Honolulu Star-Bulletin from Honolulu, Hawaii • 20

U-2 Tuesday, January 2, 1W6 Star-flullctin COLLEGE FOOTBALL Trojans' air attack subdues Wildcats Seminoles capitalize on Irish mistakes I i St 1 1 Associated Press Associated Press art I Ti Florida State 7 7 0 Notre Oame 0 7 3-26 Scoring summary First quarter ND Mayes 39 pass from Krug (Cengia kick) 1 FS Cooper 15 pass from Kartell (Bentley kick) NDFG Cengia 20 Second Quarter FS Cooper 10 pass from Kanell (Bentley kick) i Third Quarter ND Mayes 33 pass from Krug (Cengia kick) Fourth Quarter ND Safety, Kanell stepped out of end zone-. ND Chryplewicz 5 pass from Krug (Cengia kick) FS E. Green 1 1 pass from Kanell (Bentley kick) FS Cooper 2 pass from Kanell (Cooper pas; Irotij Kanell) FS Safety, intentional grounding In end zone A 72,198. PASADENA, Calif. The perfect script for Northwestern 's captivating season of improbable success and stunning victories would have called for a Rose Bowl win.

But Southern California wrote another ending yesterday, using a prolific passing game and its speed for a 41-32 victory that sent the Purple home from Pasadena wearing a look of disappointment. The Wildcats sought what consolation there was in knowing that they had still turned around a program that had long been one of the nation's biggest losers. "We can never duplicate a season like this. Hopefully we'll never be 3-7-1 again and we'll never again be in the doghouse of the Big Ten. The surprise of this season to a lot of people is kind of what captured the nation," said Northwestern wide receiver Brian Musso.

"In a sense we can't duplicate it. But getting back to the Rose Bowl we can duplicate that." Northwestern won 10 of 11 aames, took its first Big Ten title since 1936, had a winning season for the first time in 24 years and became one of the most hyped teams in ages this season with its first bowl bid in 47 years. One person tired of it all was Southern California's talented Keyshawn Johnson, who went out and did something about it, catching 12 passes for a Rose Bowl-record 216 yards, including one 56-yard touchdown play. "They want purple, purple this, purple that," said Johnson. "So everyone said it's 12 o'clock midnight.

Their dream is over. They had fun in '95. It's '96, it's our turn now. And that's the only way I wanted to go out." The Trojans (9-2-1) had been ranked 17th, the Wildcats (10-2) third. Most of the talk surrounded Northwestern's emergence and Southern Cal's disappointing season after losses to UCLA and Notre Dame.

The Trojans had become an ft i Associated Press scores the Trojans first touchdown. "We came out ready to play the second half and ready to come from behind," said Northwestern coach Gary Barnett. "We played well enough to win. But we had two turnovers and that hasn't been our MO this season." Johnson, named the game's MVP, easily broke the 176-yard receiving record set in 1994 by UCLA's J.J. Stokes.

Schnur completed 23 of 38 passes for 336 yards, including 145 yards to D'Wayne Bates. Autry, often bottled up by the Trojans' defense, carried 32 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns. It was the 13th straight game in which he has rushed for more than 100 yards. Colorado's Vols upstage Buckeyes with big plays, defense by late fake-punt call MIAMI There were missed opportunities early in the game, big mistakes late. Lou Holtz had warned his Notre Dame team not to give Florida State any breaks.

The Fighting Irish didn't heed his advice, and it wound up costing them a victory in the Orange Bowl last night. "In a game like this you can't have many mistakes," Holtz said. But there were several for the Irish in a 31-26 loss. Notre Dame (9-3) drove inside the Seminoles' 10-yard line twice in the first quarter and came away with only three points. A punt return for a touchdown by Derrick Mayes in the second quarter was called back because of a penalty.

