Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 26

D2 TIMES-ADVOCATE, Escondido, Thursday, December 24, 1987 Oklahoma tops century mark, credits its defense The Associated Press Virginia to commit 33 turnovers, scored 20 points each to lead OklaForget the 109 points 12th-rank- 24 of them in the second half. homa. ed Oklahoma scored. The defense won the game. College basketball "Our defense really dictates our game," coach Billy Tubbs said after his Sooners defeated Virginia 109-61 Wednesday night.

"It sets the tempo of the game. And the first 10 minutes of the second half was about as awesome I've seen in a long time." Oklahoma scored the first 27 points of the second half and held Virginia to just three field goal attempts in the first eight minutes before the Cavaliers' Bill Batts scored on a slam dunk. And the Sooner defense forced Chargers Continued from page D1 "It's really a great human interest story," Saunders said. "A great testament to the resolve and perseverance of a truly great athlete. "Here's a player who three years ago couldn't walk.

To come back three years later through the adversity and through the pain and through the mental suffering that he went through is just a marvelous thing. "I was really touched by the fact he's achieved a goal and overcome such terrific odds to do it. I think it's a great inspiration for everybody in professional sport." Winslow appeared in the Pro Bowl following each season from 1980-83. He hasn't been back since the injury on Oct. 21.

1984. "I'm not sure it's really hit me." Winslow said. "Maybe tonight it'll hit me. In years past. I expected it when I made it.

I'm not sure if I'm not still down about the way the last five weeks have But. Winslow added, it's nothing a trip to the islands won't cure. "I'm sure I'll be in the right frame of mind when I get off the plane," he said. Mojsiejenko was in the right frame of mind Wednesday. "It's hard to believe.

It really is," said Mojsiejenko, a third-year pro who leads the AFC with a 42.7- yard average. "I was definitely a little nervous (Tuesday) thinking about it. As far as statistics go, I think I deserved it. but a lot of things go into the voting." What kind of things? As kicker Vince Abbott said. "We were joking about how many people would want to write his whole name on the Mojsiejenko is the first Chargers punter ever to be named to either the Pro Bowl or the American Football League All-Star Game.

Of course, as someone pointed out to Saunders, the Chargers gave Mojsiejenko plenty of opportuniLies to display his talents. The punter is second in the AFC with 59 attempts. "We wanted to make sure he was showcased." Saunders cracked. Of the players who weren't included on enough ballots, Lachey appeared to be the most outwardly disappointed. This was the second consecutive year both Lachey and the Chargers coaches felt the tackle should have been named to the Pro Bowl.

would've been nice," Lachey said, "but there's nothing you can do about it now. I think it was my best year, but hopefully I'll get Kicker Continued from page D1 wa a 12-10 win over No. 2 Michigan. "That's my favorite kick," he admitted. "It was national TV and No.

1 against No. 2." Later that same year, Houghtlin repeated the performance, kicking a 25-yarder to hold off Purdue. He ranks his kick to beat the Aztecs as his third favorite moment, and a 37-yarder to beat Minnesota to secure last year's Holiday Bowl bid was fourth. -The field goal to beat Minnesota came on his second attempt. A 51- yarder missed, but the Gophers were penalized and Houghtlin's second try was good.

"Every kicker wants to be in that Norton Continued from page D1 lot of people who want to talk to you," Donahue said. "But as a youngster who has been exposed to all sorts of national and prominent sports figures, he's never really been awed or distracted by all the attention and acclaim that he has received. "I believe he will become a nicelooking pro football player. I think that he's a gifted athlete." The gift that son has shared with father, though, goes beyond ring ropes or boundary lines. Norton's parents were divorced when he was with his father retaining custody.

Some nights, the older Norton would come home wearing dark sunglasses. His son learned which started three freshmen, in- with a career-high 30 points as the Cal-Irvine in the Pacific Coast cluding both forwards. Cardinal recorded the second- Athletic Association postseason Oklahoma only had nine turnovers. In other games involving ranked teams, No. 15 Nevada-Las Vegas routed Creighton 91-59 and No.

20 Memphis State downed Alcorn State 87-64. "Sometimes it's hard to get your running game going, and it was for the first 10 minutes of the game," Tubbs said. Oklahoma led by only 45-36 at the half. Then the defense went to work. "I think we played a pretty balanced game," Tubbs said.

