The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 52

C4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1997 LOS ANGELES TIMES The vital statistics and inside track on Coach Bobby Bowden, after Florida State turned a 7-0 halftime lead into a 38-0 victory over Georgia Tech: "It was a little frustrating at halftime. I was begging game day a little more than I usually do." UUIIfnir 111 "73 NO. 1 PENN STATE 16, MINNESOTA 15 n.nn vi.nj i 4 I 3 Nittany Lions Almost Wait Too Long to Get It Going tr I 1 1 Associated Press From Associated Press STATE COLLEGE, State wanted to avoid a letdown. What it got was more like a meltdown. A week after an emotional victory over Ohio State, Penn State had to score twice in the fourth quarter Saturday to beat lowly Minnesota, 16-15, and keep alive hopes for a national championship.

"It was a win. You shouldn't apologize for it," Penn State Coach Joe Paterno said. "We just couldn't seem to get into a groove. We tried things but they were ready for us. They the players were fortunate it was a win.

I hope they learn for it." Chris Snyder's fumble recovery set up Curtis Enis' game-winning, 10-yard touchdown run with 3:59 to play. "It was like a gift from God," linebacker Jim Nelson said. "You couldn't think of a more perfect time for those things to happen. Sometimes championship teams get lucky. Call it what you will but things went our way." The Nittany Lions, 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten, overcame a 15-3 lead that Minnesota (2-5, 0-3) built on field goals of 52, 23, 32, 50 and 33 yards by Adam Bailey.

Minnesota's Crawford Jordan was called for pass interference on a third-down pass to Enis, giving Penn State a first down at the Gophers' six. Enis, who ran for 112 yards, scored on the next play and Penn State trailed, 15-10. "As much as I didn't want this type of ball game, we needed it. Luckily, knock on wood, we pulled it out," Enis said. Minnesota immediately turned the ball over when Cory Sauter's pass was intercepted by Dave Macklin at the Minnesota 34.

The Nittany Lions drove to a first-and-goal but turned the ball over on downs when Mike McQueary's pass skipped off the fingers of tight end Brad Scioli in the end zone. Penn State got another break three plays later when Minnesota turned the ball over again. Thomas Hamner, who provided much of the offensive spark for the Gophers with 154 yards rushing, dropped the ball on a pitch and Snyder recovered at the 10. Penn State went ahead on Enis' second touchdown run on the ensuing snap. NO.

2 NEBRASKA 29, TEXAS TECH 0 aVAk. tlx Penn State's Curtis Enis eludes Minnesota's Tyrone Carter en route to game-winning touchdown. Defense Gets Cornhuskers Out of a From Associated Press LINCOLN, Neb. -When Nebraska's offense misfires, the defense can still deliver a shutout. Ahman Green ran for 178 yards and a touchdown and No.

2 Nebraska recorded its first shutout of the season, 29-0 over Texas Tech. With No. 1 Penn State struggling to a 16-15 victory over Minnesota, the Cornhuskers could move to the top of Top 25 this week. Green led a powerful Nebraska rushing attack that started slowly but eventually found its stride. The Cornhuskers, 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12, rolled up 400 yards, just below their 401 -yard average.

"I think we have a good team and I think we are playing well," Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne said. "We are not unbeatable. We didn't run away from these guys." Texas Tech (3-3, 2-1) could do little against the swarming Cornhusker de Tough Spot inside the Texas Tech five when he fumbled. The ball rolled into the end zone, where offensive lineman John Zatechka recovered for another score. "I just fell on the ball.

Ahman brought it up there for me," Zatechka said. "There's not a lot of chances for me to touch the football." Dykes said Zatechka's score was "the key point" of the game. Down 16-0 with five minutes left in the third quarter, Texas Tech was still within striking range. "When they did that, it was just a matter of them finishing out the game and not letting us have anything," Dykes said. The Red Raiders lost kicker Jaret Greaser to a broken right leg on a freak play on their first possession.

A Nebraska rusher collided with Greaser's kicking leg after his 52-yard field goal attempt. 'w .1.1 'pji( upmnmr- 11 AT A GLANCE PENN STATE (6-0) BEAT MINNESOTA, 16-15 II Ij For the second time this year, the Nittany Lions figure jr to fell out of the No. 1 spot after a victory. Penn State's return ticket to the top coukf be punched in State College against Michigan in three weeks. Next at Northwestern, Nov.

8' NEBRASKA (6-0) BEAT TEXAS TECH, 29-0 The Comhuskers are into the soft underbelly of a schedule in which the record of their next five opponents is combined 14-19. Okay, how's this for a record: Tom Osborne is 25-0 in Nebraslalwmecoming games. Next at Kansas. kk FLORIDA STATE (64) BEAT GEORGIA TECH, 380 fX Can the Seminoles leap-frog the Nittany Lions and the Comhuskers to the top of the heap? WeJ, It depends what side of the football you look at it from. Florida State is No.

