Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 46

rrr? 'PIMM I 6C TIMES WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1996 Sports COLLEGES I A FOOTBALL Olympic baseball ace wins award Hall of Fame stats Carter words of thou Inducted Into tlx Pro Foorbal Associated Pratt. 7 1 sis? fesa I i 'Hi MM' I I I Hal of Fame Saturday: joi cites Regular season 1MI Washington I I 0 .500 191? Wsihlnglon-y 110 .888 1983 Washington 14 2 0 .875 I'M Washington 11 0 .488 IMS Washington 10 0 MS I9U Washington 12 4 0 .750 1987 Washtngton-ny II 4 0 .733 1M Washington 7 0 .438 I9W Washington 10 4 0 MS im Washington 10 4 0 MS 1991 Washlngton-x 14 2 0 J7S 1WJ Washington 7 0 543 Totals 124 40 Post-season 1982 WasWngton-l 4 0 0 1.000 1983 Washington 2 1 0 .667 1984 Washington 0 1 0 .000 1984 Washington 2 1 0 .447 1987 WasNngton-l 3 0 0 1.000 1990 Washington 1 I 0 .500 1991 WasNnglon-z 0 0 1.000 1992 Washington 1 I 0 .500 Totals 14 0 .447 Overall Total 140 a 13 x-won division title y-strlke shortened season l-won Superbowt CHARLIE JOINER No. Yds Avg. TD 1949 Houston 7 77 11.0 0 1970 Houston 28 414 14.9 3 1971 Houston 31 481 22.0 7 24 439 11.3 2 1973 Cincinnati 13 214 14.5 0 1974 Cincinnati 24 390 14.3 1 1975 Cincinnati 37 724 19 6 5 1976 San Diego 50 1054 21.1 7 1977 San Diego 35 542 15.5 4 1978 San Olego 33 607 11.4 I 1979 San Diego 72 1008 14.0 4 1980 San CHego 71 1132 15.9 4 1981 San Diego 70 1181 17.0 7 1982 San Diego 34 545 15.1 0 1983 San CHego 65 960 14.8 3 1984 San Diego 61 793 13.0 1985 San Diego 59 932 158 7 1986 San Diego 34 440 12.9 2 Totals 750 12144 14J 45 MEL RENFRO Int Yds Avg. TD 1964Dalas 7 110 15.7 1 1965 Dalai 2 92 46.0 1 1946Dalas 2 57 28.5 0 1967 0alas 7 38 5.4 0 1968 Dallas 3 5 1.7 0 1969 Dallas 10 118 118 0 1970Dalas 4 3 0.1 0 1971 Dallas 4 11 2.1 0 1972 Dallas I 0 00 0 1973 Dallas 2 65 32.5 1 1974Datas 1 6 6.0 0 1975Dalas 4 70 17.5 0 1974Datas 3 23 7.7 0 1977 Dallas 2 21 140 0 Totals 52 424 ID 3 Times file photos Last season Florida's Danny right, took third in the Heisman Trophy balloting; Tennessee's Peyton Manning took sixth.

A September matchup between the two teams should decide who will be this year's front-runner. Ds WueirffieD or MamiiniiioDg SEC, oatiioDD's best Q.B? SEC MEETINGS By GREG AUMAN Times Correspondent HOT SPRINGS, Va. Olympic pitching ace Kris Benson has been named the ACC's male athlete of the year. It is the first time a Clemson player has won the league's most prestigious individual award. It also was only the second time a baseball player has won the 44-year-old Anthony J.

McKelyin Award. Former North Carolina star catcher B.J. Surhoff, now the third baseman of the Baltimore Orioles, won the award in 1985. "That's shocking, considering you're talking about every sport," Benson said in Atlanta. Benson, the No.

1 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the June draft, received 33 of a possible 62 votes from members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Writers Association. Benson was college baseball's consensus national player of the year after finishing first in the ACC in strikeouts (204), innings pitched (156) and complete games (7). CITADEL: Football coach Charlie Taaffe has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, and police have refused to release the incident report at Charleston, S.C., because of concern that pretrial publicity could hinder prosecution. Taaffe was stopped Saturday on U.S. 17 and jailed for two hours before posting $304 bail, the Post and Courier of Charleston reported.

