Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 38

2D Saturday, December 1, 1984 The Clarion-Ledger Jackson Daily News COLLEGE FOOTBALL Auburn Sugar Bowl-bound with win; USM puts 4 on Metro Compiled from AP reports 3 record into the battle with the Crimson Tide at Birmingham's Legion Field, with the kickoff set for 11:30 a.m. CST. The Tigers would grab the Sugar Bowl berth with a victory, but an Alabama triumph would send Louisiana State to the New Orleans event to face Nebraska. If the Birmingham match ends in a tie, Auburn and LSU would be deadlocked with 4-1-1 SEC records and the Sugar Bowl would have its choice of either team. The loser in the Sugar Bowl derby heads to Memphis to face Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl.

Florida, 8-1-1 and 5-0-1, nailed down its first title in the 52-year history of the SEC two weeks ago, but the conference executive committee decided to keep the Gators out of postseason action because of pending NCAA probation. A sellout crowd of 75,808 is expected in Birmingham's Legion Field, where Auburn rates a one-touchdown choice over the Crimson Tide. Alabama would fall into the conference cellar for only the second time with a loss. Florida is a 3-point pick over 7-2-1 FSU, which later will face Georgia in the Citrus Bowl. A sellout crowd of 55,000 is expected in Doak-Campbell Stadium for the 2:50 p.m.

CST kickoff. The Tennessee-Vandy game before 41,000 at Dudley Field also will be televised nationally on cable (WTBS-Atlanta), with the kickoff set for 11:15 p.m. CST. Tennessee is a slight favorite. Georgia is a 7-point pick over Tech in a game that will be televised in Georgia beginning at 12:30 p.m.

and also is expected to lure a sellout throng of 82,122 into Sanford Stadium, where the Bulldogs have won 29 of their last 30 games. Four Southern Mississippi players have been named to the All-Metro team. Although the Metro isn't organized for football, sportswrjters and broadcasters vote on an all-star team for the member schools. Center Fred Richards, defensive tackle Richard Byrd and strong safety Tim Smith were named to the first team. Nose guard Tracy Oakley was named to the second team.

Joe Morrison of South Carolina was voted coach of the year. Running back Greg Allen of Florida State was voted player of the year. Former Miami football coach Howard Schnellenberger will fly to Louisville today for final negotiations on the University of Louisville coaching job. "It's not done. It's not 100 percent.

But it's headed that way it would be naive to say otherwise," Ron Steiner, Schnellenberger's spokesman, said in a telephone interview from Miami. "He has not signed. He has not committed totally to the thing. "But if everything goes well at the meeting, he will. He also has the option of walking out and flying back home." Schnellenberger, out of work since he quit without defending Miami's national championship and a United Stats Football League job fell through, met Friday afternoon with officials from Louisville, Steiner said.

Maryland coach Bobby Ross, who earlier this week was being courted by Missouri University, agreed to a contract that will keep him as the Terps' coach for at least 10 more years. Eleventh-ranked Auburn makes its bid for a Sugar Bowl berth today and No. 3 Florida, denied the New Orleans trip that usually goes to the Southeastern Conference football champion, must be content with its quest for a school-record ninth victory in a row. Auburn collides with Alabama in Birmingham and Florida visits Florida State in Tallahassee in a pair of nationally televised (ABC) contests that highlight the final Saturday of the 1984 regular season. Two other games are on the agenda for a pair of SEC teams with postseason dates already secured Georgia Tech at Citrus Bowl-bound Georgia and Sun Bowl-bound Tennessee at Van-derbilt.

Auburn, the 1983 SEC champion, carries an 8- Quarterback Robbie Bosco, right, of No. 1 i -w i I-AA playoffs spell trouble M-O-N-E-Y By ROSCOE NANCE Clarion-Ledger Sports Writer These are tough times for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, the toughest of their seven-year existence. They were stripped of income from television when the Supreme Court ruled the NCAA could not negotiate for its member institutions. Now the playoffs are in the position of having to survive wholly on attendance. It's a tough row to hoe.

But Jerry Miles, director of championship events for the NCAA, is optimistic about the future of the playoffs. "The NCAA is committed to sponsoring playoffs as long as I-AA wants them," said Miles, who is in town for today's Louisiana Tech-Alcorn State quarter-final playoff game. The NCAA's commitment to the playoffs is not the BYU would like to add I the Heisman Trophy to his '84 laurels. 4-manfield awaits word on Heisman The Associated Press NEW YORK Doug Flutie will be busy today, not too far from his home in Boston. Keith Byars, Robbie Bosco and Bernie Kosar have the afternoon off.

