The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 117

14 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2000 LOS ANGELES TIMES COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 14 BCS' No. 1 and No. 3 ii 11 JL IIIIO juj vv JL UJULIU '41 'Ok Sooners, the team in the BCS, points in three in struggling past Oklahoma State, 12-7. Miami: Dorsey's career-best five touchdown passes lead 52-6 victory for Hurricanes, who may still need help to close BCS gap. Wfc; t9V7 Oklahoma: top-rated score fewest seasons rival From Associated Press STILLWATER, the No, 1 team in the BCS rankings and Associated Press poll isn't exactly rolling into the postseason.

An offense rated at or near the top of the national scoring charts all season struggled for the second consecutive week Saturday in a 12-7 victory over Oklahoma State. Josh Heupel completed 19 of 36 passes for 154 yards his lowest total in 23 games as a Sooner with two interceptions. His 248 yards against Texas Tech a week earlier had been his season low. Oklahoma's point total was its lowest in 26 games since a 29-0 loss to Texas "Fortunately, we made enough big plays to win the game, especially down the stretch," Sooner Coach Bob Stoops said. "Give Oklahoma State credit.

We will and I will." The Sooners, 11-0 overall and 8-0 in the Big 12 Conference, completed their first perfect regular season since 1987. They play Kansas State next Saturday in the Big 12 title game, where a victory would send them to the Orange Bowl to play for the national championship. Oklahoma State (3-8, 1-7) put up a great effort in Bob Simmons' final game as coach, but came up short in the closing minutes. "That's what we wanted to do, was have a chance to win in the fourth quarter and put ourselves in position," said Simmons, who is resigning under pressure after six seasons. "We came up short." Oklahoma drove 99 yards for a touchdown on its first possession, then played inconsistently the rest of the way.

But Heupel came up with two big plays that allowed Oklahoma to run out the clock. Facing third and 11 at the Oklahoma 11 with two minutes left, he completed a 12- From Associated Press MIAMI All the Miami Hurricanes can do now is wait. Ken Dorsey threw a career-high five touchdown passes and Santana Moss broke Miami's career all-purpose yardage record, leading the Hurricanes No. 2 in the Associated Press poll and No. 3 in the BCS rankings to a 52-6 victory over Boston College on Saturday and their first Big East title since 1996.

More importantly, Miami, 10-1 overall and 7-0 in the Big East, strengthened its chances of claiming a fifth national championship. "I don't see what else we could have done," Dorsey said. "That's probably the most we could do." The Hurricanes third in the Bowl Championship Series rankingsstill might need help. Even after the strong outing against Boston College (6-5, 3-4 in the Big East), it may not be enough for them to move past Florida State, which leads Miami by a little more than half a point in the BCS rankings. The top two teams in the BCS will play in the Orange Bowl on Jan.

3. Miami, which has won nine in a row, beat then-No. 1 Florida State last month and also beat then-No. 2 Virginia Tech four weeks later. "There's no doubt in my mind we should play for the national championship," linebacker Dan Morgan said.

"It's plain and simple: We deserve it." With No. 1 Oklahoma's 12-7 win over Oklahoma State, Miami's best chance at making the championship game would be if the Sooners lose next Saturday to Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference title game. If not, the Hurricanes probably will have to hope for a split national championship. "Go, Wildcats!" receiver Reggie Wayne shouted. "Hopefully, they can pull it out for us.

We'll be Associated Press Associated Press Santana Moss (6) gets a lift from Najeh Davenport after scoring a second-quarter touchdown that helped Miami to a 52-6 victory. Oklahoma running back Quentin Griffin (22) fights through grasp of Oklahoma State's Chris Massey en route to some of his 115 yards. yard pass to Curtis Fagan for a first down. Then on third and two with 38 seconds remaining, he ran for four yards. "The difference between being successful and not successful is a very thin line," Heupel said.