A chance for a game-winning drive lasted just one play late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Tim Krug was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety. Notre Dame didn't touch the ball again. "We just didn't execute. That's not Notre Dame football," Krug said. Florida State (10-2) gave Coach Bobby Bowden his 11th consecutive bowl win and kept him undefeated in his last 14 postseason games by rallying from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

It was the final Orange Bowl to be played in the stadium that bears its name. From next year on, the game will be played in Joe Robbie Stadium north of Miami. Florida State and Notre Dame gave the old building a fitting goodbye with four lead changes, two great performances by receivers and two gritty quarterbacks dueling to the end. "Each team knew they could score and each team knew they had great defenses," Krug said. "It was a great game.

They were just the one that scored at the end." Krug, making his second career start, completed 14 of 24 passes for 140 yards and three scores. Team win soured down with 1:11 left. "I still have nothing but great things to say about Oregon and I apologize if there are any hard feelings," Neuheisel said. "But the bottom line is, as a football coach, what you feel most responsible to do is to make sure your kids get to play. It isn't right to go in there late in the game and just take the air out of the ball and tell your kids to lay on it while their kids continue to play." Although Neuheisel said he was trying to buy playing time for seldom-used reserves, the Ducks considered it classless and a blatant lack of respect.

"Those things tend to come around on you," said Bellotti, who initially offered a lip-biting "no comment" on the subject. Tight end Josh Wilcox, often the most vociferous voice emerging from the Oregon locker room, was more than ready to be asked his opinion of the play. "Coach Neuheisel should learn the words to that Aretha Franklin song said Wilcox, making a jab at Neuheisel's highly publicized musical endeavors. "I guess coach Neuheisel already has started his campaign for coach of the year in 1996." It was Colorado's defense not Oregon's "Gang Green" unit that decided the outcome. stuck with it, no matter what.

Old-fashioned, isn't it? There's no place for such thinking in today's fast-paced, point-a-minute game. At least, Auburn coach Terry Bowden wishes there wasn't a place for such football. Because the old way beat the new way yesterday, 43-14. The old way whipped the new way soundly, spanked it and sent it to its room without any supper. Sure, the weather had a lot to do with it.

It was a throwback kind of day, a steady rain that turned Tampa Stadium into the world's largest mud wrestling pit. High-tech Auburn wasn't ready to get down and dirty. But Penn State was. "We're used to playing like this," said Nittany Lions tailback Mike Archie. "When the weather's like this, we play smash-mouth football and see who is tough and who is not.

The coaches said, no matter hat, we're going to stick with the game plan, and it worked." Southern Cat 17 7 10-41 Northwestern ........7 3 16 632 Scoring summary Firtl quarter USC L. Woods 1 run (Abrami kick), NW D. Autry 3 run (Gowtns kick). Second quarter USC Barnum 21 pass from Otton (Abrams kick). USC-FG Abrams 30.

USC McCutcheon 53 fumble return (Abrams kick). NW-FGGowins29. Third quarter NW-FG Gowns 28. NW 0. Autry 9 run (past failed).

USC K. Johnson 66 pass from Otton (Abrams kick). NW Schnur 1 run (Gowins kick). Fourth quarter NW 0 Autry 2 run (run failed). USC-FG Abrams 46.

USC Washington 2 run (Abrams kick). A 100,102. afterthought in a bowl game played pretty much In their own back yard. "Most of our players had injuries with you people stepping on our toes, shoving us out of the way to get to the other guys. It's OK with us.

We had a great time. We had a lot of fun. We have fun when we go to the Rose Bowl," said Southern Cal coach John Robinson, who is now 4-0 in the game. "We're tired of hearing about Northwestern. Everyone thought Northwestern was going to win this game, and we had a lot to prove especially after that UCLA loss," said Daylon McCutcheon, who scooped up a Musso fumble and went 53 yards for a touchdown that gave USC a 24-7 lead.

