The Greenwood Commonwealth from Greenwood, Mississippi • Page 8

CSinrnQnwcalth Sunday, Novtmfcr 11, 1990 fog 8A SPORTS USM shocks IStfc raekedl Aetam College AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Southern Mwsifwippi enjoyed its trips to Alabama this Reason. The Golden Eagles completed a weep or teams) from their neighboring state, railing to beat the 15th-ranked Tigers 13-12 Saturday on Brett Favre's 10-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Har-ria with 46 seconds left. This was a big win," said Southern Miss coach Curley Mailman, whose team beat Alabama 27-24 on Sept. 8.

"It's the biggest win for our roaches, plavers in the three years 1 have been here.1 It wan the second straight loss for Auburn (6-2-1 and the Tigers' first defeat at home since 1987. With scouts from six bowl games looking on, Southern Mississippi (8-3) likely locked up a postseason invitation while dealing a severe blow to Auburn's hopes of a fifth straight New Year's Day appearance. "I don't know what the bowl situation is now," Mailman said. 1 feel Like we are bowl-deserving Auburn scored on its first four possessions, capping the drives each tune with Jim Von Wyl field goals. The Tigers inability to get into the end zone proved costly when Southern Miss rallied in the fourth quarter.

"In the first half, we were making the first downs," Auburn coach Pat Dye said. "In the second, we began to come up a yard short." The Tigers had nine first downs and 217 total yards in the first half, but were held to only four first downs and 93 yards over the final two quarters. "I know Southern Mississippi is a good defensive team Dye said, "but we should have made more first downs and been sble to move the ball. We were not very good running the ball and our passing game was spotty." Auburn, unbeaten through its first seven games and as high as No. 2 in the rankings, was beaten by Florida 48-7 last week, its worse loss in 40 years.

The Tigers could take little solace in the fact that the score was much closer Saturday. "I'm not sure where we stand," Dye said. "I think we've got to go back and do some soul-searching. In the past, our teams have come together and played a unit This team has lacked that chemistry so far The Golden Eagles, who earlier botched a 33-yard field goal attempt in their best scoring opportunity, finally got on the board with 8:03 to play. Favre threw a 10-yard pass to Michael Jackson, who made a leaping catch despite being interfered with by Auburn cornerback Eric Ramsey.

Auburn failed to move on its next possession, then had Richie Nell's punt blocked by Pat Wynn at the Auburn 18. The Golden Eagles were stopped on fourth-and-2 at the 10, but they still had time to get the ball back one more time. Southern Miss started at the Auburn 42 and got the winning touchdown in six flays. On second and goal from the 10, avre found Harris over the middle and the tight end made a diving catch. "I just rolled out and looked for someone to get behind the coverage," said Favre, who completed 24 of 40 passes IAST kt OK 14.

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Wasnmgw Si Ingram oiifl 45, Wyorwig '4 26 Oegon 3 oog ftaacfi Si Sortimoge Si XA Wasrjngion Cooaoo Si 31 jim '3 Bulldogs win battle of the MSU's, 27-23 ASU kicks MVSU out of second rcTih ft) AP forth after that," Felker said. "I'm really proud of our football team for hanging in there and doing what it took to win the game." Roberts scored the Bulldogs' first two touchdowns, and finished the day with 127 yards rushing. The win gave Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference a 4-5 record for the year, while Memphis State, an independent, dropped to 4-5-1. The Mississippi State victory overshadowed a season-high performance by Memphis State quarterback Keith Benton, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for another. Benton finished with 207 yards passing and 73 yards rushing, but fell a yard short of giving Memphis State the lead with three minutes left.

Trailing 27-21 after the touchdown pass to Roberts, Benton moved the Tigers to the Mississippi State 9 with about four minutes left when he connected with running back Leon Bosby. Three plays later, the Tigers faced fourth-and-goal at the three. Benton took the snap stepped right and reversed his field, but slipped as he cut. He stretched for the end zone, but fell a yard short, and Mississippi State ran MKMPHIS, T-nn (AP) For the second consecutive week, Memphis State saw an enemy running back take a swing pass and run the right sideline for a game-winning touchdown. Saturday's episode starred Mississippi State quarterback Tony Shell connecting with Kenny Roberts for a 71-yard touchdown play with about seven minutes remaining to give the Bulldogs a 27 2.) victory over Memphis State.

