North County Times from Oceanside, California • 22

yn Mp4 7 C-4 Blade-Citizen Sunday, November 20, 1994 COLLEGE FOOTBALL i. UCLAs Cook finally gets his just desserts Isaia a hit on O-line By Eric Sondheimer L.A. Daily News PASADENA For four years, 6-foot-5, 315-pound Sale Isaia has been a defensive tackle at UCLA. He didnt know a single offensive play. Then 2'A weeks ago, Bruins coach Terry Donahue asked the Oceanside High grad to start working out at offensive guard because of injuries to other linemen.

Incredibly, there was Isaia Saturday afternoon smashing down USC defenders as if he had been playing the position for years. Isaias blocking was a big reason UCLA rolled up 450 yards in total offense in its 31-19 Pacific-10 Conference victory over the Trojans before 91,815 at the Rose Bowl. Teammates and coaches were smiling just thinking about Isaias achievement. I dont think a normal player could have done it, Bruins offensive line coach Mike Sherman said. He is very smart.

Said starting left guard James Christensen: Its unfortunate he only had to learn the position in a couple of weeks. He has the potential to be a good guard in the pros. What they could possibly expect him to do, he did it. Cooks smile was more bittersweet. He could still remember another damp late afternoon in the catacombs of the Rose Bowl.

It was his poor decision to run on the final play last January against Wisconsin that killed the few precious seconds on the clock and wiped out UCLAs hopes for a winning rally. That day is gone, Cook said, on Saturday. Its in the past. Im not even thinking about it. His thoughts, instead, had drifted to the final three weeks of his senior season.

To a 2-6 Bruins team clawing back to gain some respect with three closeout victories. And, yes, maybe to what might have been if Stokes and everyone else had stayed healthy all year. With J.J. back, Cook rolled off some eye-catching numbers of his own in his last three games, completing 52 of 72 passes for 894 yards and eight touchdowns. The way we played in the last three games, he said, I think if we could go through the Pac-10 again right now, wed be really tough to beat.

It is kind of depressing to think about. We should be going to a bowl. They probably should. If UCLA and Rose Bowl-bound Oregon were playing tomorrow, it would be difficult to pick against the Bruins. But, unfortunately, collegiate seasons arent always decided on one rousing Saturday.

And as a couple of cross-town quarterbacks will readily attest, lasting reputations arent necessarily gleaned in one fateful football game. (Steve BishefFs column appears regularly in the Orange County Register.) PASADENA It is funny how this, the biggest game of every year in Los Angeles, works out some times. Funny how one quarterback who never seemed to get enough credit can emerge from the shadows while another, more famous quarterback can falter in the heat of the spotlight. Funny how fate can suddenly twist and turn in a chilling November wind. So it was that UCLAs Wayne Cook would sit there smiling in the interview room afterwards, talking about how he will appreciate this later on in my life.

And USCs Rob Johnson would sit slumped on a bench in the visiting locker room, his coach patting him on the back and whispering in his ear. Youre a great player, John Robinson told him. Im sorry. On a cool afternoon in the Arroyo Seco, Cook made more big plays and fewer mistakes to lead the Brums to a 31-19 upset of the Trojans, making it four sweet victories in a row over their fierce rivals from across town. Johnson, who set a new NCAA record with 23 consecutive completions across two games, probably would have given them all away for one big, second-half completion when he needed it.

As it was, he suffered two interceptions, six sacks and a frustrating third straight defeat in the game that matters most. You have to give Wayne Cook credit, Johnson said. He hung in there and made the big plays when he had to. We just didnt stop them. Dont pin this loss totally on Johnson.

USC was badly beaten on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Bruins found a way to get Associated Press Photo El Camino High grad Abdul McCullough, right, grabs deflected pass. to the opposing passer. The Trojans didnt. Terry Donahues team was able to move the ball at will on the ground.

Robinsons team couldnt. UCLA came up big on defense in the second half. USCs defense? It disappeared quicker than the smog that usually hovers over the nearby San Bernardino Mountains. But when local historians look back on this game, they will duly note that one quarterback did outplay the other. The kid everyone in Westwood wanted to bench at midseason outperformed the one-time Heisman Trophy candidate who is still likely to be drafted in the NFLs first round.

The quarterback whose final play in the last Rose Bowl against Wisconsin will live in infamy sucked it up one final time to play perhaps the game of his life. It feels good to hear people cheering again, Cook said, and to show those people who were yelling I should be pulled at midseason. It feels good to show people I can play. Cook showed them, all right. Sure, UCLAs offense received a major boost when a healthy J.J.