Northwestern, which had won at Notre Dame and Michigan and beat Penn State at home, trailed 24-10 at the half because of McCutcheon's play and the passing of Brad Otton to Johnson. But the Wildcats, who'd rallied at Michigan and at Illinois for big second-half wins, did it again. They closed to 24-19 on Darnell Autry's 9-yard run, only to watch Johnson break loose on his 56-yar-der. Steve Schnur's 1-yard run and a 2-yard scoring burst by Autry finally put the Wildcats ahead George on a fourth-and-inches play at the Tennessee 2-yard line in the first half, then came up with four big stops in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory. "He's a great tailback and the Heisman Trophy winner," Graham said of his Ohio State counterpart.

"But it was a great day for Tennessee." Ohio State was limited to 89 yards rushing, its worst rushing day of the season. "We kind of expected that," George said of Tennessee's emphasis on stopping the run. "We knew we would have to work for it and things didn't pan out." After Tennessee's Jeff Hall kicked a 29-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead with 9:24 left, the Volunteers shut down Ohio State's high-powered attack with help from the Buckeyes. In its last four possessions, Ohio State lost three fumbles and threw a pass to an ineligible receiver on fourth down. On the first miscue, George fumbled at his own 39.

On the next, Hoying's option pitch intended for George on fourth-and-1 at midf ield bounced off the helmet of the lead blocker, fullback Matt Calhoun, and the Vols' Tori Noel recovered. On fourth-and-3 at the Buckeyes 25, Hoying was pressured by Ron Green and Steve White and cuse ran its record to 6-0-1 in its last seven postseason games. McNabb, constantly slipping defenders and waving receivers into position, completed six of seven passes for 108 yards in a first quarter that produced a Gator Bowl-record 20 points. Clemson, which entered the game as the nation's fourth best rushing team at 259 yards a game, managed just 90 yards. Malcolm Thomas helped out with two TDs, including a 1-yard score on the game's opening possession.

Marvin Harrison had seven catches for 173 yards, including TD receptions of 38 and 56 yards. "I made the decision that for us to be successful, I'd have to add a lot more. All season long, I continued to get better and we put it all together in the bowl game," McNabb said. It was McNabb who made the difference before leaving one play into the fourth quarter after throwing for 309 yards to match Marvin Graves' record in the 1992 i 1 4 "5 f'! I USC running back LaVale Woods 32 31 in the fourth quarter. The next time the Trojans had the ball, Johnson kept a drive alive with an 11-yard reception on third-and-10, and USC went back on top, 34-32, on Adam Abrams' 46-yard field goal.

Schnur, who threw only five interceptions all season Northwestern had only 12 turnovers in its 11 regular-season games overthrew a pass and Jesse Davis intercepted. That led to a clinching 2-yard touchdown run by De-Ion Washington. Otton completed 29 of 44 passes for 391 yards and two scores with no interceptions as the Trojans scored more points against Northwestern than any team this season. 3 Ohio State 7 0 0 7-14 Tennessee 0 7 7 620 Scoring summary First quarter OSU George 2 run (Jo. Jackson kick) Secondquarter Tenn Graham 69 run (Hall kick) I Third quarter Tenn Kent 47 pass from Manning (Hall kick) Fourth quarter OSU Dudley 32 pass from B.

Hoying (Jo. Jackson kick) Ten Fd Hall 29 Ten FG Hall 25 A 70,797. flipped a desperation pass that was caught by guard LeShun Daniels. Ohio State was flagged for an ineligible receiver and turned the ball over, and Hall added a 25-yard field goal for the final points. On its last possession, Ohio State moved to midfield with a minute left, but Hoying's pass was caught and then fumbled by Dimitrious Stanley at the Tennessee 38.

Things went right for Ohio State much of the first half. Central McClellion blocked a punt by Larry Binion that Ohio State recovered at the Tennessee 23 midway through the first quarter. George scored three plays later for a 7-0 Buckeye lead. But the game turned after Jesse Sanders and Bill Duff stopped George on the fourth down in the second quarter. After an exchange of punts, Tennessee took over at its own 20 with just 41 seconds left in the half.

