The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 26

THE TIM 4C WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27. 1999 NFL College Football QB Least ilifiTI TEAM STATISTICS Receivers No Yds ready to return LG TD 45t 3 56t 8 65 2 39 1 67 2 57 1 78t 6 Brown, Oak. 46 Harrison, Ind. 45 K. Johnson, NY-J 40 Scott, Cin.

40 Glenn, N.E. 39 J. Smith, Jac. 37 McCaffrey, Den. 31 Avg 13.1 15.8 14.4 11.9 18.4 13.1 16.4 15.8 13.6 17.2 11.3 602 709 577 477 716 484 507 458 393 481 315 Moulds, Buf.

491 47t 69t Dyson, Ten. Martin, Mia. McCardell, Jac. Punters No AP Leard Spurrier Rouen, Den. Tupa, NY-J Miller, Pit.

L. Johnson, N.E. Barker, Jac. Gardocki, Cle. Bennett, S.D.

Hentrich, Ten. Richardson, Bal. Yds 1492 1634 1809 1608 1418 2197 1586 1315 1820 1392 33 1 LG Avg 6548.1 6045.4 6845.2 5844.7 8344.3 6043.9 6042.9 5942.4 6342.3 6442,2 LG TD 31 36 40 36 32 50 37 31 43 33 Roundup Pope, K.C. Punt Returners San Francisco quarterback Steve Young lays motionless on the field after suffering a concussion against the Arizona Cardinals Sept. 27 in Tempe, Arizona.

The 49ers have a bye week to try to regroup from their first three-game losing streak in 19 years. The break will also give Young time to think long and hard about his football future. Young's year may be over with 49ers No Yds Avg C. Rogers, Sea. Vanover, K.C.

K. Williams, Buf. Gordon, Oak. Griffin, Cin. Wilkins, Ind.

Barlow, Jac. J. Lewis, Bal. Ward, NY-J 20.0 11.3 11.0 10.8 8.9 8.7 8.7 8.4 8.3 12 20 16 18 21 14 18 20 12 11 94t 28 27 78 34 16 29 28 20 36 Z40 225 176 195 186 122 156 167 99 86 From Staff and Wire Reports AUBURN, Ala. The Tiger's stagnant offense is looking for a much-needed boost now that Ben Leard has reclaimed his role as starting quarterback.

Iard, out the past four weeks with a separated shoulder, said Tuesday hell be ready to start this week against Arkansas. "Day by day my ami is feeling better," Leard said. "Today I woke up for the first time with very little soreness. That's an improvement because last week I was waking up and having to work the soreness out." The Tigers started the season 3-0 with Leard in the lineup and he ranked second in the nation in passing efficiency. He had completed 14-of-17 passes and was leading Auburn to a go-ahead touchdown against Mississippi when he separated his shoulder.

FLORIDA: Leaves change colors. Daylight-saving time ends. Steve Spurrier plays musical quarterbacks. The quarterback shuffle at No. 5 Florida is an October ritual as predictable as any other and nothing seems to be changing this year.

Spurrier said the position isn't necessarily Doug Johnson's to keep after a series of games in which he and Johnson have communicated poorly and been involved in an occasional argument on the sideline. Johnson still has the starting job heading into Saturday's game against No. 10 Georgia, but the coach says he won't hesitate bringing Jesse Palmer off the bench if Johnson isn't performing up to standards. Spurrier reiterated that Tuesday, making it clear that the tension between the two is anything but over. "I'm not mad at Doug," Spurrier said.

