Catholics Find Stanford Band’s Parody Sinful

Stanford’s athletic director has apologized to local Catholic school officials angered by last weekend’s football pregame and halftime shows by the university’s notorious band.

Ted Leland issued a written apology to more than 30 administrators who signed a letter condemning the band’s shows, performed during Saturday’s Stanford-Notre Dame game.

The shows featured a parody of the Irish potato famine, a mock debate between a Catholic cardinal and the devil, and referred to the Irish as “stinking drunks.”

Leland’s apology called the band’s act tasteless.

“In their sophomoric attempt at humor, the band crossed the line from funny to obnoxious and offensive,” he wrote.

School officials, however, said they planned no sanctions against the band.

Scott McKissen, the band’s manager, offered no apology. He said Tuesday that people offended by the performance are overreacting.

“Our shows are always misconstrued by people, whether they take a line out of context or whatever,” McKissen said. “Our field show was meant to poke fun at the Notre Dame mascot (the Fighting Irish) and not a group of people.

“Unfortunately some people took it far more seriously than it was intended.”

Cal can’t blame the Vandals

It once appeared to be a meaningless date on the schedule, a non-conference game at a faraway place, against a school better known for producing Karl Malone than Terry Bradshaw.

California wouldn’t even have played Louisiana Tech in Shreveport were it not for the University of Idaho failing to attain formal NCAA Division I-A status.

When Louisiana Tech edged Cal 41-34 last Saturday, the Bears may have been tempted to blame it on Idaho. But all they have to do to find the culprit is look in the mirror.

In addition to having a long touchdown called back by penalty, the Bears lost the recovery of a Tech fumble deep inside Bulldogs’ territory because of a defensive holding call. And they aided three Tech scoring drives with critical penalties.

“We’re getting penalties for the same things,” first-year coach Tom Holmoe said. “These guys are just not learning.”

Things don’t get any easier for Cal. At 2-2, the Bears seem headed to 2-5, with their next three games against No. 10 Washington, No. 12 Washington State and No. 18 UCLA.

“It has to be a drastic emotional down to lose to Louisiana Tech,” said Washington coach Jim Lambright. “How is the squad going to handle it? This is dramatic. They started off great, then two losses, especially this last one, has to raise some real question marks.”

Brash Bruins

Forget Houston, which UCLA defeated 66-10, and forget Texas, which UCLA hammered 66-3. The 18th-ranked Bruins believe they’re ready for Florida, Penn State, Nebraska and anyone else in the Top 10.

“We’re really high on ourselves right now,” UCLA receiver Jim McElroy said. “We were watching Florida State-Miami, and I was thinking I wish we could play FSU.

“We feel like no matter who we line up against, we’ll put up 40 points and stop people from scoring.”

The Bruins, who opened the season with consecutive losses to Washington State and Tennessee, have won three straight for the first time in two years. Their offense has scored 172 points in the last three games. They’re averaging 46 points a game, tied for second in the nation.

UCLA offensive coordinator Al Borges took a more cautious approach: “I’m a guarded optimist. Every time I start thinking we’re pretty good, I get bitten on the butt.”

Oops

Oregon State is off to its best start since 1989, winning two of its first four games.

The Beavers even received a vote in this week’s AP poll - though it was by mistake. A writer from Arkansas erroneously thought Oregon State had defeated Arizona State and was 3-1.

Quotable

“I’ll take Texas, by a field goal.” - UCLA’s McElroy, when asked who would win a Texas-Houston matchup.

Around the conference

Arizona has outscored opponents 49-0 in the fourth quarter… . Malaefou MacKenzie was named USC’s starting tailback for the ASU game. MacKenzie, who replaces the injured LaVale Woods, will be the third true freshman tailback in USC history to start a football game. The others were Scott Lockwood (1987) and Charles White (1976)… . Arizona coach Dick Tomey said freshman quarterback Ortege Jenkins will make his second college start when Stanford visits Tempe on Saturday. Ex-starter Keith Smith remains doubtful with a sprained right shoulder… . Oregon receiver Damon Griffin, who has missed the Ducks’ first five games with a hand injury, is expected to redshirt.

, DataTimes