Tyrone Daily Herald from Tyrone, Pennsylvania • Page 5

Tyrone Daily Herald, Tuesday. October 27, 1987 Page Five Four Perfect Teams Head UPI Grid Rankings By CHARUK MCCARTHY UPI Sports Writer NEW YORK (UPI) Four teams with perfect records remain, keeping alive the possibility of a second straight "college super bowl." Oklahoma, Nebraska, Miami and Syracuse, the only major schools with unblemished records, again highlighted UPI's weekly college football ratings Monday. Oklahoma, 7-0, totaled 741 of a possible 750 points and received 43 of 50 first-place votes from the UPI Board of Coaches as the nation's top six schools remained unchanged. The Sooners looked sluggish Saturday against Colorado but won 24-6. "Fumbles and penalties kept us from going well," Sooners Coach Barry Switzer said.

"Offensively, we didn't play a very good game. However, when we got into a fight, we did what we had to do." No. 2 Nebraska, 7-0, earned 698 points and six first-place votes after routing Kansas State 24-6. No. 3 Miami, 5-p, blasted Cincinnati 48-10 and received 654 points and the remaining top vote.

Louisiana State, Florida State and Auburn remained Nos. 4,5 and 6. LSU and the Seminoles were idle, while the Tigers downed Mississippi State 38-7. UCLA, Syracuse and Notre Dame followed, all jumping one spot. The Bruins romped over California 42-18 and the Irish defeated Southern Cal 26-15.

The Orangemen, 7-0, ripped Colgate 52-6. Indiana leaped two spots to No. 10 after beating Michigan 14-10. Following the Hoosiers were: No. 11 Florida, No.

12 Clemson, No. 13 Tennessee, No. 14 Georgia, No. 15 State, No. 16 Oklahoma State, No.

17 Alabama, No. 18'Michigan State, No. 19 South Carolina and No. 20 Arkansas. Oklahoma and Nebraska meet Nov.

21 in Lincoln, with an undefeated Big Eight champ likely emerging. That team could face an independent, Miami or Syracuse, in the Orange Bowl for the national title. Last season's champ, Penn State, upset the thenundefeated and No. 1 Hurricanes 14-10 on Jan. 2 in the Fiesta Bowl.

"They're No. 1 and No. 1-A," Kansas State Coach Stan Parrish said of the Sooners and Cornhuskers. "I think Nebraska is stronger, but Oklahoma is quicker. I'll tell you what, when those two play there will be some collisions on this field off the Richter Scale.

They have everything. That's why they have a zero at the end of their record." The Hoosiers, who entered the ratings last week for the first time in more than a year, knocked the Wolverines from the rankings. Indiana's previous victory over Michigan was in 1967 on the way to a Rose Bowl appearance. "These guys aren't high school All-Americans or blue chippers," said Indiana Coach Bill Mallory, whose team is 4-0 in the Big Ten. "They are kids who are hungry to be successful.

I like these kind of kids. I can relate to them. I want people who will go out and bust their butts to get things done." Clemson, last week's No. 7 at 6-0, lost to North Carolina State 30-28 after trailing 30-0 at halftime. The loss all but ended the Tigers' hopes of a national crown, but not necessarily major bowl bid.

"Yeah, we're looking at Clemson," Sugar Bowl President Jerry Romig said. "That defeat hurt because they really should have beaten North Carolina State, but we haven't given up on them yet." The Volunteers, 29-15 victors over Georgia Tech, bolted three spots to No. 13. The Bulldogs pulled out a 14-10 victory over Kentucky and the Buckeyes stomped Minnesota 42-9, but each dropped one notch to Nos. 14 and 15.

The Cowboys moved up three spots to No. 16 after beating Missouri 24-20, while the Spartans dropped three despite tying Illinois 14-14. The Gamecocks vaulted one spot to No. 19 after downing East Carolina 34-12. The Razorbacks, who downed Houston 21-17, were the only new entry in the Top 20.

Arkansas trailed Houston 17-14 midway through the fourth quarter, but a 16-yard touchdown throw from Quinn Grovey to Derek Russell gave the Razorbacks the victory. "Coach (Ken) Hatfield gave us a motivational speech at halftime," Arkansas linebacker Erik Whitted said. "He said we weren't playing like Razorbacks." Also idle were the Gators, who remained No. 11, and the Crimson Tide, who moved up one spot to No. 17.