"But certainly, I'm frustrated with some of his plays that I've not been able to coach him out of. I fully expect Doug to go the distance this week. But if it comes to a point that we've got to get somebody else in Roundup Edwards, Pit. 7.8 Kickoff Returners No Yds Avg Through Week 7 TOTAL YARDAGE AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE OFFENSE Yards Rush Pass Oakland 2609 957 1652 Indianapolis 2190 527 1663 New England 2499 576 1923 Buffalo 2359 858 1501 Denver 2354 727 1627 Tennessee 1999 498 1501 Miami 1991 600 1391 Jacksonville 1978 800 1178 Kansas City 1958 787 1171 Cincinnati 2141 873 1268 New York Jets 2059 854 1205 Seattle 1757 467 1290 Baltimore 1679 686 993 Pittsburgh 1958 837 1121 San Diego 1561 415 1146 Cleveland 1391 549 842 DEFENSE Yards Rush Pass Jacksonville 1417 551 866 Pittsburgh 1739 592 1147 Miami 1560 457 1103 Baltimore 1590 528 1062 San Diego 1687 459 1228 Denver 1991 783 1208 Kansas City 1730 494 1236 Buffalo 2027 617 1410 Oakland 2207 601 1606 Cincinnati 2225 646 1579 Tennessee 1924 630 1294 New England 2303 749 1554 Indianapolis 1999 587 1412 Seattle 2017 665 1352 New York Jets 2540 848 1692 Cleveland 2841 1122 1 719 NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE OFFENSE Yards Rush Pass Washington 2332 733 1599 St. Louis 2326 808 1518 Minnesota 2512 695 1817 Green Bay 2084 564 1520 Carolina 2058 635 1423 Dallas 2005 696 1309 Chicago 2258 642 1616 New Orleans 1917 618 1299 Detroit 1786 604 1182 San Francisco 2063 756 1307 Atlanta 2017 485 1532 New York Giants 1933 584 1349 Tampa Bay 1585 779 806 Arizona 1466 412 1054 Philadelphia 1440 625 815 DEFENSE Yards Rush Pass Tampa Bay 1516 417 1099 New York Giants 1863 554 1309 St.

Louis 1606 432 1174 New Orleans 1731 660 1071 Dallas 1780 532 1248 Arizona 1832 819 1013 Atlanta 2179 931 1248 Philadelphia 2237 945 1292 Detroit 1928 525 1403 Chicago 2345 806 1539 Green Bay 2059 732 1327 Minnesota 2429 691 1738 Carolina 2092 814 1278 San Francisco 2511 719 1792 Washington 2360 741 1619 LG TD 71 0 there, then that's what I have to do." -j Spurrier has banned both quarterba; from talking to the media this week, LOUISIANA-MONROE: The Indians ball team made signif icant jumps in -NCAA Division l-A statistics after defeatinj state and fellow l-A independent Louisii -Lafayette last week, 31-7 at Cajun Field. ULM jumped in nine of the 12 statist categories recorded weekly by the NC Thanks to a l-A record 174 yards rushinj senior running back Mike Mitchell, Indian running game us up 15 spots to 7 and now averages 126.9 yards a As a result, the ULM overall offensi also up, jumping three spots to aven 253.88 yards a contest But the most' nificant jumps have come on the defeni side of the ball. After limiting the Ragin' Cajuns to 33 yards passing, the Indians' defer jumped 16 spots and now rank 2 among the 114 Division l-A teams lowing just 315.1 yards a game. The (j pass efficiency defense, meanwhile, now ranked 16th in the country spots higher than a week ago allow opposing quarterbacks to earn a 10, quarterback rating. MIAMI (FLA): Hurricanes quarterbi Kenny Kelly, who led the 23rd-ranl Hurricanes to 31 second-half points an dramatic, come-from behind victory Boston College last weekend, might sidelined for Saturday's game aga'i West Virginia.

Kelly had a hard cast placed on sprained left ankle Sunday and is not pected to practice until later this Watsofi, Den. Marion, Mia. Wilkins, Ind. Mack, Cin. Green, Sea.

Powell, Cle. Faulk, N.E. Griffin, Cin. Harris, Bal. Kaufman, Oak.

