PAGE 14, THE BEHREND BEACON, NOVEMBER 12, 1999
NATIONAL SPORTS
Visions of Sugar Bowl fade away for Penn State
by Ray Parrillo
Knight-Ridder Newspapers
November 07. 1999
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- His eyes still puffy from the
tears that had been flowing moments earlier, LaVar
Arrington shook his head as he painfully rehashed the
miraculous play that broke so many hearts Saturday in
Happy Valley, the play that may forever he remembered
as the one that cost Penn State a crack at a national cham
pionship.
"I got so close, so close," the Nittany Lions' brilliant
linebacker said, talking barely above a whisper. "I al
most had him. But I let myself get cut. What can you
do'?"
Like so many of his teammates, Arrington was tortur
ing himself. He was lamenting how close he had come
to getting a piece of Billy Cockerham on a blitz before
the Minnesota quarterback heaved an ugly desperation
pass into the wind on fourth-and-I6 from the Penn State
40-yard line with little more than a minute remaining.
To the shock of the Nittany Lions, the throw caromed
off the outstretched hands of the Golden Gophers' Ron
Johnson, ricocheted behind him, and, just as it was about
to fall to the Beaver Stadium turf, landed in the arms of
Arland Bruce for a 27-yard completion.
The stunning development set up Dan Nystrom's 32-
yard field goal on the final play that gave Minnesota a
24-23 upset of second-ranked Penn State, ending the
Nittany Lions' 11-game winning streak and, most likely,
their dreams of playing in the Sugar Bowl for No. I.
Bears have someone
on their side
by J.A. Adande
Los Angeles Times
GREEN BAY. Wis. Just when we finished watching ev
ery last frame of Walter Payton in the NEL Films library,
the Chicago Bears produced a reel that must have come
straight from Dream Works.
The Bears capped off an emotional sleek that began
with Payton's death on Monday by blocking a last-second
field goal Sunday to preserve a 14-13 victory over the
Green Bay Packers at Lambeau
"It was wonderful, it was magical. - Bears linebacker
Barry Minter said. "I think the appropriate word would
be 'sweet. '"
As in Sweetness, Payton's nickname.
It had to end like this. Not because Walter would have
wanted it this way but because he deserved to he honored
with a worthy effort.
That's all his brother, Eddie, asked for after the Bears
said they would dedicate the remainder of the season to
Sweetness. That was a risky move for a team off to a 3-5
start, and Eddie wanted to make sure the "tribute" wouldn't
be lost amid a string of losses.
This victory wasn't particularly artistic or impressive.
It was simply a team getting the most out of what limited
ability it had.
"I told you (Saturday) we would play for Walter for the
rest of the season," offensive tackle James "Big Cat" Wil
liams said. "Walter's in our hearts.-
And on their chests (in the form of a football-shaped
patch with the number 34 sewn onto the uniforms) and
who knows where else.
"You have to believe he had a hand in the final play
Bear Coach Dick Jauron said.
Or both hands.
"I think Walter Payton actually picked me up a little
and boosted me in the air," said Bryan Robinson, the 295-
pound defensive end who blocked Ryan Longwell's kick.
"I know he did, because I can't jump that high."
You'll have to excuse the Bears for looking to the here
after for explanations because, well, they're the Bears and
they don't have much going for them.
How else are you going to explain them winning a game
in which starting quarterback Cade McNown was knocked
out with a knee injury in the first quarter?
What's the rationale behind backup Jim Miller match
ing Brett Favre drive for drive in the second half?
Why now, of all times. for the Bears to end a 10-game
losing streak to the Packers?
"We don't want to use Walter Payton's death in a cheap
fashion," Miller said. "But I'll tell you what: if everyone
on this team plays with the effort 34 did his whole career,
we'll win a lot of games."
NEW
UNI' S
FOR
UNC
WEEK IN SPORTS
Minnesota players celebrate a 24-23 victory over Penn State Saturday.
