Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 42

r2C TIMES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2003 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAYS GAMES BOWL SCHEDULE e.OTwin umbles to fripl wan IT THURSDAY BluGrtty Clank At Troy, Alt. Bh31.0ny24 HmullBowl At Honolulu Associated Press Motor City Bowl TEAMS: Bowling Green (10-3) vs, Northwestern (6-6). WHENWHERETV: 5 p.m. Detroit, ESPN. COACHES: Bowling Green Gregg Brandon (first year); Northwestern -Randy Walker (24-34, fifth).

PAYOUT: Each school receives 5800,000. BOWL RECORDS: Bowling Green is 2-3. Northwestern is 1-3. Is, tt X'V el i II Li It was the fifth straight bowl loss for the Cougars. Houston, making its first bowl appearance since 1996, hasn't won in the postseason since defeating Navy in the 1980 Garden State Bowl.

Chang, selected the game's MVP, was 26-of-42 passing for 475 yards and five touchdowns after coming off the bench. The junior moved into third on the NCAA passing list with 12,814 yards. Rivers had seven receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns for the Warriors. Jeremiah Cockh-eran added five catches for 162. BLUE-GRAY CLASSIC: Marshall's Butchie Wallace rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, lifting the Blue squad 31-24 in Troy, in the stadium where he broke his right hand three months before.

"I'm just happy to come back down here and get a win," said Wallace, injured late in Marshall's 33-24 loss at Troy State in September. Wallace was a late addition to the roster and responded with touchdown runs of 3 and 17 yards in a 3:34 span of the fourth. The Blue squad broke a tie at 17 early in the fourth on Wallace's 3-yard score. San Jose State quarterback Scott Rislov was 3-of-3 for 62 yards on the drive. "I don't like to lose no matter what the circumstances," said Gray receiver Huey Whittaker of South Florida, who had 68 yards on three catches.

"It's all fun, though." HONOLULU Michael Brewster's 8-yard touchdown run in the third overtime sent Hawaii to a 54-48 victory over Houston in a Hawaii Bowl game that ended with a fight at midfield Thursday night. After Hawaii stopped the Cougars on fourth down, several scuffles broke out with some players swinging helmets and throwing punches. Coaches and police broke up the brawl after several minutes, and both teams headed to their locker rooms. It was a wild ending to a thriller. Houston took advantage of a clock management mistake by Hawaii to tie it at 34 with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

After the Warriors blew a chance to run out the clock, Houston's Vincent Marshall caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Kolb to tie it. In the first overtime Hawaii's Timmy Chang completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Britton Komine, and Houston tied it on Anthony Evans' 6-yard run. Houston went up 48-41 in the second overtime on a 4-yard run by Jackie Battle, but Hawaii answered with an 18-yard pass from Chang to Jason Rivers. The Cougars nearly got the victory when they partially blocked Hawaii's extra point, but the ball still went through the uprights. LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Bowling Green beat Nevada 35-34 in 1992 Las Vegas Bowl.

Northwestern lost 66-t7 to Nebraska in 2000 Alamo Bowl. SERIES HISTORY: Bowling Green leads 1-0. LAST MEETING: Bowling Green won 43-42 in 2001. LAST GAME: Bowling Green lost 49-27 at home to Miami (Ohio) in the MAC championship Dec. 4.

Northwestern won 37-20 at Illinois on Nov. 22. STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1949, Wildcats are 0-3 in bowls, losing to Southern Cal (1996 Rose), Tennessee (1997 Citrus) and Nebraska by combined score of 1 55-77. GAME FACTS: Falcons want to salvage season after disappointing showing vs. Miami.

QB Josh Harris (fourth in nation with 4,189 yards total offense, 24 TD passes, 12 TD runs, 10 INTs) is excellent run-pass threat while WRs Cole Magner and Charles Sharon (combined 139 catches, 18TDs) stretch defense. CB Janssen Patton (seven INTs) is first in NCAA history to intercept three passes in game more than once, including twice this season. In 4-2 season-ending push to make it here, Wildcats defense (opponents scored only 63.8 pet. of trips into red zone, best in Big Ten) improved greatly with LB Pat Durr and DE Loren Howard (6V2 sacks) leading way. RB Jason Wright rushing, sixth in nation with 20 total TDs) is underrated talent.

