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(02/14/01 5:43am)
Professor Wayne Winston attended a Dallas Mavericks game during a trip to Dallas last spring break and bumped into a former student. It turned out the student was Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban.\nCuban casually approached Winston. The owner told his former professor that if he had any ideas to make the Mavericks better, Winston should let Cuban know.\nA day later Winston was swimming in a hotel pool, and a thought crossed his mind: "People rate teams, so why not rate players."\nWinston, who teaches decision sciences in the Kelley School of Business, returned to Bloomington and developed a system to individually rate each NBA player. Winston's friend and Bloomington-based sports ratings guru Jeff Sagarin fine-tuned the system.\nWinston and Sagarin submitted their system to Cuban last summer. Cuban decided to hire them for one season. Throughout the 2000-01 season, Winston and Sagarin have submitted daily player ratings to Cuban. The Mavericks missed the playoffs last year, but they had a 31-19 record at the All Star break. If the playoffs started today, the Mavericks would be the seventh seed in the Western Conference.\nWinston said the Mavericks are the only team in the NBA receiving the daily player ratings.\n"We feel our information is so good that we don't want everybody in the league to have it or it would be worthless," Winston said.\nWinston and Sagarin perfected the ratings system last summer using different database programs. Winston wrote the system in Microsoft Excel. Sagarin used Fortran, a DOS system similar to Excel. A few days after they developed their respective programs, Winston and Sagarin converged their processes. \n"We were getting the same answers on a real difficult math program," said Sagarin, whose college football and basketball ratings appear in USA Today.\nInstead of rating a player by using common statistics such as points, rebounds, steals, assists and blocks, Winston and Sagarin's system has sub-games within a contest. The system rates players based on how a team performs when they are in the game. The computer isolates the impact each player has on his team.\n"A basketball game is actually like an experiment," Winston said. "We are trying to find good and bad combinations, so you don't play your bad combinations and (do) play your good combinations."\nHockey is the only other professional sport that has a system to rate individual players. The NHL's plus/minus system gives points to players when their team scores and subtracts points from every players' rating when a team allows a goal. Sagarin called the system he uses for NBA players more "sophisticated" than plus/minus.\n"Our system takes into account who are your teammates and who are your opponents," Sagarin said.\nNBA teams are beginning to use plus/minus systems similar to the NHL's. The Pacers post plus/minus ratings on their Web site. During last June's NBA Finals, NBC also showed players' plus/minus ratings. Sagarin is aware of other attempts to rate players and he said "nobody has the mathematical ability to take it to the level that we are."\nWinston and Sagarin both said they would like to rate football players, but it would be impossible because some players never leave the game. Both mathematicians said their system would work in hockey, but added that they are too burned out from basketball to compile NHL ratings.\n"We have just scratched the surface in what our information can do," Winston said. "There are many more things that we can do. We hope with Mark and hopefully with some other people we can do some other things. But if we just keep doing this with Mark we would be happy."\nWinston's former student, now an audio-Internet pioneer, NBA owner and billionaire, said he is also rating officials to help determine tendencies that the Mavericks can use to their advantage.\nCuban wanted to analyze officials just as Winston and Sagarin are doing players.\n"Like any other good student of Wayne Winston's stats class at IU, or anyone who has taken quantitative analysis, numbers can be very informative," Cuban wrote in an e-mail to the IDS. "We wanted to analyze officials just like we do players. This allows us to know how great a job they are doing, and to also scout them, so where warranted, we can alter our game plans to accommodate the officials working the game"
(02/14/01 1:30am)
IU alumnus Kendall Harnett poured his heart and soul into training for the Little 500 as a student in the late 1980s. More than a decade later, Harnett is pouring his heart and soul into putting the history of the race on film.\nHarnett, a member of the 1989 Cinzano champion team, is producing and co-directing a documentary called "Free Wheels: The Tradition of the Little 500." The three-hour film chronicling the history of the race is expected to have its debut during the weekend of Little 500, April 20-21.\n"This is a project from the heart," Harnett said in a phone interview from his home in Evanston, Ill., where he is editing "Free Wheels." "I love the film, and I love the race."\nHarnett started working on "Free Wheels" during the summer of 1997. He has collected more than 500 hours of footage, including self-shot interviews, old 16mm and 6mm film stock and archived video footage. Included in "Free Wheels" are interviews with about 70 riders and personalities involved with the race and more than 600 still photos.\n"The toughest part was compressing hundreds of hours of footage into compelling film-watching," Harnett said. "You have to shoot a lot to find a few revealing minutes."\n"Free Wheels" is divided into chronological chapters documenting various time periods of the race. The film begins with a re-enactment of the race's formation and ends with a chapter discussing the Little 500 in the 1990s.\nBetween chapters, the film documents two teams from the 1998 Little 500 through the 1999 race. Harnett and co-director David Haight followed Dodds House, a men's team that never won a race until 1998, and Chi Omega, a women's squad. The film ends with footage from the 50th race, contested last April. \nHarnett said he decided following two teams would show the hardships and training the average Little 500 rider experiences. Harnett went on spring break with both teams and interviewed Dodds and Chi Omega racers. \n"Following the two teams adds a contemporary element to things that happened 30 or 40 years ago," said Haight, a University of Michigan alumnus. "There are a lot of parallels between what happened in the race then and what happens now."