But one of them will pick up a Heisman Trophy, the 50th such awarded, in New York tonight as the nation's outstanding college football player. Flutie will be in nearby Worcester, trying to polish off Holy Cross in his last regular season game for Boston College. The 5-foot-9 quarterback also will call the signals for the Eagles in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. Byars, the junior tailback for Ohio State's Rose Bowl-bound Buckeyes, is one game away from clinching the national collegiate rushing championship. He also hopes to add to the list of 12 consecutive Heisman trophies awarded to running backs, two of which were awarded in succession to former Buckeye back Archie Griffin.

Bosco, like Byars a junior, has the personal goal of a Heisman on his mind. He shares the NCAA's passing leadership with Flutie. But he also hopes to wind up as part of a national championship team. The quarterback of Brigham Young's top-ranked Cougars, the only unbeaten major-college team, could well nail that down Dec. 21 with a convincing Holiday Bowl victory over Michigan.

Kosar achieved a national rhamninnshin last Now VoarV problem. The problem the playoffs face is a simple five-letter word M-O-N-E-Y. The NCAA guarantees travel for teams participating in the 12-team playoff tiA 4i NCAA I-AA Playoffs Today's Quarterfinals The Associated Press night when Miami defeated Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. nuw uie numcanes quanerDacK would like nothing more than to become the first sophomore to win the Heisman. Walker wasn't that far away from achieving or even surpassing that feat.

In 1981, when Marcus Allen of Southern California (and now of the National Football Lea pup's Hpfpnrii no Rnrwir Bowl-champion Los Angeles Raiders) won the Heisman i nnn a. iith bered in his bid to lengthen the string of running backs to walk off with the 14-inch-long, 13 Vz -inch-high, 6V2-inch-wide, 25-pound piece of bronze handed out each year by New York's Downtown Athletic Club. Since quarterback Pat Sullivan of Auburn won the trophy in 1971 by a narrow margin over Cornell running back Ed Marinaro, it has been won by Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska, John Cappelletti of Penn State, Griffin, Tony Dorsett of Pittsburgh, Earl Campbell of Texas, Billy Sims of Oklahoma, Charles White of Southern California, Rogers, Allen, Walker and Mike Rozier of Nebraska. Some became superstars in the NFL, some became role players there and the two most recent winners chose to sign with the new United States Football League. Perhaps the least-known role player of all was Ed Smith, who played for New York University.

He and Frank Eliscu were friends in 1935 when Eliscu was a 23-year-old sculptor commissioned to create the trophy. He called upon Smith to pose. A few minor changes later, the clay model was made into a plaster mold and then cast in bronze. Forty-seven years later, while working on a television special about the Heisman, Bud Greenspan wanted to know who had posed for the trophy. From this came an invitation to Smith to attend the 1982 awards dinner.

He expressed confusion about why he had been invited. And when told he had been the model, Smith replied: "Well, I did pose for Frank for a day or two, but I thought he just wanted it for himself." way votes, naiKer, a sopnomore, was second in the balloting with 1,199. Even more remarkable was 1980, when Walker became the first freshman to break into the ton 1 vntP-opHer fin. ishing third behind George Rogers of South Carolina' and Hugh Green, a defensive end at Pitt. La AcomState penses of schools hosting mhit Elayoff games.

Whatever Jpi Sh money is left over is split on Rhode sland a 50-50 basis between the Arkanas St. at Montana St. NCAA and the playoff HMMMMMMn teams. Last year, the playoffs generated more than $1 million from television alone. Southern Illinois, which won the championship, and runner-up Western Carolina, each made $127,265.

Each of the 12 teams in last year's plavoffs made at least $12,776. Enough money was made for the NCAA to pay each school's per diem in full, even though it was not guaranteed. That kind of revenue will not exist this year. "Our main concern this year is we might not have enough money to pay per diem in full," said Miles. "It's never been a problem in the past.

But as far as money back to the teams, we don't have it." But steps are being taken to rectify that situation in upcoming years. The NCAA has purchased the noon to 5 p.m. time slot on the Satellite Program Network and will televise the Louisiana Tech-Alcorn game, as well as the Middle Tennessee State-Indiana State game, live today. Miles views that move as an investment in the future rather than immediate cure to the playoffs financial woes. "We'll be lucky to break even," he said.