But QB Brett Basanez (1 ,858 passing, four TDs, 1 2 INTs, 54 percent completions) is not going to beat BG through the air. 1790,000 Houston (7-8) n. Hawill (8-5). lata TODAY Motor City Bowl AtDotroK 1800,000 Bowling Oram (10-3) w. Northvmtim W.

(ESPN) lliaightcom Bowl At Phoonli $790,000 CilHomlt 74 w. Virginia Tadl 8:30 (ESPN) SATURDAY Continental Tlra Bowl 1790,000 Ptoburgh (Ml Virginia (7-51, 11 am. (ESPN2) MONDAY Alamo Bowl At San Antonio 11.49 million Michigan St. (Ml va. Nabraaka 8-3, 9 (ESPN) TUESDAY Houtton Bowl $1 million Navy B4 vs.

Tixaa Taoh 7-5, 4:30 (ESPN) Holiday Bowl At San Dlago S2 million Washington St (6-3) vs. Teiss 110-2), 1 1 ESPN Silicon Vallay Classic At San Josa, Calif. $730,000 Fresno St (B-S) vs. UCLA (M), 10:30 ESPN2) WEDNESDAY Musk City Bowl At Nashvilk, Tann. $990,000 Waoonsln (7-5) vs.

Auburn 1741, Noon (ESPN) Sun Bowl At El Paao, Taaaa $1 .48 million Mlnnaaott (9-3) vs. Oregon (Ml, 2 (CBS) LlbartyBowl At Memphis, Tann. S1. 39 million Utah (Ml vs. S.

Miss. (9-3), 3:30 (ESPNI Indaponoonoa Bowl At Shrsveport, La. $1 million Missouri (M vs. Arkansas M), 7:30 (ESPN) San Francisco Bowl $829,000 Colorado St. (7-6) vs.

Boston College (7-6, 10:30 (ESPN2) THURSDAY, JAN. 1 Outback Bowl At Tampa $2.99 million Iowa (9-3) vs. Florida (8-4), 11a.m. (ESPN) Gator Bow) At Jacksonville $1,829 million Maryland (8-3) vs. W.

Virginia 12:30 (NBC) Capital One Bowl At Orlando $5.1 million Purdue -3) vs. Georgia (10-3). 1 (ABC) Roes Bowl At Pasadena, CaW. $14-17 million Michigan 110-2) vs. USC (11-11, 4:30 (ABC) Orange Bowl At Miami $14-17 million Florida St (10-2) vs.

Miami (10-2), 8:30 (ABC) FRIDAY, JAN. 2 Cotton Bowl At Dallas $3 million Mississippi (9-3) vs. Oklahoma St. (9-3), 2 (FOX) Peach Bowl At Atlanta $2.1 million Clemson (Ml vs. Tennessee (10-2), 4.30 (ESPNI Fiesta Bowl At Tempo, Ariz.

$14-17 million Kansas St (11-3) vs. Ohio St 10-2), 8ABC SATURDAY, JAN. 3 Humanitarian Bowl At Boise, Idaho $790,000 Tulsa (Ml vs. Oeorgls Tech (6-8), Noon (ESPN or ESPN2) SUNDAY, JAN. 4 Sugar Bowl At New Orleans $14-17 million Oklahoma (11-1) va.

LSU (12-11, 8 (ABC) AP Coach June Jones instructs quarterback Jason Whieldon in the first half of the Warriors' 5448 OT win over Houston in the Hawaii Bowl. OUTBACK BOWL SCHEDULE Insight. cial travel parties and bowl supporters at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Tampa. Players night at Gameworks in Ybor City. Teams compete with interactive video games, 6- 8 p.m.; open to the public at 8.

Hawkeye Huddle presented by the National l-Club and the Ul Alumni Association, 7- 10 p.m. at the Tampa Convention Center. No admission charge. Channelside Hawk Party, Channelside, immediately after Hawkeye Huddle. No admission charge.