He was acquitted of the same charge in 1993 after being stopped on Interstate 26. Also in the car was offensive line coach Jeff Bleamer, who was ticketed for having an open container of beer in a motor vehicle. TEXAS: Ron Weaver will not go to jail, but will have a criminal record for assuming someone else's identity to play football at Texas. After exhausting his eligibility at Sacramento State in 1989, Weaver took the identity of Joel Ron McKelvey and played two seasons at Los Angeles Pierce Community College and last season at Texas. MULLINS MOVIE: A television movie will be made about Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins, who died 20 days after being paralyzed in a game against Vanderbilt.

An NBC movie will be based on the book A Dixie Farewell: The Life and Death of Chucky Mullins, by sportswriter Larry Woody of the Nashville Tennessean. CLEMSON: Former wide receiver Antwuan Wyatt, suspended from the team for drug charges, is not eligible for pretrial intervention, which lets first-time offenders clear their record through community service, because of a prior drug arrest. Wyatt was arrested on charges of giving false information to police, according to an arrest warrant. Super Welterweight 054 pounds) Champion: Terry Norris t. Laurent BeUdouani, France; I Troy Waters, Australia; Raul Marquei; 4.

Ahmed Dottuev, Bafcania; 5. David Oarlante, Italy, a. Carl Daniels; 7. Ernie Arango, Australia, 1 Said Berntalem, France; 9. Paul Vaden; 10.

Alex Rio. Welterweight (147 pounds) Champion: Pernell Whitaker 1. Wltfredo Rivera, Puerto Rico; 2. Gary Jacobs, Britain; 3. Patrick Charpentler, France; 4.

Derrel Cotey; 5. Pedro Sanchez, Dominican Republic; a. Ralph Jones; 7. James Page; I. Jose Luis Navarro, Spain; 9.

Andrei Pesttlaev; 10. Pat Coleman, Super Lightweight .40 pounds) Champion: Oscar Da la Hoya 1. Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Mexico; 2. Julo Cesar Chavez, Mexico; 3 Khaikl RaNlou, France, 4 Ismaei Chavez, Argentina; 5. Charles Murray; a.

Fred Ladd; 7. Soren Sondergaard, Denmark, I. Sharnba Mitcnel; 9. David Kamaua, Kenya; 10. Jose Barboza, Venezuela.

Lightweight (13S pounds) Champion: Jean Baptist Mendy, Franca 1. Steve Johnston; Shane Mosley; 1 Cesar Bazan, Mexico; 4. Angel Mono, France; 5. Lamar Murphy; 6. Ivan Robinson; 7.

Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Japan; 8. Ricardo SHva, Argentina; 9. David Dodi Ghana; 10. Manuel Fernandas, France. Super Featherweight (130 pounds) Champion: Azumah Nelson, Ghana 1.

Anatoty Alexandrov, Russia; 2. Gabriel Rueias, Mexico; 3. Roberto Garcia, 4. Utrich Johnson, Trinidad Tobago; 5. Genaro Hernandez; 6.

Juiien Lorcy, France; 7. Pedro Gutierrez, Argentina; I. Tracy Patterson; 9. Boris Sinitsifv Russia; 10. Justin Juuko, Uganda.

Featherweight (124 pounds) Champion: Luisito Espinosa, Philippines 1. Cesar Soto, Mexico; 2. Carlos Rios, Argentina; 3. Manuel Medina, Mexico; 4. Alejandro Gonzalez, Mexico; 5.

Yuti Watanabe, Japan; 6. BiHy Hardy, Britain; 7. Hector Llzarraga; t. Yongwoon Park, Korea; 9. David Santos; 10.

Stefano Zoff, Italy. Super Bantamweight (122 pounds) Champion: Daniel Zaragoza, Mexico 1. Erik Morales, Mexico; 2. Jotcniro Tatsuyoshl, Japan; 3. TsuyosN Harada, Japan, 4.