For one of the few times in his 34-year career as Penn
State's head coach, 72-year-old Joe Paterno appeared
genuinely crushed by a defeat.
"I thought we hatted it down and the game was over,"
said Paterno, who may have seen his last best shot at a
national title disappear. just feel sorry for these kids,
for the seniors who don't have a chance to do what they
wanted to do. But we can still have a great season.-
So add one more lesson learned from Payton and an
other tribute to him.
And now this young team can use its own examples of
what it takes to win
They can look at the way Miller bounced back from a
first half in which he had as many interceptions as comple
tions (three) to go 13-for- 18 for 122 yards and a touch
down in the second half.
They can learn from Santa Monica High School's Glyn
Milburn, who rushed for only 31 yards through the first
eight games hut ran 49 yards for a touchdown Sunday.
They can learn from the way they didn't give up even
though Favre, the most clutch player in the NFL today,
was driving on them and already pondering his postgame
victory comments.
They hung in until the very end and blocked the field
So now its the Packers who most sort through issues -
albeit less profound - such as why they're 4-4, and why
Fevre has been so erratic, with 13 interceptions to 12 touch-
towns
The Bears can relax, savor and reflect.
"It's been an emotional week all across the hoard for
us," Milburn said.
Usually the rivalry produces enough drama by itself.
When the Packers play the Bears is when the strange, silly
stuff happens, like an outburst of profanity by Mike Ditka
during his weekly news conference before the Green Bay
game in 1992.
The rivalry is so contentious that the Bears media guide
still carries an asterisk by the Packers' 14-13 victory on
Nov. 5, 1989, to mark it as the "Instant Replay Game",
decided when a video judge overruled a field official's
call that Green Bay quarterback Don Majkowski had
passed the line of scrimmage before throwing the win
ning touchdown pass.
Fortunately the partisan feelings were put aside tempo
rarily as the locals paid the appropriate respects to Payton.
There was a pause for a moment of silence before the
game. The Lambeau Field video screen even showed a
clip of Payton running through their beloved Packers be
fore Sunday's game.
When the University of Wisconsin marching band's tuba
players came out for their fourth quarter serenade, a tra
dition at Badgers games, their tubas had covers that spelled
out "34 SWEETNESS."
The Packers just didn't plan on giving Payton's Bears a
victory as well. "I was thinking about coming down here
Ito the interview roomy and saying, "It was another great
come from behind win,—
Favre said of his thoughts on the final drive. "It just
wasn't our day, I guess."
We all know whose day it was.
Freshman forward Will
Johnson shows off the
University of North
Carolina's new basketball
uniform
Johnson
The Golden Gophers, who entered the game with the
Big Ten's top-ranked defense, took away the big-play
capability that had served the Nittany Lions so well, and
they took few risks on offense, using Thomas Hamner
(96 yards in 38 carries) to neutralize the big-play nature
of Penn State's defense.
1999-2000 NBA Preview: Part 2
by Matt Buser
staff writer
The 1999-2000 NBA season is in full swing now, and
San Antonio and Portland have come out of the gate quick
in the West. In the East, Boston and Milwaukee are sur
prising a few people, but it's too early to put a lot of weight
on these games. That being said, it's time for my long
awaited Eastern Conference preview, and my post-season
predictions.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Playoff Teams
I. Miami Heat
Alonzo Mourning, the reigning NBA Defensive Player
of the Year, led the league in blocks (3.9 per game), and had
his best overall season. Tim Hardaway was slowed by a
knee injury for much of the season, but still managed 17
points and 7 assists per game. With Hardaway healthy, and
Jamal Mashburn and Voshon Lenard being all the way back
from last year's injuries, the Heat will be tough to beat.
Dan Majerle and Otis Thorpe are solid veterans off an oth
erwise suspect bench. Pat Riley always has them at or near
the top of the Eastern Conference standings, and this year
shouldn't be any different.
Best Player: Mourning, as intense and intimidating as any
one in the league. On the rise: Lenard, after missing 35
games with a broken leg last year, will regain his deadly
outside touch.
