El Paso Times from El Paso, Texas • 15

SjipciDiPdB CD Friday, December 26. 1986 Page 1-C scores Bama defense shines in Sun ffii. 'm W- i- Ki ill TmOl Tr I I 4 U5V .5 MW.MIWItMMWMWiMMWMaMMaMjip Li i r- in' I IN By Don Henry Assistant sports editor Cornelius Bennett turned defense into; a winning weapon that helped Alabama beat the University of Washington 28-6 Thursday in the Sun Bowl. The Crimson Tide's All-Ameri-can linebacker, attacking from several positions on the field, stymied Was.h ington's offense which had been averaging 34 points a game and entertained a Christmas Day national TV audience and a stadium crowd of 48,722 fans. There was an Alabama offense.

Bobby Humphrey scored three times, rushed, for 159 yards, caught five passes for 43 yards and returned one kickoff 21 yards. Quarterback Mike Shula hit 15 of 26 passes, including nine of 12 and two touchdowns in the second half. But Bennett was so dominant on defense that he was selected the game's most valuable player, an honor that usually goes to the offense. The last Sun Bowl MVP from the defense was Georgia Tech's Rock Perdoni in 1970. Bennett is only the third defender in the game's history to win the award.

Washington nose guard Steve Alvord was selected the most valuable lineman. Alabama also beat the flu-bug. After the game, Alabama coach Ray Perkins "I was concerned because seven guys were sick. I'm not hoarse from hollering, I'm hoarse because I got flu-bit. I wondered about what kind of stamina we would have." With the victory, the Crimson Tide finished the season with a 10-3 record.

Washington ended the year 8-3-1 before the second-largest crowd in Sun Bowl history. The record of 52,203 fans was set last year whe the Dec. 28 Sun show wasn't competing with Christmas Day observances and Santa Claus. Bennett's statistics) showed 11 tackles and one quarterback sack. By lining up at various positions on the field, he kept Uhe Huskies off balance.

On one play he 1 ined up at right defensive end, looped around behind the play and made the tackle on the left sideline. On other plays, he would line up on the left and charge in almost untouched to harry Washington quarterback Chris Cha ndler into hurried throws. "He did a good job of beating our line," Chandler said. "We got in a bad position where we had to start throwing the ball, and they were able to pu Bennett Please see Defense, 3C Times photo bv Rudv Gutierret Alabama's Bobby Humphrey (26) finds a hole in the Huskie defense for some Sun Bowl yardage. Linebackers Tom Erlandson (46) and David Rill (38) were the closest defenders.

Coach Simla gets into son's game inside Alabama's Sun Bowl charge against Washington was spearheaded by linebacker Cornelius Bennett, quarterback Mike Shula and running back Bobby Humphrey. Page 2C. NBC sportscasfer Bill Macatee was just another spectator. And the blacked-out CBS telecast came back via Mexico City. Page 2C.

Li Sun Bowl fans favored the Crimson Tide. But it wasn't the first time. Page 3C. 4 College football Sun Bowl Alabama 28 Washington 6 Blue-Gray Blue 31 7 National Basketball Association New York 86 Chicago 85 Washington 102 Philadelphia 97 Investigator checking Witherspoon's claim NEW YORK Joe Spinelli, the New Yprk Inspector General, is investigating allegations that athletic commission, rules were violated when promoter Don King's son managed both Tim Witherspoon and James "Bonecrusher" Smith in their recent WBA heavyweight title fight. Spinelli said Thursday his investigation centers on a commission rule that bars a manager from having two fighters on the same card without special permission from the commission.

He said the Inquiry was requested by Gov. Mario Cuomo. After losing his crown by a first-round knockout, Witherspoon criticized Commission Chairman Jose Torres for allowing the younger King to manage both fighters. Vermeil may decide on Atlanta job soon ATLANTA Former Philadelphia Eagles Coach Dick Vermeil says he is "truly tempted" by the Atlanta Falcons coaching job and hopes to give team owners an answer by the week end. "In the past four years (since resigning in Philadelphia) I've turned down all kinds of chances tp coach again," Vermeil said.

