The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 14

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA Falls to Sukova 1 rr in U.S. Open I IPage2C PORT Running 2C Baseball 4C Scoreboard 5C TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1993 CP Skins whip Smith-less Cowboys 35-16 Woody By MIKE LOPRESTI Gannett News Service WASHINGTON Unsigned running back Emmitt Smith was watching the game on TV in Pensa-cola, Fla. And that was only one of the Dallas' problems last night There were the three first-half turnovers. The missed extra point The dropped interceptions. The penalty that led to a touchdown.

The inability to stop Washington on a 99-yard scoring drive. All adding up to a 35-16 Redskins victory in mistakenly downed a Dallas kik-coff on his own 1, but the cowboy couldn't capitalize. Dallas had just scored on Aik-man's 32-yard touchdown pass to Harper to close the score to 21-13. Mitchell received Dallas' ensuing kickoff, and calmly took a knee for a touchback. Except he was on the 1, not in the end zone.

But Rypien responded with a 99-yard drive capped by a 15-yard TD pass to Art Monk. softer than they normally did," Mitchell said. Smith's rookie replacement Derrick Lassie, rushed for a respectable 67 yards in the first three periods. But the Cowboys had no answers for other problems. Lin Elliott missed the extra point in the first period after Troy Aikman hit Alvin Harper for an 80-yard TD and a 6-0 lead.

James Washington let a Redskin punt bounce into his leg, and the Redskins recovered at the Dal las 17. This third Cowboy turnover of the half led to Mitchell's 1-yard TD run and a 14-6 Skins lead. The Cowboy defense didn't come up with turnover and was guilty of a pass interference inside its own 10 that led to Ron Middle-ton's TD catch. "Those guys the Cowboys are known to talk a lot of noise, so we were fired up," Middleton said. And there was the key moment of the game when Mitchell NFL WEEK 1 I Notes, on 2C; summary, on 5C.

Coach Richie Petitbon's first game. Mark Rypien's three touchdown passes, giving him 100 for his career, and Brian Mitchell's 116 yards rushing led the way for Washington, which scored more points than Dallas allowed in any game last year. "They were playing us a little Donnelly rides Tide of emotion airaDDDS detrain Xpiress, 7' Birmingham takes 1-0 lead in playoffs By ANTHONY COLEMAN Sports Writer Just like that the Nashville Xpress have their backs to the wall. The host Xpress dropped Game 1 of their best-of-five Southern League first-round playoff series last night when Birmingham first baseman XPRESS TONIGHT inning grand A Greer Stadium, 7:35 p.m. slam en route Xpress trail best-of-5 1-0.

to a 7-5 Bar- Playoff schedule, on 2C. 1 'JMrjAii n. Is4--' JF' ons victory. Nashville suddenly finds itself facing an 4 i. v.

Jt "''lib "--a t. 1 a -a if i i 4 I all-but-must-win situation in 7:35 Game 2 at Greer Stadium. The series switches to Birmingham after tonight Robertson's grand slam in the top of the fifth gave broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Barons the lead for good. The Xpress rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to make it 6-5. But in the late innings, Nashville couldn't get the key hit when it mattered.

"I think we're going to have to be a little more aggresive at the plate," explained Xpress Manager Phil Roof. "I think that we were a little bit tentative." The Xpress left men on third base in the sixth and seventh innings and a man in scoring position in the eighth. Robert Ellis picked up the win, while Nashville starter Mike Misuraca suffered the loss. Rex De La Nuez went three-for-five for the Xpress with a triple, double and single. Brian Raabe, who won the Xpress Booster Club Hustler of the Year Award two days ago, had three RBI, including a two-run triple.

But the Barons used five pithcers in the game to limit the Xpress whenever it appeared that Nashville was about to take a lead. That combined with the 12 hits they had in the game, made it tough on Nashville to close the gap at the end. "They did what a good hitting club does," explained Nashville pitching coach Rick Anderson. "They waited until the count got in their favor before they hit. We got behind too much in the count" The Xpress will trot out Marc Barcelo (1-0, 3.86) to take on Birmingham's Larry Thomas (0-1, 5.14).

Thomas is a former Nashville Sounds pitcher. One afternoon about this time last year, Vanderbilt transfer Chris Donnelly sat in Bryant Hall the Vatican of Southern college football and tried to explain the mystique of Alabama football. "I had heard about it all my life but until I lived it it had never really sunk in," Donnelly said. "Being a part of the Alabama football program is something you can't put into words. It's more than just being a part of a team.