15 22 12 11 15 25 21 11 22 13 27.9 27.8 25.5 24.8 23.8 23.2 23.0 22.6 22.4 21.6 418 611 306 273 357 580 484 249 492 281 93 97t 39 54 43 61 42 63 37 Scoring 13 Injured San Francisco QB likely headed for injured reserve. From Wire Reports SANTA CLARA. Calif. Steve Young ap)ears headed for the injured reserve list because of persistent post-concussion symptoms, a move that would Onish his season and could signal the end of his career. No formal decision has been made yet, but the agent for the San Francisco 49ers quarterback said Tuesday he doesn't intend to let Young play again this year and apparently the team and Young's doctors feel the same way.

"I'm determined he not risk anything more this year," Ijeigh Steinberg said in an interview with San Francisco's KCBS radio. "He's Touchdowns TD Rush Rec Ret Pts Harrison, Ind. 8 0 8 0 48 Allen, N.E. 6 5 1 0 36 McCaffrey, Den. 6.0 6 0 36 E.

George, Ten. 5 2 3 0 30 Huntley. Pit. 5 2 3 0 30 J. Stewart, Jac.

5 5 0 0 30 Wheatley, Oak. 5 5 0 0 30 Gonzalez, K.C. 4 0 4 0 24 James, Ind. 4 4 0 0 24 Mayes, Sea. 4 0 4 0 24 Means, S.D.

4 3 1 0 24 Kicking PAT FG LG Pts Mare, Mia. 10-10 22-23 53 76 Hollis, Jac. 9-9 16-17 50 57 Vinatieri, N.E. 17-17 13-16 41 56 Peterson, Sea. 10-10 13-16 51 49 Christie, Buf.

12-12 12-16 52 48 K.Brown, Pit. 13-14 11-11 51 46 Elam.Den. 13-13 11-15 51 46 16-16 10-15 47 46 Vanderjagt, Ind. 20-20 8-12 42 44 Stoyanovich, K.C. 16-16 9-12 51 43 probably going to end up on injured reserve.

This is a football injury. He was hurt on the Geld and that's where those players go. "But the news is not encouraging. It's not real cheery. Tigers: LSU to face crucial SEC matchup 1 x-ated concussions, including Al Toon and Merrill Hoge.

He's also gathering more medical advice and may see another specialist this week but Mariucci and general manager Bill Walsh have both said that they would give greatest weight to Dr. Steinberg's conclusions and they are in no hurry to see Young back on the field. The concern with Young is he could be at risk for permanent brain damage from another concussion. Mariucci said Monday that the team, which has a bye this week, hopes to resolve Young's status in the next week or two and said injured reserve was a possibility. BROWNS: Cleveland is having enough trouble stopping teams when all their defensive players are healthy.

But now there's a chance 0-7 Cleveland could be without its starting linebackers, including the team's top two tacklers, when it plays the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Wali Rainer, who leads the Browns with 89 tackles, Jamir Miller, who is second with 69, and Rahim Abdullah, who is not too far behind with 40. all were hurt in Sunday's 34-3 loss to the St. Louis Rams. Miller may be the most seriously injured, having sprained a joint in his left shoulder.

Rainer has a painful turf toe injury on his left foot and Abdullah bruised his left hip. The status of all three players is day-today, the Browns said Tuesday. CARDINALS: Arizona received a scare Monday when DT Eric Swann's surgically-repaired right knee gave out during a pass rush. Swann insisted he was fine, and coach Vince Tobin said Tuesday the knee had no swelling. Swann has participated in 41 plays in two games since returning after a year layoff.

FALCONS: Wide receiver Terance Mathis became the team's all-time leader in receptions Monday night when he caught 12 passes for 166 yards in the 13-9 loss at Pittsburgh. Mathis has 427 career receptions with Atlanta, passing Andre Rison's 423 receptions from 1990-94. JAGUARS: Jacksonville is struggling at 14th in the league in total offense, and though running back Fred Taylor refuses to believe his absence is the only reason, teammates are anxiously awaiting his return Sunday against the Bengals. Taylor, who rushed for 1,233 yards as a rookie last season, missed the last two games before the Jaguars' bye last week with a hamstring, and the injury has limited him since the opener. Taylor Saturday's game WHO: Ole Miss (5-2, 2-2) at LSU (2-5, 0-5).