Graham gained 11 on first down, the ripped free and raced 69 yards for the tying score with 23 seconds left in the half. EZZJ Syracuse 20 0 14 7-41 Clemson 0 0 0 00 Scoring summary First quarter Syr Thomas 1 run (Mare kick) Syr McNabb 5 run (kick blocked) Syr Harrison 38 pass from McNabb (Mare kick) Third quarter Syr Thomas 2 run (Mare kick) Syr Harrison 56 pass from McNabb (Mare kick) Fourth quarter Syr Sinceno 1 5 pass from McNabb (Mare kick) Hall of Fame Bowl. His three TD passes set a school bowl record, bettering Graves' two in the 1990 Aloha Bowl and again in the 1992 Hall of Fame Bowl. McNabb hit Harrison with a 19-yard pass to keep Syracuse's first drive alive. He added three more third-down passes on the next drive, the last a 13 yarder to Sir Mawn Wilson to the Clemson 5.

McNabb faked his way to the end zone on the next play, throwing his hands high up to three sections of Syracuse supporters. Nealon Greene was intercepted by Kevin Abrams the first of two interceptions two plays later, and McNabb found Harrison for the 38-yard score. vf: mate Derrick Mayes madeutwo touchdown receptions, including an acrobatic 39-yard catch. Yet Florida State's quarterback-receiver tandem did them one better. Danny Kanell set an Orange Bowl record with four touchdown, passes and completed 20 of 32 passes for 290 yards with two inter ceptions.

His favorite target Andre Cooper, who earned MVP honors for pulling down three touchdown passes including the game-winner. "I told our quarterback in the fourth quarter to get the ball high to Andre and see if he makes th plays," Bowden said. "Thank good ness he made enough to It looked like the early mistakej wouldn't hurt the Fighting Irislj after they took a 26-14 lead early in the fourth quarter on a safety and Krug's 5-yard pass to Pete Qhryjj plewicz- But the momentum shifted tfl Florida State. 4 The Seminoles scored 17 tlijairj swered points. Kanell connefteij with E.G.

Krug for an 11-yard pass with 9:47 left and then Cooper ojf 3-yard toss with 6:09 left. A two-point play gave the Seminoles a 29-26 lead that was paddel when Krug was hit in the endlong as he threw. No receiver was'hear the ball and he was calledfor intentional grounding. Oregon .....6 0 0 0- Colorado 0 13 19' 6- Scoring summary First quarter Ore FG Smith 25 Ore FG Smith 33 Second quarter Colo Hessler 1 run (Voskeritchian kick) Colo Washington 95 interception return (k Tailed) Third quarter Colo Lepsis 2 pass from Hessler (Voskeritchi kick) Colo Troutman 6 run (kick failed) Colo Savoy 1 2 pass from Hessler (kick failed) Fourth quarter Colo Abdul-Rahmaan 5 run (kick failed) A 58,214. Freshman Marcus WashingtoTj began it by intercepting Oregon quarterback Tony Graziani and returning it a Cotton Bowl-recorJ 95 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter to give Colorar do a 13-6 halftime lead.

"The quarterback gave me a gift," said Washington, the game defensive MVP. "I was happy hg did. It was the turning point othe game." Graziani was a direct link to Colorado's success. Besides the interception return, the Buffaloes also got touchdowns after picking him off in the first quarter and after forcing him to lose two third-quarter fumbles. Colorado scored three touclir downs in the third period, includ ing one by offensive MVP Herdhell Troutman, but missed two extra points.

The Buffaloes' 19-point third quarter was the best inthe Cotton Bowl's 60-year history. i Penn State 3 13 27 6 45 Auburn 0 7 0 .714 Scoring summary oj First quarter PSU-FG Conway 19 4 Secondquarter Aub-Baker 25 pass from Nix (Hawkins kick) PSU-FG Conway 22 PSU-FGConwsy38 PSU Archie 8 pass from Richardson (Conwai kick) Third quarter i PSU Engram 9 pass from Richardson (Conway kick) PSU Pitts 4 pass from Richardson (pass failed) PSU Ems 1 run (Conway kick) PSU Engram 20 pass from Richardson (Conway kick) 4 Fourth quarter Aub Mcleod 12 run (Hawkins kick) A 65.313. 1 The game plan was simple: Juh to set up the pass. At the end of the first quarter, Penn State-hat called 12 running plays and gained 56 yards. At the half, it was.

