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Show The Salt Lake Tribune SPORTS Saturday, December25, 1999 Keeping the Faith Brings Rewards to Demon Deacons ‘Wake Forestwill battle Arizona State in Aloha Bow!in clash of6-5 schools ‘THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HONOLULU — Twenty-three fifth-year seniors at Wake Forest will be making their first postseason ee today in the Aloha Bow!against Arizona tate. When they arrived at the school’s campus in Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1995, the Demon Deacons went1-10. Instead of getting discouraged or transfer- es ey freshmen pledged loyalty to coach Jim well. “A lot of people take the easy way out and go to big-name schools,” defensive back DaLawn Parrish said. “We chose to come here to make a difference when we were and we told coach Caldwell we wouldn't abandon ship.” Their perseverance is being rewarded, as Wake Forest rebounded from a 3-8 season in 1998 to go 6-5 that combination of size and speed, they present real problems.” WakeForest averages 317 yards, half rushing and half passing, and is averaging 22 points. The Demon Deacons like to run to set up the pass, then rely on their defense, ranked 26th nationally, to give them an advantage in fleld position. Morgan Kane led WakeForestwith 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns, while quarterback Ben Sankey passed for 1,496 yards and nine touchdowns. “When they've won, they've run theball,” Snyder said. “They want to makea real short gameoutof it. 1 think we'll have very few offensive snaps compared to what we're used to. And that’s mostly a function of their offense controlling our offense by running the clock down.” Q this year, beating Georgia Tech in the final gameof OAHU BOWL 1992, “When youlookatall the things we went through June Jones always knew he wouldend up coaching at Hawaii. He’s surprised Dennis Erickson went back to college, too. ceee season to secure its first bowl berth since a whatwe accomplished,it was worth it,” Parrish said. The Demon Deacons will play an Arizona State team thathadto beatrival Arizona in its final game to get the bowl bid, overcoming early season losses to New Mexico State and California. “We. earned it. We did it the hard way,” Sun Devils Coach Bruce Snyder said, recalling victories over Washington, UCLA, Southern California and Arizona. “This team has gone through lot of struggle.” Beating Arizona was costly: Quarterback Ryan Kealy tore the anterior cruciate Jigen in his right knee,leaving John Leonard andGriffin Goodman to lead the Sun Devils (6-5). The two coaches faced each other last season, Jonesas coachof the San Diego Chargers and Erick- son as head man forthe Seattle Seahawks. Jones left the Chargers to take his dream job with the Rainbow Warriors, and Erickson wound upat OregonState after being fired by the Seahawks. ‘The two face each other today when Hawaii (8-4) plays OregonState (7-4) in the Oahu Bowl. Erickson was more of an NFL man, Jones thought, not someone who wanted to return to the college ranks. “J thoughthe would get one of the NFL jobs right away. I thought he did a’ heck of a job at Seattle,” The team said it has settled on a starter, but Jones said. “I think people are finding out,all of a wouldn’t say who, although SnyderwillHed both in thefirst half and then stay with the hot hand. Arizona State averages 410 yards on offense and 25 points and, without Kealy,will rely heavily on senior J.R. Redmond, whose 1,085 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns this season gave him 3,210 yards and 32 TDs for his career. He also played strong safety this sudden,thathe did a very good job. They nowhaveall the money,theygotall the answers andtheir record is going to end up about the same as when Dennis was there.” For Erickson, who wonnational titles at Miami in “Any time you lose a guy like Ryan, it puts pressure on everybody to step up their game,” Redmond said Erickson, who led OregonStateto it first win- season, 1989 and 1991, the return to college was unexpected, buthas served to revive his enthusiasm forfootball. 