Manning’s Knee Remains Swollen
Peyton Manning stood at the edge of the practice field Saturday in Miami, rolled up his pants leg and patted the swollen right knee that is troubling the entire state of Tennessee.
“It’s like a balloon,” he said. “It doesn’t look good at all.”
Neither does third-ranked Tennessee’s chance of beating No. 2 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, unless the swelling subsides soon.
Manning is still recovering from a ruptured bursa suffered Dec. 6 in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Before taking part in the Volunteers’ first workout in Miami, the senior quarterback admitted there’s a chance he’ll have to sit out Friday’s game, even though the national championship could be at stake.
“If I’m not able to help the team, maybe I shouldn’t be in there,” he said.
“I believe he’ll play,” coach Phillip Fulmer said following practice. “He went through basically everything. We limited him on a few things. The main thing now is how much swelling he gets and how sore it is from the workout.”
The potential top pick in next year’s NFL draft, Manning is eager to lead Tennessee to an upset victory in his final collegiate game. But limited mobility, especially against Nebraska’s ferocious pass rush, would put his future at risk.
“It’s up to the trainers and the doctors,” Manning said. “I certainly hope to be there.”
Manning, the runner-up to Michigan’s Charles Woodson for the Heisman Trophy, has started 44 consecutive games at Tennessee. His backup, sophomore Tee Martin, poses a threat as a runner but has thrown just 16 passes in two seasons.
Martin, the likely starter next year, said he’ll be ready if needed. He has taken half the snaps in practice the past two seasons.
“Practice is just like the games,” Martin reasoned, “except without the crowd.”
And without the Cornhuskers. Tennessee is already a 14-point underdog against an undefeated Nebraska team certain to be emotional for coach Tom Osborne’s final game.
Iowa QB says he’s ready
Iowa quarterback Matt Sherman has declared himself fit to play in Wednesday’s Sun Bowl game against No. 16 Arizona State, but the fifth-year senior doesn’t make up the starting lineup.
That’s done by the coaches, who say they won’t name a starter until just before the game.
Sherman’s streak of 32 consecutive starts ended Oct. 18 at Michigan when he broke a bone in his throwing hand late in the game.
Must-win talk overblown
From the way everyone’s been talking about today’s Notre Dame-LSU rematch in the Independence Bowl at Shreveport, La., you’d think the contract calls for the loser to quit playing football.
It’s a must-win game for LSU. No, Notre Dame has to win to give meaning to its unlikely comeback.
Don’t believe any of it, LSU coach Gerry DiNardo said. It’s all just a bunch of hype.
“I don’t think our program is that fragile where what happens tomorrow is going to make a big statement about our program,” he said. “It will make a big statement perhaps about our season. But certainly not about our program because our program is based on more important things than just one bowl game.”
But what about Notre Dame? After starting 1-4, the Irish (7-5) have a five-game winning streak going. Surely they have to beat No. 15 LSU (8-3) to prove they’re no fluke and that Notre Dame really is back on the winning track.
Actually, no, Irish coach Bob Davie said.
“To be able to win seven of your last eight football games, to win your last six football games, to beat the 15th-ranked team in the country, there’s no question the turnaround would be complete,” he said. “Even if we don’t win the game, that’s not going to take away from what these seniors have accomplished.”
And the rematch is on LSU’s home turf. That must mean the Tigers really have it in for the Irish. No, not really, LSU tackle Chuck Wiley said.
“It’s a chance to prove ourselves and do better than we did the last time,” he said. “(But) it’s in the past. It’s over with. That season is gone. It’s the postseason now.”
Koetter hires ex-Eagle
Brent Myers, assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Northern Arizona University, is one of three assistants hired by new Boise State football coach Dirk Koetter.
The school said Myers, who spent six seasons at NAU, will coach the offensive line. He spent four seasons as offensive line coach then added the responsibilities of offensive coordinator in 1996.
Myers ended his playing days at Eastern Washington University, where he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant.
Southern triumphs
Terrance Blackwell returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and Jermaine West scored on three short runs as Southern University (11-1) held off South Carolina State (9-3) 34-28 in a Heritage Bowl shootout at Atlanta.
The Jaguars chopped away at a 28-20 deficit in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when Blackwell dashed to his touchdown just under 7 minutes before West’s 1-yard plunge gave Southern the lead with 7:29 remaining.
South Carolina State had taken a 28-20 lead with two 40-yard scoring runs in less than 4 minutes.
xxxx On TV today Independence Bowl: LSU vs. Notre Dame, 5 p.m. on ESPN.