"It costs us $30,000 to $35,000. We won't make that. We're just trying to increase exposure. We feel it's tremendous football." But the NCAA has had a tough time convincing the networks that's it tremendous enough to be televised. When the NCAA had the power to negotiate for its members, it had some leverage when it came to the playoffs.

If the networks didn't televise the playoffs, they didn't televise any college football. When the exclusivity was taken away, the playoffs were in instant trouble with the television networks. "They aren't interested," said Miles. "We tried. The first thing we did was go to the networks for the championships.

There was no interest. They simply said they have enough football. When you talk to them privately, they say they know it's good football, but the fans want to see the big names. "There's far more national interest in Alabama and Auburn than there is in Louisiana Tech and Alcorn. Alabama-Auburn might not be a better game.

There's no question if more people see our product, more people will turn out." Even though fans didn't turn out in overwhelming numbers for last weekend's four first-round games, Miles was pleased with overall attendance. The 17,500 who saw Louisiana Tech rout Mississippi Valley 66-19 set a playoff attendance record. Boston University and Richmond played in front of 11,236 fans in Richmond. Tennessee-Chattanooga and Arkansas State drew 10,872, and Middle Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky drew 4,800. "Last weekend was a tough one to play because of Thanksgiving," said Miles.

"But those figures are not disappointing. To be realistic, if we average 10,000 to 15,000, that's as good as we're going to do because we have such a variance in attendance. We need TV exposure." ttyars numbers notwithstanding, he clearly is outnum- JUNIOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL Gulf Coast, Jones wage big battles today By LEE BAKER A vear aeo the Bobcats as then MLssissinni Collins, sharing time near eauallv. but tail Clarion-Ledger Sports Writer While Mississippi Gulf Coast is off today in Maryland battling for the national junior college football championship in the East Bowl, the Jones County JC Bobcats have headed into Central Texas for a bowl game of their own. JCJC will play homestanding Ranger JC in the second annual Roarin' Ranger Bowl with kickoff in RJC Stadium at 6 p.m.

Jones County brings in a 10-2 record, sullied only by a pair of losses to No. 1 in the nation Gulf Coast, against 7-3 Ranger, its three losses to Henderson County and Kilgore in Texas plus Northeast Oklahoma. 580 yards and seven touchdowns, Antonio Prewitt of Tuscaloosa, for 478 and four TDs and Jeff Wiley of Bay Springs 102 for 441 and three TDs. The pattern continues among the receivers, the split end threesome of Anthony Hardy of Laurel with 34 catches for 620 yards and six touchdowns, Curtis Pray of Waynesboro with 16 for 555 and six touchdowns and Marlon Evans of Taylorsville with 12 for 238 and two touchdowns. Ranger JC is far smaller school with some 800 students than JCJC with its 3,000 students, but the Roarin' Rangers like the Bobcats are consistent winners in the tough Texas junior college circuit despite the limited enrollment.

champions played Harford (Md.) in the East Bowl, just as the 1984 Mississippi champion Gulf Coast Bulldogs will be doing at 12.30 today in Bel Air, Jones whipping the Fighting Owls by a decisive 34-14 margin. But that came on home ground at Ellis-ville and a large question exists if JCJC can be as successful in Ranger against an opponent similar in many ways to the Bobcats of coach Sim Cooley, who believes in developing depth and balance. Ranger JC coach Jerry Watson reports his team has averaged 171 yards rushing and 179 passing this season with two quarterbacks, James Roberts and Greg Knox, and two fullbacks, James Morton and Reggie back Travis Jackson generally staying in so long as the score is close. Prime receivers for RJC are split end Charles Mott, who has 21 catches for 447 yards, and flanker Reggie McGowan. Cooley's system of splitting time keeps any Bobcat from amassing overly impres-s sive statistics.