WHEN: 7 p.m. tf i WHERE: Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge RADIO: KWKH (1130 AM) Obviously, to show symptoms this many weeks later is not '4 positive sign." The 3-year-old Young is expected his condition and status with the team on Wednesday in a meeting with the media. It's his first such meeting in two weeks since wjiirjl surfaced that his primary neurologist, Dr. Gary Steinberg, who is unrelated to the agent, had made a Jongterm recommendation about whether Young should play again. "I think he'll be able to clear some things up, be a little more definitive," coach Steve Mariucci said.

"Is anything drastic going to happen? No." While Dr. Steinberg's opinion liasn't been disclosed, Young has said report was "discouraging" and his agent has said that the initial medical opinion has been reaffirmed in consultations with other specialists. Young continues to speak with some of his contemporaries who were, forced out of the game by re- DiNardo's team is 2-5 after the State loss. The Tigers have lost eight straight Southeastern Conference games. And they have lost 1 1 of their last 12 SEC games.

Still, DiNardo is trying to keep his team from being influenced by media and fan evaluation after a near-miss against a nationally-ranked unbeaten Bulldogs team. This started for me eight weeks ago when everyone thought we lost to San Jose State," DiNardo said. "I told the team we won against San Jose State. And when we lost to Auburn, everybody said the season was over. And I said, 'No, it's only one And I was criticized for taking that attitude.

"So now I'm hoping they believe me when I say to them, how they should feel after a game. It's my job to tell them how they should feel after a game. Nothing has taught them how to feel after a game unless I teach it to them Because there will be a time when you look back at the San Jose State game with a sweet memory." That time is now. The Tigers have to win their remaining four games against Ole College Athletics Miss, Alabama, Houston aj Arkansas to avoid a seco) straight losing season. And DiNardo desperately to keep his team together to prevtj the season from unraveling the it did last year in a 4-7 season, i "They've got to understand th), yeah, we've got to stay togethej DUNarclo said, wnat is tlie alteit tive to doing what we did last wetf Not playing hard.

Not laying it the line. "If it's hard to keep them toge er, then I haven't done a good ji getting that message across. JV got another shot, today, tomorra and the next day and the next day' Cowboys don't mind Sanders returning Louisiana-Monroe names assistant softball coach1 NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE Through Week 7 Quarterbacks Att Com Yds TO Int Warner, Stl 162 118 1531 18 3 B. Johnson, Was. 197 124 1657 12 2 Matthews, Chi.

177 111 1043 8 3 86 48 584 5 2 Beuerlein, Car. 211 121 1560 10 7 Batch, Det. 157 87 1158 10 7 Graham, NY-G 170 104 1168 6 5 Aikman, Dal. 196 114 1350 10 8 Cunningham, Min. 200 124 1475 8 9 Favre.G.B.

212 113 1608 10 8 Rushers Att Yds Avg LG TD Davis, Was. 124 553 4.5 24 9 E.Smith, Dal. 150 515 3.4 37 6 Staley, Phi. 129 505 3.9 26 1 Faulk, St.L 88 502 5.7 58 2 Enis. Chi.

156 497 3.2 1 8 1 Levens.G.B. 118 468 4.0 32 3 Biakabutuka, Car. 63 459 7.3 67t 5 Gamer, S.F. 95 441 4.6 53 1 R. Williams, N.0.1 13 403 3.6 25 0 Alston, T.B.

83 398 4.8 28t 2 Receivers No Yds Avg LG TD Mathis, Atl. 43 538 12.5 52 2 Carter, Min. 38 457 12.0 36 3 Toomer, NY-G 37 470 12.7 38 1 Muhammad, Car. 34 593 17.4 60t 2 Bruce, St.L 32 538 16.8 60 8 Moss, Min. 32 514 16.1 61t 4 Faulk.

St.L 31 293 9.5 38 1 Ismail, Dal. 30 526 17.5 76t 3 Freeman, G.B. 30 495 16.5 51 4 Rice, S.F. 30 294 9.8 19 2 Punters No Yds LG Avg Berger.Min. 21 1067 7550.8 Landeta, Phi.

