The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 68

A vlki SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1993 The Indianapolis Star utfWWa.m Sops W-fj Giants deadlocks with one day to go NLWest Pet GB Atlanta 103 58 .640 San Francisco 103 58 .640 REMAINING GAMES Today Colorado at Atlanta, 12:10 p.m., TBS; San Francisco at Los Angeles, 3:05 p.m., ESPN. Monday (if necessary) Atlanta at San Francisco, 9:35 p.m., ESPN. Atlanta blows out Colorado; team dreads playoff trip to San Francisco. By Michael Martinez KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS Atlanta Candlestick Park? On Monday night? They did not want to think about it. They did not want to consider the idea of a cold, damp, windswept evening by the bay.

Not with the dirt kicking up and hot-dog wrappers blowing across the infield grass and the fans turning a nice ballgame Into a mine field. It almost made the Atlanta Braves groan collectively. But six months after the season's first pitch, they have come to concede the possibility. "It's not something I want to do, but if it comes down to one game out there, I'll be the first one on the plane," third baseman Terry Pendleton said. The Braves pushed the National League West race to its last scheduled day by squashing the Colorado Rockies 10-1 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and then retreating to their private lounge to watch the final moments of the Giants and Dodgers.

There was a cheer here, a groan there. But when the doors opened, they were not smiling. If both teams win today or both lose the Braves face a late-night flight to San Francisco, a one-game playoff at Candlestick Monday night and the hospitality of the Bay Area. Not a pleasant thought. "1 don't want to go to San Francisco," right fielder David Justice said.

"If we've got to go there, it would be a serious home-field advantage for them. It'll be foggy, and their fans are brutal. They run on the field, there's no security, they throw stuff at you and See BRAVES Page 13 San Francisco watches scoreboard while it takes care of business in Los Angeles. By Jayson Stark KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPER Los Angeles The scoreboard told them Atlanta was blowing out Colorado again. But the San Francisco Giants didn't blink.

They did what they had to do Saturday. They beat the Dodgers for the third straight day at Dodger Stadium, this time by a score of 5-3. So this afternoon, on separate coasts, they will play their games and watch their scoreboards. And by the time the sun sets, either somebody will have won the West on the final day of the season, or the Braves will be jetting across the country for a one-game playoff in San Francisco Monday night. Pennant races don't get any more special than that.

But this one earns bonus points in the rankings of legendary races. For one thing, with the wild-card age on the horizon, it is almost certainly the last time a team ever will win more than 100 games and have only a trip home to show for It. And for a second thing, the Ellas Sports Bureau revealed Saturday that never in history have two teams with this many victories come down to the final weekend in a dead heat. Not that Saturday's game at Chavez Ravine would qualify as a classic. Giants starter Bryan Hickerson was gone by the third inning with a rib-cage pull.

But Jeff Brantley, he of the 10.50 ERA In his previous six appearances, bailed the Giants out See GIANTS Page 13 ,7 si Associated Press BONDS SCORES: Giants' Barry Bonds crosses the plate in the seventh inning. Irish bag Cardinal bigtime Notre Dame's 48-20 success stoked by last season's Stanford win at South Bend. mi- ft 'h lit r-v. I S. Carolina State wins close Classic Jackson State mounts furious rally but falls just short.

By Kevin Harmon STAR STAFF WRITER Jackson State and South Carolina State traveled many miles to duel In a football game Saturday night in the Hoosler Dome. I Ironically, both teams walked off the AstroTurf feeling as If they just left their respective classrooms. Why? Because lessons were taught In South Carolina State's 34-33 victory. "I don't think our players will forget this game," said Jackson State coach James Carson. "Our players better not forget it," said South Carolina State coach Willie Jeffries.

South Carolina State learned no lead Is big enough and to never quit. Jackson State learned no deficit is too large and to never give up. the spectators who departed what they thought was a one-sided Circle City Classic after the much-anticipated "Battle of the Bands" halftime learned they missed a heck of a football game. The JSU Tigers, offense-less, defense-less and seemingly hopeless early, scored the game's last 27 points but couldn't supply the knockout punch. Trailing 34-6, Jackson State (2-2-1) capitalized on several South Carolina State (3-2) miscues and was in a position to take the lead for the first time after quarterback Ricky Jordan drilled a 31 -yard touchdown strike to Isiah Bliss, making It 34-33 with 3:03 remaining.