1 in total defense, Nebraska is No. 1 in total offense. Next at Virginia. Jf. N.

CAROLINA (7-0) BEAT N. CAROLINA ST, 20-7 Raindrops kept falling on the Tar Heels' heads but what was bothering them most was that they couldn't put away the rival Wotfpack until less than three minutes remained despite a 429-190 edge in total offense. Next at Georgia Tech. A. MICHIGAN (W) BEAT IOWA, 28-24 OH Taking literary license, "He who lives by the Sword, can win Xgr 'by the Sword." Well that's what the Wolverines did as linebacker Sam Sword's interception with 31 seconds left was the final blow to the Hawkeyes.

Next Sept. 13 at Michigan State. AUBURN (6-1) LOST TO FLORIDA, 24-10 Forget that "Dameyune Craig, Heisman Trophy Candidate" talk that was circulating after his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing performance last week. Craig was 18 of 34 for 187yaitlswithaninterceptJaiandfurnble. Next at Arkansas FLORIDA (6-1) BEAT AUBURN, 24-10 "Fun 'N Gun" became "Pick 'N Choose' fcr Gator Coach Steve Spurrier, who went to third-string quarterback (and fifth-year senior) Noah Brindise after No.

2 Jesse Palmer began to try rfcratieixwiOTfreshrtianrrtstakes. Next Georgia, Nov. 1. LSU (5-2) LOST TO MISSISSIPPI, 36-21 Tiger Coach Gerry DiNardo offered this explanation of how his team can beat the nation's No. 1 team one week then lose to a mktdie-of-the-road SEC team the next "They (Mississippi to us what we did to Florida." Next at Kentucky, Nov.

1. TENNESSEE (5-1) BEAT ALABAMA, 38-21 wijj As fast as Keith Jackson could say Allllllaaaaaabaaaaaama, Nr Peyton Manning had the Volunteers the command of the game. Manning rolled his seventh consecutive 300-yard-plus passing game. Next South Carolina, Nov. 1 WASHINGTON (5-1) BEAT ARIZONA, 58-28 11 The first cut Is the deepest freshman Ja'Warren Hooker on his first touch of the bal as a Husky-re-turnedthegame'soperunglw89yarc1sfrjraU Next Oregon State.

A OHIO STATE (6-1) BEAT INDIANA, 31-0 II As the Buckeyes went through the motions against the Big VjpJ Ten's alternative to an open date in the schedule, their bored fans only reacted to updates of the nail-biters at State College, Pa. and Ann Arbor, Mich. Next Northwestern. MICHIGAN ST. (5-1) LOST TO NORTHWESTERN, 19-17 The Spartans must be wondering just how much eligibility does that Autry fellow have left That was Darnel Autry's brother Adrian doing the damage this year, plowing through the nation's fourth-ranked rushing defense for 1 75 yards.

Next Michigan. pv WASHINGTON STATE (60) BEAT CALIFORNIA, 63-37 Kf The Point-a-Minute Cougars were particularly proficient in the first half, averaging a point every 43 seconds. Breaking It down by time of possession, they scored six first ftaif touchdowns in 8:22, an average of one every one minute 24 seconds. Next Arizona. Tv TEXAS (5-1) LOST TO KANSAS STATE, 36-17 (14) That undefeated record the Aggies brought into Manhat- tan, Kan.

was a mirage, as was a running game that vanished deep into theO-zone at minus-35 yards. Next at Texas Tech. T. IOWA (4-2) LOST TO MICHIGAN, 28-24 1 Kj The Hawkeyes simply let the Wolverines Griese by altow- tig Bob Griese's son Brian to have a hand in three touchdowns In the second half after making three interceptions off him in the first half. Next Indiana.

OKLAHOMA STATE (6-0) DD NOT PLAY sweet is- Bob Simmons, an assistant who was Vjbr passed over for trie Cokxato job three years ago whenBl McCartney stepped down, has one of the nation's six unbeaten tearrs.O)tcfa)hasfalkflofftiiefaceoftheTop25. Next Missouri UCLA (5-2) BEAT OREGON STATE, 34-10 Wm The words Heisman Trophy probably aren't In Cade mr McNown's vocabulary but he's putting up numbers deserving of the honor. McNown, a junior, became UCLA's career leader In total offense (6,320 yards). Next: California. fTx AIR FORCE (71) LOSTTO FRESNO STATE, 20-17 do) Fofget what was t0 1)6 in that ePic tettte of the unbeatens In the WAC championship game.