52 2279 6043.8 Royals, T.B. 34 1470 5543.2 Gowin.Dal. 31 1337 6443.1 Player, Ariz 40 1715 5842.9 Aguiar, G.B. 24 1020 6442.5 Jett, Det. 30 1272 6242.4 Walter, Car.

31 1305 5642.1 M.Turk, Was. 26 1085 5741.7 Tuten.Stl 19 791 7041.6 Punt Returners No Yds Avg LG TD Hakim, Stl 13 201 15.5 84t 1 Cody, Ariz 8 111 13.9 31 0 Barber, NY-G 25 311 12.4 85t 1 Sanders, Dal. 15 175 11.7 70t 1 Rossum, Phi. 9 103 11.4 39 0 Green, T.B. 14 144 10.3 31 0 Fair, Det.

9 83 9.2 36 0 Milburn.Chi. 15 126 8.4 54 0 Kennison, N.O. 18 141 7.8 16 0 Howard, G.B. 8 61 7.6 13 0 Kickoff Returners No Yds Avg LG TD Home, St.L 13 468 36.0 101t 2 Fair, Det. 19 511 26.9 91 0 Milburn.Chi.

23 615 26.7 93 0 Palmer, Min. 21 514 24.5 51 0 Rossum, Phi. 18 433 24.1 56 0 Bates, Car. 17 403 23.7 72 0 Bates, Anz 15 349 23.3 51 0 Davis, N.O. 11 247 22.5 35 0 McQuarters, S.F.

16 353 22.1 37 0 Patten, NY-G 17 364 21.4 45 0 Scoring Touchdowns TD Rush Rec Ret Pts Davis, Was. 9 9 0 0 56 Bruce, St.L 8 0 8 0 48 E. Smith, Dal. 7 6 1 0 42 Walls. Car.

6 0 6 0 36 Biakabutuka, Car. 5 5 0 0 30 Connell.Was. 4 0 4 0 24 Conway, Chi. 4 0 4 0 24 Freeman. G.B.

4 0 4 0 24 Hakim, St.L 4 0 3 1 24 Hoard. Mm. 4 4 0 0 24 Moss. Mm. 4 0 4 0 24 Westbrook, Was.

4 0 4 0 24 Kicking PAT FG LG Pts Anderson, Min. 17-17 11-17 40 50 Wilkins, St.L 28-28 7-7 51 49 Conway, Was. 21-22 9-10 50 48 Richey.S.F. 15-15 11-11 43 48 Longwell, G.B. 14-14 11-12 50 47 Hanson, Det.

10-11 11-12 51 43 Kasay. Car. 13-13 10-12 52 43 Gramatica, T.B. 7-7 11-13 51 40 N. Johnson, Phi.