4 said. “I like that kindof situation.” The speed of Arizona State worries Wake Forest, which compares the Sun Devils’ speed to that of Flor- ida State. “They are a football team that can run,” Caldwell said. “And they havesize, particularly on the interior, soI don’t think you can muscle them around. With ing with the players is whatit’s all about,” ning season since 1970, and is making its first bowl eee since 1965. “That rejuvenates you more Jones always felt he was a college football coach at heart, and that he someday would be coach at Hawaii. Under Jones, the Rainbow Warriors tied the college record for best single-season turnaroundafter an 0-12 record in 1998. COLLEGE BOWL SCHEDULE Soturday, Doe. $8 Las Voges Bewt ‘At Lae Voges Ute 17, Fresno State 16 ‘Weansaiay, Des. 22 Marans Bewt Texas Christen 28, East Carcina 14 Cotarday, Deo. 23 ‘Asche Bow A! Horo Arizona State (65)vs. WakeForeat (6-6), 1/30 p m (ABC) od At Honehate (Crogan State (7-4) v8. Hawa (8-3), 6.30 pm. (ESPN) Morsay, Des. 37 Botas Oty Sewt Marshall (12.0) va. Brigham Young (83), 1190 am (ESPN) ‘Teneday, Deo. 28 ‘Saas Bow! At tam Antonio Texas A&M (8-3) vs, Pon Stato (9:3) 5:30 pm. (ESPN) ‘Wetnoedny, Des. 29 Renate Oty Sew! At eats, Tenn, Kertucky (65} vs Syracuse (6-5), 29m (ESPN) Whetdey Bow! ‘At Gan Dioge ‘ensas State(10-1) va. Washington (7-4), 6 pm, (ESPN) ‘Thursday, Dec. 30 Mumantterian Bow! [At Bete, idaho Boise Stato (9:3) vs. Lousvilo (7-4) 1pm. (ESPN2) Wieronac.com Bow! ‘At Blend Vegina (7-4)vs. tino (7-4), 5m (TBS) Peach Bow! At Attanta Missiscipp! Stato (9-2) vs. Clomeon (6.5), 4:80 pm (esPNy Friday, Dec. 31 leaightcom Bow! ‘At Twoeem, Arts. (6:3) vs. Cokcrado Boston College (6.5). 1130 am (ESN) ‘At Ml Paso, Texos (Oregon (8:3)va. Minnoscta (8-3), 12:15 p.m. (CBS) Uberty Bowt At Monge, Tors. Colorado State (8:3) v8. Southern Missisisipp! (8:3) 3 pm. (ESPN) Bow! At Shreveport, La. éseissipp (7-4)va. Okita (7-4), 30 pm (ESPN) Saturday, Jon. 1 Gectook Rew! 23 Tampa, Fla. (Georgie (7-4) vs. Purdue (7-4), 9 am. (ESPN) Cotton Bowt ‘Aa Dales Texas (9-4)vs. Arkansas (7-4), 9am. (FOX) Gator Bewi At Jecksonvite, Fla. ‘Georgia Tech (6:3)va. Miami (8-4), 10:30 am. (NBC) Citrus Bewt At Orlsado, Fin. Flora (9-3)ve. MichiganStato (9-2), 111am. (ABC) Roos Gowt ‘At Pasadena, Cant. Stanford (6-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-2), 20 pm. (ABC) Orange Bow! ‘At Mien Michigan (92)vs. Alabama (10-2), 6:30 pm. (ABC) Stenday, Jon. 2 Fiesta Row! At Tempo Arts. [Nebraska (11:1) vs. Tennessee (9-2), 6 pim. (ABC) ‘Teseday, Jon. 4 ‘Sager Bowl At New Orleans Florida Site (11-0)ve: Veginia Tech (11-0), 6pm (ABC) BS Families Learn to Juggle With Sports Jobs @ Continued from B-1 major leagues and has struck out the Twins. 5 bouts with control problems (211 walks) have kept him from taking “Tl always be looking,” Ryan said. “But there isn’t a prototype overfull-timecloserroles. Ryan said the Twins’ search won't necessarily be limited to this group. But with Tony Fiore, whosaved 19 games in 20 oppor- tunities for Salt Lake last season, ae= organization as a six- in each of the pastfour seasons. Carrasco has 13 of the career 27 big-league saves from the group of candidates, but the 30-year-old right-hander has played for four different organizations since 1997 and missed the early part of last seasonafter a circulation problem was discovered in his right arm. He cameback to posta 4.96 ERA in 39 games with the Twins after a briefstint with the Buzz. Carrasco has a career ERA of 3.99 in the is probably outof the question for 321 batters in 414% innings, but or league free agent, the ayplayerleft in the organization who saved double-digit games last season is Saul Rivera, who had 23 at Single-A Quad City. BrentStentz, whose 43 saves for Double-A New Britain in 1998 tied him for the second most in minor league history, was 03 with an 11.22 ERA at Salt Lake before re- turning to New Britain. He could still be a factor. Butsigning a free-agent closer closer on the market we can afford.” @First baseman/designated hitter David Ortiz was hitting just 253 with home runs in hi first 22 games for Escogido in the Dominican Republic, but the 24year-old slugger is showing signs of improved discipline. He struck out 11 times and drew16 walks in his first 79 at-bats of winter ball andis tied for secondin the league with 18 RBIs.Ortiz hit .315 with 30 homers and 110 RBIs with Salt Lakelast season, but also had 105 strikeouts in 476 at-bats. Ortiz then wenthitless in 20 at-bats — including 12 strikeouts — when the Twins called him up in September. Javier Valentin would appear to have the inside track over Buzz catchers Matthew LeCroy, A.J. Pierzynski and Chad Moeller for the Twins’ job, because he has been the primary backup to recently retired Terry Stienbach the past two seasons. He’s already started to stake his claim. After hitting just .211 with 11 strikeouts in his first 38 at-bats for Caguas in the Puerto Rican League, Valentin wenton a 15-for-50 (.300)tear to lift his average to .261. A couple of former Buzz players are again moving their wayup in the Twins’ system. Riccardo Ingram will be a bench coachfor Fort Myers of the ClassA Florida State League next sea- son, while Jeff Carter will manage Elizabethton of the rookie Appalachian League. FREE QUALCOMM 1960, We've GOT YOU COVERED MEAT ahaa daughter, born, Purves was traded from Kansas City to San Antonio. His wife stayed behind. and at home Tuesdayagainst Long ch. After five years of missing his son’s