The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 17

Scoreboard, 2C Sports day, 3C Comics, 4C The Jackson Sun, Jackson, Monday, Nov. 23, 1987 Young Tigers draw bead on tournament College '87 Memphis St. MEMPHIS (AP) Memphis State Coach Larry Finch has a large crop of newcomers on his basketball squad this year, but he said he expects as much from the team as he got from his Metro Conference tournament champions last season. "We might be a step above what we were last year," said Finch, who is beginning his second year as a head coach. Memphis State's first regular season game is Friday against Jackson State at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis.

The Tigers won their league tournament last year and collected a 26-8 record even though Finch took over the program less than a month before the season began. point shooters," he said. "We've got people who can shoot it the main thing." And Finch said he expects the Tigers to hustle. "I think our overall quickness will be lot better than last year," he said. The Tigers missed the National Colle-; giate Athletic Association playoffs last; year because Memphis State was on.

probation for mishandling federal grants to athletes. "Everybody's dream when they start the year off is to go to the postseason tournament, but you've got to be competitive throughout the year to do that," he said. "We're not even thinking about the NCAA tournament. We're playing one game at the time." Gray, a powerfully built 230-pounder, had a promising freshman season, collecting at least 10 rebounds in eight games and grabbing 14 on his best outing. Finch said his veterans have been eager to work with the newer players, but no single team leader has yet emerged.

"We're going to get out and play. I'm enjoying the enthusiasm our guys have got," he said. "They work hard, and I love that about them." Finch said he expects his Tigers to be strong on the boards this season and much improved at the three-point line, which was not a favorite spot for the team last year. "All our guards are pretty good three- team. "This is the first time we've had this many new people in seven years," Finch said.

But he said his lineup of new players includes a lot of talent, and he expects journeyman work from his veterans, Marvin Alexander, a 6-7 junior center; Dewayne Bailey, a 6-9 9enior center; Dwight Boyd, a 6-3 senior guard; Ro-deny Douglas, a 6-6 junior forward; and Sylvester Gray, a 6-6 sophomore forward. Cheyenne Gibson, a 6-3 sophomore guard who sat out his freshmen season because of grades, will also be in the lineup. An outstanding high school player from Memphis, Gibson is expected to be a strong scorer. A former assistant coach, Finch moved up after former head coach Dana Kirk was fired. Kirk, whose personal finances were under investigation by a federal grand jury, was later indicted on income tax evasion and obstruction of justice charges.

He has pleaded innocent but has yet to go to trial. The Tigers have seven newcomers this season, including a couple of smaller college transfers, and three leaders of last year's squad are no longer with the Ohio State president, ex-coach lino barbs nings and the Ohio State University by Earle Bruce and his attorney in the last 24 hours are shocking, given the leadership President Jennings has provided Ohio State during the past six years," Redman said. Bruce, who is in the second year of a three-year contract, was dismissed last Monday, five days before the Buckeyes' season-ending 23-20 victory over Michigan. The game was Bruce's last as Ohio State's head coach. Rick Bay, who was the athletic director at the time, resigned in protest over Bruce's dismissal.

Bay announced his resignation and Bruce's firing. Jennings hasn't publicly disclosed why Bruce was fired but has said he is willing to meet privately with him. Jennings said Sunday that the decision to 'dismiss-Bruce was his alone. "After the decision was announced by Mr. Bay, I steadfastly refused to state the reasons for this action," Jennings said.

"I have not attacked anyone personally, nor have I slandered any individual." COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Controversy over Earle Bruce's firing as Ohio State football coach intensified during his last weekend, with Bruce and the university president accusing each other of resorting to personal attacks in the dispute. Bruce has sued Ohio State and university President Edward Jennings, contending he was wrongfully dismissed and that Jennings slandered him in statements to the media and caused the coach and his family emotional stress. The suit seeks $7.44 million in damages. Bruce's lawyer, John Zonak, told reporters Saturday night that Bruce was fired because he did not approve of Jennings' lifestyle. "I think that will have to come out in the lawsuit," Bruce said.

"But I think when a man judges me he ought to stand high as far as his honesty and his moral character." Jennings and trustees chairman Edmund Redmen said at a news conference Sunday that they stand by the decision to fire Bruce. Redman said the board fully supports Jennings. "The personal attacks made against Edward Jen Pacers hope to continue on path to brighter future UTM football victories over last 10 seasons. By Jeff Burke Sun sports reporter MARTIN Their football future is so bright Tennessee-Martin's Pacers may have to wear shades next season. AP Laserphoto tackled by Andy Headen (54) of the New York Giants Sunday in New Orleans.

Dalton Hilliard (21) of the New Orleans Saints looks for room to run while being G'eaO SaiDimfts appeal? "I think we are definitely on the right track," said second-year UTM Coach Don McLeary following the Pacers' 17-12 victory here Saturday against West Georgia. "I feel very good about the program." The Pacers finished the 1987 season 5-6 overall and 3-5 in Gulf South Conference action. It marked the first time in five seasons that UTM has won as many as five games. 3 r-k 78 79 '80 '81 '82 '83 '84 '85 '86 '87 Giants look out of it nfl i'. Don McLeary UTM coach The Associated Press the longest winning streak in the team's 21-year history.

New Orleans, which has never finished above .500, is 7-3 and one game behind NFC West-leading San Francisco. "This may be the most important victory I've ever been around," said Saints Coach Jim Mora, who won two USFL championships. "It was a team win. I know that's a cliche, but it was a team win." The injury-depleted Giants endured another lackluster performance. Quarterback Phil Simms and running back Joe Morris did not play because of injuries and all-Pro Lawrence Taylor missed most of the last three quarters after re-aggravating a hamstring pull.