8-8 9-13 48 35 Jacke, Ariz 7-7 9-13 44 34 AVERAGE PER GAME AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE OFFENSE Yards Rush Pass Oakland 372.7 136.7 236.0 Indianapolis 365.0 87.8 277.2 New England 357.0 82.3 274.7 Buffalo 337.0 122.6 214.4 Denver 336.3 103.9 232.4 Tennessee 333.2 83.0 250.2 Miami 331.8 100.0 231.8 Jacksonville 329.7 133.3 196.3 Kansas City 326.3 131.2 195.2 Cincinnati 305.9 124.7 181.1 New York Jets 294.1 122.0 172.1 Seattle 292.8 77.8 215.0 Baltimore 279.8 114.3 165.5 Pittsburgh 279.7 119.6 160.1 San Diego 260.2 69.2 191.0 Cleveland 198.7 78.4 120.3 DEFENSE Yards Rush Pass Jacksonville 236.2 91.8 144.3 Pittsburgh 248.4 84.6 163.9 Miami 260.0 76.2 183.8 Baltimore 265.0 88.0 177.0 San Diego 281.2 76.5 204.7 Denver 284.4 111.9 172.6 Kansas City 288.3 82.3 206.0 Buffalo 289.6 88.1 201.4 Oakland 315.3 85.9 229.4 Cincinnati 317.9 92.3 225.6 Tennessee 320.7 105.0 215.7 New England 329.0 107.0 222.0 Indianapolis 333.2 97.8 235.3 Seattle 336.2 110.8 225.3 New York Jets 362.9 121.1 241.7 Cleveland 405.9 160.3 245.6 NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE OFFENSE Yards Rush Pass Washington 388.7 122.2 266.5 St. Louis 387.7 134.7 253.0 Minnesota 358.9 99.3 259.6 Green Bay 347.3 94.0 253.3 Carolina 343.0 105.8 237.2 Dallas 334.2 116.0 218.2 Chicago 322.6 91.7 230.9 New Orleans 319.5 103.0 216.5 Detroit 297.7 100.7 197.0 San Francisco 294.7 108.0 186.7 Atlanta 288.1 69.3 218.9 New York Giants 276.1 83.4 192.7 Tampa Bay 264.2 129.8 1 34.3 Arizona 244.3 68.7 175.7 Philadelphia 205.7 89.3 116.4 DEFENSE Yards Rush Pass Tampa Bay 252.7 69.5 183.2 New York Giants 266.1 79.1 187.0 St. Louis 267.7 72.0 195.7 New Orleans 288.5 110.0 178.5 Dallas 296.7 88.7 208.0 Anzona 305.3 136.5 168.8 Atlanta 311.3 133.0 178.3 Philadelphia 319.6 135.0 184.6 Detroit 321.3 87.5 233.8 Chicago 335.0 115.1 219.9 Green Bay 343.2 122.0 221.2 Minnesota 347.0 98.7 248.3 Carolina 348.7 135.7 213.0 San Francisco 358.7 102.7 256.0 Washington 393.3 123.5 269.8 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE Through Week 7 Quarterbacks Att Com Yds TD Int Kitna. Sea. 148 87 1107 7 2 Bledsoe.

N.E. 249 150 2038 9 4 Manning, Ind. 209 123 1679 13 8 O'Donnell. Ten. 172 104 1209 8 4 Gannon, Oak.

242 148 1745 8 5 Marino, Mia. 143 84 1088 6 5 Gnese, Den. 214 125 1634 8 7 GrbacK.C. 173 101 1207 7 7 Flutie. Buf.

241 131 1586 9 8 Brunell, Jac. 183 107 1120 3 4 Rushers Att Yds Avg LG TD Martin, NY-J 146 615 4.2 28 2 James, Ind. 149 520 3.5 40 4 Dillon, Cm. 118 508 4.3 38 1 Bhett, Bal. 111 468 4.2 35 2 J.

Stewart, Jac. 126 464 3.7 44t 5 Bertis.Pit. 127 447 3.5 23 3 E.George, Ten. 124 432 3.5 40 2 Allen, N.E. 109 424 3.9 39 5 Whealley.

Oak. 105 421 4.0 25 5 Watters.Sea. 132 418 3.2 19 0 Trie Associated Press IRVING, Texas With Steve Young, it's his head. With Michael Irvin, it's his neck. 'Willi Deion Sanders, it could've been either.

Or both. Sanders was fortunate to avoid the serious injuries of his current and teammates when he put himself back into Sunday's game about an hour after Roundup Daily was the first of four Lady Derrj finishers in the top 10 at the Lart. Invitational as NSU scored 26 poin easily beating Lamar (47) and Louisiai Lafayette (49). Daily, pacing the Northwestern worn for the fourth time this fall, clocked a 1 ning 11:10.62 over two miles, five sJ onds ahead of the second place finish She is a senior from Bay Shore, -York. Northwestern will host the Championships Monday at the Dem Hills Golf Course.

suffering a concussion. Sanders supported his self-diagnosis, by returning a punt 70 yards for a touchdown, sealing Dallas' 38-20 victo From Staff Reports MONROE Former Louisiana-Monroe AIl-American softball pitcher Sarah Dawson has been named assistant coach for the Lady Indian softball team under head coach Rosemary Holloway. Dawson, an Alpine, Calif, native, joins the Lady Indians after coaching for a year at Marshall University. "I am really excited to be back in Monroe and see some familiar faces," said Dawson. Dawson also plays professional softball for three months during the summer with the Akron Racers in the Women's Professional Fastpitch league.

