The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • 59

THE SUN SECTION SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 1991 Bays ousted The Maryland Bays' season ends in a shootout 4E Maryland finds few answers in loss to Syracuse John Kaleo, who finished with three Interceptions after starting the second half. But despite how badly Maryland's offense played, the Terps were still in the game until the final seven minutes. In fact, Syracuse place-kicker John Biskup's 43-yard field goal with 6:39 left completing a seven-play, 42-yard drive only left the Terps a touchdown behind, at 24-17. Thirty-nine seconds later, however, Syracuse wide receiver Shelby Hill returned a punt 61 yards down the left sideline to seal the game for the Orangemen. "Speed kills," said Maryland coach Joe Krivak.

"They've got some great perimeter people and they put a lot of pressure on you. Offensively, we did some good things, but we sputtered a lot. We're disappointed by this loss, but not discouraged. This is the first time we have faced adversity, and now we've got to go on." But who will lead the Terps next week against West Virginia? Sand-wlsch's tendinitis in his throwing arm was thought to be minor, even See MARYLAND, 12E, Col. 1 Sandwisch, Kaleo falter in 31-17 defeat By Mike Preston Sun Staff Correspondent COLLEGE PARK Any chance the University of Maryland had of gaining national recognition in football will have to wait.

The offense has to get better. The Terps have to find a No. 1 quarterback. And somehow, find a way to stop an option team for four quarters. No.

22 Syracuse (2-0) brought its freeze option offense and harassing pass defense to Byrd Stadium last night, and, sparked by 10 fourth-quarter points, defeated Maryland, 31-17, last night before a crowd of 41,310. Maryland (1-1) had received a number of votes in several national polls after beating Virginia last week, but the Terps shouldn't expect any more after last night. Give the Terps some credit. Their defense played fairly well, well enough to win, but the offense was inconsistent, under both starter Jim Sandwisch and his replacement Howard helps reverse luck of No. 3 Michigan THE SUNGENE SWEENEY Jfl.

Troy Jackson steps past a last Syracuse defender to give Maryland a 14-7 lead In the first half. Navy loses only on scoreboard JOHN EISEfJBEFIG Forget excuses, just go ahead and sign Davis John Oates said this the other day about Glenn Davis: "Wherever he plays next year, he will hit 30 home runs. I am absolutely con-vlnced. There Is no doubt In my mind." i That Davis should hit the 30 for the Orioles Is an Irrefutable point. There Is no valid excuse for their not signing him when he becomes a free agent this off-season.

No lfs or buts. If anyone tells you otherwise and I have actually heard people say the club shouldn't bring him back their heads have been burled in the AL East standings too long. The Orioles may not bring Davis back, but they won't be right for doing it. No explanation will suffice. If it happens, It will mean this and only this: The price of trying to win was more than they wanted to pay.

The argument against signing Davis goes like this: He is a risk because of the neck injury he suffered this season, and it is silly to sign such a risk to a contract of three or four years. v- Getting him for one year is smart, the thinking goes, but some team In baseball's mad world probably will offer three or four, and the Orioles shouldn't match such a multimillion-dollar risk. Better to invest in safer talent. Well. There is no denying Davis Is a risk.

It's possible his injury could recur, although his doctors say it's unlikely. It's possible he may never again reach his old All-Star form. But, really, that's no excuse at all. Since when was anything In baseball a no-risk venture? Has there ever been a sure thing? A player with a 35-homer or 20-win guarantee? Of course not. The Orioles want the world perfect, risk-free, and that's not possible.

(Actually, we shouldn't be surprised that a team getting a free stadium wants the world perfect. That's the Orioles idea of a reasonable deal.) The fact is you have to take risks if you want to win these days, particularly if you are as shallow In talent as the Orioles, who are heading toward 90 losses for the third time in five years. You have to do what the Braves did coming off a 97-loss 1990, take a shot with a sore-kneed Sid Bream and Terry Pendleton. Today, they're in a pennant race. You have to do what the Tigers did after three dispiriting seasons.

Invest in putting some whack back in the lineup. Win or lose, they've had a terrific year. Sometimes it doesn't work out, but at least you tried. At least you showed the fans and, more importantly, the players you're committed to trying to win. Bringing Davis back, regardless of the circumstances, would help show such a commitment.