(02/05/01 5:37am)
The difference between the wrestlers from No. 1 Minnesota and No. 22 IU was apparent in the heavyweights' post-match wardrobes.\nMinnesota freshman Garrett Lowney walked from the locker room to the team bus after Friday's 25-12 win wearing a jacket from the 2000 Olympic Games. Senior heavyweight Mike Dixon left the Hoosiers' locker room wearing an IU letterman jacket.\nLowney had a good reason to wear the Olympic jacket. Prior to joining the Golden Gophers earlier this semester, Lowney spent the fall earning a bronze medal as a Greco-Roman wrestler for the United States in the Sydney Games.\nNow, Lowney is the No. 2 heavyweight in the country and an example of the talent coach J Robinson attracts to Minnesota. \n"They have had two or three No. 1 recruiting classes in the last five years," IU coach Duane Goldman said. "So, they're getting the best kids in the country. It's hard to compete against a lot of guys like that."\nDixon managed to compete with Lowney, losing 2-1 in a tight match. The match was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, but Lowney accumulated more riding time during the eight minutes to earn the win.\n"I was one takedown from winning that match," Dixon said. "I can beat that kid." \nBesides Dixon, junior Viktor Sveda (184 pounds) and sophomore Greg Schaefer (125 pounds) Hoosier wrestlers struggled to match-up with the talented Golden Gophers. Sveda and Schaefer were the only two Hoosiers to defeat Minnesota wrestlers in their matches.\nLike Lowney, every Minnesota starter is nationally ranked and has a realistic chance to qualify for the NCAA championships. Minnesota is one of college wrestling's top programs. The Golden Gophers are considered a favorite to win the NCAA team title in March.\n"They have second-string guys that could be ranked top 10 in the nation," Sveda said.\nIU is a top-25 program, and a few Hoosier wrestlers will qualify for the NCAA championships. Unlike basketball or football where upsets happen on a regular basis, there is a significant gap between teams like Minnesota and IU. \n"There is a big difference between the top five and six teams and the others," said Robinson, who has a 216-81-3 record in 15 seasons at Minnesota. "We probably have more balance than they do. They got two or three good guys, and we probably have eight or nine good guys"
(12/06/00 5:50am)
The best part of college football is what the sport lacks -- answers to important questions.\nDecember and January are fun times for college football fans. We watch more than 20 meaningless bowl games. We then watch a few important games and during this two-month span we argue.\nWe argue whether the national champion is really the best team. We argue which team had the toughest schedule. We argue whether college football should have a playoff system.\nWe argue whether the Bowl Championship Series is effective. We argue if the BCS is simply used to satisfy a few influential sponsors.\nWe argue if it's fair for a computer to determine who gets to play the most lucrative bowl games, and whether computers can determine intangible qualities such as heart or improvement.\nWe argue if the Oahu Bowl is a bigger game than the Music City Bowl. We argue the humanitarian value of the Humanitarian Bowl and if the game will have a huge impact on society.\nWe argue if money is the sole driving force behind the game. We argue if things will be like the old days when Army and Navy won more than a combined total of two games.\nWe argue if the spread offense will ever win a national championship. We argue if the wishbone will ever make a comeback.\nWe argue who will be the first coach to make more than $2 million per season. We argue whether players should get paid. We argue what coaches should receive pink slips.\nWe argue if Notre Dame receives special treatment because it has millions of fans who have billions of dollars. We argue if schools like Virginia Tech and Oregon State often get overlooked because they don't have the tradition or financial backing like Michigan or Texas.\nWe argue what's the best rivalry. Is it Army/Navy? Georgia/Georgia Tech? Texas/Texas A&M? Florida/Florida State? Michigan/Ohio State?\nWe argue who should win the Heisman Trophy. We argue if the Heisman Trophy is really given to college football's best player or if the award is just a product of publicity.\nWe argue which conference is the toughest. We argue which conference is overrated.\nWe argue who is the best coach. We argue if Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno will ever retire. We argue if Ohio State coach John Cooper will lead a team to a victory against Michigan in a big game.\nWe argue what team pays its players. We argue what team has the most criminals on its roster. We argue if any potential millionaires will buy thousands of dollars of clothing and jewelry at 500 percent discounts.\nWe argue if important games are ever played outside Florida. We argue if a team from California will once again contend for a national championship.\nWe argue if Temple, Vanderbilt or Rutgers will ever have a winning season. We argue if Florida State, Nebraska or Tennessee will ever experience a losing season.\nWe argue because we enjoy it. We argue because we have nothing better to do. We argue because no other collegiate or professional sport provides its fans with as many unanswered questions.
(11/20/00 5:11am)
WEST LAFAYETTE -- The scene at Ross-Ade Stadium was enough to make a diehard Indiana fan sick.\nThe stands were flooded with 69,104 fans, most of whom were dressed in Black and Gold. Fans waved towels saluting Purdue star quarterback Drew Brees throughout the game.\nAfter Purdue defeated IU 41-13, fans covered the field with roses and started planning trips to Pasadena, Calif., as the Boilermakers earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1967. \n"We have a team that will never be forgotten," said Purdue sophomore running back Montrell Lowe, who rushed for a career-high 208 yards.\nAfter the game, the Boilermakers received the Old Oaken Bucket, the Big Ten Championship Trophy and an official invitation to the Rose Bowl. While the Boilermakers celebration spread to the stadium's south end zone, a few feet away the Hoosiers were walking to the locker room with heads down. \nIU closed its 2000 season Saturday, finishing 3-8 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten. Purdue edged Northwestern and Michigan for the conference title with an 8-3 overall record and a 6-2 record in the conference. \nThe Boilermakers' season isn't near completion. The team will spend next month preparing for its Jan. 1 game against Pac-10 champion Washington in the Rose Bowl. \n"This is by far the most incredible experience of my life," said Brees on the public address system during the celebration.\nOne of the reasons Brees bypassed last April's NFL Draft was to have a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. With one game remaining, Brees ranks in the top 10 of the NCAA's all-time total offense, passing yardage, completions and attempts categories. And he will be playing in a Rose Bowl.\nBrees completed 20-of-29 passes for 216 yards Saturday. Brees finished the season with 3,393 passing yards, 286 completions and 24 touchdown passes.\n"Drew did everything he could possibly do put this team in the Rose Bowl," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said.\nBut Tiller was probably just as important in securing Purdue's trip to Pasadena. \nTiller has guided the Boilermakers to bowl games in each of his four seasons. His record at Purdue is 33-15, making him a popular man on the Purdue campus. \nWhen Purdue athletics director Morgan Burke introduced Tiller during the postgame celebration fans started chanting "Joe, Joe, Joe."\n"To be a part of this is something special," Tiller said.
