The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 13

-TP- Thursday, January 2. 1 992 The Lincoln Star Page 13 wo. i Miami shuts NU down, out Peofedt en I i Husker bowl skid reaches five games. By Ken Hambleton of The Lincoln Star MIAMI New Year's Day. Old year's result Five years old to be exact Miami, No.

1 going into the game, whipped Nebraska 22-0 Wednesday night in tue Orange Bowl for Nebraska's fifth straight bowl toss. And no matter what happens in the polls, it was NU's fifth straight bowl loss to a team finishing No. 1 or No. 2. The only question for 12-0 Miami is whether the voters in the football polls believed the Hurricanes handled Nebraska as well as Washington beat Michigan, 34-14 in the Rose Bowl earlier Wednesday.

FOR THE CORNHUSKERS, there were no questions. Rain forced cancellation of the famous half time festivities. Miami canceled Nebraska's hope of extending beyond a co-championship in the Big Eight Miami handed Nebraska its first shutout since Oklahoma blanked the Cornhuskers 27-0 in 1973 220 games ago. It was the first Orange Bowl shutout since Alabama topped Oklahoma 17-0 in 1963. There were brief moments of glee for the Cornhuskers before the public address announcer screamed, "And the ball game is over." Nebraska finished with 171 yards, second-worst in NU bowl history to Miami's 23-3 thrashing of the Cornhuskers in the Jan.

1, 1989, Orange Bowl Nebraska managed only 135 yards that day. FOR NEBRASKA, which dropped to 9-2-1, the scene was all too familiar. "It's very similar to what happened to us here three years ago," Nebraska senior guard Erik Wiegert said. "We got off to a slow start They swarmed everything we did on offense, and they took away almost half of our offense with their speed and penetration." The Hurricanes, who have won 45 straight games at Orange Bowl Stadium dating back to 1985, threw Nebraska for 40 yards in losses on five quarterback sacks and two other tackles for losses. "What else is there?" asked defensive tackle Eric Miller.

was almost too easy for us. We wen wondering at halftime if it was too easy for us, like we had guessed right on just about every play. "But we did the same thing in the second half. That convinced me we were just playing great. Great basic defense the way we did all year." Washington's Mark Bruener (85) touchdown reception in the third ashihdtdh 9 WmmSSm Miami defensive end Anthony Hamlet sacks Nebraska quarterback Keithen McCant for a 7-yard loss on the Huskers' second play of their opening drive.

stuffed for a total of 2 yards. After Mike Stigge's punt the Hurricanes took five plays to score the first touchdown. Miami quarterback Gino Torretta hit Kevin Williams on a 36-yard pass when NU comerback Curtis Cotton fell down. Two plays later, Torretta hit Williams on an 8-yard touchdown pass when the speedy receiver was Tad KlrkUncotn Star matched against linebacker Mike Anderson. In quick fashion, Miami stuffed Nebraska for 2 more yards of offense then drove 60 yards in nine plays for a 24-yard field goal by Carlos Huerta.

Nebraska turned over the ball' when quarterback Keithen McCant; tossed a pitch over I-back Derek' Please turn to: NU, Page 17 Scoring, Team Stats Miami 13 0 9 0 22 Nebraska 0 0 0 0 0 Miami Williams 8 pass from Torretta (Huerta kick) Miami FG Huerta 24 Miami FG Huerta 24 Miami L. Jones 1 run (pass failed) Miami FG Huerta 54 Determined defense dominates I 4. -J Associated Pftss celebrates his 5-yard quarter. Rose Rose Bowl Bowl summaries Page 14 Notre Dame, Cal, Penn State win Page 14 Syracuse, FSU, East Carolina win Page 15 shirt that read "1991 National Champions." "I got a new shirt on, guys," he said. "I don't don't know if it will work or not." HOBERT, RELEGATED to backup status in last year's Rose Bowl victory over Iowa, was one of Washington's stars this time.

He completed 18 of 34 passes for 192 yard3 and scored the Huskies' first touchdown on a 2-yard run. His backup, Mark Brunell, also played well, completing 7 of 8 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown. Brunell was the MVP of last year's Rose Bowl but lost his starting job after undergoing knee surgery in the spring. The Huskies, who led 13-7 at half-time, broke the game open with touchdowns on three of their first four possessions in the second half. Hobert's 5-yard pass to freshman Mark Bruener and a two-point conversion pass to tight end Aaron Pierce made it 21-7 with 5:27 left in the third quarter.

THE HUSKIES put the game away with two TD passes within 69 seconds early in the fourth period. The first was a 2-yard toss from Hobert to Pierce, and the second was a 38-yarder from Brunell to Mario Bailey. Bailey, an All-American receiver who was overshadowed by Howard in the pregame publicity, celebrated his diving catch by imitating the stiff-arm Heisman Trophy pose that Howard struck after a 93-yard punt return against Ohio State. "He's invited over to my house to look at the real thing," Howard said. Howard, who scored a school-record 23 touchdowns this season, didn't reach the end zone against -Washington's highly touted defense.