"But on the negative side, Virginia was real good on the boards in the first half." Harvey Grant and Stacey King Chris Hinton of Indianapolis and Cleveland's Cody Risien. All three have made previous trips to the Pro Bowl. "If you make it once, it's a little easier to get there again," Lachey said. "You've just got to make it that first time. So.

I'll have to take it to another level next It's nice to be close, and hopefully next year I'll end up in Hawaii." Like Lachey, Smith has played very well the past two years only to be passed over in the voting. "I've been in the league now for five years," Smith said. "and I'd like to think that I have my priorities in order. I've got more important things to worry about. I've got to worry about trying to help this team get in the Super Bowl: we still have a shot at it." Smith that while he felt he had a Pro Bowl-caliber season, he could find no fault with the three players selected New England's Andre Tippett, Duane Bickett of Indianapolis and Cleveland's Clay Matthews.

"I like to watch all three of them play." Smith said. Saunders would prefer to view Smith. "I don't think that he has received the recognition (relative) to what he has meant to this football team." Saunders said. "Billy Ray Smith is an extraordinary player and he certainly is worthy of an appearance in the Pro Bowl." Banks made it to the Pro Bowl in four of his first five NFL seasons. But those years were spent with Cleveland, which went to the playoffs in three of those five years.

His reaction Wednesday? "None, really," Banks said. "My objective right now in my career is to get in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Pro Bowls are fun, but that's not going to satisfy me. "The letdown for me happened a couple days ago. For me to find out that we probably won't have any hopes of being in the playoffs, that hurt me more than anything.

The news here today takes a backseat to losing to Indianapolis and not being in the playoffs." Did Banks have a "Banks-like" year in 1987? "I wouldn't say so," he said. "I've made a lot more big plays and been more consistent in my prior years because I was in one situation. You can't compare this year to any of my previous years (because of) the system, the adjustments, the transition (living) out here. new coaches, new players." One other Charger who might have deserved more votes is free Lachey was passed over in favor of Cincinnati's Anthony Munoz, situation." said Houghtlin, who has made his last six field goal tries, and owns the school record with 10 consecutive field goals. "Sure.

I'd love to win the Holiday Bowl exactly the same way. If it comes down to that, I know what will happen. I'll make the kick." Added Iowa Head Coach Hayden Fry, "He probably would make it, too. The entire team has confidence in Rob." "I am confident in my ability, not cocky," added Houghtlin, who once kicked a 42-yard field goal with just 34 seconds left to play to give New Trier High School a 6-3 in win the quarterfinals of the Illinois state playoffs. "When you're out there lined up, everyone wants you to miss.

You have to put a bad kick behind you. "It's almost like being a relief early what that meant. On March 31, 1973, Norton stunned Ali on a 12-round decision when his son was 6. When Norton Jr. was 11, his father was World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.

And by the time son was 15, father was retired. Along the way, there were a few skirmishes with bullies in school, but rarely did the younger Norton throw a punch. He was so sheltered from that type of violence that his father would not let him play football until he was a high school junior, even though his father had played football at Northeast Missouri State. "I didn't want anything to happen to him where he might get hurt," the elder Norton said. "But then he was growing up so big and so fast, I had to let him try it." Mookie Blylock scored 17 points and Tyrone Jones added 15 for the unbeaten Sooners, 8-0.

Bill Batts led Virginia, 4-5, with 12 points. Nevada-Las Vegas 90, Creighton 59 Gerald Paddio scored 20 points and tournament MVP Jarvis Basnight had 16 for the Runnin' Rebels, who won their own Rebel Roundup for the sixth straight year. The Rebels, 7-0, used a trapping defense and superior -court experience to force 12 turnovers in the first half and take a 21-11 rebounding edge. They were never seriously tested thereafter. Rod Mason scored 14 points and James Farr 12 for Creighton, 4-4, Ralf Mojsiejenko, the AFC punting safety Vencie Glenn, who is tied with Smith for the team lead in interceptions at three.

Glenn took the snub in stride. but some of his teammates were very unhappy to hear Kansas City's Deron Cherry was named a starter. Cherry has missed the Chiefs' last three games because of a knee injury. "It is a disgrace with Cherry in the Pro Bowl. because it keeps good players out." said reserve pitcher.

When you have a bad outing. you have to put it behind you, forget it. You'll have to be ready the next time the call comes, so you can't spend time worrying about a miss. "You can't change the past, only the present and the future." Houghtlin came to Iowa after walking on at Miami (Ohio). He redshirted during the 1984 season.