(11/17/00 4:55am)
The war of words is at a season-high this week as the football team prepares for Saturday's "Old Oaken Bucket" game at Purdue. On the IU side, some players are using the trash talking as motivation, while others are ignoring it.\nSenior defensive tackle Paul Mandina is the type of player who likes to engage in war on the football field.\nHe battles offensive lineman every play. He never finishes a game with a clean uniform. When the game is over, he always takes a loss personally. \nIt can be said that Mandina has warrior-like mentality, but one type of battle Mandina shies away from is a war of words with opponents. So, as IU prepares for its annual game against its biggest rival, don't expect Mandina to engage in any pregame trash talking.\n"There will probably be a lot of stuff in the paper with guys exchanging words trying to belittle the other side," he said. "But you got to focus on the team."\nSenior fullback De'Wayne Hogan is also a physical player. Hogan said he doesn't do much trash talking, but that doesn't mean he won't enjoy listening to the Boilermakers\' pregame thoughts.\n"I love to hear trash talk," Hogan said. "I love to see the other team try to get us. It makes me want to go out there and run even harder and try to rip someone's helmet off."\nNeither Mandina nor Hogan have earned a chance to brag about their role in an IU victory against Purdue. Mandina, a fifth-year senior, was on the sidelines as a scout team member when IU last defeated Purdue in 1996.\nMandina remembers the emotions displayed in the locker room after the Hoosiers 33-16 victory. He was a redshirt freshman from Rochester, N.Y., and besides what he had saw in the movie "Hoosiers," Mandina didn't know much about IU. After witnessing his first "Bucket" game, he realized the IU-Purdue rivalry was special. \n"For any player to say the 'Bucket' doesn't have a significant meaning, then I can't imagine they are being 100 percent honest with themselves," Mandina said.\nHogan is from Indianapolis, a city torn between the two schools. Hogan said many of his friends are Purdue fans and he doesn't want to return home without the 'Bucket' for the fourth consecutive year. Hogan's friends will have even more to brag about if the Boilermakers win. A victory will earn Purdue its first Rose Bowl berth since 1967. \n"This is a totally different game," Hogan said. "I (have) a lot of friends that go to Purdue, so I'm hearing about how good Purdue is, and that hurts me inside because I can't say anything about Indiana being the best Indiana team. We're going to make it worthwhile this year."\nAlthough the Hoosiers are just 3-7 and were eliminated from postseason play two weeks ago, upsetting Purdue and winning back the "Bucket" would make the offseason seem a little easier.\n"This is obviously an important game," coach Cam Cameron said. "You talk to anyone that has played in it or coached in it, you're going to feel good about this game if you win it, no matter what the situation is, and this year would be the same case"
(11/15/00 5:16am)
Senior fullback De'Wayne Hogan got a big kick in the rear end last year by one of his teammates.\nIt was the kind of kick that served as a wakeup call. When the kick hit him, he knew he needed to work hard in the offseason and even harder in practice.\nHeading into his last game in an IU uniform, Hogan owes a lot of his success as a fullback to sophomore Jeremi Johnson. Throughout the past two seasons, Hogan and Johnson have battled for playing time at fullback. Midway through this season, Hogan won the battle.\n"De'Wayne Hogan is having an amazing season if you look where he has come as a freshman," senior defensive tackle Paul Mandina said. \nThe battle for IU's starting fullback job started in the summer of 1999, when Johnson arrived as a highly touted recruit from Ballard, Ky. Hogan was battling Johnson for the starting job after serving as Chris Gall's backup in 1998. Hogan started his IU career as a tailback in 1997 and was still adjusting to fullback in 1999.\n"Jeremi Johnson really pushed me when he came in," Hogan said. "That made me the player I am right now. If it wasn't for him, I would probably be rotating. He made me go out and work even harder and strive towards what I wanted to do."\nHogan started six games last season. Johnson started four. When training camp ended in August, the Hoosiers still didn't have a clear-cut No.1 fullback.\nJohnson and Hogan split time for six games. Hogan then emerged as IU's primary fullback in IU's 51-43 victory against Minnesota Oct. 21. Johnson hasn't carried the ball since an Oct. 14 loss at Michigan.\n"I was telling him the whole year, 'We can't be sharing this position,'" Hogan said to Johnson. "'It's either you will be starting or I'm going to start.'"\nFor the season, Hogan has gained 280 yards on 50 carries, while Johnson has gained 103 yards on 20 carries. Hogan has added five rushing touchdowns.\n"Hogan is playing his best football," coach Cam Cameron said. \nHogan will start the final game of his career Saturday at No. 17 Purdue. In addition to Saturday's showdown being his final game, it is special for Hogan because the Hoosiers have a chance to ruin their biggest rival's Rose Bowl dreams. A Purdue win and the Boilermakers (7-3, 5-2 Big Ten) are guaranteed to play in the Rose Bowl.\n"We're trying to leave Indiana on a good note," Hogan said. "We're trying to get them started in the right direction. We're not here to spoil any bowl games. We're here to do our job." \nHogan said he's approaching his final game like a 'Bowl Game.' Saturday will be as close as Hogan will get to playing a postseason game. The Hoosiers are 3-7 and were eliminated from being bowl-eligible after losing at Illinois Nov. 4. Hogan, who is from Indianapolis, has never been played for an IU team that has defeated Purdue in the "Old Oaken Bucket" game.\n"This is all I have left," Hogan said. "I really want that Bucket back. I want to be a part of something good before I leave, and (beating Purdue) would be the best thing"
(11/13/00 5:03am)
For 29 minutes, the football team prevented Wisconsin from tearing apart its vulnerable defense. But during the last minute of the first half, the Badgers scored and the Hoosiers never recovered.\nIU yielded more than 40 points for the seventh time in 10 games as it fell 43-22 Saturday before 30,469 at Memorial Stadium. The Badgers scored 36 points in the second half after taking a 7-6 lead into halftime.\nThe Hoosiers (3-7, 2-5 in Big Ten play) had a plethora of chances to upset the Badgers, who became bowl eligible with the victory. IU forced three Wisconsin (7-4, 3-4) fumbles in the first half, but failed to take advantage of the Badgers' mistakes, scoring just three points off turnovers. \n"It's frustrating when you get so many turnovers and the score stays the same," senior strong safety Johnny Anderson said.\nJunior quarterback Antwaan Randle El had 351 yards of offense, including 156 yards rushing, but hurt IU's chances with four turnovers. In addition to throwing three interceptions, Randle El fumbled in the first quarter.\n"He doesn't want to turn the football over, and we have turned the ball over more than we can overcome," coach Cam Cameron said. \nThe first of three consecutive Wisconsin fumbles occurred with 3:12 remaining in the first quarter, as Anderson recovered running back Michael Bennett's miscue. Less than four minutes later, senior kicker Andy Payne connected on a 50-yard field goal attempt, giving IU a 6-0 lead. \n IU failed to produce any points from Wisconsin's next two fumbles, and with less than a minute remaining in the half, the Badgers managed to protect and move the ball in the same drive. \n After starting quarterback Brooks Bollinger left the game with a sprained left ankle, freshman Jim Sorgi led a final-minute drive, giving Wisconsin a one-point lead heading into halftime. The four-play, 80-yard drive lasted just 25 seconds and concluded with Sorgi's 26-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans.\n"In the locker room we felt we were still in it, which we were," said Randle El when asked about the team's mood at halftime.\nPrior to the final drive of the half, Wisconsin had gained 129 yards on 25 plays. The Badgers ended the game gaining 435 yards of total offense, 228 rushing and 207 passing. IU's defense held Bennett, the NCAA's fourth leading rusher, to just 51 yards on 10 carries.\nSorgi was solid in place of Bollinger, completing 16-of-21 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Sorgi's most spectacular play was a 47-yard run on the opening drive of the second half, setting up a 14-yard touchdown pass to John Sigmund increasing the lead to 14-6.\n"I don't think I've ever had a 47-yard run before," Sorgi said. "If I was as quick as Antwaan Randle El, it might be a little different." \nRandle El's 58-yard touchdown run closed the gap to 14-12 midway through the third quarter, but IU failed to convert a two-point conversion that would've tied the game. \nWisconsin then scored 22 unanswered points, taking a 36-15 lead with 4:54 remaining in the game. Freshman running back Brian Lewis, replacing junior Levron Williams, who missed the game with a groin pull, scored on an eight-yard run trimming the Badgers' lead to 36-22 with 3:18 remaining.\nThe ensuing onside kick fell into the hands of Evans, who carried the ball 34 yards for a touchdown. After recovering the kick, Evans ran untouched on his way to scoring the game's decisive touchdown. \n"You make those mistakes against a sound football team," Cameron said, "which Wisconsin is, and you have no chance"
(11/10/00 6:03am)
Every college football player realizes one day he will step foot on his home turf for the final time. \nFor Versie Gaddis and Johnny Anderson, that day will come Saturday, when the Hoosiers play Wisconsin in their final home game of the season at Memorial Stadium.\nGaddis' and Anderson's respective journeys to this point in their careers haven't been easy. Both players have battled adversity throughout their careers.\nGaddis, a fifth-year senior, has experienced five straight losing seasons. Gaddis has dealt with critics who mocked him for dropping passes.\nAnderson had to battle the streets of Fort Pierce, Fla. and the junior college ranks before stepping foot on the IU campus two years ago. Anderson found a new life at IU, and his career at will conclude Saturday with two special visitors watching him. \nTHE GRIZZLED VETERAN\nGaddis is one of the few players remaining from the Bill Mallory days, and in five years at IU he has never played for a team that has won more than four games in a season.\nIn 1996, Gaddis, who played high school football in Atlanta, was one of four true freshmen to earn a letter after catching seven passes for 146 yards. \nThe following spring, Gaddis tore his anterior cruciate ligament and was forced to sit out the entire 1997 season. Gaddis received a medical redshirt, giving him an extra year of eligibility.\nGaddis caught just five passes in 1998, but came on strong in 1999 catching 35 passes for 633 yards. \nDuring the off-season, Gaddis' teammates selected him as a co-captain and he has served as one of the Hoosiers' vocal leaders throughout this season. \n"He has overcome a lot of adversity throughout his career," coach Cam Cameron said. "He has been a tremendous captain, as good as we've had."\nOn the field, Gaddis is having another solid season. After nine games, he leads the Hoosiers with 27 receptions for 537 yards. Gaddis' best game of the season was a six catch, 155 yard performance in a 51-43 victory Oct. 21 against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium.\nGaddis has not been invited to play in any postseason All-Star games yet, but he said he would like to pursue a career in pro football. He has already graduated from IU with a general studies degree and a minor in telecommunications. If a pro football career work out, Gaddis would like to do behind-the-scenes work in radio or television.\n"It has been a long, long road," Gaddis said of his IU career. "I want to go out and play a great game (Saturday). More importantly, I want to show my teammates that even though we're not going to a bowl game, I'm not going to quit. I want to finish with a bang."\n \nThe "Superhero"\nAnderson never thought he would reach this point in his football career.\nDuring his career at Westwood High School in Fort Pierce, Anderson said he spent time in and out of juvenile facilities.\nFootball proved to be Anderson's salvation and he eventually played in the junior college ranks for the Community College of San Francisco. Anderson received Golden Gate Conference Player-of-the-Year honors in the fall of 1998, and the following semester Anderson joined the IU program on a full scholarship.\nShortly after he signed with the Hoosiers, Anderson's mother died from a sudden illness, leaving behind two daughters, Sameathis and Niece, 14 and 17, respectively, who are now in Anderson's custody.\nAnderson started two games in 1999 and finished the season with 15 tackles. This season, he is one of the backbones on IU's defense. Anderson leads the team with 75 tackles heading into Saturday's game.\n"Johnny is a superhero," Gaddis said. "Johnny is in another world when he is out there. He plays to win. I don't care if we are down 50-0, Johnny is out there hitting and he isn't scared of anything. I don't think I've ever seen a player who has that much attitude and that much confidence on the field." \nAnderson was recently invited to play in January's Hula Bowl, which is one of college football's premiere All-Star games. Anderson said thoughts of playing in the NFL have crossed his mind, but he said he won't be nervous during the Hula Bowl.\n"I will just face it as another game and make the most out of it," he said. "It's my last opportunity to finish my resume as a college player." \nAnderson has two more games in an IU uniform. Besides being his last game home game, Saturday's game will be special because Sameathis and Niece are making the trip from Florida to watch him play for the first time in his collegiate career.\n"It's going to be a big game for me," Anderson said. "That's why I want to prepare as much as I can and give at all I got"
(11/10/00 5:54am)
What's up Lennox,\nHow does it feel to be the heavyweight champion few Americans care about? With the exception of one punch and a quick stoppage against Oliver McCall in 1994, your career is almost perfect. Still, in the eyes of the American public, you're not as charismatic and haven't defeated the quality of opponents like other great heavyweights.\n Not many people on this side of the Atlantic seem to care that your fame is handled with class or that your name is never found in the police blotter. Sure, you might come across as cocky on television, but what boxing champion doesn't talk boastfully of himself when the cameras and microphones are rolling?\nYou have defeated all comers and have an impressive 37-1-1 record. Instead of crying for an extended period of time after a controversial draw with Evander Holyfield, you went out and easily defeated him in a rematch a few months later.\nFor some reason Holyfield is considered one of the greatest heavyweights ever. Many of the same people who hold Holyfield in such high regard are the same doubters who say you need a defining victory before you are mentioned in the same breath as Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis or even Holyfield.\nYou're easily the United Kingdom's greatest pugilist. But even your fellow countrymen often take your success for granted.