Stokes returned in the final few weeks. The Bruins definitely missed Stokes. Shoot, the Dallas Cowboys would miss Stokes. For a couple of happy Saturdays, J. and KJ.

thats Kevin Jordan gave Donahues club perhaps the best pair of amateur wide receivers in America. But even then, UCLA still fell behind, 12-3, at halftime in this game, and Jordan, who strained a knee late in the second quarter, was ruled out for the rest of the day. That put the pressure directly back on the 6-4, 215-pound senior quarterback, and he responded beautifully. Directing an offense balanced by tailback Sharmon Shahs timely bursts, Cook threw only seven passes in the final two periods. But he completed six of them for 91 yards and a pair of TDs.

His feathery-soft 30-yarder in the comer of the end zone to freshman Jim McElroy in the third period had NFL stamped all over it. I threw it up there so Jimmy could be the only one to get it, Cook said. At first, I thought I threw it maybe too far. But it turned out to be a big play. It really lifted our spirits.

Cooks six completions to Stokes for 121 yards and another TD didnt exactly hurt anybodys feelings at UCLA, either. It was a nice way for J.J., probably the best pass receiver in the history of the school, to finish up his career. I came in with a smile, and Im going out with a big, Kool-Aid smile, Stokes said. UCLA liliWiil. 51 fBlackwal -Radial P23S7SRI5 I fits Many Pick-Ups fen.

From Page C-1 If the league started against Stanford (three weeks ago), wed be going to the Rose Bowl, linebacker Donnie Edwards said. Unfortunately, it ends today. UCLA (5-6, 3-5) wont be going to a bowl for the fourth time in six seasons. But Donahue said he took satisfaction in the fact the Bruins stayed together through injuries and adversity, then finished with three straight wins. In some respects, its one of the most satisfying years Ive had because of that even with a lousy 5-6 record, Donahue said.

Had Oregon lost to Oregon State, USC (7-3, 6-2) could have gone to the Rose Bowl with a victory or a tie. Instead, the Trojans will have to wait until after next Saturdays regular-season finale against Notre Dame to find out their bowl fate. The jurys still out on this team, USC linebacker Jeff Kopp said. We can make this a great season with two more games. Trailing 12-3 at halftime, UCLA scored touchdowns on four of its first five possessions of the second half.

The Bruins had 450 yards of total offense, including 135 yards rushing by Sharmon Shah. With 3.11 left and USC behind by the eventual final score, UCLA cornerback Teddy Lawrence intercepted a pass from Rob Johnson in the end zone, practically sealing the victory. Johnson set an NCAA record with 23 straight completions, dating back to the previous game against Arizona, but the Bruins blitzing defense sacked him six times. USC scored seven points in the second half. Their record didnt impress me from watching the film, Edwards said.

Watching the film, I thought their record was better than they were. But the Trojans led by nine at halftime. UCLAs locker room was an unusual scene, as Donahue described it. Flanker Kevin Jordan was sobbing, having suffered a game-ending strained knee near the end of the first half. The coaches and players were angry at themselves for their futility near the goal line in the second quarter.

Because of a roughing-the-kicker penalty, the Bruins ran six plays from the 5-yard line' and closer and couldn't score. The drive ended with an interception. They finished the half with Shahs fumble and Bjorn Mertens missed 44-yard field goal. I was real concerned about the emotional state of the team, Donahue said. The opening drive was crucial.

If we had gone out with three downs and a punt, the game might have flopped the other way in a second. I Blackwall Radial PT9575R14 ffiteMany Jtoekfogn Cwv Lumina 'Cutlass teTechst BlackwalL I All-Season Jufta 2 Steel Belts IP18575R14 Fils Many I' Che Canlier 'Dwelt Century OWsCera Font Grand Am I Associated Press Photo Oregon coach Rich Brooks gets a victory ride by Mark Slymen, left, and Pat Johnson. 1 I I P20575RT5I Fits Many Astro Mans Delta 86s Ford LTD Ducks IMPORT TREDTECH VSX4000 Metric Blackwall 17 18 35,000 Mil Warranty Economy Whitewall Radial tconomy Economy Blackwall Radial 155R13 $21 All season 17570R13 29 18570R13 30 18570R14 33 21 in the final seconds but turned the ball over on downs with 34 seconds to play after Don Shanklin threw two incomplete passes. The Beavers seemed headed for a major upset in the 98th Civil War game after taking a 13-10 lead on Shanklins 1-yard sneak with 6 01 left in the third quarter. Oregon couldnt move the ball most of the day against the Oregon State defense and ONeil was shaken up on a hit while failing to convert on a fourth-and-2 situation at the Beavers 18 with just under nine minutes left.

After ONeil was tackled, Matt Beldens attempt at a game-tying, 34-yard field goal was wide to the left. The Oregon coaches considered taking ONeil out of the game. He was a little dazed when he came out, Brooks said. He hit his head on the turf. We were a little concerned.