A week earlier, East Carolina ran the same play and scored late in the game to defeat the Tigers 24-17. Memphis State coach Chuck Stobart has seen enough of such plays and second-half fumbles. Memphis State had two bobbles Saturday, including one at their own 40 early in the third quarter. "We're good enough to win if we stop shooting ourselves in the foot," Stobart said. "We are not good enough to give up the big play or a turnover on the short side of the 50 yard line and win.

But we are good enough to win if we don't do those things." Mississippi State Coach Rock-ey Felker was pleased with his team's overall play, especially taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. "We did a great job of getting ahead, then Memphis State came back, and it was back and Nba MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -Ricky Jones threw three touchdown passes as Alabama State overwhelmed Mississippi Valley State 43-6 Saturday in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game. Alabama State improved its record to 7-2-1 overall and 4-2 SWAC with its sixth straight win. Mississippi Valley fell to 5-5 and 3-3.

Ricky Jones threw scoring passes of 29, 58 and 5 yards to lead the Hornets, who held a 23-0 halftime lead. Halfback Carvisa Jones threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Horace Brooks to open the game. Reggie Brown caught three passes for 94 yards and one touchdown. The Delta Devils got their only score midway through the third quarter when Darryl Cox hit Jecrel Horner with 'pass." Alabama State had 314 yards rushing and 542 total yards, while holding Mississippi Valley to 47 yards rushing, 215 total. The Hornets claimed second place in the SWAC with the win, and could tie for first if Jackson State loses to Alcorn State next week.

Valley closes its season at with a trip to Nashville to take on Tennessee State University. National Baikal ball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic 0mn I Pet GB 3 1 760 2 2 500 500 333 25C 2S0 MISSISSIPPI STATE'S KENNY ROBERTS RUNS Roberts had two touchdowns Saturday at Memphis Central Otvttion Boston ox Prwadepnia Mian jersey 'Vasriinglofl Mirauee Aiiarxa PSroi Cnard'e Crucagc Cievpiano 1 600 i 1 750 600 3 400 3 40C 3 400 out the clock. Punter Mike Riley stepped out of the end zone for a safety with 50 seconds left for with a flurry to beat the halftime buzzer. Benton led the Tigers on the 50-yard tour with scrambling and throwing, the biggest play coming on a 22-yard pass to Rus sell Copeland to give Memphis State a first down at the Bulldog Three plays later, Benton floated a pass to running back Leon Bosby in the right corner of the end zone WESTERN CONFERENCE Midmst Division Pet Oaiias 4 1 BOO GB Top-ranked Irish survive at Tennessee I 667 1 667 2 500 3 40C 5 000 5 000 San Aniono 2 jiar 2 'fOuSlon 2 Minnesota 2 Denver 0 Orlando 0 Pacific Division 4 0 1.000 3 0 1 000 2 1 667 1. 3 2 600 1i 2 2 500 2 1 2 333 2 a 0 4 000 4 Portland Seanie Pnoenm Gotten Slate Ooperj akert Sacramento Nfl National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE Eall (.

Ui) -l it I I 1 1 1 1 fi ranked the victory. Sisson's second field goal in the final quarter capped a 63-yard drive and enabled the Yellow Jackets (8-0-1) to extend their home-field winning streak to 12 games. The Yellow Jackets are unbeaten in their last 13 games. No. 4 Colorado 41, Oklahoma St.

22 Darian Hagan passed for a school-record four touchdowns and Eric Bieniemy ran for 148 yards and another score, lifting Colorado to at least a share of the Big Eight title. The victory also appeared to clinch an Orange Bowl berth for the Buffaloes (9-1-1 overall and 6-0 in the Big Eight). Nebraska could tie Colorado for the title if the Comhuskers beat Oklahoma in their last game and if Colorado loses to Kansas State. But Orange Bowl officials already have indicated they would choose Colorado in the event of a tie, since the Buffs beat Nebraska 27-12 last week. Ohio State 27, No.

6 Iowa 26 Greg Frey hit Bobby Olive with a 3-yard touchdown pass with 1 second to play to give Ohio State the victory, handing the Hawkeyes their first loss in the Big Ten. Iowa (7-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten) needed a victory and losses by Illinois and Minnesota to clinch a tie for the conference title with two games remaining. Ohio State (6-2-1, 4-1-1) instead pulled within a half-game of the Hawkeyes. No. 10 Florida 38, Georgia 7 Shane Matthews threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns and Florida's defense scored on an mterception return and set up two other first-half TDs.