\nFor the past three years very few boxers have dominated a division like you -- stampeding through the heavyweight class. Michael Grant was embarrassed by you in April. Grant was supposed to be one of the brightest heavyweight prospects and one of the few fighters who could match your size. But Grant, like many of your previous opponents, quickly discovered he didn't deserve to be in the same ring. \nIn July it took you two rounds to land a brutal combination and stop Frans Botha. There are no heavyweights in the world that mix one-punch knockout power with crafty combinations like you do.\nAndrew Golota couldn't last a round with you. Oliver McCall left the ring in tears in a rematch as you regained the title in 1997. Henry Akinwande was scared of getting hit by one of your punches, so he decided to hug you like a teddy bear. \nNow, you fight David Tua Saturday in Las Vegas. Tua is supposed to be the world's top heavyweight prospect. He will enter the ring with a 37-1 record and is supposed to have more power than any fighter you've faced.\nThe problem with Tua is that he has never faced a fighter like you. Many of Tua's victories have come against journeymen like Shane Sutcliffe, Obed Sullivan and Robert Daniels. \nAnother problem Tua will encounter is the fact he might need a step ladder to land a punch on your face. Tua stands just 5-foot-9, eight inches smaller than your 6-foot-5 frame.\nTua has a chance, but it would take the punch of his life to knock you out. A win against Tua is considered a solid victory, but it won't bring you the greatness you desperately seek.\nTo prove yourself to the demanding American fans and the rest of the world, the one man you need to beat is expected to be sitting ringside Saturday night. Yeah, that's right I'm taking time out of my busy schedule to watch you.\nYou need me and I need you. It would be one of the most eagerly anticipated heavyweight bouts in almost 20 years. It would also be the richest fight in history. You could walk away with at least $25 million for working less than hour.\nBut it's not the money that you desire. Beat me and you're one of greatest heavyweights ever. A loss and the critics are going to label you as a "lame duck" champion. \nI want to fight you. Why else would I show up at your public workout in New York last week and make the trip to Las Vegas to see Saturday's fight? \nAnd if what you say in interviews is true, then you want to fight me. So, do yourself and the boxing world a favor. Pound Tua this weekend. Call my handlers and let's get it on.\nIf this happens, then greatness is only a few months away. Well, it's more like the beating of your life is a few months away.\n-- "Iron" Mike Tyson
(11/09/00 4:39am)
Talk of the football team qualifying for its first bowl game since 1993 started during offseason conditioning. \nBy the start of spring practice in March, the Hoosiers were a confident team. In the summer months before the season, some people in the program were confident the Hoosiers would play in the postseason.\nAfter a few early season setbacks, the bowl talk returned when IU defeated then-No. 22 Minnesota Oct. 21, improving its record to 3-4. Three weeks after the program's biggest win in four years, postseason hopes are permanently gone.\nWhen IU fell 42-35 last weekend at Illinois, the Hoosiers record dropped to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten. A team must win six games and finish with a record above .500 to qualify for the postseason. With two games remaining, IU has no chance of reaching either plateau. The Hoosiers are also guaranteed their sixth consecutive losing season.\nThere were signs of disappointment and frustration in the locker room after the loss to Illinois, but the Hoosiers don't plan to approach this week differently. Coach Cam Cameron said he expects his team to play hard Saturday against Wisconsin and next weekend at No. 9 Purdue, even though one of IU's major goals is unobtainable.\n"With the character we have on this team and the pride in the way that we approach things, you don't want to take all of that and throw it away the last week or two of the season," Cameron said.\nSome of the character Cameron is talking about is directed toward the senior class. No member of IU's graduating class has played for a winning team or a squad that has won more than four games in a season.\n"Most guys are looking at the last couple weeks of playing football again," Cameron said. "I think they realize they want to make the most of it." \nSenior safety Johnny Anderson, who was selected to play in the Hula Bowl Jan. 20, leads IU with 75 tackles this season. Anderson said he is approaching the end of his collegiate career differently from some other players on losing teams.\n"I'm excited because I have three bowl games left," he said. "I'm going to take the Wisconsin game and turn it into a bowl game for me. Purdue will be a bowl game. And the Hula Bowl will be a bowl game. I turned out better than most teams. I'm going to make the most out of each one of those." \nSenior wide receiver and co-captain Versie Gaddis is in his fifth season with the program. IU has a disappointing 16-35 record since Gaddis arrived in 1996. Rather than feel sorry for himself and the team, Gaddis is taking a approach similar to Anderson's when mentally preparing for his final two games in an IU uniform.\n"If you say right now, 'Well we're not going to a bowl game and what's the use of going out and practicing hard,' then you're acting like a quitter and you're acting like a loser," Gaddis said. "We worked hard all summer to do our best the entire season no matter what the outcome is. Things don't always happen the way you want, but you just can't drop everything when things go wrong"
(11/08/00 1:44am)
No part of the football team has struggled more than the secondary.\nName a pass defense statistic and it's a good bet IU is buried at the bottom of the category. The categories in which IU ranks last in the Big Ten include:\n• Completions allowed -- IU has allowed 204 completions in nine games, which is 20 more than any other conference team.\n• Interceptions forced -- The Hoosiers have intercepted just three passes all season.\n• Touchdowns allowed -- Opponents have completed 21 passing touchdowns against the Hoosiers.\n• Passing yard allowed. Teams are averaging 284.1 yards passing per game against IU.\nIU's poor pass defense is a major reason why the Hoosiers rank last in the Big Ten and 111th out of 114 teams nationally in total defense, allowing 453.9 yards per game.\nSaturday, during IU's 42-35 defeat at Illinois, the secondary struggled. Illinois junior quarterback Kurt Kittner completed 21-of-29 passes for 277 yards, and three touchdowns.\n"As you look at it, the most disappointing thing was that they had three big plays, two of which resulted in touchdowns in double coverage," coach Cam Cameron said at his weekly news conference.\nHurting IU in the Illinois game was the absence of junior cornerback Sharrod Wallace, who injured his ankle Oct. 28 against Penn State. Junior Marcus Floyd and sophomore A.C. Carter replaced Wallace in the lineup. \n"Sharrod is our best cover corner by far," senior strong safety Johnny Anderson said. "We put in two guys who don\'t have much experience, and you can tell the Illinois coach knew that."\nWallace, who started every game prior to the injury, is listed as probable for this Saturday's game against Wisconsin. Cameron said the team won't know Wallace's status until the end of the week.\nDespite IU's struggle with the pass, Cameron said he won't make any major personnel changes at cornerback this weekend. \nCompared to other Big Ten teams, IU doesn't have much experience or depth in the secondary. Floyd and Carter are converted tailbacks, playing their first collegiate season as defensive backs.\nOther cornerbacks, freshman Duane Stone, senior Orlando Spencer and Wallace have been used interchangeably throughout the season, while Floyd and Carter have seen more action in recent weeks.\n"The thing they don't have that would help them a lot is experience," senior wide receiver Versie Gaddis said. "If you would've have seen them in the summer compared to now, they've improved a lot. It's kind of hard for people in the stands to tell because they weren't here in the summer"