Yuichi Kasai, Japan; Hector Acero-Sanchez, Dominican Republic; 6 Bongchu) Kim, Korea; 7. Enrique Jupiter, Mexico; I. Enrique Sanchez, Mexico; 9. Vicenzo Bettastro, Italy; 10 Harold Mestre, Cokimbia. Bantamweight (111 pounds) Champion: Wayne McCullough, Ireland 1.

Sirlmongkol Singmanassuk, Thailand; 2. Jose Luis Bueno, Mexico; 3. Victor Manuel Rabanales, Mexico; 4. Pastor Maurln, Argentina; S. Inlin CM, Korea; 6.

Paul Ayala; 7. Dark) Azuaga, Paraguay; 8. Khsoyai Mahasarakam, Thailand; 9. Jorge Monsaivo, Colombia; 10. Li Gwang Sik, South Korea.

Super Flyweight (115 pounds) Champion: Hfroshl Kawashlma, Japan 1. Gerry Penalosa, Philippines; 2. Joel Luna Zarate, Mexico; 3. Luis Boiano, Cotontna; 4 Htpolito Saucedo; 5. Cecio Espino, Mexico; 6.

Adonis Cruz, Nicaragua; 7. Jesus Rotas, Venezuela; I. Luis Benavldes, CotorniMa; 9. Dorningo Sosa, Dominican Republic; 10. Jesper Jensen, Denmark.

Flyweight (112 pounds) Champion: Yuri Arbachakov, Russia 1. Isalas Zarnudo; 2. Cnatchai Sasakut Thailand; 3. Daniel Ward, South Africa; 4. Alejandro Montiel; S.

Gabriel Mlra, Mexico; e. Ladislao Vazquez, Mexico; 7. Youngsoon Change, South Korea; 8. Chokviwal Chokchai, Thailand; 9. Takato Toguchi, Japan; 10.

Hyongsok Kang, South Korea. Light Flyweight 108 pounds) Champion: Saman Sor.aturong, Thailand 1. Humberto Gonzalez, Mexico; 2. Manuel Jesus Herre-ra, Dominican Republic; 3. Phanieng Sasiprabha-Poontarat, Thailand; 4.

Shiro Yahro, Japan; 5. YamH Cartwao, Cotornb-a; a. Joma Garnboa, Philippines; 7. Antonio Perez, Mexico; I. Luis Doria, Colombia; 9.

R'C Magramo, Pttibppines; 10. Al Gafvez, Chile. Strawwelght (105 pounds) Champion: Ricardo Lopez, Mexico 1. Rocky Lin, Japan; 2. Songkhram Porpaoin, Thailand; 3.

Ala VIHamor, Philippines; 4. Sinn Sow Ptoenehit, Thailand; 5. Morgan Ndumo, South Africa; 6. Myungsup Park, South Korea; 7. Oiangchul Lee, South Korea; 9.

Kitti Choi Preecha, Thailand; 10. Payak Nakorntuang, Thailand. IBF rankings The International Boxing Federation official rankings as of June 1996 Americans unless otherwise noted): Heavyweight (over 190 pounds) Champion Vacant 1. Frank Botha, South Africa; 2. Oliver McCal; 3.

Corrie Sanders, South Africa; 4. Henrey Akiwande, Britain; 5. Vaughn Bean; 6, Lennox Lewis; 7. Orlin Norris; 8. Andrew Gotota; 9.

Buster Mathis, Jr; 10. Obed SuWvart Cruiserweight (190 pounds) Champion Alfred Col 1. Adolpho Washington, 2. Torsion May, Germany; 3. Jacob Mofokeng; 4.

Alex Gurov, Russia; 5. Uriah Grant; 6. Robert Daniels; 7. David Izeqwire, 8. Terry Dunstan, Britain; 9.

Chris Okoh, Britain; 10. Akim Tafer, France. Light Heavyweight (175 pounds) Champion Henry Maske, Germany 1. lli am Guthrie; 2. Monte Griffin; 1 Darren Alen; 4.

