Penalties-Yards 5-44 0-44 Time of Possession 37:36 22:24 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING-Cincinnati, Cooper 27-93, Kenner Garden 6-14, Mays 1-(minus 4). Southern Miss, Nix 22-82, Francis 4-24, Woods 4-15, Kelly 3-(minus 6).

PASSING-Cindnnatl, Kenner 35-59-0-407. Southern Miss. Kelly 12-17-0-237 RECEIVING-Cincinnati, Chatman 9-130, Cooper 9-44, Otinoer 5-63. Smlkle 5-45, Mays 3-43, Keith 2-13, Vann 1-44, Hunt 1-23. Southern Miss.

Gideon 5-105. Pinkston 3-93, Milts 3-36, Nik 1-3. Heisman poses at him, taunting his efforts to win the award. "We came into the game saying he's not going to win the Heisman on us," Linebacker Eric Westmoreland said. "He's not going to get 100 yards on us, he's not going to make us look bad." ee 0 7 7 7-21 7 10-7 Second Quarter -Alexander 2 pass from Zow (Pfkjgner A Clemson fan shows no mercy chiding FSU's Peter Warrick.

itni" A eTi ill ktS I 1 Hi: MOW4hlMfiM Hold Alexander to 98 yards rushing The Associated Press TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Tee Martin ran for two touchdowns and passed for a third Saturday to lead No. 5 Tennessee to a 21-7 victory over No. 10 Alabama in the Volunteers' first game in Tuscaloosa in 69 years. The Vols (5-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) have now won five straight over the Crimson Tide (5-2, 4-1).

After the game, Tennessee's players held cigars and chanted "We Own Alabama" as they left the field. "We knew it was going to be a four-quarter physical football game," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I'm really proud of our offense, the defense played great all day long. I feel like we're coming together and peaking at just the right time." The defending national champions remained alive in a bid for an appearance in the Bowl Championship Series. It ruined the chances of Alabama, which has also lost to Louisiana Tech this year.

"I said going in that Tennessee may be the best football team in the country and they Alabama Crimson Tide fans show their support for Boone Alexander (No. 37), a Heisman Trophy candidate. Conf. All Kansas State 4 0 7 0 Nebraska 3 16 1 Colorado 3 1 4 3 Iowa State 13 4 3 Kansas 13 3.5 Missouri 0 4 3 4 South Division Texas 3 1 6 2 Texas Tech 3 1 4 3 Oklahoma 2 1 4 2 Texas 2 2 5 2 Oklahoma State 12 3 3 Baylor 0 4 16 Big East Conf. All Virginia Tech 2 0 6 0 Miami 10 3 3 Syracuse 2 1 5 2 West Virginia 2 1 3 4 Boston College 2 2 5 2 Pittsburgh 2 2 4 3 Temple 12 16 Rutgers 0 4 0 7 Big West Conf.

All WL x-ldaho 2 0 4 2 x-Utah State 10 2 4 Boise State 11 5 3 Nevada 11 2 5 North Texas 12 2 5 Arkansas State 12 2 6 New Mexico State 0 1 3 4 MWC Conf. All WL Utah 3 0 6 1 x-Brigham Young 2 0 5 1 x-Wyoming 11 4 2 x-UNLV 11 3 3 New Mexico 11 2 4 Air Force 12 4 2 San Diego State 13 3 5 x-Colorado State 0 2 3 3 Pac-10 Conf. All Stanford 5 0 5 2 Arizona State 3 1 4 3 Washington 3 1 4 3 x-Arlzona 2 1 5 2 California 2 2 3 4 x-Oregon 12 3 3 Oregon State 13 4 3 Southern Cal 13 3 4 Washington State 13 2 5 UCLA 14 3 5 WAC Conf. All Rice 4 0 5 3 Hawaii 3 1 5 2 Fresno State 2 1 5 3 Texas Christian 2 2 3 4 San Jose State 12 3 4 Texas-El Paso 12 3 5 Southern Methodist 12 14 Tulsa 0 4 16 didn't do anything today to make me think otherwise," Alabama coach Mike DuBose said. "It was a disappointing loss to a very good football team." A crowd of 86,869 the largest to ever watch a football game in Alabama was on hand for Tennessee's return to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The game was a defensive struggle until Martin led Tennessee on a game-breaking, fourth-quarter drive. Trying to run as much time off the clock as possible while protecting a 14-7 lead, Martin marched the Vols 84 yards in 11 plays. A personal foul penalty almost spoiled the drive, but Martin's screen pass to Cedrick Wilson went 37 yards to move Tennessee deep into Alabama territory. Two plays later, Martin broke open the game with a 21-yard touchdown run that put Tennessee up 21-7 with 8:26 left to play. "Tee Martin was the difference," Alabama cornerback Mi-lo Lewis said.