The 1988 national champion will receive a $32,000 nonathletic scholarship the from the Gerrits Foundation and United Press International. Grid Ratings Copyright by UPI NKW YOKK (UPI I The United Press Internutiimul Kourd of Couches' Top 21) culleKe football rulings, with firsl- pluce voles and record in parentheses, total points I bused on 15 points Tor first place, 14 for second, and last week's ranking: 1. Oklahoma (431 (7-0) 741 1 2. Nebraska (6) (7-01 698 2 3. Miami (I) (5-U) 654 3 4.

Louisiana St. (6-0-1) 555 4 5. Florida State (6-1) 547 5 6. Auburn (6-0-1) 498 6 7. UCI.A (6-1) 443 8 8.

Syracuse (7-0) 418 9 Notre Dame (5-1) 32510 10. Indiana (6-1) 23612 11. Florida (5-2) 21911 12. Clemson (6-1) 161 7 13. Tennessee (5-1-1) 14716 14.

Georgia (6-2) 117 13 15. Ohio State (5-1-1) 7914 16. Oklahoma State (6-1) 4419 17. Alabama (5-2) 3218 18. Michigan State (4-2-1) 2015 19.

South Carolina (5-2) 1920 20. Arkansas (5-2) II z-unrunked Others receiving votes: Air Force, Arizona State, Michigan, Penn State. Pittsburgh, San Jose State, Texas The MIKH national champion will receive a non-athletic scholarship from the Gerrits Koundation and United Press International. Note: Ky agreement with the American Koolball Coaches Association, teams on NCAA forbidden to compete in a bowl are ineligible for the Top 20 and national championship consideration by the UPI Hoard of Coaches. Those teams Mississippi and Texas Christian.

are Browns Upend Rams Dozier Sparks Vikes i By BILL VVOLLE UPI Sports Writer Cleveland's Felix Wright had played better games as a professional. Those games, however, were in the Canadian Football League, and without his family watching. Wright intercepted two passes and returned the second one 40 yards for a touchdown Monday night to highlight a 20-point second quarter that sparked the Browns to a 30-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Stadium. "I guess I was in the right place at the right time," he said. "It felt good because I know my family and Football Almanac Today is Tuesday, Oct.

27. The Jan. 1 college bowl games are 66 days away. The Super Bowl is 96 days away. At 5-1, the Chargers are off to their best start since 1968.

Fit To Be Tied The Jets, New England, Buffalo and Indianapolis are tied at 3-3 atop the AFC East. Miami, at 2-4, is alone in last place. Moving Up The Buccaneers, 3-3, and Chargers, 5-1, have one more victory than all of last season. Indianapolis, 3-3, has equaled its win total of last year. Buffalo, 3-3, Houston, 4-2, and Green Bay, 3-2-1, are one shy of their 1986 victory count.

What's In A Lead Florida's two NFL teams blew huge leads. Miami was ahead of Buffalo 21-0, but lost 34-31 in overtime. Tampa Bay was in front of Chicago 20-0, but lost 27-26. North of the Border The Winnipeg Blue Bombers lead the Canadian Football League's Eastern Division at 11-5 while the Edmonton Eskimos and British Columbia Lions are tied at 10-6 in the West. Late Surge Indiana University, surprise leaders of the Big Ten, has outscored its last three opponents 34-3 in the second half.

Shouldering the Problem "That first series when I took off and ran and got hit, it didn't bother me. I didn't worry about it after that." Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who underwent shoulder surgery and was sidelined 11 months. He returned Sunday to rally the Bears over the Buccaneers. Chicago Coach Mike Ditka said McMahon will start Sunday against the Chiefs. Staying Put The Oilers and the Houston Sports Association agreed on a new lease that will keep the team in Houston.

The Oilers had been considering a move to Jacksonville, Fla. Vote of Confidence Lions owner Williams Clay Ford said Coach Darryl Rogers will not be fired during the season despite a 1-5 record this year and a 13-25 mark in his three seasons with Detroit. Ford was visibly upset with his team's 34-33 loss to Green Bay. friends back home in Missouri were watching on television and praying." Wright once had four interceptions in a game to help the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a victory in the 1984 Grey Cup of the CFL. "But the two interceptions I had (Monday night) feel better because this is the National Football League," he said.

