South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 40

sun-sentinel, inursaay, January 2, 1992 Michigan has recwriiig nightmare IMn 91 fHnwardl was." pass for 35 yards. He averaged only 7 yards on three punt returns and 13 yards on three kickoff returns. It was the first time Howard failed to score a touchdown this season. "I made some plays, but I didn't have the chance very often," said Howard, who has one year of eligibility remaining but was non-committal on whether he would return. "I haven't felt like that since the Florida State game." Washington coach Don James said his team only was willing to give Howard short routes, routes the No.

4 Wolverines (10-2) never explored. "I thought they would throw it under to him," James said. "What we tried to do with Michigan quarterback Elvis Grbac was let him know that we knew nondescript Notre Dame and beating up on a mediocre Big Ten. "Obviously, it's a disappointing day," Michigan coach Gary Moeller said. "We didn't even snap the ball a couple of times on the right count." Wednesday, Moeller turned into a Michigan Rose Bowl legend Bo Schembechler.

Since 1970, the Wolverines are 2-9 in the game, after going 2-8 in Pasadena under Schembechler. "Look," the second-year Wolverines coach said, "this has nothing to do with Bo's frustration, or anything like that." It did, though, have much to do with the frustration of several of Michigan's award-winning standouts. Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard, for example, caught only one Greg Skrepenak, Michigan's All-America tackle, also had an uneven game, failing on one attempt to lead Grbac on a fourth-and-1 carry. And even Butkus Award-winning linebacker Erick Anderson was disappointed in his showing. "This was not the way you want to end a career," he said.

Then again, the Wolverines didn't want to end a season like this, just when they thought they had overcome the memory of that brutal afternoon against Florida State. "We just played a terrible game," tailback Ricky Powers said. "We didn't produce at all on offense," Grbac said. By IRA WINDERMAN Staff Writer PASADENA, Calif. It was Florida State all over again.

Michigan was playing No. 1. And No. 1 won by 20 points. For all of Michigan's promise, Wednesday's 34-14 loss in the Rose Bowl to Washington, ranked No.

1 in, some polls, left the Wolverines as a team of individual stars but team failure. On Sept. 28 in Ann Arbor, it was a 51-31 loss to the then-No. 1 Seminoles. This time, it was No.

1 Washington toying with the Big Ten champions for most of the second half For the Wolverines, in the end, it simply was a season of defeating a Michigan paid after coin flip IT waft 1A A .7 "V- It Lc AP photo Washington's Lamar Lyons (25) is at the center of a defensive celebration in the second quarter. By IRA WINDERMAN Staff Writer PASADENA, Calif. Michigan knew. It won the toss for Wednesday's Rose Bowl. It allowed Washington to start on offense.

The biggest problem for the Wolverines was they eventually would have to take possession. And then they would face a defense that turned the best of Michigan opportunities into the worst of results in what would become an embarrassing 34-14 loss. "They did to us what they do to everyone," coach Gary Moeller said. "Their defense beats you up and then their offense gets going." Even if Washington quarterback Billy Joe Hobert hadn't completed 18 of 34 attempts, even if split end Mario Bailey hadn't upstaged Heisman Trc phy winner Desmond Howard with 126 yards in receptions, even if tight end Aaron Pierce hadn't caught seven passes, the Huskies still would have had enough to handle the Wolverines. Because of All-America defensive tackle Steve Emtman and his ability to cave in the middle of the Michigan line.

Because of cornerback Dana Hall and his ability to keep Howard in check. Because of the speed the Washington linebackers and secondary possess that makes playing close to the line hardly a risk at all. "Their defense was even tougher than I had thought," Moeller said. How tough? How dominating? NOTEBOOK QB controversy brews in Washington By ROBES PATTON Staff Writer PASADENA, Calif. The hottest quarterback controversy next season may not be with NFL teams in New Orleans, Dallas or Los Angeles.

It could be at the University of Washington. Mark Brunell, the Player of the Game in last year's Rose Bowl, injured his knee in spring practice and lost his job to Billy Joe Hobert, who led the Huskies to a 12-0 season and was co-Player of the Game in Washington's 34-14 victory over Michigan in the Wednesday's Rose Bowl. Brunell will be a senior next season, Hobert a junior. "We're going to have two good quarterbacks," Washington coach Don James said. "If we have three good quarterbacks we'll play three.