It's a feeling, an aura. "You look around at the pictures of Coach Bryant on the walls all the trophies names like Namath and Stabler the great tradition. "It's hard to believe that I'm actually a part of it I've been in awe since I've been here." Understand, that was before Donnelly had ever played a down for the Tide; before he went on to become a starting free safety on last season's SEC and national championship team. Now he has become a part of the history, the legend, the lore. And again, Donnelly finds himself lost for words.

"Words can't express how special that was for me," says Donnelly, who Saturday pays his first return visit to Vanderbilt since he packed his bags at the end of his sophomore season. Donnelly was the SEC Freshman of the Year in 1989 and preseason All-SEC in 1990. But despite his personal success, the team bombed both seasons, finishing 1-10, 1-10. Donnelly decided to seek his football fortune elsewhere. Alabama, which had recruited him during his days as an all-state quarterbackdefensive back at Germantown, welcomed him aboard.

Donnelly said it wasn't just the losing that caused him to leave. "There were a lot of factors," he said. "I didn't fit in at Vanderbilt academically or socially. Vander-bilt's a great school, but it just wasn't working out for me." Donnelly also was promised a shot at the quarterback job when he signed with Vandy, and that chance never came. Also, he sustained a knee injury early in his sophomore that prevented him from living up to all-conference expectations.

By the end of the season, Donnelly was demoralized, disenchanted and determined to make a change. He admits that his desire to be a part of a winning team figured into the decision. "Football is very important to me," he says. "I had only two more seasons of eligibility left and I want- ed to make the most of them. I weighed my options and decided that Alabama offered what I was looking for." Donnelly sat out the 1991 season under the NCAA transfer rule, then stepped into the Crimson Tide starting lineup last season.

Defensive secondary coach Bill Oliver assigned Donnelly the role of calling the plays in the secondary. Donnelly made 47 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions in helping Bama to a 13-0 record, SEC title and national championship. "Winning the national championship was almost too good to be true," Donnelly says. "I guess I'm extra appreciative because I've been on both sides of winning and losing. "When I slipped that championship ring on, that's when it really hit me, about what I'm a part of." Larry Woody covers Vanderbilt football for The Tennessean.

BRAVES TONIGHT I At Los Angeles. TV: 9:35, TBS. I Giants beat Pirates 4-1, on 4C. Braves slip back to 3V2 out Lose to Dodgers in bottom of 9th LOS ANGELES (AP) Even with the way they've been playing, the Atlanta Braves don't expect to win every game. They didn't last night losing 2-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The defeat snapped a four-game Braves winning streak and was only their fifth in 26 games. It dropped them 3y2 games behind San Francisco in the National League West race. "I said before we left that we were going to lose some games on this road trip," Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz said. "The momentum in the race is going to swing back and forth a little the rest of the way." The Dodgers won the game in the ninth when Brett Butler grounded to short with the bases loaded and one out scoring Tom Goodwin from third. "Up until the seventh, I was sure I was going to win it 1-0," said Smoltz (13-10), who gave up a tying run in the seventh, then was relieved by Mark Wohlers with two on and no outs in the ninth.

"Credit the Dodgers," Smoltz said. "They found a way to win it" Goodwin, a pinch-runner for Cory Snyder, came home on Butler's soft grounder to short with the infield drawn in. Jeff Blauser fielded the ball, frantically dashed to touch second for the second out but had no other play. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the ninth when Smoltz gave up a leadoff double to Henry Rodriguez and walked Snyder. Wohlers then gave up a bunt single to Jody Reed.

After Lenny Harris bounced into a forceout at the plate, Butler hit his grounder. "He Wohlers was thinking maybe we were going to squeeze and he wasn't really sure," Butler said. "Tommy Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda put on the squeeze on the first pitch, then took it off. "He Wohlers went 2-0, so he had to throw me a strike. I was looking for a fastball to hit up the middle, and he sank it and I got enough on it to win the game." Smoltz allowed five hits with six walks and five strikeouts.

Dodger pinch-hitter Dave Hansen tied the game with his RBI single in the seventh. Pedro Martinez (10-3), who shut out Atlanta over the last two innings, got the win. Dodgers starter Tom Candiotti gave up only one run a sacrifice fly in the fourth to Tony Tarasco, a rookie collecting his first major league RBI. Tarasco was filling in for Ron Gant who missed his second consecutive game because of an upset stomach. Catcher Greg Olson played for the first time since Aug.