Associated Press Ricky Watters rushed for a career-high 174 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 5:30 left, and Rod Smith made a game-saving interception in the final minute as top-ranked Notre Dame rallied to beat No. 9 Tennessee 34-29 on Saturday. Rocket Ismail appeared to clinch the victory with a 44-yard TD dash that gave the Irish a 34-23 lead with 3:33 left. But Tennessee nearly staged a miracle comeback before a frenzied crowd of 97,123, second-largest in Neyland Stadium history. Andy Kelly's 23-yard TD pass to Alvin Harper with 1:44 remaining cut the lead to five points the Volunteers missed a two-point conversion and Tennessee's Carl Pickens then recovered on onside kick at his own 46.

The Volunteers drove to the Notre Dame 20, but Smith picked off Kelly's pass on the goal line with 46 seconds left and returned it to the Irish 17, allowing Notre Dame to run out the clock. In other Top 25 action Saturday: UCLA 25, No. 2 Washington 22 Brad Daluiso kicked a 43-yard field goal with 10 seconds left to give UCLA the upset over No. 2 and Rose Bowl-bound Washington on Saturday and put a dampr on the Huskies' national title hopes. The upset loss to the Bruins (5-5, 3-4 Pacific-10 Conference) virtually eliminated the Huskies (8-2, 6-1) from a shot at their first national championship since no team has ever captured the crown with two losses.

No. 7 Georgia Tech 6, Virginia Tech 3 Scott Sisson's 88-yard field goal with eight see onds remaining gave seventh- Pel. PF PA Bullae 7 1 0 675 229 136 Miam 7 1 0 .875 175 93 NY Jei5 4 5 0 444 175 199 2 6 0 .250 112 186 New England 1 7 0 125 120 244 Central Cronnai 5 4 0 .556 212 225 Pittsburgh 5 4 0 .556 171 147 Housion 4 5 0 .444 194 169 Ctevelans 2 7 0 .222 128 235 Weet lA Raiders 6 2 0 750 154 108 Kansas Cy 5 3 0 .625 176 121 San Diego 4 5 0 .444 195 156 Denver 3 5 0 .375 190 205 Seanie 3 5 0 .375 158 166 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East Pel. PF PA Giants 8 0 0 1.000 195 103 Washington 5 3 0 .825 185 141 Philadelphia 4 4 0 .500 199 172 Dallas 3 8 0 .333 119 180 Phoenix 2 8 0 .250 103 195 Central Chicago 7 1 0 .875 199 102 Tanpa Bay 4 5 0 .444 183 208 Detroit 3 5 0 .375 208 220 Green Bay 3 5 0 .375 147 180 Minnesota 2 6 0 .250 177 181 Waal San Francisco 8 0 0 1.000 198 138 Atlanta 3 5 0 .375 208 221 LA Rama 3 5 0 .375 191 227 New Oriaara 3 5 0 .375 138 157 NOTRE DAME PLAYERS CELEBRATE THEIR VICTORY OVER NO. 9 TENNESSEE SATURDAY The Irish will likely hold onto the top ranking for at least ont mora week game as No.

8 Brigham Young rolled past No. 25 Wyoming in the Western Athletic Conference game. BYU 8-1 overall, 6-0 WAC) remained game ahead of Colorado State in the race for the league title and the host's berth in the Holiday Bowl. Wyoming, losing its second straight gams, is 0-2 overall and 5-3 in the WAC. Florida (8-1, 5-1) ended a three-game losing streak in the annual neutral-site series between the Southeastern Conference rivals.

The Gators are barred from postseason play and Ineligible to win the SEC championship because of NCAA probation, but goals of finishing with the league's best record and the school's first 10-win season are within reach. A victory over Kentucky next week would assure the team of no worse than a tie for first-place in the standings phis leave the Gators in position to go after their best-record ever in the season finale against Florida State. No. 8 BYU 45, No. 25 Wyoming 14 Peter Tuipulo-tu ran for three touchdowns and Ty Detmer had his 21st consecutive 300-yard passing Sunday, Nov.

11 Atlanta at Chicago, noon Indanapola at New England, noon Miami at New York Jan. noon MmneaoM at Detroit, noon Phoanii at Buffalo, noon Seanie at Kama Cky, noon Tampa Bay at New Orleans, won Benver a) San Diego, PJfl Onon Bay Los Angalaj ReMors, New York Qavn Lot Afloato Ran San Frandeoe at Dalai. 7 pM I P-m. ay Valerie Oetas.