If the Orioles can get his name on a one-year contract, good for them. But if the market dictates a higher price and longer deal, they should still sign him. It's not as If they won't have the cash in the new ballpark. And anyway, the chances are good that Davis will make a difference commensurate with his price. As risks go, it's not nearly as big as it seems.

"He's completely healthy," Oates said. "I've seen him hit 475-foot balls In batting practice. He's back. And this is a guy with a track record. He has been been a big power hitter for long time." A big power hitter.

There aren't many in the game. Are you listening to other teams' shopping lists? They all talk about finding more punch. The Orioles have it easy. They don't See EISENBERG, 2E, Col. 1 BASEBALL Yankees 3 Red Sox 1 Blue Jays 6 Athletics 0 Angels 3 White Sox 2 Tigers 6 Brewers 4 Rangers 3 Twins 0 Mariners Royals Padres 3 Giants 1 Pirats 5 Phillies 3 'if 1 Virginia's 17-10 win unlike 1990 rout By Jerry Bembry Sun Staff Correspondent CHARLOTTESVILLE.

Va. They filled the stands of Scott Stadium, 42,000 strong, expecting a replay of the 42-point whipping they had doled out against Navy a year ago today. The Cavaliers fans got what they wanted a Virginia win but the fans and the team had to sweat it out until the final minutes. With starting quarterback Matt Blundin on the sideline with a bruised right elbow, the Cavaliers got Just enough production from backup Bobby Goodman to defeat a first drive of the second half, Virginia broke the tie on the strength of a big third-down conversion. This time it was tailback Fisher who broke through the middle on third-and-21 for a 27-yard gain to the Navy 8.

Two plays later, Goodman scored on a keeper from the 1 his first collegiate touchdown and Michael Husted added the extra point for a 17-10 lead with 3 minutes, 8 seconds left In the third quarter. Navy's inability to score in the second half fell mainly on the team's Inability to mix up the offense. Quarterback Jason Van Matre, and running backs Brad Stramanak and Duke Ingraham all had success running against Virginia, but Van Matre See NAVY, 13E, Col. 3 24-14 win ends hex by No. 7 Notre Dame By Rick Warner Associated Press ANN ARBOR.

Mich. Once again, a triple-threat star stole the show in the Notre Dame-Michigan game. Only this time it wasn't Ragh-ib "Rocket" Ismail, and this time Notre Dame lost. Desmond Howard scored on a 29-yard reverse and a 25-yard diving catch, as third-ranked Michigan beat No. 7 Notre Dame, 24-14.

yesterday to end a four-game losing streak against the Irish. "It's an amazing feeling to finally beat Notre Dame," said Howard, a speedy Junior who catches passes, returns kicks and occasionally runs the ball. "Last year, we were ahead by the same score in the fourth quarter and let it get away. This year, we controlled the ball in the fourth quarter like we should have last year." Ismail, now playing pro ball in r. REUTERS Svetlana Boguinskaia represents Soviet excellence.

what you do best." Less than a month after the failed coup hastened the restructuring of the Soviet Union, the country's ath Canada, helped the Irish hand the Wolverines heartbreaking defeats the past two years. This time, the main offensive rocket was on Michigan's side. Howard, who caught three touchdown passes and scored on a 93-yard kickoff return in Michigan's opening win over Boston College, was Just as effective yesterday, as the Wolverines won their eighth straight game. After Notre Dame cut Michigan's lead to 17-14 in the third quarter on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Rick Mirer to Tony Smith, it appeared the Irish (1-1) would pull off another comeback victory over the Wolverines (2-0). But on a crucial fourth-and-one midway through the fourth quarter, Elvis Grbac pump-faked and threw a lob pass to a tightly covered Howard, who dived and caught it with both hands in the right corner of the end zone.

"I pulled it in and tucked it away," said Howard, who caught six passes for 74 yards. "The crowd roared and See MICHIGAN. 1 OE. Col. 4 letes still are trying to adjust to rapid, profound political changes.

At these World Championships, the Soviets are continuing their historic domination of global gymnastics. But, even as the Soviet hammer and sickle Is raised during medal ceremonies at the Hoosier Dome, questions over the direction of the gymnastics program remain. "We will be in the next Olympics as one team," said Soviet men's coach Leonid Arkaev. "That is the most important thing. If all gymnasts are representing each republic, they'll lose in the upcoming Olympics." The promise and the peril of the future were symbolized by Thursday night's medal ceremony for the men's all-around.

