The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 25

-1 L.C. COLE TSU's future looking bright Page 3C NBA 6C College hoops 6-7C Scoreboard 7C WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1997 Pr 3 rr 1 I David Climer oposed track may land outside Metro Woodson rates a look for Heisman ing millions of dollars. If the track is built outside the county, it would leave Nashville without a racetrack for the first time in approximately 50 years. The State Fair Board, which governs Nashville Speedway, three weeks ago agreed to sell the historic track's lease to the Dover Downs-Gaylord group. The assumption was that a new track would be built in Nashville.

Fair Board member Tom Curtis said yesterday that building the new track outside the county would not affect the agreement as long as it is "reasonably close" to Davidson. spokesman Alan Hall said yesterday, "but if it cant be done, due to zoning or whatever, we will support whatever site is available." Shannon Hunt, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said Bredesen "preferred a site within the county," even though he realized it would be "difficult" to locate. Hunt said Bredesen will "work aggressively to help identify a site." If no in-county site can be located, Hunt said Bredesen will address that situation when it arises. The county in which the track is located stands to reap tremendous economic benefits, potentially total suggestions about potential sites, inside and outside the county. "Our commitment to Mayor Phil Bredesen was to build the track in Davidson County if at all possible, and that's still our position," McGlynn said.

But if no site can be found, McGlynn said the search will extend outside the county. Gaylord Entertainment, a partner in the project, intends to participate regardless of location. "Our preference is to have the track inside the county," Gaylord 1 Efforts have been made in recent years to build a superspeedway in various Midstate counties, including Robertson, Williamson and Bedford. Each effort has stalled, due to zoning, financial or other barriers. McGlynn said there is no set deadline when a site must be selected for the track to be ready for its projected startup in two years.

"You cant lock yourself into a definite timetable because one stretch of bad weather could change everything," he said. "But we are confident that we have plenty of time to get everything in place." Manning vs. Vandy 1994(atVanderbilt) Tennessee 65, Vandy 0 It was Gerry DiNardo's final game as Vandy coach and the Vols ran (406 yards) all over the Commodores. Comp Art Yds TD Int 10 16 141 2 0 1995 (at Tennessee) Tennessee 12, Vandy 7 Rod Dowhower was the Vandy coach and Woody Widenhofer the defensive coordinator. The Vols trailed 7-6 for much of the game, but cranked up a 69-yard scoring drive in the final minutes to triumph.

Comp Att Yds TD bit 26 42 265 0 0 1996(atVanderbilt) Tennessee 14, Vandy 7 Dowhower and Widenhofer were still on the job at Vandy. UT did all its scoring in the second quarter. Comp Att Yds TD bit 17 35 163 0 1 Manning's season averages (passing yards): Year 1994 1995 1996 1997 11 12 12 10 Avg 120.9 261.4 308.0 328.7 FILE I I ll Jv v. I st By LARRY WOODY Sports Writer The planned new Nashville su-perspeedway may not be located in Nashville after all. Although Dover Downs Entertainment hopes to build a $25 million track inside Davidson County "if at all possible," President Denis McGlynn yesterday cracked the door to other possibilities.

McGlynn said no suitable acre site has been found in Davidson County on which to construct a racetrack that would start at 50,000 seats but could be expanded. He said he has received many Cowboys baffling to Switzer QB knows score, but coach confused By PAUL KUHARSKY Sports Writer Barry Switzer, coach of the love them or hate them Dallas Cowboys, heads into tomorrow's game against the Oilers sounding like a broken man who just cannot figure his team out. His conversation with the Tennessee press corps was littered with declarations about how bad his mmmmhm team is: "I guess we OILERS AT are a struggling cowboys KJLT, 3 p.m. tomor- team mat.s im. wsmv rhTa Paving, I look at "el 4- Jadl0: team that's got 104.5-FM.

some weapons I McNair has a mat going t0 good practice, get better and on 5C. better. I think they probably feel better about themselves than we probably do." "We cant score points. Hell, we only scored one offensive touchdown last week in a 45-17 loss at Green Bay, We cant score, we cant put the ball in the end zone, simple as that Been that way all year. It's a frustrating thing." "We're beat up right now and I dont know if we feel real good about ourselves." "I dont think anybody's scared to death of the Dallas Cowboys right now." Dallas is 6-6, just like the Oilers, and just like the Oilers their playoff hopes cant withstand another loss.