I'm not against playing more than one quarterback." Brunell played two drives, leading the Huskies to a first-half field goal and a second-half touchdown with a 38-yard pass to Mario Bailey. Brunell completed 7 of 8 passes for 89 yards. Meanwhile, Hobert completed 18 of 34 passes for 192 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. "I don't know which quarterback James wants to play with," Michigan coach Gary Moeller said. "I didn't expect him to switch that much." Hobert didn't appear to be consumed by the moment.

Sharing the postgame interview room with James and tackle Steve Emtman, Hobert said, "I'm just a peon in the football world." Bailey gains recognition Mario Bailey backed up his claim that he should have been recognized as much as Michigan's Desmond Howard. Bailey caught six passes for 126 yards and one touchdown; Howard was held to one catch of 35 yards and failed to score a touchdown for the first time this season. To top it off, Bailey struck the Heisman Trophy pose that's right, just like Howard during the Ohio State game after catching the 38-yard touchdown pass that closed out the Huskies' scoring for the afternoon. "I wanted to prove I'm just as good or better," Bailey said, adding that he was miffed to be mistakenly introduced as Howard at a news conference earlier in the week. "I wanted to show people I'm Mario Bailey and No.

5. Not No. 21." After a series of diplomatic answers, Howard finally addressed the Bailey issue. "You know, that guy kept mentioning my name all week, saying he had the same kind of numbers, and all that, and I never said anything about him ever. Just say if he's into the Heisman Trophy, he can come over to my house and see the real thing." Huskies9 tight ends star Going into the Rose Bowl, Washington tight end Aaron Pierce's best game of the season had been a four-catch, 44-yard effort against Cal.

He proved to be the secret weapon against Michigan, however, with seven catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Also, freshman tight end Mark Bruener caught a touchdown pass. "Aaron and I got our day in the sun," Bruener said. Two juniors undecided Emtman on the possibility of turning pro after his junior season: "I've still got a decision to make, but it's not going to be for a couple of weeks." Howard, a Michigan junior, said, "I haven't decided yet." Emtman holds comment Asked if the system for deciding the national championship was outdated, Emtman said, "I'll tell you As Emtman was being interviewed on the field, a teammate slipped a Nebraska hat on his head. A sign in the stands after the game read "East Coast Sportswriters.

Wake up and smell the Roses. Huskies In one of the stranger stats, Washington lost the coin toss for the 10th time in 12 games. The Huskies didn't allow more than a touchdown in any quarter all season. The Pac-10 is 19-4 in Rose Bowls since 1970. James is 13-1 against the Big 10 since 1980.

Going into the game, Washington and Michigan each had allowed six sacks this season. The Huskies had six Wednesday, Michigan one. Because the Huskies were the designated visitor in the Rose Bowl, Michigan was the fourth ranked team Washington faced on the road. The Huskies won those games by an average 34-15. Nebraska was the only team to lead Washington for more than a half this season.

The Huskies rallied to beat the Cornhuskers 36-21 and trailed all of 10 minutes, 44 seconds in eight Pac-10 games. Michigan linebacker Erick Anderson, the team leader each of the past four seasons, led Michigan with 10 tackles. and was tackled by linebacker Chico Fraley for no gain. Third-and-25 became fourth-and-25. Michigan punted.

Washington went into the locker room ahead 13-7. And once the Huskies offense picked up where the defense left off, it became a Rose Bowl rout. "That gave us momentum going into halftime," Hall said. "The feeling going into the locker room was we were going to shut the door the rest of the game." At halftime, the Wolverines had 53 yards, 44 passing, 9 running (on 17 carries). They finished with 205.

As staggering as those numbers are, by Huskies standards, they aren't all that unusual. Washington entered ranked No. 2 in With 1 minute, 28 seconds to play in the second quarter, the Huskies proved what the Pac-10 and the rest of those west of Miami already knew. Michigan had just taken possession on the Washington 29 after an interception of a deflected pass. Down 13-7, it was the Wolverines' best opportunity to take the lead.

Not. On first down, Emtman plowed the middle of the line and sacked Elvis Grbac for a 12-yard loss. First-and-10 became second-and-22. On second down, Grbac tried to run and was thrown for a 3-yard loss by defensive end Andy Mason. Second-and-22 became third-and-25.

On third down, speedster Tyrone Wheatley tried to go around right end total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense. It had allowed only six rushing touchdowns all season. It entered averaging 14 tackles behind scrimmage. It hadn't allowed more than one touchdown in any quarter. And in the school's biggest game, the Huskies didn't back down.