Grigorl Misutln of the Ukraine won the gold, Vitaly Scherbo of Byelorussia won the silver, and Liukin of Kazakhstan won the bronze. For now, they all remain part of the Soviet sports machine. But for how long? Athletes from the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are See GYMNASTS, 2E, Col. 3 Orioles relief is not able (Soviet dominance set for a tumble? to hold out in 6-5 loss flred-up Navy team, 17-10. 1 don't worry about point spreads or any of that crap," said Navy coach George Chaump.

"I'm Just glad our kids played their tails off and played hard." Navy (0-2) played the Cavaliers to a 10-10 tie at the half. But a combination of Navy's defense tiring in the second half and Virginia's ability to convert more than 50 percent of Its third-down plays gave the Cavaliers (1-1) enough of a lift to break a five-game losing streak dating back to last season. The big difference was our inability to stop them on third down," Chaump said. "Running backs Nik-kl Fisher and Terry Klrby are two good backs, and both were hard to bring down on third down." After an ineffective drive on its Orioles today Site: Memorial Stadium Time: 1:35 p.m. Indians starter: Eric King (5-10, 4.96) Orioles starter: Arthur Rhodes Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), WTOP (1500 AM) TV! HIS against the Baltimore bullpen In 36Vb Innings.

Former Oriole Eric Bell in his second appearance with the Indians pitched 1 perfect Innings and gained his first major-league victory since Oct. 4, 1987. That was at New York as a member of the Orioles. Steve Olin finished to gain his 12th save. See ORIOLES, 5E, Col.

1 McDonald's season is over. 5E Divided loyalties no coup for gymnasts By Bill Glauber Sun StafT Correspondent INDIANAPOLIS Hard-liners attempted a coup, tanks rolled through the streets of Moscow, and, In the end, statues were toppled. In August, while a second Russian Revolution was taking place, Valeri Liukin was in a gymnastics training center on the outskirts of Moscow preparing for the World Championships. Boris Yeltsin spoke out against the coup. Mikhail Gorbachev and his family reappeared at a flood-lit airport.

A new order was created out of the chaos. But all Liukin could do was watch the drama on television and continue to tumble on a mat. "It is better to keep to your own business." said Liukin, a reigning Olympic silver medalist whose career has been built on graceful performances under pressure. "It Is better to do what you have to do, to do Indians triumph in 1 1th inning By Kent Baker The decision boiled down to dueling bullpens last night at Memorial Stadium. And, on paper, the Baltimore Orioles clearly had the edge.

Going into the game, Orioles relievers had not allowed a run in 17 successive Innings and only one to the Cleveland Indians all season. Form failed. The Indians mustered three consecutive singles off Mike Flanagan with two out in the 1 1th inning and outlasted the Orioles, 6-5, In the third straight one-run game of the series. Joel Skinner started the rally with a single and Alex Cole and Mark Lewis followed with hits to break a string of 25 straight scoreless Innings by Orioles relievers. Cleveland has scored two runs SPORTS 2 Even with his team at 2-0, Cardinals coach Joe Bugel is worried-sounding a lot like Joe Gibbs PAGE 15E INSIDE Good free agents won't come cheap Baseball column, PAGE 3E Dolphins' Shula shows staying power Pro football column, PAGE 16E U.S.

loses INDEX Gymnastics 2E Schmuck on baseball 3E Soccer 4E College football 9-13E Pro football 16E Hockey 17E Golf 18E Radio-TV 19E High schools 20E Horse racing 22-23E Outdoors 25E Auto racing Memorabilia COLLEGE FOOTBALL No. 1 Florida State 58 Western Michigan 0 PAGE 12E No. 9 Oklahoma 40 North Texas 2 PAGE 10E No. 21 Southern Cal 21 No. 10 Penn State 10 4 PAGE 10E Central Michigan 20 No.

18 Michigan State 3 PAGE 10E Boston 10 Towson State 8 PAGE 9E- Bethune-Cookman 38 Morgan State 6 jPAGE9E Braves 3 Dodgers 2 Astros 7 Reds 3 Cardinals 2 Mets 1 Gubs7 Expos 5 Canada. Cup opener PAGE17E.