"I think we all recognize that in order to get in we have to win the next four," quarterback Troy Aik-man said. "I dont think we get in at 9-7. I think maybe another team gets in at 9-7, but I dont think that we have a chance with the tiebreakers "We're fortunate that we've got three out of four at home, but we're still playing some good football teams. We havent won more than two in a row yet this year, so if we're going to do it, we certainly have our work cut out for us. And Turn to PAGE 5C, Column 3 I i Just got off the phone with a guy at the Downtown Athletic Club and boy and I confused.

He recited the criteria for the Heisman Trophy and there was no clause, no caveat, no exclusionary policy that bans defensive players from the award. You sure? "The electors are told to vote for the most outstanding college football player in the country in the 1997 season," said Sean Ingram, coordinating director of the Heisman Memorial Trophy Committee, and a very busy man. It's not limited only to quarterbacks, running backs and the occasional Notre Dame wide receiver? "The most outstanding college football player in the country," said Ingram, impatience cutting through his words like a New York cabbie zipping through rush hour traffic. But arent stats a factor? "That's up to the individual voter," he said, revving the engines. So it's permissible to consider Charles Woodson? "He's certainly eligible," he said, slamming on the brakes.

Oh. This flies in the face of local, orange-tinted opinion. Radio Free Vol keeps whining that Peyton Manning deserves the Heisman a view that has considerable merit while suggesting that Woodson be ignored. The screaming orange apologists complain that a full-time corner-back and part-time wide receiver and punt returner who only touches the ball a half-dozen times each Saturday exerts minimal influence on a game. Oh, really? It kind of makes you wonder how UT wouldVe fared against Florida if the Vols could have assigned a cornerback to shadow Jacquez Green and prevented, let's see, eight catches for 185 yards.

OK, Tennessee still wouldVe lost But maybe it wouldVe been closer. In large part, the value and performance of a great defensive back is charted by how few times his gloved hands touch leather, not how many. Quarterbacks, be it Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf, are taught to avoid throwing in the general vicinity of a receiver who is wearing a defender like a second jersey. As for Michigan's use of Woodson as a wide receiver, his 11 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns in just 71 offensive snaps indicate either he is a remarkable talent, Big Ten secondaries havent quite mastered this three-wideout formation, or both. Statistics, then, are in the eyes of the beholder and on the ballot of the voter.

After 62 years of statistical overkill, many believe it is time for a defensive player to win. Rudy Ris-ka, executive director of the sponsoring organization, says he "would like to see a player like Woodson win it" because "it would be good, not only for the Heisman Trophy, but for college football." Truth be known, Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green deserved it in 1980. You can make a case for --linebacker Percy Snow of Michigan State in "89. And what about Washington defensive tackle Steve Emtman in 91? Or Florida State linebacker Marvin Jones in 92? So who gets my vote? The polls are still open. It's either Manning or Woodson, Woodson or Manning.

Ultimately, IU vote for the most outstanding college football player of 1997. I just havent decided who it is yetB David Climer is a Tennessean senior writer. He can be reached at 259-8020. Peyton Manning confers with Tennessee assistant coach Randy Sanders during test year's Vanderbilt game, a 14-7 ITwin. Vols QB studies how to score on Vandy ras.

2) 7 -rn vhrn locomotive. Manning has broken school records, as well as Southeastern Conference marks. He's coming off a 523-yard, five touchdown performance last week against Kentucky, and making a strong bid for Heisman Trophy. But he has yet to solve the Vanderbilt riddle at least not during Woody Widenhofer era. On Monday, Manning called Turn to PAGE 3C, Column 4 By CHRIS LOW Sports Writer KNOXVILLE Nobody needs to remind Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning about his struggles the past two seasons against the Vanderbilt defense.

Manning, his own worst critic, has made it a point to remind himself and his teammates. If that doesnt do it, all he has to do, as he's fond of saying, is pop on the film. The Vols 12-7 and 14-7 escapes the past two seasons Woods' recognition helps get Rhodes in Vanderbilt at Tennessee When: Saturday, 11 am Where: at Knoxville TV: WTVF Channel 5 Radio: 1 51 Tennessee gave up a lot of yards to Kentucky, but that may not help Vandy, on 3C. UT notebook, on 3C. hall of fame in 1990.

