The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 14

The Town Talk, Alexandria-Pineville, La. B-6 Saturday, October 9, 1993 fajff VJBr Prbviows All the marbles? Cowboys-Indians winner could become conference SLC champ LSU vs. Florida Tiger Stadium, (Grass, 80,150) 6:30 p.m. Radio: KSYL-AM 970 (Alexandria); KJNA-AM 1480FM 99 3 (Jena); KVCL-AM 1270FM 92.1 (Winnfield); KAPB-AM 1370FM 97.7 (Marksville); KVVP-FM 105.5 (Leesville); KEAZ-FM 101.7 (DeRidder); KDLA-AM 1010 (DeRidder); KNOC-AM 1450 (Natchitoches). that, the 0-4 record is understandable.

Northwestern schedule hasn't been easy either. The Demons faced Troy St NLU and 19th-ranked Southern, which is 5-0. Look for Demon tailback Deon Ridgell to start, but Shannon Harris, Arthur Hunter and Chip Wood to see plenty of action For Northwestern, the game will be decided on offense. Quarterback Brad Laird has to have the kind of game he had two weeks ago against East Texas to give the backs room to run. The Demon offensive line has carried its load, but Northwestern coach Sam Goodwin expects Nicholls to load the line of scrimmage and dare Laird to throw Laird's working with a handicap in that North-western's top receiver, Steve Brown, probably won't play.

Defensively, Nicholls option offense causes some teams problems since it's not too common, but the Demons have seen it in practice the last three years. Nix's pick: Look for Northwestern to shut down the Nicholls option game and force the Colonels into passing the ball And anytime Nicholls has to throw the ball, bad things happen. Northwestern continues the good roll it started in the second half last week, winning 28-7. Next week: Northwestern travels to Sam Houston State. Nicholls visits Stephen F.

Austin. USL at Tulane Louisiana Superdome (turf, 69,065) 7 p.m. Records: USL 2-2, Ex-NLU coaches called for NCAA interviews Television: ESPN (VisionCable 9). Records: LSU is 2-3, 1-2 in the Southeastern Conference; Florida is 4-0, 3-0 in the SEC. Rankingsspread: Florida is No.

5 in AP, 6 in USA TodayCNN. The Gators are a 14-point favorite. Last year: LSU trailed just 14-13 at the half, but two straight scores by Florida save the Gators enough cush Tulane 2-3 Last week: USL beat Southern Mississippi 13-7; Tulane beat Navy 27-25. Last year: Did not play. Series: Tulane about an hour on Sept.

29 at West Monroe High School, where he is an assistant football coach. Pat Murphy, a linebacker from 1980 to 1982 and part-time coach in 1988 to 1989, also said he was interviewed within the past month. Murphy, who is defensive coordinator at Vidor (Texas) High School, said his meeting lasted about an hour and was recorded. AH three said that questions centered on Dave Roberts' coaching tenure at Northeast, and seemed to be general information gathering. Roberts has coached at NLU since 1989 and has a 32-18-2 record.

Chuck Smrt, director of enforcement at the NCAA, would not comment on the nature of the inquiry, but said the general information gathering process can last "anywhere from one week to months." MONROE (AP) Three coaches with former ties to Northeast Louisiana's football program say they have been interviewed by the NCAA within the past month. School officials say the NCAA has not contacted them regarding a possible investigation. "We have not heard anything," NLU athletic director Benny Hollis said. "We operate this program correctly. If there is a problem, if there is something wrong, we will correct it.

We're committed to comply." Jeff Daniel, a graduate assistant coach at NLU from 1989 to 1991, said an NCAA representative interviewed him within the past month at St. Amant High School, where Daniel has been an assistant football coach for the past three seasons. Brian Castle, a defensive end at NLU from 1987 to 1990, said he was interviewed for ion for an eventual 28-21 win. Series: It's tied at 18-18-3, but Florida has won the last five. In Baton Rouge, it's even at 10-10.

NotesKeys to victory: It comes down to which pass defense collapses the most, and one will almost certainly collapse. Florida QB Danny Wuerffel has shown a much greater ability to exploit such problems than LSU's Jamie Howard. The Tigers' offensive line remains healthy, which is one reason why TB Jay Johnson has broken the 70-yard mark two straight games, earning consistent praise from head coach Curley Hallman. Still, Johnson's 222 yards don't quite approach the 513 by Florida's Errict Rhett. Rhett has rushed for only 123 yards less than LSU.