Sophomore quarterback Andy Dykes of Collins has completed 61 of 130 passes for 907 yards and five touchdowns, freshman quarterback Tim Stanley of Laurel 28 of 70 for 563 and nine TDS. Among the running backs, Henry Bird of St. Petersburg, Fla. has carried 117 times for Cherry, Siesta bowls make strange choices By STEVE HARVEY At least three other teams still have shots at the title, how Universal Press Syndicate COLLEGES ever, including Indianapolis (4-9), which is why Los Angeles fans were so disappointed when the Raiders' home game against the Colts was blacked out Sunday. (At the last moment, NBC decided not to buy up the remaining 42,879 unsold tickets.) Meanwhile, the makers of Trivial Pursuit plan to put out a new edition featuring the quarterbacks thrust into NFL games because of injuries to the starters, including Slingin' Mike Moroski (Atlanta), Slingin' Ed Luther (San Diego), Slingin' Turk Schonert (Cincinnati), Slingin' Joe Pisarcik (Philadelphia), Slingin' David Humm (Raiders), and someone named Danny White (Dallas).

RANKINGS RANKINGS BOWL PERPETRATORS i. Cherry Michigan St. (6-5) v. Army (6-3-1) -Slt UCLA (6-3) vs. Miami (8-4) 3.

Probation Florida (59 violations) vs. Clemson 150) Powder Puff La Verne (6-3) vs. EllzabethState (4-5-1) 5 Ohio St. () vs. USC (S-3) or Troy St.

10-1 Blue Bayou North (0-0) vs. LSU (8-2-1 7. Holiday Michigan (6-5) vs. BYU 12-0) 8. Peach Purdue (7-4) vs.

Virginia (7-2-2) (9-2) 10. Cereal Rice (1-9) vs. C.w. Post (5-2-1) END OF AN ERA: Virginia is making Its first bowl appearance in Its 95-year football history. Traditional Bottom Ten ioke.

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Explorers Bowl: Livingstone vs. Lewis Clark or Drake; Ancient uins Bowl: Carthage vs. Troy State or USC; Woes Bowl- Indiana vs Columbia. BRIGHTEST INNOVATION: No couples will be allowed admission when Central Unlversty of Iowa meets Augustana III. In the first-ever post-season game for singles only the Stagg Bowl.

PROS The question Falcon fans are asking is: Which Atlanta team will show up against San Francisco Sunday? The Atlanta team that turned back the Los Angeles Lambs 30-28 earlier this year? Or the 1980 Atlanta team that posted a 12-4 record? Falcon officials aren't saying. But, whatever, it seems likely that the 49ers will extend the Lost Team of Atlanta's losing streak to eight games, enabling the mythical club to stay on When Cherry Bowl officials announced at the start of the season that they would settle for nothing less than the Big Ten's sixth-place finisher, Michigan State knew what it had to do. The Spartans went on to lose five games, including their finale, to cinch a bid. They oppose Army (6-3-1), which edged out the most obvious choice for the Cherry Bowl Pitt (3-7- Not just any school can qualify for a bowl these days. Miami (Fla.) (8-4) had to allow 87 points in its final two games to get into the Siesta Bowl.

The thinking by Siesta officials was that even if Miami is ahead by 31 points in the fourth quarter, no one's going to leave early. USC's Trojans (8-3) also dropped their last two to win a spot in either the Rose Bowl or the Ancient Ruins Bowl (against Carthage). BYU (12-0) will be making its last appearance for a while in the Holiday Bowl, which has a rule against the Next Less San Francisco Indianapolis Buffalo Pittsburgh Team, Record 1. Atlanta (3-10) 2. Buffalo (1-12) 3.lndlanapolls(2-l1) 4.

Houston (2-11) 5. Minnesota (3-10 Last Week 14-35, Cincinnati 14-41, Washington 7-21, Raiders 10-27, Cleveland 3-34, Chicago Washington 6. Air Defense Coryell (6-7); 7. Cleveland (4-9); 8. Bay (Tampa) World Chess Championships! 17 consecutlvedrawsatlast count); 10 Detroit (4-8-1).

WILD CARD JOKERS: New Orleans (6-7) (not enough Heisman Trophy winners at running back); Bay (Green) (5-8). CRUMMY GAME OF THE WEEK: Indianapolis (4-9) at Buffalo 1-12). OUOTEBOOK: Raiders end Howie Long to Colt running back Randy McMillan after theColts' only scoring drive, which covered 1 yard: "Wow, that must have taken everything out of you guys. WHAT ABOUT THEIR EUROPEAN PLACE-KICKERS: End-of-the-vear-awards given out recently by the Canadian Football League were for rookieof the year, MVP uiie team appearing more man seven years in a row. iop oi me Bouom i en seernngs.

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