Mike McCaHum; 5. Duran Williams; 6. Lou Del VaUe; 7. Crawford AsMey, Britain; 8. Graclano RocciNgiani; 9.

Stefan Anghern, Switzerland; 10. Gary Ballard, South Africa. Suptr Middleweight (168 pounds) Champion Roy Jones Jr. 1. Bryant Brannon; 2.

Charles Brewer; 3. Segundo Merca-do, Ecuador; 4. Jean M'Btye, Britain; 5. Henry Wharton, Britain 6. Nigel Bern Britain; 7.

Joe Calzaohe, Britain; I Maurlcto A mar at Brazil; 9. Andrei Shkatikov, Russia; 10. Steve Little, Middleweight (10 pounds) Champion Bernard Hopkins 1. Wilam Joppy; 2. John David Jackson; 3.

Robert Alen; 4. Robert McCracken. Britain; 5. Lloyd Bryan; 6. Alex Rios; 7, Rich WoodhaH, Britain; 8.

Glen Johnson; 9. Juan Vilorla; 10. Bo James. Junior Middleweight (154 pounds) Champion Terry Norris 1. Raul Marquez; 2.

Cart Daniels; 3. Giovani Pretorious, South Africa; 4. Anthony Stephens; 5. Laurent Boudanl, Puerto Rico, 4. Chris Pyatt, Britain; 7.

Paul Vaden; 8 Adrian Dodson, Britain; 9. Rossman Henry, Qlumbia; 10. Guitermo Jones, Panama. Welterweight (147 pounds) Champion Felix Trinidad, Puerto Rico 1. Oba Carr; 2.

Gary Jacobs, Britain; 3. Patrick Charpentler, France; 4. Yori Campas, Mexico; 5. Wiitredo Rivera, Puerto Rico; 4. Vincent Pettwayc 1.

Andrew Murray, Guyana; 8. Tony Martin; 9. Ray Lovato; 10. Pat Coieman. Junior Welterweight (140 pounds) Champion Kostya Tszyu, Australia I.

Jan Bergman, South Africa; 2. Fred Pendteton, 3. David Kamau; 4. Soren Sondergaar, Denmark; 5. Jermal Cor bin, 6.

Sharmba Mitcnel; 7. Charles Murray, 8. Ralph Jones; 9. Virgfl McOendon; 10. Leonardo Mas.

Lightweight (135 pounds) Champion Phillip Holiday, South Africa 1. Ivan Robinson; 2. Fred Ladd; 3. Demetrius CebaHos; 4. Miguel Julio, Coiornbia; 5.

John Lark; 6. Steve Johnson; 7. Joel Perez; 8. BiHy Schwer, Britain; 9. Lavender Johnson; 10.

Joel Diaz. Junior Lightweight (130 pounds) Champion Arturo Gattl 1. Tracey Patterson; 2. Robert Garcia; 3. John Brown; 4.

Anatoty Alexandrov, Russia; S. Boris Sinitsin, Russia, 6. CKH Samardin, Australia; 7. Jaime Colombia; I. Dtamel Life, France; 9.

Wilson Rodriguez, Spain; 10. Juiien Lorcy, Franca. Featherweight (124 pounds) Champion Tom Johnson t. Hector Liziarrago; 2. Weicomr Ncita, South Africa; 3.

Davis Santos; 4. BiHy Hardy, Britain; 5. Jose Bad.No, Puerto Rico; 4. November Ntshingila, Australia; 7. Ever Beteno, Corombia; 8.

Victor Polo, Colombia; 9. Arnuito Castillo; 10. Colin McMillan, Britain. Junior Featherweight (122 pounds) Champion Vuyani Bungu, South Africa 1. Vincenzo Betcastro, Italy; 2.

Nurhuda, Indonesia; 1 Kennedy McKinney; 4. SaUm Medjkoune, France; 5. Jesus Perez, Columbia; 4. Rey JamH, Puerto Rico; 7. Victor Lter-ena, Columbia; 8.