But Danny convinced us he was all right, and I guess he was. 16580R13 424 18580R13 29 20575R15 18575R14 29 21575R15 195-75R14 30 22575R15 20575R14 32 23575R15 From Page C-1 to listen to any of that. Brooks said hed believed Oregon could make it to the Rose Bowl the day he was hired. But it took him 18 years to prove it. In the locker room, Oregon players wore Rose Bowl caps and some clenched roses in their teeth.

Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl, Cristin McLemore said. Now we can finally say it. Oregon, picked to finish at or near the bottom of the Pac-10 this season, won its last six games and eight of nine after a 1-2 start. As long as we can breathe, as long as we can walk, we never give up, Philyaw said. Thats the reason were where we are today.

Oregon State (4-7, 2-6) drove to the Oregon GENERAL TIRE Ameriway A KELLY TIRES Safari SJR 55 LP205F75R14 AS 23 15580R13 5,000 Mil Warranty Light Truck fEmdimi wrtw All Season Whitewall Radial 18575R14 19575R14 20575R14 20575R15 21575R15 McCartney From Page C-1 GENERAL TIRE Touring 2000 59 Bridgestone Dueler HT 84 P23575R15 50,000 Mil Warranty 50,000 Mil Warranty Outlined White Letters Speed Rated High Mileage Premium Performance Radial Styled Black Sidewall Speed Rated 19550R15" $79 20550R15" 89 XP2000II P23575R1 5 $84 23585R16LT 119 30X9 50R15 93 31X10 50R15 103 COMPUTER ALIGNMENT kickoff, said a search for a successor would begin immediately. We want to make a decision as quickly as possible, Marolt said. Upon informing his assistants of his decision in a pregame staff meeting, McCartney said he would recommend to Marolt that a new head coach be promoted from within. CUs assistant head coach is Bob Simmons. Elliot Uzelac, the former Navy head coach, serves as the offensive coordinator, with Mike Hankwitz the defensive coordi- Following that, it was his option to resign, coach or be reassigned to another position within the university on a year-to-year basis.

He said terms of his contract would be completed on Jan. 1, 1995. This is something Ive been thinking about for sometime, said McCartney, whose 13-year record of 92-55-5 is the schools best. I really dont know right now what my plans are. But were not going to look too deep in the future.

But I want to say everybody here has been tremendous. McCartney said he had the highest regard for Marolt and had received full support from the CU administration. There are no negatives here, McCartney said. There are no reasons why, except this is the time There are going to be rumors, but Im not going anywhere. Im staying (in Boulder).

Albino called McCartneys decision certainly an enormous disappointment to all of us But we do have to (it). I know it wasnt a decision easily made. I know it was as difficult for him as it is for us to accept. But well accept. We have a great team of coaches and a great team of players.

5qts quality Kendall motor oil, new oil filter labor. Most Cars. NO HIDDEN CHANGES I Pnce faduOes FREE Waste OtlFilter Standard Semi-Metallic Replace PadsShoes Resurface RotorsDrums Repack Bearings front Brakes (RWD Only) Inspect Hydraulic System Most Cars. Services may often require substantial extra costs Of Thrust Angle rr-sac-y- frre By Pamoik Jones FREE ALIGNMENT CHECK! With Eypfv Tire P'jrrhase Disposal A FREE 16 Point inspection Colorado coach Bill McCartney hugs his wife, Lyndi, at press conference. ator.

CU president Judith Albino, fre-uently a McCartney critic for his trong and outspoken stands on on-football issues, was not told of cCartneys decision until folding the game. After leaving olsom Field for the final time, cCartney met her and her hus- and (Sal). Dont do this, Bill, Judith told him. I want to, he answered. I ally do." Not more than 10 minutes later.

90 Employee owned stores throughout California Nevada Hew Mexico Texas Missouri Kansas OCEANSIDE tOCEANSIDE 2281 El Cam.no Real 1710 Oceanside 81 Mon.Frj Oust No of h-78) Saturday Open till 5:00 Wr iWl tours Pros Sewe A LvakMy may Vary at boeoeroed Oeater SO CASH! INSTA NT CREDIT! Se Habla Espanofi McCartney informed his players of his decision following their normal postgame prayer. Free safety Steve Rosga said there was stunned silence, punctuated by deep sighs and, Oh, nos. There were tears. And a general disbelief. Hired from the Michigan staff in 1982 to replace Chuck Fairbanks, McCartney received a contract extension in 1984 then signed an unprecedented 15-year contract in July, 1990.

But that pact included an escape clause that kicked in after McCartney completed five seasons..