(11/06/00 7:06am)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois was in many ways similar to Indiana heading into Saturday's game.\nLike the Hoosiers, the Fighting Illini entered the game after a disappointing loss last weekend. Like IU, Illinois needed a late season surge to qualify for postseason play. Like their opponent, the Fighting Illini had a junior quarterback, who knows how to make big plays.\nIU quarterback junior Antwaan Randle El and Illinois' Kurt Kittner made their share of big plays. Without Randle El's impressive performance, it's doubtful the IU option would have been so effective. And without Kittner playing a mistake-free game, the Fighting Illini might not have escaped with a 42-35 victory.\nLast week, Illinois coach Ron Turner said Randle El was the best player in college football. After watching him gain 209 yards rushing against his team, Turner's opinion remains unchanged.\n"He is a great player and a great competitor," Turner said. "I said at the start of the week he might be the best quarterback in the country. He is something special."\nTurner's players were also impressed with Randle El, who carried the ball 32 times against the Fighting Illini. Randle El regularly receives praise for his quickness, elusiveness and playmaking abilities. \nRandle El has shown grit and toughness the entire season. After most games Randle El's offensive moves and ability to run the option overshadow his resilience.\nIn addition to playing quarterback, Randle El is IU's punter, a position vulnerable to physical contact. Illinois took advantage of Randle El's play as a punter in the fourth quarter. \nAfter a punt, Randle El was thrown to the ground and then pushed around by five Illinois players. Randle El quickly bounced up and verbally sparred with the crowd circled around him. Illinois was flagged for roughing the kicker and the Hoosiers received an automatic first down.\nIllinois defensive tackle Fred Wakefield said when Randle El got up he told the players gathered around him, "I will take you all on."\n"You got to give him credit," Wakefield said. "He was ready to fight and he's a great competitor."\nKittner is also a competitor. Last weekend at Michigan State, Kittner had one of his worst games as a college quarterback, completing 13-of-29 passes for 104 yards. \nKittner rebounded against IU, connecting on 21-of-29 passes for 277 yards. He also tossed three touchdown passes and rushed for the game-winning touchdown with 25 seconds remaining.\n"We knew if we had the ball last we would win the game," Kittner said.\nLike Randle El, Kittner is a leader. Last Monday, Kittner was the last player to leave the practice field and had no reservations about taking accountability for his poor play against Michigan State.\n"I said at the beginning of the week I was going to do more than I've ever done all year and that was exactly what I did," Kittner said.\nThe win improved the Fighting Illini's record to 5-4 and 2-4 in the Big Ten. If the Fighting Illini defeat Ohio State or Northwestern they become bowl eligible. If Illinois is going to qualify for a bowl it's a good bet Kittner will have a big part in determining his team's fate.
(11/03/00 9:29am)
Junior defensive back Marcus Floyd said he's blessed.\nHe's not blessed in physical stature. Floyd stands just 5-foot-9 and weighs 191 pounds. \nHe's not blessed with amazing defensive statistics this season. Floyd hasn't intercepted multiple passes, and he isn't constantly pressuring the quarterback.\nInstead Floyd said he's blessed with the ability to make plays and that's why he's thriving in his role on IU's kick and punt coverage teams.\n"That's the one time you get out and you don't have to do much thinking about the scheme or anything," Floyd said. "You just go out and make plays."\nFloyd has made plenty of plays on special teams this season. Although the stat sheet doesn't have a separate category for special teams tackles, many of Floyd's 19 tackles have come on kick or punt coverages.\nUnless a kicker misses a field goal or a returnman makes a great run, special teams players are often overlooked by most football fans. Those who understand football realize a failed kick or blown punt coverage could be the difference in a close game. Coach Cam Cameron has stressed the importance of special teams the entire season and that's why he is not hesitant to complement Floyd.\n"Marcus has had a heck of a year for us," Cameron said. "Especially in the kicking game."\nWhen the Hoosiers fail to make plays on special teams, Floyd blames himself. Despite defeating Minnesota 51-43 two weekends ago, Floyd was disappointed he failed to make a play on Jermaine Mays' 100-yard kickoff return at the beginning of the second half.\n"I took a bad angle and I couldn't catch him," Floyd said. "I took that to heart. I let my guys down. I should've made the play." \nFloyd has taken his ability to make plays and the accountability for his mistakes to the defense, a group always searching for playmakers. Last week against Penn State, Floyd started his first game as cornerback alongside junior Sharrod Wallace. Saturday against Illinois, Floyd is expected to start his second consecutive game on defense.\nPlaying defense is new for Floyd, who is in his third position since arriving at IU in 1997. Floyd was an all-state selection as a tailback after helping Bartow High School (Fla.) to a class 4A championship. When he arrived at IU, Floyd joined fellow freshmen O.J. Conner and Tyrone Browning to form the team's group of wide receivers.\nThe following year, Floyd started six games at running back, gaining 323 yards on 68 carries. With the emergence of then-sophomore tailback Levron Williams and freshman Brian Lewis sitting through a redshirt season, there weren't enough carries for everyone. So, Floyd approached Cameron about moving to defensive back.\n"Things weren't going the way I would've liked for them to at tailback," Floyd said. "I felt like a could help the team more as a defensive back."\nFloyd sat out last season as a redshirt. He practiced with IU's scout team, while learning how to play cornerback at the collegiate level, and last spring he officially moved to defensive back.\n"I have the ability to play the position," he said. "But I have to work on the little things like staying low, breaking on the ball and looking at my keys."\nOne of the major disadvantages Floyd has at cornerback is his size. Most wide receivers in the Big Ten are a few inches taller than Floyd and some like Illinois' Walter Young are eight inches taller. Floyd said he makes up for the size disadvantages by being aggressive and having confidence in his abilities.\nFloyd has no shortage of confidence of his ability on special teams. Floyd's goal now is to bring his confidence and enthusiasm to IU's defense. \n"I see myself as both," Floyd said when asked if he views himself as a special teams or defensive player. "Special teams is more natural for me."\nFloyd still has a year of eligibility and should be a major factor on both special teams and defense next season. By the time he leaves IU, it's safe to say he will be one of the few players in the program's history to make significant contributions at all three phases of the game.\n"He's a guy who is a tailback and then moved over to secondary, hasn't played a lot of corner, but is getting more and more comfortable and has had a real impact in the kicking game," Cameron said. "He's turned out to be a good football player"
(11/02/00 4:18am)
