South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 24

4C Sun-Sentinel, Tuesday, January 3, 1989 rl'U'3''aWKJEgaAAJ Ill II II i I 'MP' MIAMI 23, NEBRASKA 3 if I jk fV v-Ss 4 i i 1 Jr NOTEBOOK Suspended Brown here to root, not talk By GORDON WITTENMYER Staff Writer MIAMI Hurricanes wide receiver Andre Brown made his first public appearance since before the Dec. 21 announcement by coach Jimmy Johnson that the senior would not be allowed to play in the Orange Bowl. Brown stood on the sideline with former UM safety Selwyn Brown. "I'm just here to root my teammates on," Andre Brcwn said. "I don't really want to talk about it.

"It's hard." When the suspension was announced, Johnson would say only that Brown had violated team policy. When asked Monday why he was suspended, the receiver said. "No comment" But Brown smiled and said: "For $500, 111 tell you." Hurricanes keep Fiesta score in mind The Hurricanes tried to ignore it, but they knew the score before the Orange Bowl started: Notre Dame had won the Fiesta Bowl and the national championship. "I expected it," said offensive coordinator Gsry Stevens, minutes before the second-ranked Hurricanes played Nebraska. Notre Dame defeated No.

3 West Virginia 34-21 Monday, eliminating any chance Miami had of repeating as national champions. "We don't want them talking about that," Johnson said as the Hurricanes ran off the field after pregame practice. Bratton takes his place along sideline Former UM running back Melvin Bratton, who caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown before a serious knee injury forced his fourth-quarter exit from last year's Orange Bowl victory against Oklahoma, limped along the sideline. "It doesn't bother me as long as I've got this ring," he said, holding up the national championship ring he received when Miami finished No. 1 last year.

"Ii I'd tore up my knee and we didn't win, then I'd have bad memories." Bratton, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Dolphins and still hasn't signed, said he expects to be ready to take contact sometime in February. He said the rehabilitation has been fine, so far, even though he still limps. "But not as bad," he said. "This is the best I've felt since last season." Former Hurricanes play support roles Several other former Hurricanes also attended the game, including Brian and Bennie Blades, Brett Perriman, Michael Irvin, Tolbert Bain and Alfredo Roberts. "It's kind of funny being on the sidelines.

But it's real good seeing everybody," said Perriman, a receiver with the New Orleans Saints. "After they win, we've got a celebration at a nightclub called Strawberry's." Most of the group have just finished NFL seasons, many of them having played in the playoffs. "We were hoping everybody would lose in the playoffs so we could all be together," Bratton said. Osborne concerned about near future Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said the penalties recently handed Oklahoma by the NCAA might come back to hurt the Cornhuskers. 'Among the penalties are a one-year suspension from playing on television and a two-year suspension from playing in a bowl game.

The Orange Bowl's contract with the Big Eight Conference, guaranteeing the conference champion a spot in the game, runs through 1990. Under a clause in the contract, the Orange Bowl Committee is free to get any team it wants to replace the Big Eight champion should that team be restricted from bowl play. "It's difficult, particularly if it comes down to the final game and lot of decisions have to be made as to which bowl people are going said. "If Oklahoma won it, and we were not ranked in the Top 10, the Orange Bowl may want to go after someone else. If that happens, we may be in a difficult position; we may not be able to talk to other bowls, and we could conceivably be put in a bowl that's not very attractive.

"That's a concern to me. It would be nice if the Orange Bowl said no matter what happens, you are going to come." Oklahoma and Nebraska have failed to finish one-two in the Big Eight only once in the last 10 years 1986, when Colorado was second to Oklahoma. if- Taylor-made QB's offer NFL an option Osborne on quarterbacks, such as Nebraska's Steve Taylor, who can run and pass effectively: "A lot of teams are going that way. I really believe some day somebody will institute the option offense in pro football. They're doing it a little now at Indianapolis.

You get yourself a quarterback that can run like the dickens, and it will totally change defensive schemes in pro football. It would be interesting to watch." Supplemented by Sun-Sentinel wire services Staff photoURSULA SEEMANN Leonard Conley goes sideways to put Hurricanes ahead, scoring first Orange Bowl touchdown in the first quarter. Mail show US 2L Conley UM IN BOWL GAMES (8-9) he bulled his way forward for the needed yardage. In the second quarter, Conley tied an Orange Bowl record with his second touchdown reception on the best play of the night. Conley took a swing pass from Walsh in the left flat, fooled cornerback Lorenzo Hicks and raced down the sideline for a 42-yard score.

He was helped by a crushing downfield block by wide receiver Dale Dawkins, but also showed plenty of speed and moves while racing through Nebraska's secondary. "It was a simple pass play from Steve," Conley said. "I felt the defender on my back, and I just gave him a move and I ran down the sideline. "Our receivers, Dale Dawkins and Randal Hill, were there and I just ran off their blocks. They gave me good blocks and I just ran to the outside." Nebraska couldn't match Conley's quickness on the play, and the score gave Miami a 20-0 lead.