WEDNESDAY Parade and pep rally, 5:30 p.m., along Seventh Avenue in Ybor City Hawkeye New Year's Eve Party, 8:30 p.m. until 1 a.m., Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Tampa, $15 beginning Monday; $20 at door if available. THURSDAY Hawkeye tailgate party, 9-1 1 a.m., $50 per person Gator alumni breakfast, a.m., comer of Tampa Bay Boulevard and Dale Mabry Highway across from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Tickets are $1 5 for UF Alumni Association members and boosters with membership card, $20 for nonmembers and $10 for 12 and under. For information and online registration visit www.ufalum-ni.ufl.edu or call (888) 352-5866 and press 4.

Pregame bowl bash, 8 a.m. at Tampa Bay Center. Music and a pep rally. Food and refreshments available for purchase Raymond James Stadium opens at 9:30 a.m., pregame show begins at 10:15 and game kicks off at 1 1 a.m. For Iowa-related information, check hawkeyesports.com or call (319)335-3305.

Florida practices daily at the University of Tampa. Iowa practices daily at Tampa Jesuit High School. Practices are closed to the public. TODAY Florida Gators arrive in Tampa. Welcome ceremony and Outback Steakhouse dinner for the teams, 6 p.m., Tampa Convention Center.

SATURDAY Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast, 7 a.m. Attended by players and coaches, open to the public. Call the FCA at (813) 235-6219 for reservations. Players attend the Bruins-Lightning game at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available atTicketmaster www.ticketmaster.com, (813) 287-8844, (727) 898-2 1 00 or the St.

Pete Times Forum box office in Tampa Iowa players and coaches visit children 1 :30 a.m. at Tampa Children's Hospital at St. Joseph's. Florida visits 2-3 p.m. SUNDAY Busch Gardens outing for teams and fans, p.m.

Admission tickets for general public are available at gate. MONDAY Beach day, including music, skydivers, a tug-of-war and other contests, 1 14 p.m., Clearwater Beach at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort Kickoff show, 8-10 p.m., Stumps Supper Club, Channelside. No admission charge. TUESDAY A invitation-only luncheon for teams' offi Houston's bowl history Jan. 1, 1952 Salad Bowl-Houston 26, Dayton 21 Dec.

22, 1962 Tangerine Bowl-Houtfon 49, Miami, Ohio 21 Dec 31, 1969 Bkiebonnet Bowl-Houston 36, Auburn 7 Doc 31, 1971 Bkiebonnet Bowi-Colorado 29, Houston 17 Dec 29, 1973 Bkiebonnet Bowl-Houston 47, Tulane 7 Dec 23, 1974 Bluebormet Bowl-Houston 31, North Carolina St 31, be Jan. 1, 1977 Cotton Bowl Houston 30, Maryland 21 Jan. 1, 1979 Cotton Bowi-Notre Dame 35, Houston 34 Jan, 1, 1990 Cotton Bowl Houston 17, Nebraska 14 Dec 14, 1990 Garden State Bowl-Houston 35, Navy 0 Dec 26, 1991 Sun Bowl-Oklahoma 40, Houston 14 Jan. 1, 1985 Cotton Bowl-Boston College 45, Houston 28 Dec 25, 1999 AJohi Bowl-Washington St 24, Houston 22 Dec. 27, 1996 Liberty Bowl Svtscum 30, Houston 17 Dec 25, 2003 Hawaii Bowl-Hawaii 54, Houston 49, 30T Focus may be a problem for Hokies Associated Presi PHOENIX Virginia Tech seems a bit disappointed to be in the Insight Bowl.

California hardly could be more thrilled. The Hokies BOWL have grown to notebook KfS level bowl played tonight in a baseball park. "We may be disappointed not playing in a BCS bowl game, but we are playing in a great bowl game," said coach Frank Beamer, who added he was unsure if his players will approach the contest with the intensity they might bring to a bigger bowl. Six games into the season, Virginia Tech was unbeaten and No. 3 in the country.