Florida has just two players from Louisiana (TE Greg Keller of New Orleans and WR Sorola Palmer of Lacombe) while LSU has five from Florida (P Chad Kessler of Lake Mary, SS Talvi Crawford and OT Todd Holland of Orlando, and CB Gary Pegues (Shalimer). The Gators shouldn't be too rattled if LSU gets a large and hungry crowd. Florida has played in front of at least 84,000 fans except at Kentucky LSU gets four more snaps per game than the opponent while Florida has 18 more, an obvious key in wearing out defenses. The Tigers have played one more game than Florida but have almost 500 less yards total offense LSU CB Pegues (Shalimar's Choctawhatchee High) played against Florida QB Wuerffel (Ft. Walton High) in high school Like the Tigers, Florida's no whiz in front of the cameras, owning a 40-49-2 record entering the season while LSU was 41-53-6.

Fans clamoring for freshman Jermaine Sharp can probably expect him to carry the ball 10 times if LSU is having any success on offense. Lough's Line: Remember, LSU is horrifically inconsistent. And since the Tigers aren't used to reacting to wins, especially three-touchdown wins, who knows what will happen? Florida offense wearies LSU's defense. Florida 37, LSU 21. Next week: LSU is at Kentucky at 6 p.m.; Florida is at Auburn.

leads 17-2. NotesKey to victory: Tulane hasn't been spectacular beating a couple lesser lights in the college football world. The Green Wave beat an average Navy team last week with a last-second field goal. Three weeks ago the Green-ies slugged their way to a 10-0 win over a middle-of-the-pack 1-AA William Mary team. The Greenies also are in the midst of a quarterback quandary since Billy Duncan had to supplant Craig Randall at quarterback to pull ott the come-from-behind win over Navy.

USL, on the other hand, has no quarterback controversy since young Jake Delhomme has led the Ragin Cajuns to two straight wins and a respectable showing against Miami of Ohio. The Cajuns have also gotten good running from Kenyon Cotton to supplement that of Aaron Fisher. Nix's pick: Both teams appear to be emerging from their respective cocoons. Tulane has the home dome advantage and USL still has to prove it can win on the road. Green Wave, 13-6.

Next week: Tulane is at Texas Christian; USL is at Arkansas State. Mississippi Valley at Grambling Robinson Stadfuin (grass, 19,00) 6:30 p.m. By Jeffrey Nixon Staff reporter MONROE When 18th-ranked McNeese State travels to Monroe tonight at 7 to play fourth-ranked Northeast Louisiana, it should be the game that decides the Southland Conference title. Of course, neither coach will admit it. NLU is 3-1 and 2-0 in SLC play, but the Indians are coming off a disappointing 26-24 win over Northwestern State.

Even though it was a victory, Northeast nearly blew a 26-3 halftime lead. "If we play like we did against Northwestern, they'll beat the dog out of us," said Northeast coach Dave Roberts. McNeese enjoyed a much-needed off week last week. The Cowboys were ranked number two in Division I-AA three weeks ago when they were 2-0, but lost two straight games to fall to 18. Both teams have been plagued by turnovers recently.

NLU lost five fumbles against NSU and it nearly cost the Indians the game. "We've been killing ourselves with fumbles," Roberts said. "I hope our players were as sick as I was after the Northwestern game because we've got to improve." As for McNeese, the Cowboys have turned the ball over 10 times in the last two games. McNeese also had 105 yards in penalties when it lost to Illinois State. "We've made a bunch of turnovers," said senior Ail-American linebacker Terry Irving.

"Nobody has really beaten us. We've got an excellent football team, but we've just beaten ourselves." "We've got to get better," said McNeese State coach Bobby Keasler. "Northeast capitalizes on things like that." NLU capitalizes on a lot of things with a balanced offensive attack. The Indians are led by senior quarterback Robert Cobb who Records: Grambling 2-2, Mississippi Valley 2-1-1. Last week: Grambling beat Prairie View 49-0; Southern beat Mississippi Valley 14-13.

Last year: Grambling won 49-6 in a game played at Soldier Field in Chicago. Series: Grambling leads 31-2-2. McNeese St. at Northeast La. Malone Stadium (grass, 30,573) 7 p.m.

Records: McNeese is 2-2, 0-0 in SLC play and ranked 18th in Division I-AA; NLU is 4-1, 2-0 and ranked fourth in I-AA. Last week: McNeese was idle af "Offensively, we've got to keep the ball," Keasler said. "We've got to sustain drives and not turn it over." The game could hinge on the special teams. NLU has held an advantage over most of its opponents in the kicking game this season, but McNeese can match the Indians. McNeese punter and former Menard grad Pat Neck averaged 50.3 yards a kick against Central Florida and is averaging almost 44 yards a kick.

Place-kicker Jose Larios has hit seven of 10 field goals and all 11 extra points. For NLU, punter Brian Lambert averages almost 43 yards a kick and kicker Roger Miller has hit all seven field goals. However, Miller has missed five PATs. has 1,245 passing yards and 12 touchdowns so far this season. When Cobb isn't throwing the ball, tailback Irving Spikes is probably running it.