Many coaches in Cam Cameron's shoes would be frustrated by now.\nFor three years, the football coach has witnessed his team lose too many close games in the final minutes. This season is no different, as three of the Hoosiers' five losses have been decided in the last minutes of the game. Saturday against Penn State, Cameron's team fell 27-24 on a field goal with less than one minute remaining. \nIU had its best chance in six meetings to knock off the Nittany Lions, but couldn't stop Penn State from kicking a game-winning field goal in its final drive of the game. \nDespite losing another close game, Cameron said at his Tuesday news conference if he started to show signs of frustration, it would only create new problems for the Hoosiers.\n"If you start feeling frustrated, that's going to carry over to everyone else in the program," Cameron said. "Obviously, you're disappointed after the ballgame; you're disappointed for the seniors who don't get another chance to beat a Penn State. But you can't let frustration get the best of you. If you do, you give yourself no chance."\nIU (3-5, 2-3 Big Ten) started the season losing close games. In their opening game against North Carolina State, the Hoosiers blew a 12-point lead in the final five minutes and lost 41-38 to the Wolfpack. A week later at Kentucky, the Hoosiers led 26-21 at halftime before losing 41-34. \nAfter winning close games against Iowa in Week 4 of the season and Week 7 against then-No.22 Minnesota, the Hoosiers took a step back against Penn State. \n"If you look at every game, it comes down to one play, and one play that someone could've made where it could've been a difference in the game," sophomore defensive tackle Jamil Frink said. "We are a good team."\nThe Hoosiers must now win their three remaining games to qualify for postseason play. After the Illinois road game, the Hoosiers play Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium and close the season Nov. 18 in West Lafayette against No. 11 Purdue.\n"We know we've made some mistakes," senior cornerback Marcus Floyd said. "but we can't change the past. All we can do is learn from it. We're trying to stay positive. Our goals for the season are still alive and we're just trying to take it one game at a time."\nCameron said he told the team after the Penn State game a few plays at the right time and the Hoosiers would've picked up a "heckuva" a win against one of college football's premier teams. Now, Cameron and his team must find a way to regroup for IU's final three games. Cameron said this week, the Hoosiers are focusing on Illinois and nothing else.\n"We got three games to play mentally," Cameron said. "One of our goals would be to play in the postseason and this game gets you one step closer to that. That's why we're not focusing on three games, we're focusing on one game. There's still a lot of football to play this season"
(10/30/00 6:17am)
The men's basketball team's annual Red/White game had the feel of a scrimmage despite being played on television and in front of 1,500 fans at Assembly Hall.\nTurnovers and airballs were common. Both teams often struggled on defense. And the referees earned their paychecks calling 27 fouls in just 30 minutes.\nSo it's not surprising that after the White team's 77-55 victory, the players and coach Mike Davis said the team isn't anywhere near a finished product.\n"At times we looked good, but otherwise it was pretty ugly," junior guard Dane Fife said after the scrimmage. "We got a lot of work to do. I think we may have took a step back today. I don't know how Coach Davis feels, but I wasn't happy."\nDavis said the team played with intensity for the first five minutes, but then there was a drop-off.\n"I don't think you can expect a lot from a game like this when guys are out there for the first time," he said.\nFreshman center George Leach's play was the biggest surprise of the scrimmage. Leach led all scorers with 21 points. He scored nine points playing for the Red team in the first half before switching to the White squad at halftime.\nWhile playing for the White team, the 6-foot-11 Leach had the opportunity to play alongside 6-foot-10 junior center Kirk Haston, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Jeffrey Newton and 6-foot-9 freshman forward Jared Jeffries. Leach scored 12 points in the final 15 minutes.\n"He surprised me," Davis said about Leach's performance.\nLeach displayed a soft left-hook shot and explosive dunking ability throughout the game. But after the game Leach said he wasn't pleased with his rebounding and defense. He finished with seven rebounds and two blocks.\n"I played horrible on defense and I didn't have enough rebounds," Leach said. "I had two blocks, which isn't enough for me. I got some things to work on."\nLeach was one of five freshmen playing in Sunday's contest. The scrimmage marked the first competitive game at Assembly Hall for freshman guards A.J. Moye and Andre Owens, along with forwards Mike Roberts and Jared Jeffries.\n"I'm not in Georgia playing in front of 200 to 300 person crowds anymore," said Moye, an Atlanta native, who scored 15 points playing the entire game for the Red team. \nIU has just an 11-man roster, so every player saw significant playing time in the scrimmage. The game started with Leach, Moye, Owens, Roberts and sophomore guard Tom Coverdale playing for the Red team. Jeffries, Haston, Fife, Newton, junior forward Jarrad Odle and sophomore guard Kyle Hornsby played for the White team. Leach and Owens moved to the White team, and Fife and Odle moved to the Red squad at halftime.\nThe White team, which started the game with three returning starters from last season's team, led 44-31 at halftime. A scary moment occurred with 5:13 remaining in the first half as Haston walked off the court with a cut below his right eye. He played in the second half and received stitches after the game.\nSeven players scored in double figures, including Fife and Jeffries, who scored 19 and 15 points, respectively. Haston was the game's leading rebounder with nine and Fife led in assists with seven.\nThe Hoosiers first exhibition game is Nov. 5 against Athletes in Action at Assembly Hall. The regular season begins Nov. 14 against Pepperdine in the first round of the Preseason NIT.\n"We have been scrimmaging five-on-five against the same guys everyday," Leach said. "We are ready to play against some other guys"
(10/30/00 5:55am)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Penn State senior quarterback Rashard Casey didn't want to watch.\nAfter Casey marched his team 52 yards in less than two minutes, his teammates' hopes of defeating IU rested on the foot of senior kicker Ryan Primanti. \nWith 12:14 remaining in the fourth quarter, Primanti missed a 27-yard field goal. Now with 18 seconds left in the game, Primanti had a chance to break a 24-24 tie.\n"I really didn't want to watch it," Casey said. "But I had confidence in him."\nPrimanti did nothing to disappoint Casey or his teammates, as Primanti's 39-yard field goal attempt split the uprights, improving Penn State's record to 4-5 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten.\n"It was close the entire game and I knew at some point it was going to come down to a big kick or a big play," said Primanti, who last kicked a game-winning field goal as a high school senior. "I'm just fortunate it was a special teams play." \nThroughout Penn State's final drive, Primanti waited anxiously on the sideline. The Nittany Lions started their final drive with 1:55 left, but had no timeouts after using all three earlier in the half.\nOn first down with 22 seconds remaining, Penn State coach Joe Paterno decided to call on Primanti. Casey just completed a four-yard pass to senior tight end Tony Stewart, who ran out-of-bounds to stop the clock. Paterno said he decided Primanti was going to kick the field goal on first down because he didn't want to risk someone getting tackled in the middle of the field and not having time for a field goal.\n"I was ready," Primanti said. "I knew at anytime we would go for that last kick."