"Holding a coaching position gives me the flexibility I need to maintain a professional career and stay in shape," said Dawson. "I really enjoy coaching and it's great to be back." Dawson was named the league's first-ever MVP and Pitcher-of-the-Year in 1997 in her debut as a pro player with the Orlando Wahoos.She led the WPF during its inaugural season in four pitching categories with 30 wins, a .909 winning percentage (30-3), four saves, and 150 strikeouts. quarter punt return when he locked helmets and shoulder pads with Washington deep snapper Dan Turk, who outweighs the corner-back by nearly 100 pounds. The collision sent Sanders backwards into another big guy, fullback Mike Sellers, who sent Sanders to the ground. Sanders was sent to the locker room and wasn't expected to return.

Then, as Washington finished its fourth play of the third quarter, Sanders jogged out the tunnel and straight to his right cornerback spot without breaking stride. He played six snaps, then went to the sidelines. Jones said no doctors or trainers re-evaluated Sanders after he returned. "Once he was out there and playing that was it," Jones said. "Everybody else was paying more attention to what was going on in the game.

"I don't want to talk about how we handle injuries on any type of policy basis because we don't have one. They're addressed to the situation, injury by injury and circumstance by circumstance." Sanders made only one tackle after returning. It wasn't until resuming punt return duties that he put himself in a compromising position. Sanders protected himself the best way possible not getting hit. The Redskins didn't lay a finger on him as he raced to the end zone.

Cowboys coach Chan Gailey had assumed that doctors had cleared Sanders to return. It wasn't until the celebration of the touchdown that he learned the truth. Gailey pulled Sanders soon after because Dallas had a big lead and Washington had little time to ry over Sanders Washington and adding another memorable moment to a career filled with them. I All the applause for his courageous performance has obscured the danger and logic of allowing a player who has taken a blow to tjie head to overrule doctors and return to a game quickly. I Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday he didn't question ganders' decision because he believes the former two-sport star knows his body better than anyone.

He noted that an MR Sanders took Monday showed no damage, which indicates the injury probably wasn't too severe. "An athlete of his stature and experience, someone of his instincts about his physical condition, probably knows better how far to extend himself than the average football player," Jones said. That probably, subconsciously, was on everybody's mind." I Sanders was injured on a first- NORTHWESTERN STATE Dl LOUISIANA-MONROE 3-0: The It Demons (10-17, 3-12 in the SJ reached 10 wins for the first time sir 1994 as NSU defeated struggl Louisiana-Monroe (1-22, 0-15 in the SI in thiee games 15-5, 15-11, 15-5. I With the win, the Demons also reco ed their third conference victory of season, the most Southland Conferet wins ever recorded by a NSU team sir league play began in 1987. Freshman Lauren Thorman and jun Elizabeth Perez led the Dem offense.Thorman had 12 kills with a .3 attack percentage for the match.

Pei also recorded 12 kills on the evenij while posing a .381 attack percentage Both Lori Dyer (15 digs) and Les Landry (12 digs) had solid defense forts for Northwestern, which snappec six-match conference losing streak. Jamie Gilmore (10 kills, 10 digs) hac double-double performance in the los while Teana Crutcher added 11 kills. Both teams had 113 total attacks the match, but NSU recorded 50 k'l while ULM could manage only 32. Demons out-hit the Lady Indians for match .257 to .106. NORTHWESTERN STATE: Chante' Daily, whose winning performance led the Northwestern State women to their first team victory of the season last Friday, has been named ASICS Southland Conference Cross Country female Athlete of the Week..