"We couldn't contain him. Every time he got backed up against the wall, he made the play." Tennessee continued a season-long streak of not allowing a back to rush for 100 yards or Clemson's bid to send the game into overtime ended when Tony Lazzara's 42-yard field goal attempt fell short with 1:57 left in the game. The victory allowed Bobby Bowden to join Bear Bryant, Pop Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg and Joe Paterno as the only major-college coaches to reach 300 victories. When the game ended, Bobby Bowden was hugged by several of his players, then was lifted up on their shoulders as the group made its way to mid-field to meet Tommy Bowden. At the center of the field, father and son were pressed together by a horde of photographers.

They spoke briefly before going before a national TV audience. "This is what Ann wanted, not me," Bobby Bowden said, referring to his wife, Ann, who said she'd prefer her husband to win in a close game. Then, Bobby told his son: 'Noles escape with 17-14 win score a touchdown. Alabama tailback Shaun Alexander had 98 yards rushing and scored his only touchdown of the day on a 26-yard pass from Andrew Zow. Alexander (Boone County) had 148 all-purpose yards and had his streak of six straight 100-yard rushing games snapped.

He left the field limping at the end. Several Volunteers struck "You ran out of tricks." On a day of upsets No. 3 Nebraska, No. 9 Michigan and No. 13 Texas lost the Seminoles came back from a 14-3 halftime deficit.

Janikowski's second 33-yard field goal of the game cut the margin to 14-6 early in the third quarter. The Seminoles pulled even on Travis Minor's 1-yard touchdown run and Chris Weinke's 2-point conversion pass to Dan Kendra with 10 seconds left in the third quarter. In the final 15 minutes, the defenses took over, but Florida State managed to put together a drive that saved its season. Weinke, who was 24-of-49 for 258 yards, hit Ron Dugans for gains of 7, 7, and 22 yards to set up Janikowski's game-winner. Janikowski, who missed two earlier field goals, boomed his game-winner much to the chagrin of the Tiger fans.

HOUR 10 The Associated Press CLEMSON, S.C. His son put a mighty scare into his No. 1 team, but Bobby Bowden sneaked away with career win No. 300. Florida State rallied for a 17-14 victory over Clemson on Saturday night in major-college football's first father vs.

son coaching matchup. With star receiver Peter Warrick back in the lineup after his legal case was favorably resolved on Friday, the Seminoles were more lucky than good in beating Tommy Bowden's Tigers (3-4, 3-2 ACC) before a record crowd of 86,200 at Memorial Stadium. Warrick caught 11 passes i for 121 yards, and Sebastian i Janikowski's third field goal la 39-yarder with 5:26 left broke a 14-14 tie and kept Florida State (8-0, 6-0) alive in its drive for the national cham-i pionship. Independents All 2 3 5 5 5 Louisiana Tech 5 Notre Dame 4 Louisiana-Monroe 3 Central Florida 2 Navy 2 Middle Tenrlessee State 1 Louisiana-Lafayette 1 x-night game not included 111 8o8a4jii8a4lt4h elfciifrai fcilftia fSi tmtr 't iEfS.