Bruins Proclaim Themselves Texas State Champs
UCLA couldn’t be national champions, but the Bruins were more than happy to rule the state of Texas.
UCLA overcame a 16-point deficit Thursday to defeat Texas A&M 29-23 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas for its 10th straight win, a string that began with a 66-3 pounding of Texas and also included a 66-10 drubbing of Houston.
The 10-2 record and season-ending momentum could move UCLA from No. 5 even higher when the final poll is released Saturday morning. However, there’s practically no chance of reaching No. 1.
So, the Bruins settled for calling themselves Texas state champs. They even had T-shirts printed up that said exactly that, with the words written in the school colors of the three teams they beat.
That consolation prize was a pretty special one for coach Bob Toledo and star running back Skip Hicks. Toledo was fired as A&M offensive coordinator after the 1994 Cotton Bowl, while Hicks is a Texas native who spurned his home state’s major colleges.
“Being able to beat three top Texas schools is a great accomplishment for our program,” said Hicks, who ran for 140 yards and had another 53 receiving, including a 41-yard touchdown grab. “I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Toledo had been downplaying the revenge angle for weeks, while Aggies coach R.C. Slocum called it the biggest mistake of his career. Still, the Bruins knew Toledo wanted to get back at his old boss.
“Deep down inside, he wanted to win more than anything,” Hicks said. “I’m just proud and glad to have done it for him.”
Bread and butter turns to toast
It was Penn State’s bread-and-butter play.
Call Power 27 near the goal line and six points went on the board.
Just like that.
On Thursday it didn’t happen.
Twice, Florida stopped Penn State on the goal line and in the end that was the difference as the No. 6 Gators beat the No. 11 Lions 21-6 in the Citrus Bowl at Orlando, Fla.
“It was a game of feet and inches,” coach Joe Paterno said. “They made the plays. We didn’t.”
“We could have been up and we were down,” said Chris Eberly, who stood in for the suspended Curtis Enis but couldn’t make up for the tailback’s explosive running.
Eberly finished with 53 yards on 14 carries, but without the most important yards near the goal line.
Spurrier scoffs at Dallas rumor
The latest coaching rumor involving Florida coach Steve Spurrier is out of Dallas, where radio talk shows and such are speculating that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will fire Barry Switzer and make a play for the Gators’ head coach.
Spurrier, who deals with such rumors annually, found himself dealing with them again after the Florida Citrus Bowl.
“First of all, I haven’t (been contacted by Jones), but I’m not going to answer those questions anymore,” Spurrier said. “I’m at Florida. Nobody’s leaving there for a while.”
Taylor goes out in style
Two suspensions for misdemeanor crimes by Florida tailback Fred Taylor, two second chances from Steve Spurrier.
All of that was forgotten when Taylor had the best game of his career in the Gators’ victory.
“I just wanted to go out with a bang my senior year,” said Taylor, who had 43 carries for 243 yards.
Four Auburn players suspended
Four Auburn players, including two defensive starters, were suspended for the Peach Bowl for breaking curfew.
Linebacker Quinton Reese, defensive lineman Jeff Dunlap and reserves Clifton Robinson and Adlai Trone were sent home and will not play in today’s game against Clemson in Atlanta.
Also Thursday, Clemson coach Tommy West suspended reserve receiver Marcus Martin for violating team rules.
Fulmer earns extension
Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer has received a contract extension through 2003 that pays him $750,000 per season, athletic director Doug Dickey announced Wednesday.
Fulmer, who played for Tennessee from 1968 to ‘71, has a 54-10 record heading into the Orange Bowl. He has led the third-ranked Volunteers to an 11-1 record this season.