Aristead Clayton, 9. Jesus Salud; 10. Angel Chacon, Puerto Rico. Bantamweight (118 pounds) Champion Mbulelo Bottle, South Africa 1. Tim Austin; 2.

Juvanal Berrk, Colombia; 3. Adrian Kaspaai, Indonesia; 4. Harold Mestre, Coiornbia; 5. Daorung Sirlwat, Thailand; 6. Rafael Del Vale, Puerto Rico; 7.

Paul Ayala; 8. Sergio Reyes; 9. Ancee Gedeon; 10. Dark) Azuaga, Paraguay. Junior Bantamweight (115 pounds) Champion Carlos Salazar, Argentina 1.

JaU Sabal, South Africa; 2. Danny Romero; 3. Ubadel Soto, Colombia; 4. Andy Agosto, Puerto Rico; 5 Carlos Salazar, Argentina; 6. Jose Diaz; 7.

Ricky Matutessi, Indonesia; 8. Ratanachal Vorapin, Thailand; 9. Poiito Saucedo; 10. Luis Benavldez, Columbia. Flyweight 012 pounds) Champion Marc Johnson 1.

Cnatchai Sasakut, Thailand, 2. Yokethaf Sifhoar, Thailand; 3. Evangeto Perez, Panama; 4. Luigi Camputaro, Italy; 5. Fedid Ben Jaddon, Tunisia; 4.

Yodchmgrnai Soronthong, Thailand; 7. Irene Pacheco, Coiurnbta; 8. Abdi Pohan, Indonesia, 9. (sates Zumudio; 10. Aleiandro Montiel, Mexico.

Junior Flyweight (108 pounds) Champion Michael Carbafal 1. Maurlck) Pastrana, Qkxnbia; 2 Wonfongfcam, Thailand, 3. Humberto Gonzales, Mexico; 4. Mauel Herrera; 5. Anis Roga, Indonesia; 4.

Pichit Sirlwat, Thailand; 7. Luis Doria, Columbia; 8. Onewln Char eon, Thailand; 9. Jesus Chong; 10. Grisby, Columbia.

Mini Flyweight (105 pounds) Champion Rantanpof Vorapin Osvatdo Guerrero, Mexico; 2. Juan Herrera, Columbia; 1 Andy Tabanas, Puerto Rico; 4. Mongol Charoen, Thailand; 5. Ernesto RubMar, Puerto Rico; 4 Ala VMamor, Puerto Rico; 7. Gustavo Vera, Venezuela, 8.

Morgan Ndumo, South Africa; 9. Le Salvador, Nicaragua; 10. Joseph Orgalesa, Puerto Rico. NFL on national TV SUNDAY, SEPT. 1 New England at Miami.

4 (NBC) Buffalo at N.Y. Giants, 8 (TNT) MONDAY, SEPT. 2 Dallas at Chicago, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, SEPT. I Y. Giants at Dales, 4 (FOX) Miami at Arizona, 8 (TNT) MONDAY, SEPT.

Philadelphia at Green Bay, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, SEPT. 15 tndanapoii at Dalai, 4 (NBC) Tampa Bay at Denver, (TNT) MONDAY, SEPT. It Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, SEPT. 22 Dales at Buffalo, 4 (FOX) Philadelphia at Atlanta, I (TNT) MONDAY, SEPT. 23 Miami at Indianapolis, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, SEPT.

29 Atlanta at San Francisco, 4 (FOX) N.Y. Jets at Washington, I (TNT) MONDAY, SEPT. 30 Dalas at Philadelphia, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, OCT. 4 San Diego at Denver, 4 (NBC) Houston at Cincinnati, 8 (TNT) MONDAY, OCT.7 Pittsburgh at Kansas aty, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, OCT. 13 Detroit at Oakland, 4 (FOX) Baltimore at Indianapolis, I (TNT) MONDAY, OCT.

14 San Francisco at Green Bay, 9 (ABC) THURSDAY, OCT. 17 Seattle at Kansas aty, 8 (TNT) SUNDAY, OCT. 2 dndrrati at San Francisco, 4 (NBC) MONDAY, OCT. 21 Oakland at San Diego, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, OCT. 27 Dalas at Miami, 4 (FOX) Buffalo at New England, 8 (TNT) MONDAY, OCT.