Even after a loss at West Virginia, the Hokies' beat Miami to climb to No. 5. Then things fell apart with losses to Pittsburgh, Boston College and Virginia. The lone win down the stretch came in overtime against lowly Temple. "The reason we lost four out of the last six is because we weren't playing together," linebacker Vegas Robinson said.

"Everybody was out there doing more than they were supposed to do. Guys were out of position. I feel like we're calmed down now. We're level headed. We're ready to get back at this thing." Despite having just nine returning starters, Cal finished tied for third in the Pac-10 and was the only team to beat conference champion and No.

1-ranked USC (34-31 in triple overtime). The game could be a shootout, with Cal's high-powered offense facing a Hokies offense that features running back Kevin Jones, who set school season records for yards rushing (1,494) and 100-yard games (eight). Cal is balanced, averaging played great. When he didn't play great, we lost Luckily that only happened twice." The Motor City Bowl gives Harris a chance to play in an NFL stadium. Though he's expected to be selected in the top two rounds of the NFL draft, he is trying not to think about making a habit of playing in such arenas.

"You don't want to start thinking about the future and playing at the next level until you are done with this one," he said. Harris has the Wildcats' respect In 2001 the then-sophomore threw for 402 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more in a 43-42 upset of Northwestern. than Miami of Ohio's Ben Roethlis-berger. Still, Northwestern coach Randy Walker is wary of facing Harris and the Falcons in today's Motor City Bowl. "Josh is a great player he's too good for us to believe that we can stop him," Walker said.

"All we can do is contain him and try to keep him from going crazy." Harris threw for a school-record 3,427 yards and 24 touchdowns this season and led conference QBs with 762 rushing. "We know just how important Josh is to our team," coach Gregg Brandon said. "If you look at our season and the games we won, he 254.7 yards through the air and a Pac-10 leading 170.8 on the ground behind running back Adimchinobe Echemandu. Echemandu, who did not play the past two seasons because of academic problems, earned all-conference honors with 1,161 yards. "Stopping the run and the pass (the Bears) have them both," Robinson said.

"It's going to be a challenge for us, but I feel like we're very capable of going out there and beating them." Motor City Bowl DETROIT Among MAC quarterbacks, Bowling Green's Josh Harris got less recognition Hawaii's bowl history Dec 25, 1999 Aloha Bowl-Michigan St 33, Hawaii 13 Dee. 30, 1992 Holiday Bowl-Hawaii 27, Illinois 17 Dec. 25, 1999 Oahu Bowl-Hawaii 23, Oregon State 17 Dec 25, 2002 Hawaii Bowt-Tulane 36, Hawaii 28 Dec 25, 2003 Hawaii Bowl-Hawaii 54, Houston 49, 30T lnsightbowl.com Bowl TEAMS: California (7-6) vs. Virginia Tech (8-4). WHENWHERETV: 8:30 p.m.

Phoenix, ESPN. COACHES: Cal- Jeff Tedford (14-1 1, second year); Virginia Tech Frank Beamer (125-73-2, 17th). PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000. BOWL RECORDS: Cal is 5-7-1. Va.

Tech is 6-10. LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Cal lost 42-38 to Navy in the 1 996 Aloha Bowl. Va. Tech beat Air Force 20-1 3 in 2002 San Francisco Bowl. SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.

LAST GAME: Cal beat Stanford 28-16 on Nov. 22. Va. Tech lost 35-21 at Virginia on Nov. 29.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In racing to 6-0 start, Hokies averaged 45.5 points. In limping here with 24 finish Tech averaged 23. GAME FACTS: Motivated by rare postseason shot, Bears won six of past nine to get here, including 34-31 OT win over USC on Sept. 27. QB Aaron Rodgers (115-of-176, 1,617 passing, 1 1 TDs, two INTs, twoTD runs in past six games), WR Geoff MacArthur (school-record 85 catches, 10 TDs, second in nation with 1 ,504 yards receiving), RB Adimchinobe Eche-mandu (1,161 rushing, 12 TDs) are key talents, but MacArthur is questionable after breaking his forearm in practice Sunday.