Wright also had a 68-yard interception return that set up one of three field goals by rookie Jeff Jaeger as the Browns improved to 4-2 and moved into a tie for first in the AFC Central. Bernie Kosar threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Brian Brennan and Kevin Mack added a 16-yard scoring run for the Browns. "It wasn't very picturesque at times, but winning's the only thing that matters," Cleveland Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. Jk ttott NFL Standings, Results, Schedule American Conference Buffalo Indianapolis NewRngland NYJets Miami Cleveland Houston Pittsburgh Cincinnati SanDicgo Seattle Denver LARaidcrs KansasCity Kasl 1. Pel.

PK PA 330 .500 115 156 330 .500 121 89 330 .500 113 12B 330 .500 151 144 240 .333 168 133 Central 420 .667 149 80 420 .667 149 124 420 .667 133 121 240 .333 95 125 West 5 1 0 .833 133 104 420 .667 166 118 3 2 1 .583 150 139 330 .500 126 112 1 5 0 .167 89 201 National Conference Washington Dallas St. Louis Philadelphia NYGiants Chicago GrccnBay Minnesota TampaBay Detroit SanFrancisco NcwOrlcans Atlanta LARams Kasl 1. Pet. PF PA 5 1 0 .833 150 101 330 .500 135 134 240 .333 128 152 2 4 0 .333 123 163 1 5 0 .167 99 142 Central 5 1 0 .833 160 77 3 2 1 .583 106 115 330 .500 122 132 330 .500 141 111 1 5 0 .167 119 179 West 5 1 0 .833 168 144 330 .500 142 123 240 .333 117 178 1 5 0 .167 110 153 Los Angeles fell to 1-5. Running back Eric Dickerson, involved in a contract renegotiation dispute, only played in the second quarter and scored on a 27-yard run.

Dickerson, who entered the game averaging 112.6 yards a game over his five-year career, totaled 38 yards on seven carries. Dickerson said an aggravated charley horse in his right leg limited his play and added his contract demands "aren't greedy." "When Eric Dickerson is finished with his football career, do you think my teammates are going to send me a check to pay my mortgage or my mother a check for her mortgage? Uh, uh. This is for self," he said. Ex-Brown Charles White started in place of Dickerson and scored on a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter before finishing with 54 yards on 13 carries. Kosar completed 19 of 30 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Rams quarterback Jim Everett was 21 of 50 for 227 yards and three interceptions. In Monday night's other game, the Minnesota Vikings downed the Denver Broncos 34-27 in a game delayed a day because of Game 7 of the World Series. Vikings 34, Broncos 27 At Minneapolis, rookie D.J. Dozier ran for three touchdowns to power Minnesota. Darrin Nelson rushed for 98 yards for the Vikings, 3-3, who gained 1.97 yards on the ground.

Minnesota quarterback Wade Wilson finished 13 of 23 for 196 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted five times. John Elway finished 22 of 39 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Denver, 3-2-1. GRID MENU Sunday's Results Houston 37, Atlanta 33 Washington 17, NY Jets 16 Buffalo 34, Miami 31 (OT) Indianapolis 30, New England 16 Chicago 27, Tampa Ray 26 San Francisco 24, New Orleans 22 Pittsburgh 23, Cincinnati 20 Philadelphia 37, Dallas 20 Green Bay 34, Detroit 33 San Diego 42, Kansas City 21 NY Giants 30, St. Louis 7 Seattle 35, LA Raiders 13 Monday's Itesults Minnesota 34, Denver 27 Cleveland 30, LA Rams 17 Sunday's Games Indianapolis at NY Jets, 1 p.m. Houston at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Chicago, 1 p.m. LA Raiders at New England, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Atlanta, 1 p.m. Tampa Bay vs. Gr.

Bay 1 p.m. Washington at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Philadelphia at St. Louis, 1 p.m. Pittsburgh at Miami, 1 p.m.

Minnesota at Seattle, 4 p.m. Cleveland at San Diego, 4 p.m. San Francisco at LA Rams, 4 p.m. Detroit at Denver, 4 p.m. Monday's Game NY Giants at Dallas, 9 p.m.

