Page 12
Sporting View
Lion's bowl chances
diminsh with tie
by John Musser
Collegian Sports Editor
So much for the 1989
football season.
That was the thought that
entered my mind after watching
the Penn State Nittany Lions
football team battle to a draw
against the unranked and
unimpressive Maryland
Terrapins this past Saturday
afternoon. Maryland entered the
game with an underwhelming 2-
6-1 mark.
After winning five
consecutive contests, the Lions
have managed to only win one
of its last three. Granted, one
loss was to fourth ranked
Alabama on a blocked field goal
attempt at point blank range in
the final seconds. And the win,
it was against West Virginia's
one-man gang, Major Harris.
Because of State's
inconsistent play, their record
has dropped to 6-2-1 and their
bowl chances have worsened
from stable to critical condition.
The Lions are now faced
with the unenviable task of
facing No. 1 Notre Dame and
No. 12 Pitt (although
considering they've only beaten
some creampuffs, the Panthers
may be overrated) in their final
two games. Another loss and
State can forget about a major
bowl bid. Two losses and a
minor bowl bid might even be
out of their reach.
This week's game with the
Fighting Irish is the most
important one of the season for
the young Lions. After
Saturday's games, the major
bowl invitations will be sent
out. Unless Joe Pa's boys can
derail Notre Dame's train to the
national championship this
weekendin Happy Valley, well,
people will be saying "so much
for '89."
•If there is just one positive
aspect coming out of Penn
State's tie with Maryland, it
would be the return of
quarterback Tom Bill.
In case you had forgotten,
Mr. Bill was suspended from the
team on September 18 for
violating team rules. The
redshirt junior had received his
third alcohol-related citation
since enrolling at PSU.
The former starting QB was
reinstated two weeks later, but
has done nothing more than
throw warm up passes whenever
Patemo told him to.
Bill didn't get to throw an
actual pass until the second
quarter of Saturday's game,
almost two months after JoePa
announced Bill's suspension.
Although his play was less than
inspiring, the fact that he has
the guts to play after all of the
media attention, not to mention
the feeling that he let his
teammates down, is.
•By this time next month,
barring a miraculous turnaround,
Pittsburgh Penguins Coach
Gene Übriaco should be
standing in the unemployment
line instead of behind the Pens
bench.
Those of you who doubt this
should refer to Saturday night's
horrendous game against the St.
Louis Blues. The Pens were
outplayed, outclassed, and
outhustled, much like they
usually have been in almost
every game this season. Not to
mention that they have been
playing like they just got
another knit sweater for
Christmas from Aunt Judy (in
other words, listlessly and
unexcitably).
Lately, stories out of
Pittsburgh have reeked of team
dissension and trade rumors.
Nine times out of ten in th
situation, the coach gets fir-
whether the coach was part of
the problem or not. The rest
of the time, the general
manager gets canned. Tony
Esposito, are you listening?
•In case you missed the
Steeler's game against
Chicago on Sunday, don't
worry: - Pittsburgh gave their
irznal pathetic performance.
•Speaking of pathetic, how
can the Redskins lose to the
Cowboys one week and beat
the Philly Eagles the next?
•Here is some sports news
that's sure to quicken your
pulse: The Baltimore Blast of
the Major Indoor Soccer
League entered the week with
a spotless 4-0 record.
•Although they have
started out the year in a less
than auspicious manner, the
Cleveland Cavaliers still have
the talent to challenge the
NBA's best.
This may be a lot to.
expect from a team that has
lost to the expansion Orlando
Magic and four of their first
five games. Besides, after last
years heartbreaking first round
loss in the playoffs to the
Chicago Bulls on Michael
Jordan's buzzer-beater in the
fifth and deciding game, one
might expect the Cays to fold
this year.
Not quite. Until Saturday's
game with the Celtics, the
Cays were playing without
three of last years starters.
Guard Mark Price returned and
sparked the offense with 19
points, including three treys.
The only thing Cleveland
will need after their health
returns is the development of
a championship attitude, ala
Detroit and the Lakers. Until
then, the Cays are just
playing ball.
•So much for this weeks
column. I think I'll go review
those MISL standings one
more time.
Men's hoop
squad to
open season
(continued from page 10)
their ability to win games on the
road. Another obstacle for
Behrend is the presence of more
NCAA Division II schools on
the schedule. Behrend is a
Division 111 school.
Despite the tougher schedule,
Zimmerman feels his charges
will be much stronger this year.
It is to early to tell whether or
not this will translate into more
wins. The success of the Lions
depends upon the health of the
team, their road success, and the
amount of hustle and
determination they play with.
These factors must all work in
Behrend's favor in order to
improve upon last year's success.
The play of the Lions in the
pre-season has pleased
Zimmerman, but he knows that
teams will now be gunning for
the Lions. It will be difficult for
the men to suprise other teams
like they did last year.
The regular season starts with
Behrend on the road at The
Slippery Rock Tournament this
Friday night. The tourney
features teams from Slippery
Rock, Geneva, and York.
Penn State Erie The Behrend College
Sunday, November 19th at 7:45 p.m.
Monday, November 20th at 8:45 p.m.
Broncos vs. Redskins
Hear all the Action on AM-1450, WPSE
The Collegian Thursday, November 16, 1989
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am 1450
Jets vs. Colts
******************
NEEDED ASAP
Two Assistant SGA Treasurers!
Must be returning to Behrenci
in the Fall of 1990. Minimum
of sth semester presently.
If interested, please drop by
the Rub Desk & see Marge Wiz
or Cell *6211.
Presents
Action