Washington finished with six sacks, after the Wolverines had been sacked just nine times in 23 games. Wednesday, Michigan thought it made the right decision after winning the coin flip. But, eventually, Washington's defense got its chance and took over. "We went out there and played great, but we didn't play perfect," linebacker Dave Hoffmann said. "But I don't think anybody cares right now." HUSKIES STATISTICS FROM PAGE 1C 13 7 Washington Michigan 1334 7 14 QBHobart, defense lead way to 12-0 Passing AH Cp Yds Sacks TP Lg HI Hobert 34 18 192 1 2 34 2 Brunell 8 7 89 0 1 38 0 Totals 42 25 281 1 3 38 2 Paaa Receiving No.

Yds. Avg. Lg TP Pierce 7 86 lO 26 1 M. Bailey 6 126 21.0 38 1 Bryant 5 22 4.4 9 0 Jones 2 7 3.5 5 0 Gaspard i 15 15.0 15 0 McKay 1 12 12.0 12 0 Turner 1 6 60 6 0 Breuner 1 5 5.0 5 1 Barry 1 2 2.0 2 0 Totals 25 281 11.2 38 i Interceptions No. Yds.

lg TO W. Bailey i 0 0 0 Totals 10 0 0 Punting No Yds Avg. TB In 20 "Lg Werdel 6 251 41 8 53 Totals 6 251 41.8 53 Punt returns No. FC Yds. Avg.

lg TP Bryant 4 34 85 19 0 Totals 4 34 11 Kickoff returns No. Yds. Avg. tg TP Kaufman 1 38 38.0 38 0 Barry 23 23.0 23 0 M. Bailey 1 0 0 0 0 Totals ei 20.1 30 0 Michigan Rushing Alt NY Avg.

tg TP 8cond Quarter Washington Billy Joe Hobert 2 run (Travis Hanson kick), 14:57. Drive: Eight plays, 54 yards, 2:09. Key pley: Hobert completed 34-yard pass to Mario Bailey at 6-yard line. Washington 7, Michigan 0. Michigan Walter Smith 9 pass from Elvis Grbac (J.D.

Carlson kick), 13:09. Drive: Four plays, 44 yards, 1:48. Key play: Grbac had 35-yard pass to Desmond Howard on first play of drive to 9-yard line. Washington 7, Michigan 7. Washington Hanson 24-yard field goal, 6:52.

Drive: Thirteen plays, 60 yards, 6:17. Key play: Washington holding penalty negated would-be 14-yard scoring run by Jay Barry. Washington 10, Michigan 7. Washington Hanson 23-yard held goal, 3:19. Drive; Eight plays, 40 yards, 1:45.

Key play: A 29-yard punt by Michigan's Eddie Azcona gave Huskies good field position at Michigan 48. Washington 13, Michigan 7. Third Quarter. Washington Mark Bruener 5-yard pass from Hobert (Aaron Pierce pass from Hobert), 5:27. Drive: 12 piays, 80 yards, 4:25.

Key play: A scrambling Hobert passed 19 yards to Bailey on thlrd-and-7 from Michigan 22. Washington 21, Michigan 7. Fourth Quarter Washington Aaron Pierce 2-yard pass from Hobert (kick tailed), 14:21. Drive: Eleven plays, 46 yards, 4:17. Key play: Hobert kept the drive alive with a 3-yard sneak on fourth-and-1 from the Michigan 23.

Washington 27, Michigan 7. Washington Bailey 38-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Hanson kick), 13:12. Drive: One play, 38 yards. :06. Key play: Huskies stopped Michigan on fourth-and-1 to gain possession at 36.

Washington 34, Michigan 7. Michigan Tyrone Wheatley 53 run (Carlson kick), 10:34. Drive: Five plays, 71 yards, 2:38. Key play: Wheat-ley's run. Washington 34, Michigan 14.

A 103,566. with Emtman was named co-Player of the Game, tight end Aaron Pierce (seven catches, 86 yards, one touchdown) and Bailey (six catches, 126 yards, one touchdown). On defense, as it had been all season, it was a gang-tackling, disruptive effort. The Huskies had 13 tackles for losses, including six sacks, and generally made Michigan look "Washington is by far the best team we've played," said quarterback Elvis Grbac, who was harassed all afternoon and completed 13 of 26 passes for 130 yards. "Notre Dame and Florida State are not even close." Neither was Michigan, once Washington got rolling in the second half with three touchdowns that turned a close game at halftime into a rout.

But what may have been most important as far as the Huskies' positioning for the national championship was that they looked good, if not great, while manhandling Michigan on both sides of the ball. And if their play wasn't enough to convince those who would decide the national championship, the Huskies offered plenty of postgame opinion. Before scattering around Southern California to watch the completion of the Orange Bowl, the Huskies lingered long enough to politic. "We shut 'em down, and I think we deserve the national championship," Emtman said. "I'm satisfied.