A successful onside kick following a 1-yard touchdown run by JSU's Walter Bester made the drive possible. The Tigers went for the two-point conversion, but split end Ernest Pate was stopped on an end around run. "Their defense showed up early and showed up again late," Carson said. "That was a big play." With Jackson State out of timeouts. South Carolina State needed a first down to seal the victory.

On a third-and-6 play, running back Michael Hicks took off for eight yards and the first down, keeping the drive alive. "We relaxed too much and By David Benner STAR STAFF WRITER Palo Alto, Calif. Two weeks ago, Notre Dame's kickoff return was going nowhere. Last week, the Fighting Irish's option play was going nowhere. Saturday afternoon before.

80,300 spectators and a national; television audience, both found direction that took fourth-ranked Notre Dame on a pleasant 48-20; Journey past one of Its main xtf dies, Stanford. 1: The outcome pushed the Irish to 5-0 on the season and made iherri winners of 12 straight overall. last defeat comljig year ago In South Bend to the Cardinal. The victory also kept the Irish in the hunt for a national championship against a team that two of the last three years essentially knocked them out of the run for No. 1.

Stanford was not Just another game or another win. It was a year-long pain that would not put a hurt on this Notre Dame season. "I personally haven't forgot the loss to Stanford last year," offensive tackle Aaron Taylor said last week. "It ruined our national championship hopes. So as much as Coach (Lou) Holtz doesn't care to hear the word, I'm seeking revenge Saturday." On a gorgeous day in Stanford Stadium, Notre Dame got it In explosive and somewhat bizarre fashion In that Holtz backed off of a couple of convictions.

Two weeks ago, Holtz was convinced by his staff that another kickoff return wouldn't be a bad idea. The Irish had one, which was enough for the coach. "To me, the worst football team is the one that has nine different kickoff returns," he said. "I like, to think we'll only use one a game, so why do we need eight or nine? I've been bull-headed. "About two weeks ago, we put in a second return and I didn't want to do it, but the players said, 'Gee, they know what we're doing, Associated Press UP AND OVER: Indiana tailback Jermaine Chaney (2) goes over Minnesota defenders for a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Hoosiers' D' wakes up just in time 31 rushes for 109 yards and a touchdown. No IU back had carried more than 18 times in a game this season. "I feel the more I carry, the more confident I get," said Chaney, who gained 22 yards on his first 15 carries, 87 on his last 16. "That helped out a lot. I'm nice and sore, but it's a good sore." Indiana led 20-3 at halftime but when Tim Schade missed his first two passes of the second half, he was 8 for 21 and out of there.

Eckers came in to trigger the comeback with touchdown passes of 23 and 12 yards to slot-back Omar Douglas, who had nine catches for 109 yards. "He scared the hell out of us," said Paci. "He picked our zone apart," said linebacker Jay Davis. "Based on his performance tonight, he'll probably be our starting quarterback," said Minnesota coach Jim Wacker. See HOOSIERS Page 4 By Phil Richards STAR STAFF WRITER Minneapolis An Indiana University defense that spent the second half on its heels Saturday night made Just enough big plays to avoid leaving the Humphrey Metrodome on Its back.

The Hoosiers overcame a 19-for-31, 216-yard second-half passing performance by back-up quarterback Scott Eckers to beat Minnesota 23-19 and run their record to 4-1. A crowd of 33,315 watched the Golden Gophers (1-4) lose for the 22nd time in their last 26 football games. Safety Lance Brown Intercepted a pass In the end zone to spike one drive and reserve tackle Jason Kaylor sacked Eckers to kill another. Then linebacker Alfonzo Thurman and cornerback Jason Orton broke up passes to end Minnesota's last opportunity with less than 2 minutes to play. "We Just had to go out there and play We knew we were going to get another chance Bulldogs bounced: Hillsdale hands Butler big loss.