21 Chicago at Minnesota, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, NOV. 3 Miami at New England. 4 (NBC) San Francisco at New Orleans, 8 (ESPN) MONDAY, NOV. 4 Denver at Oakland, 9 ABC) SUNDAY, NOV. Dalas at San Francisco, 4 (FOX) N.Y.

Giants at Carolina, I (ESPN) MONDAY, NOV. 11 Detroit at San Diego, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, NOV. 17 Baltimore at San Francisco, 4 (NBC) Minnesota at Oakland, 8 (ESPN) MONDAY, NOV. II Green Bay at Dalas, 9 (ABC) SUNDAY, NOV. 24 Dalas at Y.

Giants, 4 (FOX Green Bay at St. Louis, I (ESPN) MONDAY, NOV. 25 Pittsburgh at Miami, 9 (ABC) THURSDAY, NOV. 28 Kansas aty at Detroit, 12:30 (NBC) Washington at Dalas, 4 (FOX) SUNDAY, DEC 1 Miami at Oakland, 4 (NBC) New England at San Diego, 8 (ESPN) MONDAY, DEC 2 San Francisco at Atlanta, 9 (ABC) THURSDAY, DECS PhUadefchla at Indianapolis, I (ESPN) SUNDAY, DEC I Dalas at Arizona, 4 (FOX) Minnesota at Detroit, I (ESPN) MONDAY, DEC 9 Kansas aty at Oakland, 9 (ABC) SATURDAY, DEC 14 Philadelphia at Y. Jets, 12:30 (FOX) San Diego at Chicago, 4 (NBC) SUNDAY.

DEC II In what will certainly be a diplomatic morning, Florida's Steve Spurrier and Tennessee's Phil Fulmer speak to the media Thursday morning, and Manning and Wuerffel will follow, equally brimming with praise for their divisional rivals. FIGHTIN' WORDS: Auburn and Florida took beatings in bowls last season Auburn lost 43-14 to Penn State in the Outback Bowl, and Florida lost 62-24 to Nebraska in the Fiesta. When asked how he will handle the negative impact a bowl loss can have on a team, Bowden sneaked in a little dig at an old rival. "I don't know if I'm going to call Steve Spurrier because I bet you he'll handle it. I'm not going to let it be a negative.

Hopefully, it will be a focus." HAMBRICK BACK: Darren Hambrick, a key member of Florida's 1994 SEC championship team, is expected to start at linebacker for South Carolina. Hambrick was dismissed from the UF team before the 1995 Sugar Bowl after a fight broke out at a team dinner in New Orleans. Hambrick sat out the 1995 season after transferring to South Carolina and Gamecocks coach Brad Scott said Hambrick has impressed him on and off the field. "He's very committed to this opportunity," Scott said. "He's passed 34 hours of classes in the last year, and there's no question he's a big playmaker.

He's penciled in as a starter, and we're looking for him to be a leader on this defense." MUST-SEE TV: A new contract with CBS will put at least 12 SEC games on television this fall, and the conference also will have games on SportSouth, ESPN and ESPN2. "The conference will continue to receive a tremendous shot in the arm for its television package," SEC commissioner Roy Kramer said. More than 25-million viewers watched last year's SEC title game with a total of 112-million viewers in four title games since 1993. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. A September showdown might answer one raging summer debate, but for now the question lingers: Is Tennessee's Peyton Manning or Florida's Danny Wuerffel the Southeastern Conference's and the nation's top quarterback? Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill gave his opinion, unsolicited, Tuesday on the first day of the SEC Media Days preseason gathering.

"In this league, you have one premier quarterback," Sherrill said. "He has the talent and the people surrounding him to get things done." Sherrill was speaking of Manning, who led the Vols to a 52-14 win against the Bulldogs last year, and not Wuerffel, who threw for a then-school-record 449 yards in his second career start against Sherrill in 1993. What sets Manning apart from the rest of the conference, Sherrill said, is production. "Peyton has produced and that's not to take anything away from the kid at Florida. (Manning) has got a lot of things going for him," he said.