"We were on the wrong side of it today for the most part. We need to get things corrected and get ready to go next week." Oklahoma had held Oklahoma State in check before freshman Ta-tum Bell took a pitch around the left side and raced 60 yards for a touchdown that made the score 12-7 late in the third quarter. The Sooners appeared to take control again on the next possession, using a nice run-pass mix to drive from their 21 to the Cowboys' 19. But the drive stalled with two incomplete passes one a drop on what would have been a first-down catch and Tim Duncan missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt. The Cowboys used a 22-yard punt return by Gabe Lindsay to begin their final drive at the Oklahoma 39.

They moved inside the 10-yard line before an illegal procedure penalty on third and goal pushed them back. On fourth and goal from the 12, Aso Pogi passed into the end zone for Marcellus Rivers, but cornerback Derrick Strait broke up the play. "To find ways to win close ball games shows a lot of toughness and character," Stoops said. watching." And waiting. In the meantime, the Hurricanes can revel in their first conference title in four years and first undefeated run through the Big East since 1994.

"This has been the goal since my freshman year, and each year it's slipped away from us," Morgan said. "To finally get it, it's sweet." Dorsey completed 17 of 26 passes for 252 yards. His five touchdown passes also tied the school record held by Bernie Kosar (1984) and Steve Walsh (1988). Dorsey also fumbled twice, though both were recovered by Miami, and threw an interception. Moss had 235 all-purpose yards against the Eagles, breaking Ottis Anderson's career record set in 1978.

Moss has 4,402 total yards. Dorsey and Moss hooked up twice for touchdowns. The first one covered 23 yards and gave Miami its first lead, 10-6, in the second quarter. They added a 13-yarder in the third quarter on a perfectly thrown pass to the corner of the end zone. Moss wasn't finished, though.

He returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown to give Miami a 44-6 lead in the third quarter. Even after two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, Todd Sievers added a 50-yard extra-point kick. Everything seemed to go right for Miami. Well, everything except Oklahoma winning too. REGIONAL Virginia Tech Remains Focused Brown intercepted a two-point conversion pass and ran 99 yards to help Southern hold on to a 33-29 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory over Gram-bling (9-2, 6-1) in the 27th Bayou Classic at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Grambling pulled to within 31-29 on a four-yard pass from Randy Hymes to Scotty Anderson with seven seconds left. On the two-point-conversion try, Hymes' pass was deflected and intercepted by Brown, who ran the length of the field to give Southern (6-5, 4-3) the victory. EAST Dee Brown rushed for a career-high 239 yards and scored three touchdowns as Syracuse rallied past Rutgers, 49-21, for a Big East Conference victory at home. The victory allowed the Orangemen (6-5, 4-3 Big East) to avert their first losing season in 14 years and made them bowl eligible. Rutgers finished 3-8 and 0-7 in the Big East.

From Associated Press Sixth-ranked Virginia Tech's 42-21 victory over Virginia Saturday night at Blacksburg, was played against a backdrop of rumors that North Carolina is poised to offer Hokie Coach Frank Beamer a contract worth more than $1 million a year. Virginia Tech officials said Friday that the school is offering Beamer a contract worth more than $1 million in the wake of reports that Alabama and North Carolina were seeking to hire him. The News Record of Greensboro, N.C., has reported that North Carolina officials are prepared to offer Beamer a total package of about $1.2 million annually in the next few days. Beamer, a 1969 Virginia Tech graduate, makes about $800,000 annually under his 10-year contract, which he signed in 1996. "We're not going to talk about that tonight," Beamer said after the Hokies' victory.

"We're going to talk about Virginia Tech football and what a great job the team has done this season." Players said the rumors of Beamer being heavily sought have not been a distraction, but have been a topic of discussion this week. "We've joked about it, talking about how much money he's being offered and how much money Tech better shell out," said tailback Lee Suggs, who rushed for 116 yards, scored on runs of 30, three and six yards and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass against Virginia. Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick completed 16 of 23 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown. SOUTHWEST Throughout this season as part of a year-long tribute to Hometown Heroes, the Dodgers have once again teamed up with Centinela Hospital and the Los Angeles Times to salute the true heroes of our community. With a focus on youth sports mentoring, the 2000 program aims to recognize these unsung heroes for their ability to instill the values of teamwork and sportsmanship into our children's lives.