25 rushes for 152 yards. By the end of the game well, let's just say it got ugly. Penn State quarterback Wally. Richardson completed 13 of 24 passes for 217 yards and fouf touchdowns. Four of those passej went to Ail-American wide receiver Bobby Engram, who turnel them into 113 yards and two TDs' Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla.

The Citrus Bowl was expected to be a battle between two of the nation's best offenses. It came down to defense and the weather. Tennessee used two big offensive plays and a day full of defensive stops to down Ohio State, 20-14, on a rainy New Year's Day in central Florida. "It's a big win," said Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer. "I think it's very significant from the standpoint of this team capping an outstanding season." Since losing to Florida, 62-37, on Sept.

16, the Vols have had their I sights on an 11-1 finish, which 'yesterday's victory gave them. It twas the second consecutive loss the Buckeyes, who finished 11-2. The teams came into the game tied for the No. 4 ranking. Ohio State hoped to rely on the running of Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George and the pass-catch combo of Bobby Hoying and Terry Glenn, but the Vols' def en-" sive scheme neutralized them.

George rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown, but was upstaged by I Jay Graham with 154 yards and a 69-yard touchdown sprint with 23 seconds left in the first half that turned the game around. The Vols defense stuffed Associated Press DALLAS First-year Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel showed the college football world that a young guy with a fresh attitude and a wide-open offense can be a major success. His Buffaloes fed off his energy all year, especially yesterday when they rebounded from a sluggish first half to produce the best third-quarter in Cotton Bowl history en route to a 38-6 victory over Oregon on a cold, wet afternoon. It was the fourth consecutive bowl loss for the Ducks and their worst overall defeat since 1991. They finished the season 9-3 under their own first-year coach, the lower-profile Mike Bellotti.

For Colorado, the win meant a 10-2 debut season for the 34-year-old Neuheisel only the fifth 10-win year in school history and a likely top 5 ranking. But for all the good of yesterday's victory and the last six months, college football's boy wonder also may have made a major gaffe, the kind that forges bad reputations and earns labels that are hard to shake. With Colorado already ahead, 325, and less than five minutes to play, Neuheisel called for a fake punt. It worked, keeping alive a drive that led to the final touch McNabb's passing leads Orangemen in blowout Penn State beats Auburn the old-fashioned way Associated Press JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Syracuse finally got the respect it craved all season long.

No matter how the Orangemen played or who they would beat, there was always something to take away from success they were too young, they were too reliant on Donovan McNabb, they were too weak on defense, they were the only unranked team in a New Year's Day game. But yesterday at the Gator Bowl, the Orange were simply too good for Clemson. McNabb threw a school record three touchdown passes in Syracuse's 41-0 victory. Not only did the Orange run up 517 yards of offense, they held Clemson to 159 yards total. "Some people felt we were in this game by default," Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni said.

"We showed we were worthy of it." In handing the Tigers (84) their worst ever postseason loss, Syra Scripps Howard News Service TAMPA, Fla. It's obvious that at 69 years old, the game has passed by Joe Paterno. This is the 1990s, the age of excitement. Throw the ball, throw the ball and throw it some more. Don't throw it enough and you get booed by your own fans.

Spread the field. Give us four wideouts and the shotgun; give us three receivers to one side, two to the other, and no backs in the backfield. This is the age of high tech football, of the "West Coast" offense, of precision passing and offensive "geniuses." Paterno hasn't kept up. Never was it more obvious than yesterday, hen his vanilla plain Penn State Nittany Lions took the field against Auburn in the Outback Bowl. Paterno started coaching back in football's dark ages, when offenses ran to set up the pass; hen coaches drew up a game plan and.