Wuerffel took third in last year's Heisman Trophy balloting; Manning took sixth. When the two went head-to-head in Gainesville last season, Wuerffel led Florida to a 62-37 win. Just the same, now it is Manning who is garnering more preseason Heisman hype, and as a result Tennessee tops many preseason polls. South Carolina coach Brad Scott didn't have any luck against either last season Tennessee rolled up 56 points against Carolina; two weeks later Florida scored 63, with Wuerffel playing only one half. His vote goes to Wuerffel.

"That's such a tough choice, but I'm going to go with Wuerffel," Scott said. "He's a senior and Peyton's a junior. Maybe if I give it to Peyton, that might encourage him to leave (early) after this year. "Either one is worthy of that you ought to wait and see until they go head-to-head. The winner of that one will be one of the leading candidates for the Heisman, I imagine." Doctors say Fittipaldi fine, will race again Associated Press Oakland at Denver, 4 (NBC) Seattle at Jacksonvie, I (ESPN) MONDAY.

DEC 14 Buffalo at Miami, 9 (ABC) SATURDAY, DEC. 21 New England at Y. Giants, 12:30 (NBC) New Orleans at St. Louis, 4 (FOX) SUNDAY, DEC 22 Dalas at Washington, 4 (FOX) Denver at San Diego, I (ESPN) MONDAY, DEC. 23 Detroit at San Francisco, 9 (ABC) Brickyard 400 WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 2V2-mile newly resurfaced oval. TV: Chs. 28, 40. RADIO: WFNS-AM 910. QUALIFYING: Thursday-Friday (ESPN, 3 p.m.).

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Dale Earnhardt. NOTE: The purse is richest in NASCAR history. Playoffs SATURDAY. DEC 28 AFC 1 NFC Wild Cards (ABC) SUNDAY. DEC 29 AFC NFC Wild Cards (NBC 8, FOX) SATURDAY, JAN.

4 AFC NFC Divisional Playoffs (NBC 8, FOX) SUNDAY, JAN. AFC I NFC Divisional PlayoHs (NBC 8, FOX) SUNDAY, JAN. 12 AFC NFC Championships (NBC 8, FOX) SUNDAY. JAN. 24 Super Bowl at New Orleans (FOX) SUNDAY.

FEB. 2 Pro Bowl at Honolulu (ABC) BOXING WBC ratings Work Boxing CouncMrathmas of June 1996 (Americans MIAMI Joking with friends and moving about his hospital room a day after neck surgery, race car driver Emerson Fittipaldi received the best news possible: He could auvM race a8am as soon AUTOS as this fall. Doctors at Jackson Memorial Hospital spent five hours Monday night repairing a fractured cervical vertebra. The 49-year-old Brazilian broke the bone at the base of his neck Sunday in a fiery crash after the first lap of the Marlboro 500 at Michigan International Speedway. On Monday, he was transferred to Florida by air ambulance.

"He had one severe injury. It's close to miraculous that he wasn't paralyzed," said neurosurgeon Barth Green, who led a team of specialists in the operation. Green said Fittipaldi was "very lucky I imagine he'll have just about complete use of his head and neck." Fittipaldi was already up and about in his hospital room Tuesday morning, and was allowed to sit in a bedside chair. Fittipaldi also was left with a partly collapsed lung and a blood clot in his back. Neurologist Stephen Olvey, who tended to Fittipaldi at the time of the crash, directed the medical team that brought the racer from Michigan.

"He will be able to race again," Olvey said. "The minimum time he'll be back racing is three unless noted): Htavywight (ovr 190 pounds) Champion: Mlkt Tyson 1. Lennox Lewis, Britain; 2. Oflver McCal; 3. Frank Bruno, Britain; 4.

Ray Mercer; 5. Larry Donald; a. Jeremy WMttams; 7. Zeko Mavrovtc Coratta; Evander Hofyfieid; f. Andrew Gotota, Poland; 10 Orttn Morris.