That's all we can do. It's up to the voters now." Said center Ed Cunningham, "We're No. 1 in one poll. If Miami wins, let's just split the polls and everyone go home happy." James, who played quarterback at the University of Miami in the 1950s, said he would be disappointed if bis team didn't get a share of a championship. And he made his loyalty clear.

"I want the voters to watch the Miami game and make a judgment based on what they see," he said. "But I am not going to go back and cheer for my alma mater." Mich. 7 53 6 Wash. 1.0 7.5 Powers Wheatley Grbac Johnson Howard Collins Total 18 7.5 10 0 4 1 1 33 10 68 -42 30 15 -9 72 15.0 15 First Downs ..10.., Rushing .4... Passing Penalty 0...

Rushing Net ......72... -9 0 2J convinced that no matter what happened later Wednesday night in the Orange Bowl, they deserved at least partial recognition as national champions. "It doesn't matter," Bailey said. "We're 12-0 and we should be champs in one of the polls. If they're not going to let us play, they might as well give us a split." There was little question which way Michigan would lean.

"I think we've lost to as good a team as we've ever played," coach Gary Moeller said. "I can't envision a better team than this." Added Howard, "I would definitely give them my vote for first place." He wasn't alone. When Washington coach Don James sat down in the postgame interview room, he said, "I know I'm going to vote Washington No. 1." Ironically, Washington has never won an NCAA-sanctioned national championship. Football remains a "mythical" title, but the Huskies will accept it.

"There is no question in my mind," defensive tackle Steve Emtman said. "There should be no doubt in anybody's mind. We proved that we can play with anybody in the country. We are 12-0. We deserve a ring." Washington's domination in part was due to the Huskies' ability to neutralize Howard, who had one catch for 35 yards and didn't score in a game for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, the Huskies were marching up and down the field, amassing 404 yards to Michigan's 205. Most nettlesome of the offensive Huskies were quarterback Billy Joe Hobert, who completed 18 of 34 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns and Attempts 33.., HI Passing AH Cp Yds Sacks TP Lg ..2.2.., Average Gain Passing Net 133... Attempts Grbac Collins Totals 1 35 i 10 3 0 0 1 35 1 26 13 130 2 1 3 20 14 133 Completions Had ..14... ..1... sacitea ..0...

Avg. Lg TP Paas Receiving No. 10 12 1 123 43 2.0 201 42 20 3 1 0 404 05 4.7 3 01 1 0 0 0 0 00 33:10 Yards Lost ..49. Total Offense Yards gained 205... 01.., loiai piays ..3.4...

Average per Van Dyne Wheatley Powers Howard McGee Smith Johnson Total 9 19 10 35 14 9 5 33 5.5 10.0 0.0 35.0 14.0 80 60 0JJ 4 3 3 1 1 1 1 22 30 18 35 14 0 5 133 Kickolts Number returned Ysrds returned 79... Interceptions Total. 1992 SCHEDULES Yards Fumbtee Total- Fumbles lost ,.3 .0 .0 TO Interceptiona Washington Lg No. Yds. Michigan ..02 Penalties Times Yards penalized Time of possession 20:50...

36 0 Sept. 12 Williams Morrison Total 36 0 0 0 30 at Notre Dame Oklahoma State Houston Iowa Individual statistics Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Punting Yds Avg.

TO tn 20 Lg Washington Azcona Total 53 53 10 378 37.8 10 373 374 TP Sept. 5 at Arizona State Sept. 12 Wisconsin Sept. 19 Nebraska Sept. 26 Idle Oct.

3 Southern Cat Oct. 10 California Oct. 17 at Oregon Oct. 24 Pacific Oct. 31 Stanford Nov.

7 at Arizona Nov. 14 Oregon State Nov. 21 at Washington St. Punt return No. FC Yd.

Avg. Lg TP Howard Total 21 70 15 0 21 7.0 15 0 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct 24. Oct.

31 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Michigan State at Indiana Minnesota at Purdue at Northwestern Illinois at Ohio State Rushing AH NY Avg. Lg Bryant 15 38 2.5 10 Barry 13 37 2.8 9 Kaufman 6 26 4.3 14 Hobert 4 -1 3 Jones 3 22 7.3 12 Turner 1 3 30 3 Brunell 1-2-2-2 Total 43 123 2-0 14 Kickoff returns Avg.

Lg TP Yds. Wheatley Howard Total 3 40 13.3 25 3 39 13.0 21 0 71 13J 25 0.