2B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - December 1, 2003
Georgia gets rematch with Tigers for title
Bowl picture begins to take shape as Virginia Tech falls to Insight Bowl after loss to Virginia
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia
secured its spot in the Southeastern
Conference championship game
yesterday, setting up a rematch with
LSU next weekend.
The fifth-ranked Bulldogs tied
for first in the East
Division with Ten-
riessee and Florida,
bringing in the
SEC's convoluted
tiebreaker system.
It's based on a com-
bination of the BCS
standings and
leaving the Big East Conference
just the way it entered it 11 years
ago - on top, with everybody else
playing catchup.
Tyrone Moss and Jarrett Payton
became the latest running backs to
exploit Pittsburgh's weak rush
defense, running for more than 100
yards each, and Miami locked up a
share of its eighth Big East title and
a BCS bowl by winning 28-14 Sat-
urday night.
Miami (10-2, 6-1) shares the con-
ference title with West Virginia (8-
4, 6-1), but it's the Hurricanes that
are heading to a big bowl - almost
certainly the hometown Orange
Bowl, where they last played during
the 1994 season. The opponent
might be Ohio State in a rematch of
last season's national title game.
"That's our fourth Big East cham-
pionship in a row and our seniors
have won four in a row." coach
Larry Coker said. "That's exciting"
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia
Tech accepted a bid yesterday to play
in the Insight Bowl, the Hokies' 11th
lead-to-head meetings.
The league announced yesterday
afternoon that Georgia got the nod
for the title game.
The Gators had an outside chance
to sneak in, but that ended when they
lost to Florida State 38-34 Saturday.
The Bulldogs (10-2) completed
their regular season with a 34-17
victory over Georgia Tech, their
third straight in the series.
No. 3 LSU (11-1) beat Georgia
17-10 in September.
PITTSBURGH - Miami is
consecutive bowl appearance.
The Hokies (8-4) will play a Pac-
10 team to be determined in the
Dec. 26 game in Phoenix. Virginia
Tech has never played a game in
Arizona.
The Hokies, ranked as high as
No. 3 after a 6-0 start, lost four of
their last six games - including a
35-21 loss at Virginia on Saturday
- to drop out of the top 25 for the
first time in the last 85 weeks of the
Associated Press poll.
LAWRENCE, Kan. - Kansas
accepted a bid Saturday to the Tan-
gerine Bowl, the Jayhawks' first post-
season appearance in eight years.
The Jayhawks finished the'regu-
lar season 6-6 under second-year
head coach Mark Mangino after
going 2-10 a year ago. They will
play North Carolina State (7-5) on
Dec. 22 at the Florida Citrus Bowl
Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
Kansas opened the year 5-2 but then
lost four in a row before becoming
bowl eligible with fast week's 36-7 vic-
tory over Iowa State.
BowL noun.
Though many of the bowl gae
matchups will not e deeided uzntiI
after n week's games, se have
already begunmto develop.
New Orleans Bowl; Dec. 46
North Texas vs4 ConfereteUSA N .,
GlMAC Bowl; Dect. 1$
Miami (O hio Conference-USA
Mazda Tangerine Bowl; Dec 22
NornhCaron State vsK Kaeo
Las Vegas Bowl; Dec.24
New Mexco vs. Pac lO0 No5
insight Bowl; .ec. 26.
Wgenta1ech vs.Pac 1014e. 4
Co...nen.al TiRe Bowh; Dec:27
fittsbturgh v Wginia
EVt.net Houston Bowl; flec 30'
NavyvsBi N 6
DPaoW utanrcscBowlDe.3
Colorado~taeves.gEastNo34,5
Gator Bowl
MavElN BgEatooro N tre ame
Chick-fiAPachfBowM 1
Cie aon vs. EC N 5>
Who: Michael White
Hometown: Livonia
Sport:Men's soccer
Year: Senior
Why: Facing No. 3 Notre Dame, the Wolverines needed some sort of
spark in the third round of the NCAA Tournament without offensive star
Knox Cameron. White provided it, giving Michigan its only goal and the
game-winning shootout goal to give the Wolverines the win.
M SCHEDULE
Tomorrow
M Basketball vs. North Carolina State
7:30 p.m.
I
White
Wednesday, Dec. 3
W Basketball vs. Charlotte
Thursday, Dec. 4
W Swim/Diving
M Swim/Diving
Friday, Dec. 5
W Swim/Diving
M Swim/Diving
W Swim/Diving
W Track/Field
Hockey
W Basketball
Volleyball
Wrestling
4.