Page 7. Panthers land short: Last-gasp effort by Eastern Illinois fails to beat Indiana State. Page 8. MAC roundup: Swart's field goals help Ball State get past Central Michigan. Page 8.

Top 25: No. 1 Florida State, No. 3 Miami prepare for showdown with routs. Page 6. and we had to do it," Orton said through a relieved grin.

Most of the rest of the high-profile work was accomplished by IU quarterback John Paci, flanker Thomas Lewis and tailback Jermaine Chaney. Pad completed 18 of 32 passes for a career-high 255 yards with one interception. Lewis exploited Minnesota's man-to-man single coverage for five catches for 123 yards, all in the first half. Chaney had the best night of his career with See IRISH Page 8 Woeful Illinois finds cure at Purdue Colts-Broncos WHEN: 3 p.m. today.

WHERE: Mile Hiah Stadium, Denver. CROWD: 76,273 (capacity). SURFACE: Grass (PAT). BROADCAST: WNDE-1260 AM, FM. TELECAST: WTHR-13.

in. See CLASSIC Page 5 i' AMERICAN LEAGUE Seattle 7 Minnesota 3 I Milwaukee 8 Boston 5 Detroit 4 New York 1 Chicago 4 Cleveland 2 Kansas City 7 Texas 4 California 6 Oakland 2 I Baltimore 8 Toronto 4 NATIONAL LEAGUE I I Pittsburgh 4 Montreal 2 St. Louis 5 Philadelphia 4 Houston 3 Cincinnati 1 i Atlanta 10 Colorado 1 San Francisco 5 Los Angeles 3 Sain Diego 7 Chicago 3 sive unit that held its own in a 17-0 loss to No. 4 Notre Dame the previous game. "It was like night and day." Colletto said.

"It astounds me how these things happen. The defense did not play with any intensity. I don't know if they were well prepared or not. They lost any kind of pizazz they had." Their offensive counterparts weren't much help either, losing two fumbles deep in their own territory, Purdue wide receiver Jermaine Ross knew it was coming In warmups. "I could tell we were dead before the game," Ross said.

"We didn't have the fire in their eyes that we had last week. A See PURDUE Page 4 "Guys who have been dependable tacklers didn't even have any enthusiasm," said Purdue coach Jim Colletto, whose team fell to 1-3. "If this were a pro football team, you might want to dock their paychecks." Said Purdue defensive end James Cole: "They ran a lot of stuff that we hadn't even seen or practiced against." The Illini (1-3) took advantage of the confused Boilermakers to rack up their sixth straight victory over Purdue. "We stayed within ourselves and kept pounding and pounding," said scrambling Illini quarterback Johnny Johnson, who completed 11 of 17 passes or 166 yards and rushed for 30 more. Colletto expected more from his defen By Mark Ambrogi STAR STAFF WRITER West Lafayette, Ind.

Illinois entered the game 105th among 106 NCAA Division 1-A football teams in rushing offense, averaging 44 yards per game. Leave It to Purdue to provide a perfect cure for the mini's woes. The Illini ran over the lifeless Boilermakers 28-10 Saturday afternoon In the Big Ten opener for both teams at Ross-Ade Stadium. Illinois gained 136 yards in the first half, more than its net total of 132 in the first three games. Led by Kevin Jackson's career-high 125 yardsr on 20 carries, Illinois finished with 236 rushing yards.

LINE: Broncos by 8V2. SERIES: Broncos lead 8-2. LAST MEETING: Broncos won 27-17 Oct. 21, 1990 in Hoosier Dome. INJURIES: Colts Probable, CB Eugene Daniel (shoulder), Will Wolford (back), WR Shannon Baker (knee); Questionable, CB Chris Goode (ankle), WR Aaron Cox (hamstring), WR Reggie Langhome (knee).

Broncos Out, DE Dan Williams (knee); Questionable, NT Greg Kragen (foot); Probable, LB Jeff Milles (neck), Keith Kartz (calf), TE Shannon Sharpe (ankle), NT Darrin Drpzdov (toe). Game preview on page tt:.