He caught only one pass for 35 yards. Bailey caught six passes for 126 yards, and Pierce had seven receptions for 86 yards. finally get credit-debit sheet We're not entirely done with those games, however, as Quincy faces Arkansas Thursday night in a matchup that sounds more like a former medical examiner being sued by an entire state. The new year also means more games on network television and the start of some Big days of the week on ESPN (Cable Channel 23). The Big Ten is no longer part of Big Monday, being replaced by the Big Eight, a conference with the perfect Miami's shutout of NU first against Huskers since 1973.

By Ken Hambleton of The Lincoln Star MIAMI Dominant devastating defense. "We got in their faces and played rock 'em, sock 'em defense and dominated them," said Miami defensive end Rusty Medearis. "And best of all, we're No. 1. How many times is anybody going to shut out Nebraska? First time since 1973, 1 heard." Medearis sacked NU quarterback Keithen McCant four times Wednes AP Top 25 rolls In Husky defenders, QB Hobert spearhead win over Michigan.

PASADENA, Calif. AP) Washington completed a perfect football season with a practically perfect performance Wednesday. Now the Huskies must wait to find out if it was perfect enough to win their first national championship. Washington dominating de fenders shut down Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard and the rest of Michigan's high-powered at tack, and Billy Joe Hobert sparked the Huskies of- tanca hv thmnrincr I for two touch- noDert downs and running for another in a 34- 14 Rose Bowl rout. The Huskies, ranked second behind Miami in the Associated Press writers poll and tied for first with the Hurricanes in the USA TodayCNN coaches poll, made a convincing case for the national title by posting their first unblemished record (12-0) in 76 years and mauling a fourth-ranked Michigan team that had won eight straight games.

BUT THEY MIGHT not get an answer until Thursday. Miami's victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl also gave the Hurricanes a 12-0 record and left poll voters with a difficult decision how to choose between two unbeaten teams who didn't meet on the field. All-American defensive tackle Steve Emtman, who shared player of the game honors with Hobert, said the Huskies deserve to be No. 1. "We proved we can play with anyone in the country," said Emtman, who overcame the flu and helped the Huskies hold Michigan to 205 total yards, just 94 in the first three quarters.

"We're 12-0, and I think we deserve a ring." Michigan Coach Gary Moeller agreed. "I cant imagine there being a better football team than this one," Moeller said. "But I also thought we'd do better than we did." Washington Coach Don James walked into the interview wearing a Colleges 'Preseason' is over for basketball teams; conference play ahead. From The Associated Press They've reached the hyphen in the 1991-92 college basketball season, and that means a few things begin to happen. First, the conference seasons get under way, and that means an end to mismatches the games meant to augment the big schools' won-loss record and the smaller schools' 1 .1 I A 77.747 Miami NU First downs 25 9 Rushes-yards 44-182 38-82 Passing yards 257 89 Total yards 439 171 Return yards 66 3 Passing 1941-2 7-19-2 Punts Fumbles-lost 3-0 3-2: Penalties-yards 12-143 6-36 Time of possession 34:29 25:31 Third-down conversions 3-15 4-15 Orange Bowl From the beginning of the game, Miami's defense dominated the Corn-husker offense, which was the best in the NCAA in rushing, third in scoring and third in total offense.

NEBRASKA'S FIRST DRIVE was day night during top-ranked Miami's 22-0 win. He also forced a turnover when he grabbed McCant's jersey just as the Cornhusker senior was pitching the ball to Derek Brown. TEAMMATE ERIC MILLER had a sack and knocked a fumble free from NU backup quarterback Mickey Joseph. "I couldn't believe the way we were getting in there every play," Miller said. "Heck.

They were moving the ball late in the game, and I just stripped the ball. "I don't think Nebraska would score unless we played until tomorrow about noon." business the 1991 part of the season, but league games can change that in a hurry and usually, do. Those gaudy preseason records quickly fall below .500 as two-game road swings end any pre-holi-day unbeaten starts. As 1992 begins, four of the 10 major college unbeatens are from the Big Eight Oklahoma State (11-0), Missouri (10-0), Oklahoma (10-0) and Kansas (8-0) led the way to an amazing 69-8 (89.6 percent) non-conference Please turn to: Hoop, Page 1 8 As it was, Nebraska was held to its first shutout since 1973, a season low in first downs (nine) by six, a season low in rushing yards (82) by 40 yards and a season low in total yards (171) by 122. Miller said the Miami defensive line saw the game as a personal challenge.

"They said we weren't strong, like when we had Russell Maryland and Cortez Kennedy (both first-round NFL draft picks), and they said they'd run right at us," Miller said. "Even that (NU tight end Johnny) Mitchell was cussing at their linemen that they were going to get mean and run the ball right down our throats. "And we said, 'Come on, let's see your best shot What have you Obviously, not enough for us." EVEN NEBRASKA COACH Tom Osborne admitted that Miami's defensive line was "stronger than I thought they were." Miami held Nebraska without a first down until 6:11 remained in the first half. The Hurricanes didn't allow Nebraska past the Miami 20-yard line all game. "I said all week that speed beats size," Miller said.