The Falcons finally had their wings clipped, while New Mexico was handed its long overdue first loss by Rice. Next at Hawaii. GEORGIA (4-1) BEAT VANDERBILT, 34-14 1 The Bulldogs bounced back from last week's lopsided Kr loss to Tennessee by picking apart the SEC's top-rated defense. They had 396 yards against a Vanderbilt defense that had allowed an average of 242. Next: Kentucky.

A KANSAS STATE (5-1) BEAT TEXAS 36-14 Wj The Wildcats polished off the previously unbeaten Aggies in Nebraska-like fashion, grinding out three long scoring drives in the second half. Next: at Oklahoma. GEORGIA TECH (4-2) LOSTTO FLORIDA STATE, 38-0 (2 1) The Yellowjackets played like they were in straightjack-ets, with only 144 yards of total offense and not getting past the Florida State 39-yard line. Next: North Carolina. VRGMIA TECH (5-1) DID NOT PLAY The Top 25 voters should have declared a tie for the 22nd spot Virginia Tech and West Virginia had open dates this week, play each other next week, are from the same conference (Big Eastjandhave identical records.

Next at West Virginia Sill Northwestern Simply fense. The Red Raiders finished with 127 yards and didn't reach 100 yards until 3:24 remained in the third quarter. Texas Tech's first possession ended with a missed field-goal attempt and the Red Raiders didn't penetrate Nebraska territory again until the 11 -minute mark of the fourth quarter. "We decreased the number of big plays against us," Osborne said. "The pass coverage was good.

The pass rush was good. The run defense was solid and we just made fewer mistakes. I'm satisfied with that progress." Texas Tech Coach Spike Dykes is a believer in Nebraska's strength. "It's just a hard day at the office when you play these folks," Dykes said. Green, who carried 24 times, has 2,873 yards in his career.

He is fourth on Nebraska's career list. Mike Rozier, the 1983 Heisman Trophy winner, is the school's top rusher with 4,780 yards from 1981-83. Green gave credit to Nebraska's de Dame telecast, NBC commentator Bob Trumpy said, "There is no other football team to talk about in Los Angeles there is UCLA, but that's a basketball school and the Rams and Raiders are gone." Broadcast partner Charlie Jones said, "You just alienated half the city of Los Angeles with that statement." Trumpy: "I got other things to worry about." Has Trumpy, who lives in Cincinnati, checked the rankings? And does he know which school is 6-0 in the USC-UCLA series over the past six years? HIP, HIP, HOORAY Ohio State had little difficulty in handling Indiana, 31-0, yet an Ohio Stadium crowd of 92,368 still went home disappointed. The Buckeyes built a 21-0 halftime lead and didn't allow Indiana inside the Ohio State 30. So the biggest cheers came whenever the scoreboard flashed potential upsets of top-ranked Penn State or No.

5 Michigan. Even Ohio State Coach John Cooper joined in. He was caught by a camera asking if Penn State's 15-3 deficit at home to Minnesota was in the fourth quarter. "I could see what was happening," Cooper said. "I could hear the crowd." But Penn State ended up pulling out a 16-15 win at home and Michigan overcame a 21-7 deficit to beat Iowa 28-24 at home.

AIR SCHMITZ 'North Carolina kicker Brian Schmltz drilled a 51 -yard field goal in a driving rainstorm midway through the third quarter to spark the No. 4 Tar Heels in their 20-7 victory over North Carolina State. After the field goal, the longest for the Tar Heels since 1987, Schmitz leaped toward the North Carolina sideline, a move that earned the 160-pound kicker some good-natured ribbing from his teammates? "Some of the boys around here I fense. "All we had to do was worry about moving the ball down the field and putting it in," Green said. After punting on its first two possessions, Nebraska opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal by Kris Brown.

In the second quarter, Scott Frost capped a 10-play, 71 -yard drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to fullback Joel Makovicka. Four plays later, the Cornhuskers took over again, this time near midfield. Green carried five times on a drive that died near the Texas Tech 25, and again Nebraska settled for a field goal from Brown, a 4 1 -yarder. Brown began the third quarter with a 44-yard field goal, finishing a nine-play, 44-yard drive to give Nebraska a 16-0 lead. Nebraska was threatening to score again when Green started a bizarre play.

After Green's 13-yard gain to the Tech 13, he gained nine yards and was I Smashing don't believe I can throw down dunks and stuff, so I guess I had to show them a little bit," Schmitz said. GETTING HER KICKS Uz Heaston of Willamette University became the first woman to play in a college football game when she kicked two extra points in Willamette's 27-0 victory over Linfield College at Salem, Ore. Heaston, a standout on the school's women's soccer team, was recruited by football coach Dan Hawkins to kick extra points for the Bearcats, who entered Saturday's game ranked No. 5 in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Officials from both the NCAA and the NAIA couldn't find record of a woman playing in a regular-season game. Heather Sue Mercer kicked a game-winning 28-yard field goal in Duke's spring scrimmage in 1995, but she didn't make the team. She has filed a sex discrimination lawsuit against Coach Fred Goldsmith. That same season, Kathy Klop suited up for Louisville, but she didn't get into the game. LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN Before his third-ranked Seminoles played host to No.