All the same, This has been too long coming. I dont think Ted would have made it if it wasnt for the Woods thing," said David Jones, a veteran golfer who knew Rhodes, but in his later years. "Ted was already sick when I came to Nashville, kidney trouble. But he still had one of the greatest swings." Peggy White, Rhodes' daughter who lives in Chicago, said her father's selection is very emotional for her, something she felt should have happened all along. 'V produces W's Junior forward Vince Ford is known as to his friends.

Vanderbilt calls him "offense" with his 10.5 scoring average. The difference from last year, when he scored a total of 11 points? "I just play more," he said. The Commodores try for their fifth consecutive .) FORD were just close enough to make everyone wearing orange squirm. "I'm very aware that we havent thrown a touchdown the past two years and that we just havent played very well offensively," Manning said. "Each year is a new year, and this is "97.

But the past two years it's a real challenge." Although he would never admit it publicly, Manning is much more than just aware. As a guy who meets challenges head-on, he's barreling into this one like a run lin sometime in 1998. While sitting in tradition-steeped Butler Cabin at Augusta National just moments after his Masters triumph, Woods thanked Rhodes for pioneering the way to make golf accessible for minorities. Woods also mentioned the influence of Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder both students of Rhodes, who taught under shade trees and in vacant lots because he was not welcome at golf courses. Rhodes was the first black professional to play in a U.S Open (1948).

In that same year, Rhodes wrote letters, picketed and finally became Lakers' streak ends Tim Hardway and Jamal Mashburn led a second-half surge as the Miami Heat handed Los Angeles a 103-86 loss to end the Lakers' win streak at 11 games. Pippen says he's serious about trade; NBA report, 6C. NBC hires Thomas Former Toronto Raptors general manager Isiah Thomas, who resigned last week, was hired yesterday by NBC the lead analyst on the network's NBA telecasts. away the the state Hall part of a lawsuit to put pressure on the PGA not to apply racially motivated exclusions from the PGA Tour. But the organization simply changed its format to "invitation only." "Had he been born 40 to 50 years later, everybody would have known about Teddy Rhodes," said Elder, the first black golfer to play in the Masters.

Said Sifford: "He was the black Jack Nicklaus. His story is one of the great tragedies of golf I still grieve for Teddy Rhodes, a legend that was never allowed to The Los Angeles Lakersorie Blount and Miami's Mark Strickland collide. "I think he would have been very very proud. Being the best in golf was his dream, and it's unfortunate all these wonderful things didnt happen when he was alive." Rhodes, who RHODES died of a heart attack at age 53 in 1969 after shooting 33 for nine holes on the Metro course that now bears his name, will be enshrined at the Golf House of Tennessee in Frank Arizona beats Kentucky again No. 1 Arizona showed it still can beat Kentucky, winning 89-74 last night In a repeat of the 1997 NCAA title game.

The win puts Arizona into the Maui Classic final tonight against No. 3 Duke (9:30 p.m., ESPN). On 6C. Lady Vols romp: Chamique Holdsclaw scored 27 points as top-ranked Tennessee beat Vermont 92-52 at home. On7C.

By JIMMY DAVY Senior Writer It has taken seven years and 11 other inductions before the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame got around to perhaps its most influential inductee so far, black golf pioneer Ted Rhodes. Last April, when Tiger Woods credited the memory of Rhodes as an inspiration on the way to becoming the first minority Masters champion, the Tennessee Golf Foundation finally took notice. Dick Horton, president of the foundation, says Rhodes was on the short list from the first day of the Sports Editor: John Gibson, 259-8022 Assistant Sports Editors: Laurie E. HoHoway, 259-8299 Michael Jones, 259-8013 Kevin Procter, 259-8014 Senior Writers: 1 Jimmy Davy, 259-8298 David Climer, 259-8020 To report sports news: 259-8010 Sports fax: 259-8826 I E-mail tips: tnsortstennessean.com Top QBs square off Friday's Class 5A semifinal between Riverdale and Sevier County will feature two of the top quarterbacks in the state. Rtverdale's Eric Locke Is more of a running quarterback, while Sevier County's Joey Mathews tends to throw the ball more.

On 4C. High school basketball got into full across the Midstate last night On4C AP victory tonlnht, hosting UT-Martin (7:30 p.m., 650-AM). Story, lineups on 6C..