-FRIDAY(Varsity Games) Tyrone at Chief Logan Juniata Valley at Bellwood-Antis Indiana at Altoona Claysburg at Kverett Central at Hollidaysburg at Huntingdon Ml. Union at West Branch Lewistown at B.E.A. Bellefonte at Penns Valley Glendale at Mo Valley DuBois at Clearfield Bishop Carroll at Cambria Hts. Berlin at Shade Northern Cambria at Bishop McCort Portage at Central Cambria Windber at Chestnut Ridge Blairsville at Saltsburg Conemaugh Twp. at Somerset Curwensville at Punxsy Penns Manor at Homer Center Lock Haven at Jersey Shore Ligonier Valley at Penn Cambria Marion Center at Purchase Line Southern H-don at Tussey -SATURDAY(Varsity Games) Bishop Guilfoyle at Jtwn.

Vo-Tech Williamsburg at Northern Bedford Bedford at Westmont-Hilltop North Star at Richland Conemaugh Valley at Blacklick Ferndale at Meyersdale Juniata at Halifax United at Laurel Valley Youth Football Bellwood-Antis YFL vs Tyrone YFL all-star game, 6 p.m. at Gray Field. The Tyrone Area Jayvee football squad delivered three first-half scoring strikes to leave visiting Clearfield reeling and then turned the job over to a gritty defense to secure a 17-9 victory here yesterday. "We had some sacks and forced a couple of big turnovers again," observed coach Matt Ray. "But overall our defense did a great job as a team and our offense was able to move the football.

It was just a good win and a good team effort," he said, watching the Baby Eagles end a four-game losing streak and head into next Monday's finale at Huntingdon with a 3-4 record. The Eagles' Jays had all their points up before the Bisons got on the Scoreboard via a late ist-half safety resulting from a bad snap that sailed through the end zone on a Tyrone punt attempt. John Supina got them untracked with a 44-yard scoring run in the opening period. Sam Patton returned a fumble 35 yards for another six in the 2nd quarter and a Supina-to-Chris Morgan PAT pass and a 30-yard field goal by Supina ran the count to 17-0. Clearfield rung up its final points on a 12-yard run in hte 3rd quarter to set the final score at 17-9.

Pirates Sign Thrift To New 2-Year Contract PITTSBURGH (UPI) The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed General Manager Syd Thrift to a two-year contract, the team announced Monday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. announcement came three days after the resignation of the club's president, Malcolm Prine, who said he and Thrift could not work together. Thrift has been the Pirates' GM since November 1985. He is credited with making key trades that helped the team tie for fourth this season in the National League East following three straight years in the cellar.

In rebuilding the Pirates, Thrift traded several highly paid, established stars, including pitchers Rick Rhoden and Rick Reuschel, second baseman Johnny Ray and catcher Tony Pena. He brought in several young players, such as pitchers Mike Dunne and Doug Drabek, outfielder Andy Van Slyke, catcher Mike LaValliere and first baseman Sid Bream. "We all recognize Syd's tremendous accomplishments during the past two years," said Carl Barger, who became the team's interim president following Prine's departure last week. "We are confident that under (Thrift's) direction the baseball club will continue to progress toward the goal of bringing championship baseball to Pittsburgh." Thrift's future with the club seemed in doubt as recently as a week ago, when he sought permission to negotiate with other teams because of a contract dispute with Prine. Thrift said at the time he could not accept contract language that would have forced him to seek Prine's permission to make any decision, including those involving trades and other personnel matters.

On Friday, Prine resigned, saying he and Thrift could not achieve "the necessary harmonious relationship." Thrift's official title is senior vice president and general manager for baseball operations. Thrift had 26 years in professional baseball before becoming the Pirate GM, including 11 years with the team as scouting supervisor and spring training instructor. He also was director of the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy for four years. The Pirates also announced the appointment of Larry Doughty as assistant to the general manager. Doughty until recently was director of scouting for the Cincinnati Reds.

Doughty will assist Thrift with player development, trades and contract negotiations, a team spokesman said. Final Registration For Men's Cage Leagues The Tyrone Area YMCA will conclude registrations for both of its men's basketball league problems today. Deadline for both the 30-and- Over League and the Open League is reached today. Persons who have not yet signed up, or those wishing additional info on either league, should call the YMCA office, 684-2740. Steelers Proving Tough In 4th Quarter PITTSBURGH (UPI) One year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were 1 -6 and all but mathematically eliminated from the AFC Central Division race.