\nWhen Primanti's field goal sailed wide right earlier in the half it was his first miss in nine attempts. As he marched back to the sideline, Paterno was the first to console his kicker.\n"Hey, they all miss once in awhile," said Paterno, who is three wins from passing Paul "Bear" Bryant as college football's all-time winningest coach. \nDespite the kick's short distance, it flew from a weird angle. Primanti said he got careless and didn't focus on putting the ball through the uprights. \n"Sometimes in practice, sure, I've had the same problem," he said. "It's more of an alignment problem than kicking the ball."\nFortunately for Primanti's sake, he didn't have to wait long to redeem himself. Less than four minutes after the miss, Primanti calmly made a 39-yard field, giving Penn State a 24-21 lead. Primanti said attempting another field goal shortly after the miss made it easier for him to regain his confidence.\nPrimanti's teammates said they never lost confidence in Primanti. Nittany Lion junior running back Eric McCoo was thinking "he'll make it" the moment Primanti stepped on the field in the closing seconds.\n"We have confidence in our teammates," McCoo said. "He has confidence when we're out there with the ball and we have confidence with his leg to put it through the upright"
(10/27/00 6:34am)
Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State are considered the Big Ten's "big three."\nEvery year, when a season begins, it's expected that the three teams will contend for the conference title. But in 2000, a year where logic is being defied in the Big Ten, Penn State needs a perfect record in its four remaining games to qualify for a bowl game. \nThe Nittany Lions (3-5, 2-2) hope to inch closer to a .500 record, 6 p.m. Saturday against IU at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers (3-4, 2-2) also have some things to prove against the Nittany Lions.\nAn IU win against Penn State would:\n• Serve as IU's first victory against Penn State. The Hoosiers have never won in five contests against the Nittany Lions.\n• Give IU its first win against a "big three" team since a 41-7 victory against Ohio State in 1988.\n• Prove the Hoosiers can follow a big win -- IU defeated then-No. 23 Minnesota 51-43 last Saturday -- with another quality win.\n"We won a game, but we're still in the same situation," senior wide receiver Versie Gaddis said. "We've got to focus. We have to feel the same way we did last week and take the same approach as last week."\nCoach Cam Cameron, who started coaching in 1997, has never defeated a "big three" team. He said he's not concerned with teams the Hoosiers defeat, as long as they win.\n"It will give us one more win, which obviously we need at this point," Cameron said. "That's our approach. We aren't getting into the approach -- a win over this team, a win over that team -- it's a win."\nFor IU to defeat Penn State, the team needs another solid week of practice and a complete effort Saturday.\nPenn State isn't having its best season, they stumbled early in the season, dropping four of their first five contests, including an embarrassing 24-6 loss to Toledo Sept. 2 at home. The Nittany Lions are 2-1 in their last three games, including last week's 39-25 victory against Illinois and a 22-20 triumph against conference-leading Purdue, Sept. 30.\nBut last week's victory, before a Homecoming crowd of 96,745 at Beaver Stadium, sparked life into the Nittany Lions. Coach Joe Paterno, who is four wins from passing Paul "Bear" Bryant as college football's all-time winningest coach, gave his team an emotional speech the night before facing the Fighting Illini.\nPaterno's speech ignited the team, especially quarterback Rashard Casey, who completed 13-of-24 passes for 208 yards and rushed for 94 yards on 12 carries. Penn State's offense, which struggled early in the season, produced its second highest point total this season against Illinois.\n"We are getting better," Paterno said of the offense. "I thought we did some things well on Saturday. We have to do some things better and more consistently as we go down the road."\nJudging by IU's offensive performance last week and in every game except its 58-0 loss against Michigan, Penn State will have to score a lot of points to keep pace with the Hoosiers. IU scored its most points of the season and gained 611 yards of total offense against the Golden Gophers. IU ranks second in the Big Ten and 17th nationally, averaging 34.7 points per game this season.\nIU must win three of its remaining four games to qualify for a bowl game. The Hoosiers final three games are against Illinois, Wisconsin and Purdue. Penn State is in danger of missing postseason play for the first time since 1988, which was the last year the Nittany Lions finished a season without a winning record. After the Hoosiers, the Nittany Lions play Iowa, No. 15 Michigan and Michigan State.\n"It doesn't matter what their record is, they're still Penn State," Gaddis said. "To me they will always be a good football team. We have no reason to go in there and think we're playing a 3-5 team because they're a great football program"
(10/26/00 9:26am)
It almost seems as if the game is a secondary concern on Monday Night Football this season.\nDwindling ratings prompted producer Don Ohlmeyer to overhaul "ABC Monday Night Football's" announcing crew. There hasn't been a significant change in ratings after eight weeks, but the show does have a different feel to it.\nComedian Dennis Miller and former San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts replaced Boomer Esiason as Al Michaels' partners in the booth. Hall-of-Fame running back Eric Dickerson and 26-year-old Melissa Stark were also added to the production as sideline reporters.\nFouts is a solid commentator. He does a good job of relating to players and Fouts presents the X's and O's of football in a way that's understandable to the average viewer. If Dennis Miller could be Dennis Miller, cracking the jokes and uttering the phrases he's allowed to on HBO, then viewers might take notice. Despite his football knowledge, which is actually quite extensive, Miller isn't a football authority. \nMichaels -- one of the top play-by-play guys in the business -- and Fouts would make a solid duo. But in the world of prime-time television, ratings rule, and not even "Monday Nigh Football" can escape this reality. So, "Monday Night Football" now has a three-headed monster in the booth, and the ones who are suffering the most are football fans.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
It almost seems as if the game is a secondary concern on Monday Night Football this season.\nDwindling ratings prompted producer Don Ohlmeyer to overhaul "ABC Monday Night Football's" announcing crew. There hasn't been a significant change in ratings after eight weeks, but the show does have a different feel to it.\nComedian Dennis Miller and former San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts replaced Boomer Esiason as Al Michaels' partners in the booth. Hall-of-Fame running back Eric Dickerson and 26-year-old Melissa Stark were also added to the production as sideline reporters.\nFouts is a solid commentator. He does a good job of relating to players and Fouts presents the X's and O's of football in a way that's understandable to the average viewer. If Dennis Miller could be Dennis Miller, cracking the jokes and uttering the phrases he's allowed to on HBO, then viewers might take notice. Despite his football knowledge, which is actually quite extensive, Miller isn't a football authority. \nMichaels -- one of the top play-by-play guys in the business -- and Fouts would make a solid duo. But in the world of prime-time television, ratings rule, and not even "Monday Nigh Football" can escape this reality. So, "Monday Night Football" now has a three-headed monster in the booth, and the ones who are suffering the most are football fans.