Time files (1995) Dale Earnhardt, who fractured his collarbone and sternum at the DieHard 500 on Sunday, hopes to qualify at the Brickyard 400. Crulsorwtight (190 pounds) Champ: Marcel Domtnguoz, Argentina 1. Alexander Gurov, Ukraine; 2. Aktm Tafer, France; 3. Robert Danteta; 4.

Terry Dunstan, 5. David tieowfre, Nigeria; a. Gary BaMard, South Africa; 7. Jacob Mofokeng, South we were there, and 1 thought it was a pretty good test." Practice begins today. The top 20 starting positions will be locked in place after the first round of qualifications Thursday.

The next 18 fastest qualifiers will join the field Friday. Four other drivers who do not make the field through qualifying may be added as provisional starters, based on season points, and a 43rd starting spot is available for any former Winston Cup champion who does not qualify. Defending champ Dale Earnhardt, who fractured his left collarbone and sternum in a crash at Talladega on Sunday, will try to qualify and then at least start the race. Others entered include Dale Jarrett, Sterling Marlin, Ricky Rudd, Rusty Wallace and Ernie Ir-van, Ken Schrader and Mark Africa, can Thompson, Britain; Patrice Aounsl, France; 10. Chris Okoh, Britain.

Light Heavyweight (175 pounds) Champion: Fabric Tletxe, Franco 1, MonteR Grrffln; 2. Mike Met alum, Jamaica; 3, Eddy BASEBALL Srrwiders, Holand; 4. Crawford Ashley; 5. WHHam Guthrie; a. Nicky Piper, Britain; 7.

Maurice Coore, Britain; I. Merqui Sosa, Dominican Republic, 9. Lincoln Carter; 10. Marek Baseball calendar Piotrowsky, Poland. Super Middleweight (Ml pounds) Champ: Thvlane Malinga, South Africa 1.

Henry Wharton, Britain; 2 Luciano Torres, Brail; 3. months." Hometown edge INDIANAPOLIS A victory on his home track the first year, a pole-position start at record speed the next. No wonder Jeff Gordon loves the Brickyard 400. Gordon, who grew up 15 minutes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in nearby Pittsboro, again leads the NASCAR Winston Cup series after last week's victory in the DieHard 500 at Talladega. He's among the favorites for the Brickyard 400, even if his 1995 record qualifying lap at 172.536 mph doesn't survive.

"We tested three days, and I don't know what the pole speed is. going to be," said Gordon, referring to recent runs on the Speedway's newly resurfaced oval. "We were at least a second, almost two seconds off from the fastest guys who tested there. But we were faster than anybody when Bryant Brannon; 4. Frederic Setter, France; 5.

Michael Num; Vtncenio NarrJeto, It aty, 7. Joe Catiaohe, Brttain, I. Andrei ShkeNkov, Russia, 1 Steve Little, 10. Mauro Gatvano, Mary. Aufl.4 Hal of Fame Inductions, Cooperstown, Y.

Aug. Hal ot Fame game, Montreal vs. CaMornia. Cooperstown, Y. Auo Jl Deadane tor postseason rosters.

Sept. I Active rosters Increased to 40 players. Sept. 14-13 Owners meetings. Se sttte Oct.

19 World Series begins, city of AL champion. October TBO Free agent fling period begins, day folowing conclusion of World Series October er November TBO Deadhie to offer salary arbitration to players covered by repeater rights restriction, five days foenwhg conclusion ot World Series November TBO Free agent fWng period ends, 15 days folowing conclusion of world Series. Middleweight let pounds) Champion: Keith Holmos 1. Richie Woodhal, Britain: 2. Otis Grant, Canada; 3.

Quincy Taylor; A. Jorge Castro, Aroetrtina; 9. John D. Jackson; 4. Julian Jackson, Virgin Islands; 7.

Robert Alen; 0. Robert MtCracken, Britain; 9. Agottmo Cardamone, Italy; 10. Aaron Davis..