8, and the Braves also activated Deion Sanders, who pinch-ran in the ninth. iff I- Rick Musacchio Staff Birmingham's Brandon Wilson protests to no avail after being tagged out by Denny Hocking of the Xpress during last night's Southern League playoff opener. For safeties sake: Brothers welcomes ex-teammate Donnelly 1. 1 -u i 111 season against Vanderbilt with six tackles and an interception. "I know how hard the Vandy guys work they work as hard or harder than we do here at Alabama," Donnelly said last season.

"I wish them all the success in the world and hope they win every game they play, except one. I hope they get to experience a winning season before they're through." The Commodores are off to a good start They defeated Wake Forest 27-12 last Saturday to get the season off on a winning note for the first time in five years. "We feel like we can play with anybody," Brothers says. "A lot of people outside the program don't understand a lot of the changes that have gone on. Things are different than when Chris was By LARRY WOODY Sports Writer Jeff Brothers doesn't begrudge former Vanderbilt teammate Chris Donnelly his Southeastern Conference and national title.

"No, not at all," says Brothers, who remained at Vandy while Donnelly transferred to Alabama at the end of the 1990 season after back-to-back 1-10 records. "Chris is a good guy and I don't have any negative feelings about him," Brothers says. "I'm happy for his success." Donnelly and Brothers arrived at Vanderbilt together in the freshman class of '89. On Saturday the paths of the fifth-year seniors will cross for the final time when No. 2 Bama invades Dudley Field to begin defense of its Southeastern Conference title.

HAYDEN MORRIS Two Vols thrive under new coach The careers of defensive end Horace Morris and running back Aaron Hayden are back on track at Tennessee. Morris and Hayden were unhappy a year ago, but have found new starts since the coaching change at UT put Phillip Fulmer in charge. Hayden says the change at the top "was a big relief for me and for some other guys on this team." In Saturday's season-opening win against Louisiana Tech, Morris was among the defensive linemen who harassed Louisiana Tech. Hayden rushed for 1 19 yards on 10 carries. Second chances, 3C.

ALABAMA AT VANDY I Saturday. TV: 11:30 a.m., Ch. 4. I Vanderbilt, SEC notes, on 3C. Brothers and Donnelly will start at free safety for their respective teams.

Donnelly's transfer figured in the decision to move Brothers from quarterback to the defensive secondary two years ago. Brothers responded to the switch by becoming all-conference. "I think things worked out for the best for both of us," Brothers says. "Chris made a move he felt was in his best interest and I don't resent him In any way. I consider him a friend." Donnelly had his best game last fllrryrf IH ri liffi RESULTS AMERICAN LEAGUE NATIONAL LEAGUE AROUND THE DIAL U.S.

Open tennis: Top seeds Jim COLLEGE FOOTBALL ex-Tullahoma Taneyhill arrested: South Caroli HONORS Steve Matthews, Milwaukee 3, Kan. City 2 Houston 7, New York 2 Montreal 4. Colorado 3 boston 3, uiicago i Baltimore 5, Seattle 1 Texas 8, New York 5 San Fran. 4, Pittsburgh 1 Chicago 7, Ptia 6 LA 2, Atlanta 1 Fla. 2, San Diego 0 Courier and Steffi Graf will be featured on USA's morning coverage at 10 a.m.

Boris Becker highlights the evening program at 6:30 p.m Baseball: Other games besides na quarterback Steve Taneyhill, 20, was charged Sunday night with possession of alcohol by a minor (a police report said he was holding a cup of beer at a party at an apartment). Taneyhill was the only person arrested at the party (police were checking a noise complaint). The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in prison and a $200 fine (both unlikely to be levied). Taneyhill had no comment. Coach Sparky Woods hasn't decided on disci- High star and Tennessee player, is the Independent Football Alliance offensive player of the week.

The Memphis State quarterback completed 29 of 45 passes for 340 yards in a 45-35 win vs. Mississippi State. Matthews threw for two TDs and had a 41-yard TD run. 'iv i 000t.3 SECTION EDITORS Jimmy Davy, Deputy Sports Editor, days, 259-6022 Ted Power, Assistant Sports Editor, nights, 259-8014 To report sports news: 259-6010 Sports fax machine: 259-8826 Former Loretto High and Motlow State pitcher David Weathers threw eight shutout innings in his first majoMeague start as Florida beat San Diego 2-0. Weathers retired the side in order five times and allowed only three singles.

the Braves: Seattle at Baltimore, 6:30 p.m., ESPN; Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m., WGN; Florida at San Diego, 9:30 p.m., ESPN. Listings, 5C. MATTHEWS plinary measures. Mora Taneyhill, 3C..