After making all eight extra points in the 1985 spring game, he was awarded a scholarship. "Rob is certainly the best thing to come along in the Big Ten in a few years," said Fry. To back up Fry's contention, Houghtlin has been named All-Big Ten three times now. As a sophomore, Houghtlin set school records for points after touchdowns (48). attempts (51), Said Norton "It was exciting for me to grow up and see my father on television.

It was difficult for me to understand. But I always understood that he had a strong attitude." On Feb. 23, 1986, the mettle was tested to the maximum when the elder Norton was seriously injured in an auto accident that put him in intensive care for a month. He spent all of last year rehabilitating both mind and body. Only recently has his speech become lucid, although he still apologizes for his raspy voice.

Last year marked the first time in his son's career that he did not make it to a single football game. This year, he was back at the Rose Bowl, watching his son star for the Bruins. The comeback was a joint effort. After his father lost 43 pounds, Memphis State 87, Alcorn State 64 Rodney Douglas scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds as 20th-ranked Memphis State shook off stubborn Alcorn State late in the first half. Douglas hit on 10 of 14 shots from the field, and in one stretch late in the first half he scored eight of the Tigers' 10 points.

Memphis State, 6-1, outscored the Braves 27-5 midway through the second half to secure its sixth victory in seven outings. Vincent Riley led Alcorn State, 1-9, with 15 points. Stanford 116, UCLA 110 Howard Wright led Stanford 2 leader, is ecstatic over his Pro safety Mike Davis, a nine-vear NFL veteran. "The guys that deserve it aren't in and the guys that don't deserve it are in. And it's a disgrace." Injury report: With the excep tion of Chargers QB Dan Fouts.

who's out with a shoulder injury. the rest of the Chargers and Broncos are expected to play in Sunday's season finale at Denver. San Diego center Don Macek field goals (19) and total points (105) to earn All- Big Ten honors. His 52-yard field goal against UCLA set a Rose Bowl record. although Iowa was beaten by the Bruins 45-28.

Last season he received honorable mention on several All-America teams after scoring 81 points. Houghtlin broke his own Hawkeye marks for field goals, making 21 of 29. He also tied the school record he shares with Tom Nichol (1981-83) with 40 straight extra points, including all 39 this season. His last missed conversion was in last year's Holiday Bowl. "Pretty miserable night," shrugged Houghtlin.

"Really, 40 straight is nice, but there are guys with far longer streaks than that around the country. Forty straight is really nothing. You ought to Norton Jr. helped him regain it with the same tenacity he displays on the field. "He was such a motivating factor for me when we worked out together.

I wanted to be bigger and stronger than him again," said Norton, who remarried in the '70s and now lives in Capistrano Valley. "For the first time in my life, he saw me in a whole different light. I became human." "Before the accident, we were sort of distant. He was in charge and I was the one taking orders," Norton Jr. said.

"We were very close, but we weren't tight. "After the accident, it became a lot more emotional because I was there for him. I was supportive for him and that brought us closer to- highest point total in school historv. The highest was 129 against Yale during the 1985-86 season. Stanford.

8-2 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-10, outscored UCLA 17-11 in the second overtime period. The Cardinal reeled off 10 unanswered points to go up 113-103 and then held on the for the win. Pooh Richardson was the top scorer for UCLA. 3-6 overall and 0-2 in Pac-10 play, with 25 points. Fullerton St.

71, San Diego 59 Senior forward Henry Turner scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Titans defeated the Toreros in a game played in Fullerton. Turner's previous career best was 26 last year in a victory over Bowl selection. (calf) is questionable, but his sta tus is expected to be upgraded todav to probable. Also probable are a Glenn (calf) and wide receivers Timmie Ware tankle) and Lionel James thip). Denver lists as probable safety Mike Harden (ankle), linebacker Bruce Klostermann (knee) and wide receivers Vance Johnson (shoulder) and Ricky Nattiel (hand) make everv extra point." Houghtlin is now Iowa's leading -time scorer with 288 points.

and needs eight more points Wednesday night to break the conference's -time scoring mark held by Ohio State's Vlade Janakievski. Looming on the horizon is the National Football League draft. "I'll probably go undrafted and have to walk-on again." laughed Houghtlin. "That's not so much disappointing as it is motivating for me." Fry says he has suspended three players defensive starters Dwight Sistrunk and Joe Mott and reserve Paul Glonek because of disciplinary reasons. "The suspensions aren't drugrelated." Fry said.

gether. There's a real closeness now that keeps growing and growing." At 6-feet-2 and 231 pounds, son is now all grown up. Unlike his father, though, he is not a heavy hitter, but instead relies more on guile and quickness. Consistency, especially in the big games, has been his hallmark. Against Nebraska this season he had 16 tackles, and against Arizona State he had 15.