21 Georgia Tech in an Atlantic Coast Conference game, Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden talked about the resurgent Yellow Jacket program. "When I first got in this conference (in 1992) there was no doubt in my mind that the two biggest rivalries for us were going to be Georgia Tech and Clemson," Bowden said. "It hasn't happened yet, but if Tech keeps coming like they're coming it'll be soon." Maybe in the next millennium. Florida State's 38-0 victory was its sixth in a row against the Yellow Jackets. The Seminoles are 43-1 in ACC play with their only blemish a 1995 defeat at Virginia.

Compiled by Gary Klein and Larry Stewart There's smash-mouth football, and then there's another variety that might be called we'd-like-to-smash-you-in-the-mouth with a football. Northwestern players engaged in the former during its 19-17 Big Ten Conference victory over No. 12 Michigan State, and sounded like they wanted to try some of the latter afterward. "The defense came out and hit them in the mouth early and showed them what the game was going to be like, and the offense rammed the ball down their throats," Northwestern receiver Brian Musso said. Previously unbeaten Michigan State had feasted on mediocre opponents, outscoring them 185-54.

And several Wildcats felt the Spartans were looking past Northwestern to next week's game against Michigan. "What do they think? They think we don't read the newspaper?" defensive end Casey Dailey said of comments made during the week by Michigan State players. "If you think you're good enough to say those things and come out and prove them, by all means apparently they're not." SMASH MOUTH, PART II Don't blame Cale Bonds for No. 18 Air Force's 20-17 loss to Fresno State. It could be hazardous to your health.

Bonds, a sophomore quarterback making his first college start in place of injured Blane Morgan, had three passes intercepted, including his first and last attempts of the game. He also fumbled twice. Air Force linebacker Steve Fernandez was fighting mad at the suggestion that Bonds cost the Falcons the game. "If anybody blames this loss) on Cale, I'll punch them square in the middle of their face," Fernandez said. BRUIN BASHER At the start of the USC-Notre Associated Press The SEC's best pass defense couldn't handle Stewart Patridge.

RUSHING Player, Team No. Ydt. TP EDGERRIN JAMES, Miami 33 271 3 RICKY WILLIAMS, Texas 23 235 2 TRAVIS PRENTICE, Miami, Ohio 30 203 4 JUAN JOHNSON, Utah 32 190 1 OMARI WALKER, Bos. College 24 185 3 PASSING Player, Team Art Comp. Yds.

TP CHARLIE BATCH, E.Mich. 23 20 439 3 TIM COUCH, Kentucky 43 34 428 6 THAD BUSBY, Florida St. 47 30 399 3 MIKE McMAHON, Rutgers 42 26 386 1 JASON MAAS, Oregon 36 20 369 3 JUSTIN VEDDER, California 45 26 351 3 ORTEGE JENKINS, Arizona 46 22 348 1 STEWART PATRIDGE, Miss. 43 27 346 2 RYAN LEAF, Wash. St.

21 13 332 5 B. KUKUCK, Wake Forest 41 26 330 3 JOSE DAVIS, Kent 53 26 327 2 RYAN CLEMENT, Miami 35 27 323 2 BILLY DICKEN, Purdue 22 16 311 3 RECEIVING Player, Team No. Yds. TP EUGENE BAKER, Kent II 109 0 PASCAL VOLZ, New Mexico 10 149 3 RANDY MOSS, Marshall 10 147 1 BOBBY SHAW, California 9 158 1 BLAKE SPENCEOregon 6 214 WEST VIRGINIA (5-1) DID NOT PLAY See No. 22 and add this feet both teams have the best two running backs the Big East Virginia Tech's Keith Oxendine, an ox at 6-1, 223 pounds, and West Virginia's Amos 195.

Next Virginia Tech. WISCONSIN (6-2) LOST TO PURDUE, 45-20 (24) tt'8 one week and out the Top 25 tor the Badgers, and the Boilermakers (5-1) look like good candidates to take their place. Purdue ended Wisconsin's win streak at six and has won Ave in a row their longest streak since 1 980. Next at Minnesota. cTiNrnon 11.11 1 nw to pi7nN stitf ai.t a 5j The Cardinal was treated rather unkindly by the Arizona schools in consecutive weeks.

Stanford, which lost to Arizona, 28-22, last week, couldn't get its high-powered ground game going against the Sun Devils. Next: UCLA, Nov. 1 KEY: BLACK-Won; WHITE-Lost; GRAY-Did not play. 1 I.