2. New York Knicks
The Knicks will be a great team until Patrick Ewing comes
back from his injury. If Marcus Camby was given enough
starts, he would challenge Mourning for the blocked shots
title. His ability to run with Latrell Sprewell, Allen Hous
ton, and Charlie Ward will make the Knicks one of the best
fast-break teams in the league. Once Ewing is back, how
ever, he'll be given every opportunity to reduce this team
that wants to run, to a bunch of guys waiting for him to
hobble up the court and anchor himself in the low
post...unless Camby plays beyond expectations.
Best player: Sprewell, with a new fat contract, will love
the Knicks' run-and-gun ways. On the rise: Camby will
make it really hard for Van Gundy to take him out of the
starting lineup.
3. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have as talented a first seven as anyone in
the league. David Wesley, Eddie Jones, Bobby Phills, An
thony Mason, Elden Campbell are the starters, and Derrick
Coleman and Baron Davis come off the bench. Unless there
is bickering for minutes at the power forward spot, this ro
tation could carry the Hornets deep into the playoffs. Jones
and Campbell are superior defenders, and Mason, who
missed all of last season, can pass as well as any big man in
the league. The Hornets could be the team in the East that
no one wants to face come playoff time.
Best player: Jones, on a balanced scoring team, will break
out. On the rise: Mason will be named the Comeback Player
of the Year.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The best defensive team in the league, once Theo Ratliff
and Matt Geiger return. Allen Iverson, Larry Hughes, and
Eric Snow are a great trio at guard. Billy Owens, Tyrone
Hill, and rookie Todd MacCulloch will get extra playing
time while Ratliff and Geiger are back. If they can regain
their chemistry before the playoffs, Iverson could carry them
pretty far.
Best player: Iverson; love him or hate him, you know he's
great. On the rise: Hughes-everyone (including me) says
it's his time to flourish.
5. Indiana Pacers
The Utah Jazz of the Eastern Conference. Listed this
high on reputation, this is their last run at a title, if you can
call it that. Mark Jackson, Rik Smits, and Chris Mullin are
nearing the end of solid pro careers. Once Coach Larry
Bird retires, Pacer ownership will dismantle this team and
rebuild. Reggie Miller will have to do more than just nail
the big three for the Pacers to make any noise this year.
The loss of Antonio Davis will rear it's ugly head once the
playoffs come and Smits and Dale Davis are too tired to
play. They could be the team everyone wants to face in the
playoffs.
Best player: Miller-he always nails the big three(s). On the
rise: Jalen Rose, starts this year with Mullin coming off the
bench, will show he has the tools.
6. Toronto Raptors
Vince Carter's high flying act will gain more credibility
this year when his team actually makes the playoffs. The
leagues "most exciting player" is surrounded by a great mix
of young talent and veteran muscle. Doug Christie is as
athletic and well-rounded as any guard in the league, and
doesn't mind that you don't know about him. Tracy
Leading 23-21 with just un
der two minutes left, Paterno de
cided to punt on fourth down at the
Minnesota 33 rather than allow
Travis Forney to attempt a 50-yard
field goal with a wind gusting to
20 m.p.h. at his back.
Minnesota coach Glen Ma
son, whose hard-luck team had lost
to Wisconsin, Ohio State and
Purdue by a combined 11 points,
was thrilled by Paterno's decision.
"I was happy, because Forney
is that good of a kicker, and I knew
he could hit one from 50 yards out,"
Mason said. "But I agreed with
their decision to try to pin us deep."
But Pat Pidgeon's punt didn't
pin the Golden Gophers deep. In
stead, it went into the end zone, giv
ing them the ball on their own 20,
and on first down, Cockerham
completed a 46-yard pass to
A 6-
.
•
\ ,
VP
-
*
Penn State's Joe Paterno will have to wait for
another national championship.