Sun graphics by Craig Davis turn for his senior season. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 235 yards, including a pair of touchdowns, in Saturday's victory. "There is a certain air of confidence about Leon," said McLeary. "He is a tremendous leader and possesses a good knowledge of the game. We're looking forward to bigger and better things out of Leon next season." Reed will be hard-pressed to duplicate this season's record-breaking performance.

Despite starting only the final six games, Reed eclipsed Alvin Smalls' school record for single-season total offense. Reed accumulated 2,106 total yards this season. Smalls totaled 1,1 yards in 1977. Reed also broke Tommy Overton's school record for single-season passing yardage. Reed completed 174 of 273 passes (64 percent) for 1,801 yards, including 10 touchdowns.

Overton passed for 1,636 yards in Please see UTM, Page 3C. "Of course, we're disappointed that we did not have a winning season," McLeary said. "I thought we had some bad breaks. If one or two had gone our way, we could've had a winning season." Actually, UTM was just 36 inches shy of its first winning season since 1977. Linebacker Gwaine Matthews tackled UTM's John Burch a yard short of the end zone in the final minute to preserve Delta State's 17-14 victory Oct.

10 at Cleveland, Miss. "We didn't come down here to tie," McLeary said after the game. "We needed to win the football game." And UTM will win in the future. The Pacers will return a wealth of experienced personnel next season, especially at the skill positions. Quarterback Leon Reed, a 5-foot-ll, 175-pound junior college transfer from Scnatobia, will re- In the topsy-turvy NFL, the New Orleans Saints look like playoff contenders, and the New York Giants look like former Super Bowl champions.

The Saints, one of the surprise teams in the league, kept moving up by almost certainly ending the Giants' postseason hopes with a 24-13 victory Sunday. "You are talking to a coach who has just lost the game that eliminated us from the playoffs," Giants Coach Bill Parcells said after his team dropped to 3-7. "It doesn't sit well with me." Bobby Hebert's 22-yard touchdown pass to Eric Martin in the fourth quarter put the host Saints ahead, and they won their fourth straight game Please tee NFL, Page 3C. West Virginia accepts Sun Bowl invitation Elliott ends season with hot car, hot finish By Don Henry Gannett News Service Sun Bowl officials originally wanted an Oklahoma State-Southern California matchup, but the Trojans wrecked those plans by upsetting UCLA Saturday to earn a berth in the Rose Bowl. The upset sent the Sun Bowl scrambling for another team.

West Virginia had not been prominent on the Sun Bowl list until Saturday, when they almost beat undefeated good part of Sunday searching for an opponent for the 9-2 Cowboys, Sun Bowl officials finally settled on the 6-5 Mountaineers from West Virginia. "We wrapped up the deal the middle of the morning," Sun Bowl Executive Director Sam Jenkins said Sunday. Ohio State, with a 6-4-1 record, Minnesota (6-5), Oregon (6-5) and Washington (6-4-1) were among the teams considered late Saturday and early Sunday before West Virginia was invited. By Don Coble Gannett News Service NASCAR PASO, Texas The final piece of the Sun Bowl puzzle fell into place Sunday when West Virginia University accepted a bid to play in the Christmas Day football game. Oklahoma State had accepted an invitation Saturday after beating Iowa State.

After spending Saturday night and a Middle Tennessee gains first NIT victory HAMPTON, Ga. Bill Elliott, riding a crest of emotion and a red-hot Ford, finished the NASCAR season Sunday with an easy victory at the Atlanta Journal 500. A partisan record crowd of 70,000 fans cheered their favorite son at the Atlanta International Raceway. The Dawsonville, driver collected $74,200 and came away with loaded with confidence for the next season. "I can't wait for '88," Elliott said.

"This Is the greatest place to be Atlanta, Ga. We came here and ran as hard as we could, and we won. This is my favorite place to win." What made the victory so special for the Elliott team was that it came one race after four crewmen were Injured in a freakish pit row accident at Riverside, Calif. Crewman Chuck Hill of Dawsonville has been In intensive care with internal injuries since the Nov. 16 accident.

"This was for Chuck and the rest of the boys," Elliott said as thousands of fans screamed with approval. He also served notice to newly crowned NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt by winning three of the last four races of the season. "Believe me," said Earnhardt's car owner, Richard Childress, "we've noticed." The red and white Ford was never further back than third place. He led four times for 168 laps on the 1. 522-mile raceway, including the final 82 circuits.

The average speed of the 500-mile contest was 139.047 mph. who said he is looking forward to meeting Seton Hall of the Big East. Virginia Tech appeared the dominate team for the first 30 minutes Saturday and held a 67-60 lead with 9:50 to play before the Blue Raiders finally got their game together. "I didn't think we were able to get our game 'unwound' until the final 10 minutes of play, but I was proud we had enough poise and determination to come back and win," Stewart said IMURFREESBORO (AP) Chris Rainey put an abrupt end to Middle Tennessee State Coach Bruce Stewart's search for a point guard as the 5-foot-ll junior scored 31 points and handed out six assists to lead the Blue Raiders to an 88-85 victory over Virginia Tech in the opening round of the Big Apple National Invitational Tournament. Saturday night's victory earned the Blue Raiders a second-round date with Seton Hall on Tuesday at Piscataway, N.J.

Seton Hall moved into the second round Friday night with an 85-63 win over George Mason. Stewart said his Blue Raiders, who have won or shared the Ohio Valley Conference championship each of the past three years, sounded a warning with their victory over the Metro Conference-member Hokies. "The Ohio Valley Conference has gotten much, much better, and I feel our quality of play is becoming known throughout the nation. This is a great way to sound the horn," said Stweart,.