The 42-yard reception was Conley's longest in college, and his 94 yards receiving also was a career high. Conley eagerly gave credit to his lineman for his impressive night, and had no reaction that Walsh was named Most Valuable Player. "The plays that were called were good plays, and the offensive line did a good job of blocking," Conley said. By RAY MURRAY Staff Writer MIAMI He was part fullback, part halfback, part wide receiver and completely dangerous. Leonard Conley, while among the smallest players on the field during the Orange Bowl, had one of the biggest roles in Miami's 23-3 win over Nebraska on Tuesday night.

Conley's versatility was on display in the first half when he proved elusive when needed, and fullback-tough when he had to be. The sophomore from Tarpon Springs finished with 94 yards receiving on four catches. He also had 40 yards rushing on 10 attempts. Conley caught two first-half scoring passes from Steve Walsh, and had 77 yards on only three catches by halftime. Conley combined with Walsh for the Hurricanes' first score when he sneaked out of the backfield and got open at the Nebraska 5-yard line.

Walsh lofted the ball over linebacker Leroy Etienne's outstretched arms, and Conley was in for the score. "It was a designed play," Walsh said. "Coach Gary Stephens said that the play would open up a seam and it did. That score really gave us some momentum." Conley kept the scoring drive alive when he used all of his 170 pounds to pick up 8 yards on third-and-7. Conley swept around left end and appeared stopped short of the first down before 1989 Orange: Miami 23, Nebraska 3 1988 Orange: Miami 20, Oklahoma 14 1987 Fiesta: Penn State 14, Miami 10 1986 Sugar: Tennessee 35, Miami 7 1985 Fiesta: UCLA 39, Miami 37 1984 Orange: Miami 31, Nebraska 30 1981 Peach: Miami 20, Virginia Tech 10 1967 Bluebonnet: Colorado 31, Miami 21 1966 Liberty: Miami 14, Virginia Tech 7 1962 Gotham: Nebraska 36, Miami 34 1961 Liberty: Syracuse 15, Miami 14 -1952 Gator: Miami 14, Clemson 0 1951 Orange: Clemson 15, Miami 14 1946 Orange: Miami 13, Holy Cross 6 1935 Orange: Bucknell 26, Miami 0 1934 Palm Festival: Duquesne 33, Miami 7 1933 Palm Festival: Miami 7, Manhattan 0 Taylor, Huskers grounded ORANGE BOWL STATISTICS Pass Receiving Lg TD Miami 23, Nebraska 3 7 13 0 3 23 rirml f.u- A Staff pholoJOE RAEDLE Greg Mark gets a grip on Steve Taylor in third quarter for one of 'Canes' six sacks.

Bell 2 39 34 0 Turner 16 6 0 Millikan 15 5 0 Worden 15 5 0 Brinson 1-4-4 0 Carpenter 1-8-8 0 Totals 8 55 34 0 Interceptions No. Yds. Lg TD Fryar 2 0 0 0 Lewis 1 31 31 0 Totals 3 31 31 0 Punting No Yds Avg. Lg Kroekler 9 335 37.2 50 Punt returns No. Yds.

Avg. Lg TD none Klckotf returns No. Yds. Lg TP Bell 5 74 23 0 Brinson 2 43 31 0 Totals 7 117 31 0 Miami Rushing Alt NY Avg. LQ TP Conley 10 40 4,0 8 0 Crowell 5 23 4 6 13 0 Highsmlth 4 17 4.2 10 0 Dawkins 1 5 50 5 0 Gary 6 -2 -0 3 3 0 Walsh 1 -14 -14.

-14 0 Totals 28 69 2.0 13 0 Passing Alt Cp Yds Tk.Yds TP LQ HI Walsh 44 21 277 2 42 3 Erlckson 4 2 8 0 8 0 Totsls 48 23 285 2 42 3 Psss Receiving No. Yds. Lg TP Chudzinskl 5 81 22 0 Gary 5 47 15 0 Conley 4 94 42 2 Hill 2 29 20 0 Hlghsmlth 2 8 6 0 Smith 2 7 4 0 Dawkins 2 12 8 0 Bethel 17 7 0 Totals 23 285 42 2 Interceptions No. Yds. Lg TP Pharms 10 0 0 Crum 10 0 0 Csrter 10 0 0 Totals 3 0 0 0 Punting No Yds Avg.

Lg Kalal 4 15B 39 5 48 Punt returns No. Yds. Avg. Lg TD Spencer 2 24 12j0 21 0 McDowell 1 14 14 0 14 0 Smith 1 9 90 9 0 Totals 4 47 11.7 21 0 Klckoft returns No. Yds.

Lg TP Hill 1 21 21 0 Spencer 1 18 18 0 Totals 2 39 21 0 lNabraka 0 0 3 0 3 First Quarter MIAMI Leonard Conley 22-yard pass from Steve Walsh (Carlos Huerta kick), 7:00. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 2:43. Key play: Darryl Spencer 21-yard punt return. Miami 7, Nebraska 0. Second Quarter MIAMI Huerta 18-yard field goal.