U.
U.
7 p.m.
Noon
Noon
U.S. Open - Federal Way,
U.S. Open - Federal Way,
Wash.
Wash.
U.S. Open - Federal Way, Wash.
Texas Invitational - Austin, Texas
Eastern Michigan Invitational - Ypsilanti
Intrasquad Meet
vs. Michigan State
at Drake - Des Moines, Iowa
vs. Colorado
Cliff Keen Invitational
No Vick-tory in quarterback's return to field
HOUSTON (AP) - Michael Vick's return was
less than triumphant.
Domanick Davis ran for two quick touchdowns
early in the third quarter and David Carr made
his own unplanned appearance yesterday, rallying
the Texans to a 17-13 victory over the Falcons.
It was Vick's first game since fracturing his
right leg in the second week of preseason.
"I think I've got my elusiveness back," Vick
said. "I have to take my hat off to their defense.
They gave me some looks I hadn't seen in a long
time. They did their homework and it was just
their day."
Vick, the top overall draft choice in 2001 who
set an NFL rushing mark for quarterbacks with
1,066 yards over his first two seasons, made his
debut with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter.
He completed a nine-yard pass to Justin Griffith
on his first play, though the drive ended with a
punt.
Vick relieved Doug Johnson, who started eight
times in Vick's absence. Johnson was 12-of-27
for 116 yards and threw an interception that cost
the Falcons (2-10), who have lost three straight
and 10 of 11.
Texans linebacker Jay Foreman was miffed the
Falcons didn't start their best quarterback.
"At the start we thought he was hurt, then we
could see he was throwing on the sidelines and
wasn't hurt," Foreman said. "They took the Tex-
ans like it was a warmup game, and we took it
personal."
Cornerback Marcus Coleman had a slightly
different take.
"Apparently he could have started. We're just
glad he didn't," Coleman said.
Vick was 8-of-11 for 60 yards and ran three
times for 16 yards in just over a quarter of action.
Before Vick came back, it was last year's top
draft pick making the first unscheduled appear-
ance. Carr was supposed to miss the game after
spraining his right shoulder two weeks ago. But
he was pressed into action when Tony Banks
broke his right hand on another player's helmet
near the end of the first half.
Carr, playing in obvious pain, led a 63-yard
drive on the Texans' first possession of the sec-
ond half, getting 36 yards himself with a Vick-
like run to the Atlanta 22. Davis ran untouched
for a 7-yard touchdown and a 10-7 lead for the
Texans (5-7).
Johnson's next play was an interception thrown
right to Coleman, who ran it back 22 yards to the
Atlanta 13. Davis took it from there, punching it
in from 2 yards for his second score in less than
three minutes.
Davis, the Texans' standout rookie, ran for 101.
yards on 24 carries. It was his fourth 100-yard
performance.
Carr, who slumped in discomfort after some of
his five pass attempts, completed two for 25
yards and an interception. Vick also showed he
wasn't himself when linebacker Shantee Orr
caught him and forced an intentional grounding
penalty that led to Jay Feely's 42-yard field goal
with 1:24 left.
Coleman covered the ensuing onside kickoff
and the Texans exhausted the clock.
"We knew we had to raise the level of our play,
because we know what type of player he is," said
Orr, promoted from the practice squad three
games ago. "When he rolled out on the second or
third play, you could see he was ready to play. It
was an awesome accomplishment to stop him."
Carr downplayed his injury, which appeared
worse when he was tackled after the long run.
"I don't think I reinjured it, just aggravated it,
so it made it a little difficult to throw," Carr said.
Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said
the Texans considered substituting rookie Dave
Ragone, who has not played yet, had the situation
called for more passing.
T.J. Duckett, getting the start after Warrick
Dunn suffered a season-ending left foot injury
last week, had a 1-yard TD run in the second
quarter. He finished with just 31 yards on 12 car-
ries against a notoriously soft Houston run
defense.
Kris Brown hit a 40-yard field goal later in the
quarter for Houston. The Falcons, who led 7-3 at
halftime, fell to 0-6 when leading at the break.
Saturday, Dec. 6
W.
W;
W'
M;
M;
W
Swim/Diving
Swim/Diving
Track/Field
Swim/Diving
Swim/Diving
Gymnastics
Hockey
M Basketball
Wrestling
Volleyball
M Soccer
Sunday, Dec. 7
M Swim/Diving
W Basketball
W Soccer
U.S. Open - Federal Way, Wash.
Eastern Michigan Invitational - Ypsilanti
Intrasquad Meet
Texas Invitational - Austin, Texas
U.S. Open - Federal Way, Wash.
