6B- The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, January 7, 1998 ... ............. Despite loss, Leaf proves his worth, Washington State quarterback has a lot going for him as he heads to NFL By John Leroi game. tough to win games, and he is our best State coach Mike Price, that's ju Daily Sports Editor -He even went so far to say that the offensive player." the kind of guy Leaf is. PASADENA, Calif. - For Ryan reason Washington State lost was the That's quite a compliment from a "He is a tremendous individual Leaf, there are no losers. Not among absence of underrated running back Heisman Trophy finalist and possi- Price said. "And he's also the be his Washington State counterparts at Michael Black, saying that "when you ble future NFL All-Pro. player in the country. In my min least. Despite a devastating loss to lose your best offensive player, it's But according to Washington that's quite a combination." Michigan in the Rose Bowl, despite ' one more second Leaf thought he had, despite the four times the 2 Wolverines sacked him, Leaf could still enjoy the moment. <,"r Instead of dropping his head and y tucking his tail between his legs after the Cougars' 21-16 loss to Michigan, Leaf lit up a cigar at the 50-yard line and snapped photos with his family to celebrate; Washington State's first Rose Bowl appearance in 67 years. ' "Obviously, we were disappoint- ed," Leaf said. "But to say this was a 4 wasted season because we didn't win the Rose Bowl J v.4 would be a dis- credit to the this team has _{ achieved." After all was .4."": said and done, r: two things were quite obvious about Ryan Leaf Leaf - he is an out- 44 standing quarter- back - a sure star-to-be in the NFL - and he is an even better person. He gave the Wolverines fits all game, passing for 331 yards and a touchdown. He delivered the scariest moment of the game on the Cougars' final drive when Michigan fans and play- ers alike had to be thankful that Leaf didn't get one final shot at the end zone. The junior, who declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft and cer- tainly will almost be a top-five pick, Y" also ran for 35 yards, but his best 3 attribute might be his personality. He joked around with Woodson at the Heisman Trophy presentation in h4} w.2 New York last month and again at >{ \> Universal Studios four days before the game. Some say Leaf is arrogant, but his " confidence stems from the fact that j he said he simply enjoys life and 1 rarely lets anybody "bum his trip." He was jovial and generally eager ............ to answer reporters' questions after > what was certainly the most disap- pointing loss of his career. He was the only Cougar not to Y { >' . .."; blame the officials for letting the clock run down at the end of the P'hoto ReG IS HAIRSTYLISTS Briarwood Mall 327-9999 Price valid on Wella and Nova perms. Long hair and specialty wraps extra. Designer and master styl- ists may be priced higher. WARRE He gave Michigan fits all day, but Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf couldn't quite pull out a victory over the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Still, Leaf displayed the skills that will make him a top-five pick in April's NFL Draft. t rU ,nce.t M'ONTBrGOB! OeN:E L O'1!'rIrkT O rGEk IEcY! IT'S TH4Tr TiMr OF YRAR WINrM TIIOUSAMOS OF STUDENTS COWr TO JAWAuCA TO FrL kLRIGIIT - FOR AN 1VM1ELIEVARLI IRiCIr't ed PACKAGE INCLUDES: " Round-Trip Airfare * 7 Nights Hotel Accommodations " Free Welcome, Beach a Evening Parties * Free Admission to Night Clubs * Discounts on Restaurants, Water Sports a Side Excursions " Professional On-Site Tour Reps " Complete Weekly Activities Program Offering Optional Sunset Cruise, Booze Cruise, Toga Party a More! " Free Bonus Party Pack " Round-Trip Airport & Hotel Transfers 1. L U..L..E..U.. AZAR m. ...' AAilijA~k7 AL %.r..J a~a U