8:58. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:22. Kay play: Rob Chudzinskl 30-yard pass from Walsh. Miami 10, Nebraska 0. MIAMI Conley 42-yard pass from Walsh 'fHuerta kick), 5:49.

Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, :51. My play: Chudzinskl 18-yard pass from Walsh. Miami 17, Nebraska 0. MIAMI Huerta 37-yard field goal, 2:28. Drive: 4 plays, -9 yards.

:54. Key play: Bubba Mc- Dowell blocked punt, recovered by Derrick Golden at Nebraska 11. Miami 20, Nebraska 0. Third Quarter NEBRASKA Gregg Barrios 50-yard field goal, 9:06. Drive: 5 plays.

4 yards, 2:31. Key play: Rn Clark 16-yard run. Miami 20, Nebraska 3. Fourth Quarter MIAMI Huerta 37-yard field goal, 7:32. Drive: 11 plays, 46 yards.

5:14. Key play: Conley 17-yard pass from Walsh. Miami 23, Nebraska 3. Neb. Miami Flft Downs Total 10 20 Rushing 7 5 "Passing 2 13 -Penalty 1 2 Rushing Net Yards 80 69 Attempts 38 28 Average Gain 2 1 2.9 Passing Net Yards 55 285 'Attempts 22 48 Completions 8 23 Had Intercepted 3 3 Total Offense Yards gained 135 354 plays 60 76 Average per play 2.3 4.7 Klckoffs Number returned 7 2 Yards returned 117 39 Total 3 3 Yards returned 31 0 1 Fumbles Total 0 1 Fumbles lost 0 0 penalties Times penalized 5 7 Yards penalized 45 60 of possession 29:44 30: 16 Individual Statistics Nebraska Rushing Alt NY Avg.

tqTD Clark 14 36 26 16 0 Carpenter 5 15 30 7 0 Bell 1 13 13 0 13 0 (Taylor 17 12 0.7 13 0 ifldowskl 1 4 4.0 4 0 Totals 31 00 UUP Alt Cp Yds Tk.Yds TP LP HI Taylor 51 8 65 0 34 2 'Gdowskl 1 0 0 0 0 1 Totals 22 I 58 1 34 I By GORDON WITTENMYER Staff Writer MIAMI His last play was perfect punctuation for the end of the sentence Steve Taylor served Monday night in the Orange Bowl. First-and-10 from the Nebraska 14, the Cornhuskers quarterback scrambled right and right out of bounds. He didn't return for the final two plays, giving way to backup Gerry Gdowski, who finished with a 25-yard throw picked off by Miami freshman Charles Pharms. "It's probably the worst beating I've taken since I've been here," Taylor said of Miami's 23-3 victory. "At times we've been stopped, but we've never been stopped for four quarters." For four quarters, Steve Taylor was not only stopped, but stomped on.

He was supposed to run, pass, scramble and score. Instead, he was chased, sacked, intercepted and more. Two completions in nine tries in the first half. Two interceptions. Minus-2 yards passing in the half.

And moments before halftime, he even took a helmet to the thigh that threatened to sideline him. "It was a difficult day to play quarterback," he said. "I was frustrated, but I always tried to stay calm and come back for the next series Problem was, they kept getting canceled. Example: With 4.08 left in the first quarter, second-and-3 at the NU 26. Taylor keeps for a loss of I.

Taylor, under pressure, throws long, incomplete. Taylor, under pressure, throws long, incomplete. John Kroeker punts inside the UM 35, ball rolls dead. Dead. The best way to describe the appearance of Nebraska's offense the offense ranked first in the country in running the football; the offense run to the top by Taylor.

Nebraska's All-America center Jake Young agreed. "There's no word other than a four-letter word to describe it." For the record, Taylor completed 8 of 21 passes for 55 yards, and he was intercepted twice. He was also sacked six times, once by second-team All-America defensive end Bill Hawkins. "One guy we were really worried about was Steve Taylor," Hawkins said. "We were afraid if he was able to break our contain defense, he would really hurt us." me out of the game." But on the third play of the game, But they didn't have to.

Hawkins quit worrying. "He was under a lot of pressure," "He tried to go to the wide side of Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said, the field, and somebody laid him "You've got to look at the offense out from the backside," Hawkins as a whole, not just one guy. I know said. "That set the tone for the he was rushed awfully hard." game." "We just really didn't protect All week, UM players and coach- Steve that well, just didn't do es had said stopping Taylor would good job," left guard Andy Keeler be the key linebacker Randy said. Shannon perhaps most eloquently: did "We're going to try to bust him in jJJS8- We dldnt the mouth.

I don't know if he can Morgan GregorVi who take a nit. have a reception despite get-much ting m0St Taylr'S "I may be in some physical pain, aKrees- but I've been hit before," Taylor "It's frustrating for the receiv- said. ers," he said. "Not taking anything "As you can see, I might have away from their DBs, but we were been Injured, but 1 kept getting up," open most of the night. We just he said.

"They're not going to put couldn't get the ball..