Spikes was the SLC co-Offensive Player of the Week last week and has rushed for 633 yards and six TDs this season. He has gone over 100 yards in three games and had 93 in another. "Defensively, we can't give up the big plays," Keasler said. For McNeese State, quarterback Kerry Joseph runs the show. He has had accuracy problems, completing just 48 percent of his passes, but it has been enough for 588 yards and four touchdowns.

Tailbacks Henry Fields and Bryan Foster have a combined 670 yards and three touchdowns rushing. NotesKey to victory: Bullish Eric Gant (6-2, 250) leads the Grambling attack with 116.8 yards a game but Mississippi Valley is the immovable force since it has the top rushing defense in the SWAG. Gant, the younger brother of Dallas Cowboys standout Kenneth Gant, also has five TDs. Gant, incidentally, is paid a dollar a yard for each yard he rushes by his older brother all legal according to NCAA rules. Kendrick Ford quarterbacks Grambling's offense.

This season he has passed for 779 yards and eight TDs. And, lest we forget, Grambling is coached by Eddie Robinson who currently has a 383-138-15 record in his 52 years with the Tigers. He has won or shared 16 SWAC titles and nine national titles among historically black colleges. Mississippi Valley is coached by Larry Dorsey, who played in the NFL for the Chargers, Seahawks, Chiefs and Saints. Nix's pick: Grambling holds a 31-2-2 series edge with Mississippi Valley's last win coming just three years ago in 1990.

History says go with the Tigers. Grambling 38-20. Next week: Grambling plays Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Shreveport; Mississippi Valley plays Alabama-Birmingham. Southern at Texas Southern The Astrodome (turf, 62,021) 7 p.m. ter a 22-3 loss to Central Florida.

NLU squeaked past Northwestern State 26-24. Last year: NLU won 52-35. Series: McNeese leads 31-1 1-1. NotesKey to victory: Probably the game that decides the Southland Conference title. McNeese leads the SLC in total defense, giving up just 241 total yards a game while NLU leads in total offense, averaging 453 a contest.

For McNeese to win, it has to move the football consistently and keep from turning the ball over. In the last two games, both losses, the Cowboys committed 10 turnovers. Quarterback Kerry Joseph was a preseason All-SLC selection, but has struggled, completing less than 50 percent of his passes. He must be sharper. Defensively, McNeese has to contain NLU QB Robert Cobb.

The Cowboys lead Division I-AA with 13 interceptions, five by freshman Zack Bronson. Cobb has thrown just four interceptions and 12 touchdowns. NLU has to guard against the same letdown it suffered against NSU in the second half of last week's game when it let NSU back into the game from a 26-3 halftime deficit. Nix's pick: The first quarter will be the key. If McNeese's defense establishes it can stop the Indians and if the Cowboy offense proves it can move the football, even if it doesn't put many points on the board, McNeese could win.

That's a lot of "ifs." NLU wins 31-14. Next week: McNeese is at home for North Texas. NLU travels to Southwest Texas. Northwestern St. at Nicholls St.

Turpin Stadium (turf, 15,971) 2 p.m. Radio: 97.7 KDBH-FM Natchitoches; 93.9 KFAD-FM Alexandria; 92.7 KJAE-FM Leesville. Records: North All the marbles really! FSU-Miami renew top college football rivalry Records: Southern 5-0 and ranked 19th in Division I-AA; Texas Southern 2-3. Last week: Southern beat Mississippi Valley 14-13; Texas Southern beat Knoxville College 39-26. Last year: Southern won 34-6.

Series: Southern leads 24-13-3. NotesKey to victory: Southern's defense leads Division I-AA this season while Texas Southern western is 1-3 and 0-1 4 AK rvn has shown the propensity to surrender points faster than a politician raises taxes. While 14 points is the most Southern has given up in a game, Texas Southern has given up such astronomical totals as 26, 44, 55 and 63. Even punchless Prairie View scored eight against Texas Southern. But, wait, Prairie View scored six against Southern.

Hmmmmm. Other keys for the Jaguars has been the play of quarterback Eric Randall, who has passed for 891 yards and 11 TDs thus far, and running back Lindsey Scott, who has rushed for an average of 60.8 yards per game. Texas Southern's big gun has been quarterback Schaminsky Payton, who has passed for 698 yards and eight TDs. Nix's pick: Southern is the only unbeaten school in Louisiana. Is the bubble due to Nah.