Freshman Eric Richardson rushed for 206 yards as Tulsa defeated Nevada, 38-3, in a Western Athletic Conference game at Tulsa, Okla. Tulsa (5-7, 4-4) stifled Nevada (2-10, 1-7) with a balanced attack. WEST Fresno State scored 27 unanswered points in the second half and likely earned a berth in the Silicon Valley Classic with a 37-6 Western Athletic Conference victory over San Jose State at San Jose. Fresno State (7-4, 6-2) defeated San Jose State (7-5, 5-3) for the seventh consecutive time. The Bulldogs' streak matches the longest in the schools' 65 meetings.

Amar Brisco returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown with 52 seconds left as Nevada Las Vegas defeated San Diego State, 31-24, in a Mountain West Conference game at San Diego to end a seven-game road losing streak. Jason Thomas completed 19 of 31 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns for UNLV (6-5, 4-3), which needs to win at Hawaii Saturday to qualify for either the Las Vegas Bowl or the Silicon Valley Classic. The Rebels need seven victories to become bowl eligible because they play a 12-game schedule. San Diego State is 3-8 and 3-4 in the MWC. In other games in the South: Travis Henry scored two touchdowns and rushed for 184 yards as No.

25 Tennessee (8-3, 5-3 in the Southeastern Conference) held off Vanderbllt, 28-26, at Nashville for the Volunteers' 18th consecutive victory in the series. Greg Zolman completed 21 of 46 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns for Vanderbilt (3-8, 1-7). North Carolina State (7-4, 4-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) scored 22 points in a span of 6:17 to defeat Wake Forest, 32-14, at Raleigh, N.C. Wake Forest finished 2-9, 1-7. With seconds left in the game, Edreece Henry Santiago, hometown hero Henry Santiago has served as a mentor and coach for more than 20 years in the City of Maywood.

During that time he has touched the lives of thousands of young athletes. From being a volunteer youth football, basketball and baseball coach for Maywood Park to being the city's mayor, he has served his community in many ways. As head coach of the Bell High School varsity football team, he led his student-athletes to the 3-A City Championship in 1994. Most recently, he enacted a mandatory study program for his players that challenges them to maintain their grades throughout the season. Mr.

Santiago possesses the leadership and sportsmanship that uplifts his community and citizens of all ages. Georgia Tech Wrecks Georgia's Finale ter the officials mistakenly ruled a fumble against Georgia in the final seconds of regulation. "A lot of teams would take 7-4," Georgia receiver Terrence Edwards said. "But that's not the expectations around here. "It's hard to swallow going 7-4.

We're a better team than 7-4." Ill Presenting Sponsor 1961-63. Georgia Tech, projected for a rebuilding year after the loss of Joe Hamilton, was a major surprise. The Peach Bowl-bound Yellow Jackets lost close games to Florida State and North Carolina State before finishing the season with a seven-game winning streak. "A lot of people doubted us this year, but we stayed together," said Godsey, who completed 20 of 35 passes for 222 yards. "I'm proud of this team." It was the first time since 1996 that the game wasn't decided at the end.

Last year, Georgia Tech won, 51-48, on a field goal in overtime af From Associated Press ATHENS, Tech wasn't in the mood for another heart-stopping finish. The Yellow Jackets beat Georgia Saturday by scoring early and often. After three consecutive games in the series were decided in the final seconds or overtime, No. 18 Georgia Tech built a 24-point halftime lead and cruised to a 27-15 victory over the No. 19 Bulldogs.

Quarterback George Godsey scored one touchdown and passed for another as Georgia Tech (9-2) beat Georgia (7-4) for the third time a row a feat last accomplished in HOMETOWN HEROES Centinela Hospital Medical Center A Mtmbtr of the Ttnat Hcotlh Syttom For the Record College football-The In- sight.com Bowl, played previously in Tucson, will be played at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix this year. The site was incorrect in a story Saturday. Saluting the Hometown Heroes.