Maize and Blue Intrasquad
at Michigan State
Vanderbilt - Nashville, Tenn.
Cliff Keen Invitational
vs. California or St. Mary's
at Santa Clara
Texas Invitational - Austin, Texas
at Creighton - Omaha, Neb.
College Cup - NCAA Tournament
Noon
10 a.m.
9 a.m.
4 p.m.
7:35 p.m.
8 p.m.
TBA
Las Vegas
9 a.m.
9 a.m.
9 a.m.
10 a.m.
Noon
7 p.m.
7:05 p.m.
9 p.m.
Las Vegas
TBA
10 p.m.
A
10
4:05
Cary,
a.m.
p.m.
N.C.
I
'J
AP PHOTO
Making his first appearance this season, Michael Vick - shown being tackled by former Michigan player, and
current Houston Texan, Shantee Orr - fell short in leading Atlanta back from a 17-10 deficit against Houston.
DAVID TUMAN/Daily
The Michigan wrestling team, which struggled in its last dual meet against Central
Michigan and Lehigh, heads to Las Vegas for the Cliff Keen invitational.
Solich out in Nebraska as Arizona
sits on a Stoops for the future
NBA STANDINGS
NHL STANDINGS
NFL STANDINGS
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
East
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska
fired football coach Frank Solich
because Athletic Director Steve Peder-
son believed the pro-
gram was slipping in
stature compared to
its Big 12 rivals.
"I refuse to let the
program gravitate into
mediocrity," Pederson
said Sunday when
he officially
10 years. That ultimately is how I
arrived at the decision our program
needed new leadership."
TUCSON, Ariz. - Mike Stoops,
the younger brother of Oklahoma
coach Bob Stoops, was introduced
Saturday as the new head coach at
Arizona and promised a return to the
glory days of bowl games and all-out
defense.
"We're going to be ready to play
when we start in September," he said.
"We're going to have a defense that
attacks people from a bunch of different
ways, and we're going to have an
offense that's going to spread people out
and make them defend the whole field."
The younger Stoops, the top-
ranked Sooners' co-defensive coor-
dinator, inherits a team that went
2-10 and finished last in the Pac-10
for the first time.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
Philadelphia
New Jersey
Boston
New York
Washington
Miami
Orlando
Central Division
Indiana
Detroit
New Orleans
Milwaukee
Toronto
Atlanta
Chicago
Cleveland
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Midwest Division
Dallas
Denver
Utah
Houston
Minnesota
San Antonio
Memphis
Pacific Division
L.A. Lakers
Sacramento
Seattle
Golden State
Portland
Phoenix
LA. Clippers
NBA GAMES
announced the firing. "We won't surren-
der the Big 12 to Oklahoma and Texas."
Despite firing a coach with a 9-3
record this season and a 58-19 career
mark, Pederson said he is not running
a "win at all costs" program.
He said he did not like the direction
the program was taking. Since starting
11-0 in 2001, the Cornhuskers have
been a mediocre 16-12.
Pederson named defensive coordina-
tor Bo Pelini interim head coach for
Nebraska's bowl game. The Huskers'
bowl destination has not been deter-
mined.
Pederson said he would open a
nationwide search for a head coach
and hoped to have a successor to
Solich named quickly
Pelini said he would be a candidate
for the permanent position.
About a dozen players stood in the
back of the room as Pederson spoke to
the media.
W L Pct. GB
9 9 .500 -
7 8 .467 .5
7 9 .438 1
7 10 .412 1.5
6 10 .375 2
5 12 .294 3.5
1 15 .063 7
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
W
Philadelphia 14
New Jersey 12
N.Y. Rangers 9
N.Y. Islanders 9
Pittsburgh 5
Northeast Division
L
2
4
7
11
12
Pct.
.875
.667
.647
.500
.500
.333
.250
.235
Pct.
.647
.625
.600
.563
.529
.529
.467
Pct.