"This is the first one that has really made me think the first one that's truly tempted me." The Falcons' head coaching job has been open since Monday, when Dan Henning was fired after a 7-8-1 season. The Rankin Smith family, he said, has made him "a hell of a proposition." Ex-Cubs star hoping for Hall of Fame bid i CHICAGO Sweet-swinging Billy Williams is hoping 1987 open with a belated Christmas present entry into baseball's Hall of Fame. After a splendid major league career and six years of waiting, the former Chicago Cubs outfielder admits to some (trepidation, but also to a certain amount of confidence that this is ifcis year. Williams missed entry into he Hall last year by four votes less than one percentage point. Voting by members of the Writers Association of 'America closes Wednesday, with 'the results to be announced Jan.

He was NL Rookie of the Year in 1961, won the batting crown 1972 with a .333 average. 'During his career he batted over .300 five times. Champ to defend light heavyweight title WEST ORANGE, N.J. -r Bobby Czyz makes his first 'defense of the International Boxing Federation light heavyweight title Friday night fan a scheduled 15-round bout against David Sears in the "South Mountain Arena. Czyz, of Wanaque, captured 175-pound crown Sept.

6 in Vegas, with a 'fifth-round technical knockout -over Slobodan Kacar of Yugoslavia. It was his ninth win and 29th in 30 professional fights. Sears, of Howard Beach, N.Y., 'iis ranked No. 7 in the IBF Gratings with a 17-2-1 mark. IBF rules, a champion can make his first defense against anyone ranked in the 10.

Highlands' Ainsworth AU-American LAS VEGAS, N.M. New Mexico Highlands' Brian Ainsworth has been named the Division I first-team 1A11-America quarterback. Ainsworth, a junior, led 'Division I in total offense in passing, averaging almost 300 yards a game. jji He is the No. 3 all-time NAIA i passer with 7,822 yards.

needs 2,117 yards next year to be the leading passer in NAIA history. Times wire reports inside Sports printout 4C NBA roundup 5C Sports summary 6C I -AP photo Don Shula missed the NFL playoffs this year. viewed by CBS earlier, said, "I want to grab a Coke." When told the interview would be kept short, Shula snapped, "Just leave me alone" and walked away. For a moment. After a few sips from his Temple's Paul Palmer picks Adrian White of Florida on added a 50-yard field goal for the Blue.

The Gray's only points came on a 1-yard run by Virginia running back Antonio Rice. While the Blue defense held the Gray to just two first downs in the first half, the Blue took a 10-0 lead despite missing several scoring opportunities. Carney kicked a 50-yard field goal to account for the only score of the first period. The Blue went ahead 10-0 when Beuerlein moved the North 72 yards in 17- plays, hitting Ingram from 26 yards out on third and goal for the touchdown with 5:55 left in the half. Carney missed a chance to add to the Blue margin when he missed a 23-yard field goal.

A botched Gray punt attempt f- Vj Oklahoma's Bosworth barred from bowl game 'N By Eric Maddy Times staff writer Don Shula was as intense watching his son play football Thursday in the Sun Bowl as he is along the sidelines as coach of the National Football League Miami Dolphins. The Miami ioss pounded his fist, stomped his foot and rocked back and forth in his VIP section Captain's Club chair as son Mike quarterbacked the Crimson Tide to a 28-6 victory over Washington. It was the first time Shula had seen his son play in person as a collegian. Turning to watch a portable replay monitor, he spotted someone looking at him. "Are you a reporter?" he asked.

"Yes sir." He turned away in apparent disgust, watched the final play of the first half and left his seat. Shula, who had been inter- Notre Dame quarterback sparks Blue MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein came to the 49th annual Blue-Gray All-Star football game to show the pro scouts what he could do. Beuerlein led the Blue on four scoring drives and threw for a touchdown as the North team downed the South 31-7 Thursday. "I came here to prove I can play and to increase my chances in professional football, and I think I did that," Beuerlein said.