This season, they are 4-2, and Coach Chuck Noll believes the difference is in the fourth quarter. The Steelers currently own a share of the AFC Central Division lead along with the Houston Oilers, and Noll told his Monday press conference at Three Rivers Stadium that Sunday's 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was significant for more than its effect on the standings. What the Steelers did against the Bengals was erase a 20-10 deficit with 13 points in the third quarter, and that type of comeback was something they never accomplished during last year's 6-10 season. It's essential to play well in the fourth quarter, because in the NFL that's where games are won and lost," said Noll. "The good teams are the teams that play well in the fourth quarter." With Sunday's victory, the regular Steelers raised their personal record to 2-1, the equal of the replacement team, but Noll was happy to see his defense come up with key big plays just as it had before the 24-day National Football League strike.

Linebacker Bryan Hinkle had two interceptions for the Steelers on Sunday, and on one he lateraled to cornerback Delton Hall who then raced 25 yards for Pittsburgh's first touchdown. On the season, the Steelers have forced 19 turnovers in six games, and strong safety Donnie Shell is the only refurning starter in the secondary from last season. Pittsburgh also helped its cause against the Bengals by not committing a turnover. "We're a little more physical football team than we were last season, especially on defense," said Noll. "We've been a big play defense, and that's the key to the whole thing.

We're better than we were last year, much better. Our secondary is significantly better." The Steelers defensive backfield was bolstered this season by the return of veteran cornerback Dwayne Woodruff from knee surgery, and by the addition of two rookies Hall, a second-round draft choice from Clemson, and Thomas Everett, the free safety the team picked on the third round from Baylor. Hall, who had an interception in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, has scored two touchdowns this season in only three games. "Hall is the kind of cornerback we were looking for," said Noll. "He has the ability to run, cover and hit.

He's big, strong and fast, and he's learning the position. We like him a lot." What Noll didn't like was the way the Three Rivers Stadium crowd treated Steelers quarterback Mark Malone. The sellout crowd booed Malone before he even took the first offensive snap, and at one point in the second half, they chanted, go home, Malone. "Our guys were talking about it the anger that was directed at Mark and the way he stood in there like a champ and took it," said Noll. "It's better than the fans sitting on their hands.

As far as our players are concerned, if the fans are into it and going after it, it excites them. But what happened here is tougher than playing on the road. On the road, you expect everybody to be against us. "But I hope the fans remember we're not just the Steelers, but the Pittsburgh Steelers, and we'd like to keep it the Pittsburgh Steelers. They're part of it, too." The Steelers also waived five replacement players and rookie safety Bruce Jones to reduce their roster to 58 players.

The team must get down to 55 by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The replacement players waived were former Penn State punter John Bruno, running back Dan Reeder, defensive lineman Tommy Dawkins and linebackers Joe Williams and Albert Williams. West Va. Visits Stadium Saturday: Nehlen Looking For State's Best Punch SPORTS DEALS Baseball Pittsburgh Signed General Manager Syd Thrift to a 2-year contract; named Larry Doughty assistant general manager.

Basketball Albany (CBA) Traded guard Lamar Harris, forward Earl Harrison and center Kent Wojciechoski to Mississippi for guard Mitch Wiggins. Chicago Waived forwards Scott Meents and Tom Sheehey. Detroit Signed guard Vinnie Johnson to a 3-year contract. Seattle Matched offer sheet from Phoenix for center Alton Lister. College NCAA Placed Virginia Tech's basketball team on probation for two years and banned it from postseason tournaments for this season and next; limited the football team to 85 scholarships for each of the next three seasons.

Temple Announced quarterback James Thompson left the football team. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (UPI) Maybe the longtime rivlary has something to do with it. West Virginia head football coach Don Nehlen did not say Monday. Rather, he spoke of the Nittany Lions' humbling loss to Syracuse and a one-week layoff as reasons for his Mountaineers to expect some heavy artillery when they come calling Saturday in University Park, Pa.

"I look for us to take Penn State's best punch," Nehlen said Monday. "Joe (Paterno) will have had two weeks to get the injured healed and everyone ready and fired up." The Mountaineer offense fired itself up Saturday against Boston College, enough to make Nehlen do some uncharacteristic boasting. "We can throw short, we can throw long, we can run option football, we can run wishbone football, we can run power football," he said. "(Opponents) never know which gun we are going to shoot." Nehlen is usually cautious when he discusses the WVU offense but he cannot disregard some telling Penn Staters Stock NFL '87 Rosters UNIVERSITY PARK Figures compiled by the National Football League reveal that Penn State had more players on opening day rosters than any other college or university. When the NFL opened its regular season on September 13, there were 33 former Nittany Lions including among the 45-man allowable limit for each of the League's 28 teams.