For third straight year Hokies crumbled with 2-3 November record so motivation is questionable. Junior RB Kevin Jones (eighth in nation with 1,494 rushing yards) says he's headed for NFL, while published reports have QB Bryan Randall (2,010 total offense, 1 1 TD passes, 10 INTs, four TD runs) considering a transfer. QB Marcus Vick, brother of NFL star Michael, also will play. CBWR DeAngelo Hall (seventh in nation in punt returns with 1 4.5 yards per return, one TD catch, one TD run) is two-way threat. No one pressures kicks better than Hokies (102 blocked kicks under Beamer).

Scripps Howard News Service. Hawaii Bowl results Dec 25, 2003 Hawaii Bowl-Hawaii 54, Houston 49, SOT Dec. 25, 2002 Hawaii Bowt-Tulane 36, Hawaii 29 Dec 25, 1999 Oahu Bowl-Hawaii 23, Oregon State 17 Dec 30, 1992 Holiday Bowt-Hawan 27, Illinois 17 Dec. 25, 1939 Aloha Bowl-Michigan St 33, Hawaii 13 GO I I Et TOP BRAND NAME MERCHANDISE, 180 STORES COAST-TO-COAST GOLF SPECIAL 18 HOWS WCAR TPliR PERSON I WEEKDAYS I ii $32 i HOLIDAYS i $SQ Before $QO After 0011AM Da 11 am i li QIAMPIONSIIIPPAR71 I itthm lit 1 1 asmwmwm 2m (iULr-TO-BAT BLVD. 17 MILE EAST Or 2ESEL.EF CLEARWATER MALI DISCOUNT v.

I1r KSi 1 HOURS. 9-6, SUN. 12-4 PROSHOT GPS YARDAGE r-t I Kww.tJdesac.com for couoon sneclais Cfiarfty Coupon Boob accepted $28 anytime Tee times up to 10 vS UP TTT days advance Country Qub Largo 17 A CTT A7 Miles w. ot (727) 3D3-OGU3 juifioi una Vf MM'i mm i irr 1 U.S. 19 off 686 laWWaWaNaUM aW Must Present Ad For Discount GOLF CLUB ClewUuid' Tax not Included In above rates.

Exp. U)lion. ULTRA DISTANCE GOLF BALIS usmomi DRIVERS rmmrs iRomrooo BLOWOUT 3', 4, 5's Replace Those long Irons HOLIDAY ALL ON SALE Titanium IS Bal Pack GOLF SPECIAL i HOLIDAY GOLF SPECIAL I 18 HOLES IN mom Jt uj tRIX CLEVELAND STAND BAG -1 rM I 1 -1 1 Hi I K1 1 1 1 1, jr i 1 1 1 I nil Tl IT 1 PT mLA sZ rT Tf-1 i WHhAd 18 HOLE PAR 54 Ea Ea $l7Ride! 6 With Cart Per Person GOlfCLOVF Dexter. 2003 MODEL GOLF CUARAHCl GOLF BAG TRAVEL COVER CLEARANCE 1st IN FLIGHT GOLF BAGS ntSrlf 'B (Mas EVERY CLOVE PS8 Man's, MUST OO! CART or CARRY AFTER 1:00 PM REDUCED! fi I Wi lm ii 1 RVil llPii I illRtTiKiT' Podded Uppers Footloy, Excalibur Iff Tirleist Morel NOW Eo EVERYDAY All Fees Plus Tax 'Ea. CLOSE-OUT First Come, First Serve PUTTERS 18 Hole 'Par 61 etmbura wmwrn $79 Ea MEN'S GOLF sums Famous Names Cottons Wends Solids Fancy's HOW Ea.

Sunday Arts tie) mmm Name Brand Sets Drivers Country Qub I Largo 2 12 Miles W. of U.S. 19 off 686 aypumte ffiBOKStiORISi YOU MAKE THE OFFER! IGOLF CLUB I tEJu. I $14? tampabay.com NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED EASTW 581-3333 9399 Commodore Seminole 595-20S5 EXECUTIVE 7W, I Hthhfai4ka4hM4a latCSsiai'lallblAlai.