The Pete Richardson Express keeps on rollin'. Southern 28-7. Next week: Southern is at Jackson State; Texas Southern is host to Alabama State. in SLC play; Nicholls is 0-4 and 0-1. Last week: Northwestern lost to Northeast Louisiana 26-24; Nicholls lost to Samford 21-6.

Last year: Northwestern won 44-6. Series: Northwestern St. leads 13-7. NotesKey to victory: Nicholls has faced three of the top 10 teams in the nation third-ranked Troy State, number four NLU and ninth-ranked Samford. Knowing Vols not taking Hogs for granted The Vols may have looked Jrjr TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

(AP) Harvard-Yale is The Game and California-Stanford is The Big Game. No game, however, is bigger than Miami-Florida State. From humble beginnings, the annual Sunshine State showdown has developed into the top rivalry in college football. In the past 10 years, no teams have played more close, dramatic and meaningful games. "The Florida State game is something mystical," Miami defensive end Kevin Patrick said.

"The blood starts boiling a little more and the heart starts pumping a little faster." Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward said the atmosphere "is like the Super Bowl." "Everybody is hyped," he said, "and everything is crazy around here for a whole week. It's one of those games you enjoy playing in. You can't help but get excited." Today's game between the top-ranked Seminoles (5-0) and No. 3 Hurricanes (4-0) is typical of the series. It's the third straight year and fifth time in the last seven that both teams have entered the game undefeated.

It's also the eighth consecutive year that the game has featured at least one team ranked in the top 3. Most intrastate rivalries are for local bragging rights. This one is for a snot at the national championship. "It's our biggest game of the year every year," Miami quarterback Frank Costa said. "It's probably bigger than any bowl game.

It's the biggest game in the world right now for us." The game means just as much to Florida State. "Our whole season always seems to ride on this game," Florida State safety Richard Coes said. "If we win, we're No. 1. If they win, they're No.

1." Miami, which has won four national championships in the past decade, is the mam reason Florida State has never finished No. 1. The Hurricanes handed the Seminoles their only loss in 1987, 1988 and 1992. They also ruined Florida State's title hopes in 1991, knocking the Seminoles from the top spot in their next-to-last, regular-season game. games involving outsiae ioes.

Auburn entertains Mississippi State in the league game. In other action, Southern Mississippi is at Georgia, East Carolina at South Carolina and Cincinnati at Vanderbilt. Auburn is a one-touchdown favorite over State, Georgia is an 11-point pick, South Carolina 5 and Vandy 7. Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi have open dates. "We need to make sure our attention is focused on Arkansas," Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said.

"Our players have no reason to look past Arkansas at all." Associated Press No. 11 Tennessee may be tempted to take its competition for granted today, concentrating instead on the unbeaten team it faces next week. Tennessee is playing Arkansas today at Little Rock. But next week the Vols meet No. 2 Alabama in Birmingham.

Tennessee is a 16-point pick over the Razorbacks in a game that will be televised regionally (JP Sports) beginning at 11:30 a.m. Only one other Southeastern Conference game is on today's schedule, along with three past the Razorbacks last year when Arkansas knocked Tennessee from the unbeaten ranks in Knoxville. It started a three-game losing skid that cost the Vols a spot in the SEC title game as Eastern Division champion. After losing to Memphis State 6-0 two weeks ago, Arkansas came back last week and upset Georgia 20-10 in Athens. Coach Danny Ford said it showed the team how their hard work can pay off.

"That puts them in a position to compete, not necessarily win, but compete," Ford said. Associated Press Miami's Frank Coast involved in QB controversy. school. Some, like Florida State safety Devin Bush and Miami quarterback Ryan Collins, were high school teammates. ys IE, A IK II IU Inl IT-' Hit Improve your view with RK.

RK may offer you an option to your glasses or contacts. Call today for more information, to reserve your place at a FREE RK seminar or to schedule a personal evaluation. "They've taken three championship rings off my fingers, said Florida State linebacker Ken Alexander, a senior who is 0-3 against Miami. Miami has won seven of the last eight meetings, but only two of the wins were by more than nine points. Three of the games were decided in the final minute, including the past two years when Florida State missed field goals in the closing seconds.

"Change a few plays and we'd have as many national championships as Miami," Seminoles coach Bobby Bow-den said. The Miami-Florida State rivalry is a family feud. Many players were recruited by both schools and many played against each other in high 'Everybody on this team knows somebody from that team," Miami cornerback Dexter Seigler said. "Everybody wants to prove they're the better player and the better team. It's for the national championship and bragging rights." "They know us and we know them," Florida State receiver Matt Frier said.

"There's no secrets in this game." The game wasn't always a major event. When they first played in 1951, Florida State's football program was only 5 years old and Miami wasn't a national power. LASER AND SURGERY CENTER 1-800-349-4488 Alexandria, LA.