.813
.733
.571
.533
.533
.467
.333
GB
3
3.5
6
6
9
10
10.5
GB
.5
1
1.5
2
2
3
GB
1.5
4
4.5
4.5
5.5
7
Boston
Toronto
Buffalo
Ottawa
Montreal
Southeast Division
Atlanta
Tampa Bay
Florida
Carolina
Washington
T
5
5
5
2
4
W
11
11
11
9
10
W
12
11
9
7
7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Central Division
W
Detroit 14
St. Louis 13
Nashville 12
Chicago 6
Columbus 7
L T
4 3
6 5
11 2
8 2
11 2
L T
9 3
4 4
13 4
10 7
15 1
OTL
1
0
2
0
1
OL
4
2
1
3
1
OL
1
1
0
0
1
OL
0
1
0
3
1
OL1
2
1
0
3
0
OL
0
1
5
2
1
Pts
34
29
25
20
15
Pts
29
29
25
23
23
Pts
28
27
22
21
16
Pts
30
28
25
19
18
Pts
33
30
23
22
19
Pts
25
24
24
24
20
GF
70
53
62
59
41
GF
60
59
57
68
52
GF
71
50
57
49
62
GF
81
55
60
47
49
GF
81
74
66
48
51
GF
57
57
52
58
55
GA
40
35
56
59
76
GA
50
62
65
54
58
GA
69
35
70
60
74
GA
58
47
59
71
64
GA
58
58
73
54
56
GA
59
52
61
58
70
New England
Miami
Buffalo
N.Y. Jets
South
Tennessee
Indianapolis
Houston
Jacksonville
North
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
West
Kansas City
Denver
Oakland
San Diego
w
10
8
5
4
W
9
9
5
2
w
7
7
4
4
w
11
7
3
2
T Pot PF PA
O .818 303 208.
0 .750 343 254
0 .417 211 290
0 .182 185 254
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
East
Northwest Division
Vancouver
Colorado
Edmonton
Calgary
Minnesota
Pacific Division
T
0
0
0
0
W
14
14
10
9
8
L
9
6
10
12
12
L
6
7
10
8
12
L
10
9
7
6
9
Philadelphia
Dallas
N.Y. Giants
Washington
South
Carolina
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
North
Minnesota
Green Bay
Chicago
Detroit
West
St. Louis
Seattle
San Francisco
Arizona
Pct PF PA
.833 257 209
.667 241 191
.417 197 194
.364 210 221
W
9
8
4
4
W
8
6
5
2
W
7
6
5
4
W
9
8
5
3
Pct PF PA
.583 300 238
.583 268 266
.333 192 224
.333 223 277
Pot PF PA
.917 361 222
.583 279 206
.250 222 278
.167 233 342
Pct PF PA
.750 245 212
.667 226 208
.333 202 266
.333 236 280
Pct PF PA
.667 234 229
.500 256 278
.455 220 174
.167 221 328
Pct PF PA
.583 310 295
.500 298 255
.417 219 247
.333 202 280
Dallas 11
Los Angeles 11
Anaheim 8
San Jose 7
Phoenix 7
NHL GAMES
Pct
.750
.667
.417
.250
PF PA
347 246
323 239
248 230
166 337
NFL GAMES
Friday's Games
Atlanta 95, Miami 83
Boston 106, Milwaukee 96
Toronto 87, Orlando 86
Minnesota 102, Memphis 98
Indiana 90, Philadelphia 77
Detroit 92, Cleveland 88
Utah 98, Seattle 81
Denver 113, Dallas 103
Golden State 92, Phoenix 83
Sacramento 103, Houston 74
Portland 97, New Jersey 93
L.A. Lakers 103, San Antonio 87
Saturday's Games
New York 79, New Orleans 74
Detroit 80. Washington 69
Friday's Games
Nashville 2, Boston 1
Philadelphia 4, Carolina 2
San Jose 2, Minnesota 1
Anaheim 4, Chicago 3
Montreal 5, Washington 3
St. Louis 2, Tampa Bay 2, tie
N.Y. Rangers 4, Pittsburgh 1
Detroit 6, N.Y. Islanders 0
Buffalo 4, Florida 3
Dallas 2, New Jersey 0
Colorado 4, Edmonton 1
Saturday's Games
Los Angeles 3, Chicago 1
Florida 1, Montreal 1, tie
Trnntn .Otawa 1
Last Thursday's games
DETROIT 22, Green Bay 14
Miami 40, DALLAS 21
Yesterday's games
Cincinnati 24, PIrrSBURGH 20
Buffalo 24, N.Y. GIANTS 7
HoUSToN 17, Atlanta 13
St. Louis 48, Minnesota 17
BALTIMORE 44, San Francisco 6
New England 38, INDIANAPOLiS 34
Philadelphia 25, CAROLINA 16
CHICAGO 28, Arizona 3
New Orleans 24, WASHINGTON 20
Kansas City 28, SAN DIEGO 24
Denver 22, OAKLAND 8
SEATTLE 34, Cleveland 7
Tampa Bay at JACKSONVILLE, 8:30 p.m.
0 EMIEAM T
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