"I'm very pleased with my performance, and I think the scouts were, too." The Blue-Gray is the first of the all-star games for college seniors. Last year, 63 of its participants were drafted by either the National Football League or the United States Football League. Beuerlein, like Temple tailback Paul Palmer, hopes the Christmas Day appearance will raise his standing in the professional draft. "What I've done on the field is far more important than any publicity I get," he said. "The people who know the game and the ones that count the most know what I can do.

Others can have the I don't need them." Palmer said he "really enjoyed the game. It was good to, win." Beuerlein threw a 23-yard scoring strike in the second period to Michigan State's Mark Ingram, who also caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Oregon's Chris Miller in the fourth period. Palmer scored on a 2-yard run and Washington State's Kerry Porter got the other touchdown on a 1-yard run. Notre Dame's John Carney glass, Shula turned and said, "Let's do it." Then he turned on the style that has made him one of football's more popular coaches. He complimented the Sun Bowl committee and John Hancock Financial Services officials, who became the corporate sponsor of the game this year.

"I've been in El Paso two days, and I'm really impressed," Shula said. "I was here many years ago when they played in the old stadium. This is a first-class facility and you have a first-class matchup today. It may be one of the best bowl matchups this year. "I'm impressed by both teams.

It's a tough, defensive struggle. Mike has missed a couple of opportunities, but you know Don James has had a heck of a football program year in and year out" at Washington. Shula, who had an Alabama pinned to the lapel of Please see Shula, 2C AP photo up a Blue first down with his back. early in the third quarter set the Blue up at the Gray 37, and Beuerlein needed only four plays to put more points on the board. Palmer ripped off 15 yards on first down, then Beuerlein hit Ingram for 18 more to the 4.

Two plays later, Palmer bolted in for the touchdown with 12:17 left in the third. The Gray offense responded by marching 76 yards in 11 plays for its only touchdown. Beuerlein finished the day with 12 completions in 15 attempts for 142 yards. Palmer, runnerup to Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde in voting for the Heisman Trophy, ran for 166 yards on 22 carries and was named the game's most valuable player. NORMAN, Okla.

(AP) All-America linebacker Brian Bosworth of Oklahoma was barred from playing in the Orange Bowl football game because traces of anabolic steroids were found in his system. Two of his Oklahoma teammates, offensive guard Gary Bennett and defensive tackle David Shoemaker, both non-starters, also were declared ineligible by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for the same reason, a university spokesman said Thursday. The three tested positive in urinalysis the NCAA ordered this year for the first time for players participating in bowl games, spokesman Mike Treps said. The findings brought to at least six the number of players barred this week from bowle because of the drug test results. Earlier in the week, the NCAA declared Arkansas outside linebacker David Dudley ineligible for the Orange Bowl after he tested positive for steroid use.

Jeff Bregel, Southern Cal's two-time All America offensive guard, will not play in the Florida Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day for the same reason. Stanford offensive tackle John Zentner said he was (suspended from the team and will miss the Gator Bowl because he tested positive for steroid use." Word of Oklahoma's involvement came as the third-ranked Sooners arrived in Miami where they will play Arkansas on New Year's night. The three players named by the NCAA did not accompany the team. Oklahoma Coach iBarry Switzer said he knew Bosworth had taken steroids and had warned him about the new NCAA rule barring their use. "Of course I warned' him," Switzer said at a Miami airport news conference.

"I talked to him "I certainly rather it be steroids than cocaine or marijuana. Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer in January about the new rule. I knew they took steroids to be bigger and stronger. "They knew they would be tested at the bowl site. They knew what ihe repercussions would be.

They knew that they would be ineligible," Switzer said. Bosworth's father, through a family spokesman, said his son told him he had not taken steroids since last March. "What happened was that Brian was in the university hospital earlier this month with a stomach disorder. He was dehydrated and the medication he took must have brought out the fact he had taken steroids months ago," Foster Bosworth was quoted as saying. "Brian was told that steroids can show up a year after it is taken." The elder Bosworth said his son would go to Miami and give his Bide of the story.

"I certainly rather it be steroids than cocaine or marijuana," Switzer said..