"We're the fastest team in the country. And we could have had more points if the offense didn't mess up." Medearis said another Miami touchdown wasn't needed. "If we'd have scored one more touchdown, they'd say we were running up the score," he said. "No. We didn't need that We did what we'd Rocket (3-4) pnver im.i IM 7 Rick Rlohlnowor l2S Fernando Rlohetto flw SHI, 1 1 I Tip-off: 7 P.m., Bowl results No.

1 Miami (12-0) def. No. 11 Nebraska 224, Orange Bowl No. 2 Washington (12-0) def. No.

4 Michigan 34-14, Rose Bowl No. 3 Florida (10-2) lost to No. 18 Notre Dame 39-28, Sugar Bowl No. 4 Michigan (10-2) lost to No. 2 Washington 34-14, Rose Bowl No.

5 Florida State (11-2) def. No. 9 Texas AIM 10-2, Cotton Bowl No. Penn State (11-2) def. No.

10 Tennessee 42-17, Fiesta Bowl No. 7 Iowa (10-1-1) tied Brigham Young 13-13, Holiday Bowl No. Alabama (11-1) def. No. IS Colorado 30-25, Elockbuster Bowl No.

Texas (10-2) lost to No. Florida State 10-2, Cotton Bowl No. '0 Tennessee (9-3) tost to No. Penn State 42-17, Fiesta Bowl '40. 1 1 Nebraska (9-2-1) lost to No.

1 Miami 22-0, Orange Bowl No. 12 East Carolina (11-1) def. No. 21 North Carolina State 37-34, Peach Bowl No. 13 Clemson (9-2-1) lost to No.

14 California 37-13, Citrus Bowl No. 14 California (10-2) def. No. 13 Clemson 37-13, Citrus Bowl No. IS Colorado (8-3-1) lost to No.

8 Alabama 30-25, Blockbuster Bowl No. 16 Syracuse (10-2) def. No. 25 Ohio State 24-17, Hall of Fame Bowl No. 17 Stanford (8-4) lost to Georgia Tech 18-17, Aloha Bowl No.

IS Notre Dame (10-3) def. No. 3 Florida 39-28, Sugar Bowl No. 19 Virginia (8-3-1) tost to No. 20 Oklahoma 48-14, Gator Bowl No.

20 Oklahoma (9-3) def. No. 19 Virginia 48-14, Gator Bowl No. 21 North Carolina State (9-3) lost to No. 12 East Carolina 37-34, Peach Bowl No.

22 UCLA (9-3) def. Illinois 4-3, John Hancock Bowl No. 23 Tulsa (10-2) def. San Diego State 28-17, Freedom Bowl No. 24 Georgia (9-3) def.

Arkansas 24-15, independence Bowl No. 25 Ohio State (8-4) lost to No. Syracuse 24-17, Hall of Fame Bowl done all year kept people from the end zone and beat the other team to the punch. We're proud of the way we dominated the game." MIAMI LINEBACKER Darrin Smith, an All-American, said the swarming on defense made the differ-; ence. "We kept everybody swarming to the football," he said.

"We all did our jobs, and nobody tried to so somebody else's job. I was a little surprised how easy it was since they were the top of-; fense in college football "I thought they might get some yards. This was just a great moment for us as a defensive unit" Nebraska vs. Toledo Probable starters Cornhuskers (9-1) Ave. Pos.

Plover (HI.) Ave. 15.3 14.1 ll.f t.2 () 11.0 Eric Platkowski (6-4) (6-) 4.6 Dapreis Owens (6-4) Derrick Chandler (6-10) Chris Cresswell (6-4) Jamar Johnson (5-11) 11.6 Thursday, Savaao Hall, Toledo, Ohio. down to time zone setting for those late starts that caused a lot of ruckus in the Big Ten. Big Monday also lost part of its sting with UNLVs probation, meaning the Big West finale to the triple-header has lost its marquee name. The new calendar also means a chance to see which players really deserve consideration for All-America status as defenders become players very familiar with stars' games and usually the same billing.

No coach was fired or resigned in Radio: KFAB 1110, KrOR 1240. Notts: Toledo Is 3-2 ct home. Including a 73-45 loss to Wisconsin-Green Bay In the season opener (Nebraska defeated Green Bay Monday). The Rockets' last some was a 40-52 victory against Idaho In the consolation same of their MVP Holiday Classic Saturday. Last yeor in Lincoln, Nebraska defeated Toledo 105-48.

The Cornhuskers never trailed, ond Toledo shot lust 33.3 percent from the field. Eric Platkowski had 21 points for Nebraska. Bret bo, son of Texas Christian and former Nebraska coach Mot Iba ts an assist-ant at Toledo. Nebraska, which has won five straight gomes, will return horn to play Eastern Illinois Saturday at 7:35 p.m. at the Devanev Sports Center.

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