Southern California was second in NFL alumni with 32 followed by Texas and Washington with 26 apiece. Two teams Buffalo and the Los Angeles Raiders each had three Penn State products on their opening day rosters. The list of former Lions included eight members of last year's National Championship team, two of them (Shane Conlan by Buffalo and D.J. Dozier by Minnesota) first round draft choices. Other members of the 1986 titlists making NFL teams included (team in parenthesis): Mitch Frerotte (Buffalo), Steve Smith (LA Raiders), Tim Manoa (Cleveland), Chris Conlin (Miami), Tim Johnson (Pittsburgh) and Don Graham (Tampa Bay).

The team-by-team breakdown: Shane Conlan, Mitch Frerotte, LB Scott Radecic; Cleveland FB Tim Manoa; Houston Mike Munchak; Kansas City QB Todd Blackledge, SS Mark Robinson; Los Angeles Raiders Chris Bahr, LB Matt Millen, FB Steve Smith; Miami Chris Conlin, CB Paul Lankford; New England Sean Farrell; New York Jets FS Harry Hamilton, TE Mickey Shuler; Pittsburgh DT Tim Johnson; Seattle RB Curt Warner. FB Matt Suhey; Dallas Tom Rafferty; Detroit G. Keith Dorney; Los Angeles Rams FB Mike Guman, Irv Pankey; Minnesota LB Walker Ashley, RB D.J. Dozier; New Orleans DE Bruce Clark, T. Ml Contz; New York Giants -T Brad Benson; Philadelphia WR Gregg Garrity, WR Kenny Jackson; San Francisco 49ers DE Pete Kugler; Tampa Bay LB Don Graham, Ron Heller; Washington LB Rich Milot.

statistics of late. In a three-game winning streak, the Mountaineers have amassed 1,392 yards and outscored the opposition 131-33. The latest victory came Saturday when the Mountaineers stunned BC 37-16 at Chestnut Hill, Mass. While the offense was slow in getting cranked up, the defense has played consistently well. The Nittany Lions, 5-2, will try to rebound from an embarrassing 48-21 loss at Syracuse on Oct.

17. Redshirt freshman Major Harris feels the victory over BC put his club "over the hump." "Now going into Penn State, we've got the momentum in our favor," said Harris, who connected on seven of 10 aerials for 156 yards and one touchdown against the Eagles. "I think we can beat Penn State, too." Nehlen said, "It was especially gratifying to beat a team of EC's caliber on the road. "At this time of year some teams are getting worse while some teams are getting better," he said. "Hopefully, we're one of those teams getting stronger." Last year, after seven games had been played, the Mountaineers were 2-5 and headed for a sixth consecutive loss in the eighth game against Penn State, a 19-0 whitewash in Morgantown).

West Virginia's coaching staff named Harris and tailback A.B. Brown (111 yards on 20 carries) as offensive co-champions for the BC game. Linebacker Theron Ellis was named defensive champion. Big 8 Grid Conference Standings TRAM Tyrone Philipsburg-Osceola Huntingdon Bald Kagle Area Bellefonte Lewistown Chief Logan Central 4-1-0 5-2-0 5-2-0 3-2-0 2-3-0 1-3-0 1-3-0 0-5-0 McConnell, Thomas Among Nation's Top Women's Basketballers UNIVERSITY PARK Penn State senior Suzie McConnell (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and freshman Stephenie Thomas (Washington, D.C.) are among the nation's top women's basketball players, according to Dick Vitale's Basketball magazine. McConnell, a 5-3 guard, was named to the magazine's second five All- America list.

Thomas, a G-0 forward, was listed among the nation's 20 best freshmen. In the Ail-American segment, writer Kim Boatman said of McConnell, "She sets standards for passing and flash at the point." McConnell has been the nation's top passing guard for two straight years and has a school record 1,014 career assists at Penn State. Thomas scored more than 1,500 and collected over 1 000 rebounds as'a three-year starter at Woodrow Wilson High School..