A pinched nerve in the 17-13 loss to Southern Cal that cost the Bruins a Rose Bowl berth limited Norton to 11 tackles. "What he did this season, perhaps more than any other player for us, is he played at a certain level of intensity and consistency," Donahue said. "I believe when he's on his game, he's got as much quickness and lateral mobility as any tournament. Marty Munn made four 3-point shots and scored 16 points to lead San Diego, 3-4. Richard Morton added 22 points for the Titans, 3-4.

The Toreros shot just 42 percent but outrebounded Fullerton State 30-28. Southern Cal 58, California 56 Dave Wiltz hit two free throws with 13 seconds remaining in the second overtime to lift the Trojans past the host Golden Bears. Wiltz was 10-26 from the free throw line before hitting the two free throws. The victory snapped the Trojans four -game losing streak and ended the Bears' three-game winning streak. Gaines Continued from page D1 family reunion.

All but Lionel. "We all come back home every year." he said. "The happiest time of my life is being home Christmas Day. You've got the little kids growing up and it's exciting to watch their excitement. And once you get over the big hoopla of waking up and opening gifts and Santa Claus coming down the chimney.

you get into the relationships where everybody loves each other." Out in California, the 25-yearold Chargers receiver and punt returner lives alone. There is no tree in his house. no presents. There's only egg nog and a bottle of Corona in the refrigerator. "So you know about my Christmas meal." joked James, "When I'm 3,000 miles away from home, it's just not the same.

It's happy there and lonely here." I'll be home for Christmas If only in my dreams Football Continued from page D1 Joe Montana of San Francisco and Neil Lomax of St. Louis are the quarterbacks, with running backs Charles White of the Rams and Rueben Maves of New Orleans as starters. The AFC offensive starters are Al Toon of New York Jets, and Steve Largent of Seattle at wide receiver. tight end Kellen Winslow of San Diego, tackles Anthony Mu noz of Cincinnati and Chris Hinton of Indianapolis, guards Keith Bishop of Denver and Mike Munchak of Houston, center Ray Don aldson of Indianapolis, quarter back John Elway of Denver and running backs Eric Dickerson of Indianapolis and Curt Warner of Seattle. The defensive starters are Bruce Smith of Buffalo and Jacob Green of Seattle at end.

Bill Maas of Kan sas City at nose tackle. outside linebackers Duane Bickett of Indianapolis and Andre Tippett of New England, inside linebackers Fredd Young of Seattle and Karl Mecklenburg of Denver, defensive backs Frank Minnifield and Han ford Dixon of Cleveland. Kenny Easley of Seattle and Deron Cher ry of Kansas City Ralf Mojsiejenko of San Diego is the punter, Dean Biasucci of the Colts the placekicker, Gerald McNeil of Cleveland the kick returner and Steve Tasker of Buffalo the special teams player. Sistrunk. Mott and Glonek didn't make the trip Tuesday to San Diego.

Before leaving for San Diego, Fry said he had very few rules for his players. One was to stay out of trouble and another was to stay in shape. "Sistrunk. Mott and Glonek knew the training rules." Fry said Wednesday. Mott was an all- Ten honorable mention selection after making 52 tackles, including two quarterback sacks.

He also made one fumble recovery and intercepted one pass. Sistrunk was a second-team allBig Ten selection in his first season as a starter. He played all season with a broken bone in his forearm, and his 80 tackles ranked fourth on the team. (linebacker) we've had here." And now, after four years of being asked about his father, he also has developed a patience with the curious. "When I first arrived," he said, "that was the question that every reporter wanted to know.

But as I got older, I began to understand that my father earned a lot of respect. Even when I make my mark, they'll always want to know about him." And even though the Aloha Bowl will be played Christmas Day, Norton Jr. already knows where he'll be spending Christmas night. "I'll be back home right after the game," he said. "We're flying home that night.".