McCrady has merely scratched the surface as far as his tal
ents go. Charles Oakley, Kevin Willis, and newcomer An
tonio Davis in the middle provide lots of leadership, re
bounds, and intimidation. Dell Curry, Dee Brown and
Muggsy Bogues will give the young guns a rest, if they
ever need one. The Raptors should be fun to watch.
Best player: Carter, what will he do to follow his opening
act? On the rise: Carter, McCrady, and Christie, these guys
are all going to have fun this year.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are strong at the perimeter, but pretty weak
inside. They named J.R. Reid their starting center before
the season started, if that helps clarify. He's decent, but not
an NBA starting center. Danny Maiming, Ervin Johnson,
and Robert Traylor all platoon with Reid at the power for
ward and center spot. They're all decent, but not spectacu
lar. What the Bucks do have is fiery Sam Cassell at point,
superstar Ray Allen at shooting guard, and "The Big Dog"
Glenn Robinson at the small forward spot. Dale Ellis,
Haywoode Workman, and Tim Thomas are the reserves at
guard/forward. The Bucks are an enigma. If Coach George
Karl can get enough out of his big men, and if his big three
provide all the scoring, they will win more games than they
lose.
Best player: Allen, who is still coming into his own as a
total player. On the rise: See "Best player."
8. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have a completely different team than they
had for the past...long time. But, whether that's good or
bad remains to be seen. Mookie and Steve Smith are gone,
replaced (sort of) by Bimbo Coles and Isaiah Rider, and
Jim Jackson when Rider doesn't feel like playing. Mr. In
jury-Prone LaPhonso Ellis, Alan Henderson, and Dikembe
Mutombo round out the starters. Lorenzen Wright should
fill in admirably when Ellis goes down for the year, and
rookie Jason Terry won't play behind Bimbo all year long.
They do have talent, and they should make the playoffs,
but Rider's inevitable impact has yet to be felt on this team.
Best player: Mutombo, with guaranteed double-double, and
lots of finger-wagging. On the rise: Terry; he's a rookie, so
he's a lock to be a better NBA player than he was last year.
The rest:
9. New Jersey Nets: The talent on board should push
Hawks for final playoff spot.
Best player: Stephon Marbury, Keith Van Horn, former: 21
points, 9 assists per; latter: 22 points, 9 rebounds per. On
the rise: Marbury, who could have Iverson-like numbers
this year.
10. Detroit Pistons: Grant Hill will leave after this sea
son. Sorry, Detroit.
Best Player: Hill, a fantasy basketball owner's dream. On
the rise: Jerry Stackhouse, starting this year; Hill will help
make him look good.
11. Washington Wizards: They could surprise us if they
get any help from their bench.
Best player: Juwan Howard, Mitch Richmond, Rod
Strickland, all good, none great. On the rise: Isaac Austin,
should put up solid numbers after last year's embarrassing
campaign.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers: Zydrunas Ilgauskas' injury
dropped them a few spots.
Best player: Shawn Kemp, who's their only "threat" to
score. On the rise: Andre Miller, who will see plenty of
minutes at the point.
13. Boston Celtics: Fortson would have helped, but they
really need a legitimate center.
Best player: Antoine Walker; He needs to improve his shot
selection, but that's about it. On the rise: Paul Pierce; he
doesn't even need to improve his shot selection.
14. Orlando Magic: They won't finish tied for first this
year.
Best player: Darrell Armstrong; he's good, but will struggle
without Hardaway. On the rise: Corey Maggette, who needs
to be "the franchise" sooner than he actually will be.
15. Chicago Bulls: Hey, at least they have lots of salary
cap room for next season.
Best player: Toni Kukoc; he will have another really good
season, but it won't matter. On the rise: Elton Brand, who
will be "the franchise" very soon.
Post-Season Predictions:
West: Trailblazers over Spurs
East: Heat over Hornets
Finals: Trailblazers over Heat
MVP: Tim Duncan
Best Rookie: Lamar Odom
What are your predictions for the 1999-2000 NBA season?
WE WANT TO KNOW! Email the Beacon at
behrcolls@aol.com with your predictions. Enjoy the sea
son!