hockey games, Bourne will watch 17-year-old Jeff take the ice, Thecatalyst for Bourne's deci- sion was hearing that PhiladelpaFlyers Coach Roger Neilson has bone marrow cancer. Bourne quit coachingfive years ago, when Jeff had his 33rd surgery after being born with spinabifida. At age 36, Hornacek probably could play NBA basketball for a few more years. But Ryan, Tyler and Abigale matter more. He’s chucking the NBAlife, sameas Ainge. “Obviously, it's tougher, the olderthe kids get,” Hornaceksaid. “Thefirst few years, maybe you don’t have kids.If you do, they’re very young. “But as they get older, you re- alizethat kids grow up fast. All of sudden, they are 10 or 12 andit’s net feo many more years before they head off to do their own thing.” Hornacek probably wouldlike reliving last year, when the lockout wiped away half the season. During his unexpected timeoff, Hornacekcoached his two boys in the Salt Lake City Catholic basketball league. With the constant travel and pressure,players and coaches rely on their spouses. While the father plays, the wife becomes super mom. “Tt takes a special woman to be acoach’s wife,to juggleall the hats they have to wear,” Cleveland said. “Far more of my friends are on their second and third marriages in this business than they are their first. It’s a difficult profession unless you have an understandingwife.” Michelle Sharples, whose hus- band, Jeff, is a Grizzlies defenseman, has learned to juggle life alone during Utah’s trips. The Sharples have two daughters, Meg Michelle Sharplessaid.“It is nice whenheis here andIcan do things like go shopping without them. Otherwise, I haveto take them everywhere. I can’t just run out and take care of something.” Grizzlies forward John Purves failed at his first marriage, partly due to his job. Purves has remar- ried, and he and his wife, Shana, havetwo children. and despair when talked to her on the phone,” Purves said. “It was frustrating. We would get in little arguments because of the situation.” This season, Purves missed two games when his wife went into labor. Jazz center Greg Ostertag often is criticized for lacking concentration. He has good reason this year, Ostertag’s daughter was born three months premature. Her health problems forced Ostertag to leave a Jazz game early and the miss the next night's game. Two weeks ago, Jazz center Olden Polynice flew hometo Sac: ramento when his wife went into labor. At age 26, Ostertag disagrees with Hornacek that the NBA scheduleis easier on players with young families. “It’s tough, especially when you have young kids,” Ostertag said. “Whenyou’re out ontheroad,it's especially tough on your wife. She’s the one whohas totote ev- erybody around and get everybodyhere and there.” Of his newborn daughter, Ostertag said: “I miss her.I’d like to see her more, but this is my job. This is what I do to bring home good for the family. . Danny [Ainge] was in this league for a long time. He’s probably financially secure. But I have to stay at it a while longer.” With a $39 million contract he signed two years ago, Ostertag should find that security before he’s doneplaying. Money separates professional athletes — at least NBA players — from the average family man. Be- cause of their enormoussalaries, NBAplayers findlittle sympathy for their problems. Forall the travel, theystill have several months of vacation each year. And they understand that the sacrifices are worth the longterm benefits. “There are pros and cons in this business,” Hornacek said. “But that’s life. I’ve been blessed to play 14 years; I never anticipated that. And now, it just seems right to spend more time with my family. It seems like an easy decision, at this point.” When Hornacek does quit, rememberAinge. Tribune sportswriters Brett Prettyman and Steve Luhm contributed to this story. Willingham to Make Rose Bowl History # ‘TE ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — When Tyrone Willingham sends his Stanford players out against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day, he will be following the lead of some of college football’s most fabled coaches. Healso will be setting a Rose Bowlprecedent. Neverin the storied history of the Rose Bowl, which has been Played 85 times since 1902, has there beet thesidelines, ick head coach on ‘Thatwill change next Saturday when Willingham comes onto the Rose Bow!field. “I don't think my team cares whatcolor Iam,”he said. PLUS $100 CASH BACK! 200 - 500 WHICH INCLUDES FREE DOMESTIC LONG DISTANCE FOR $29.99/MONTH OFFER ENDS 12/31/99 FIREPLACES 973 E. 1109 So, PER Rt oe be MacKenzie. Shortly before his daughter was “I could sense the loneliness § Continued from B-1 (4) and Molly(2), “Heis a lot of help at home,” Twins Onthe Lookout For Some Relief The lifestyle played havoc whenhis wife was pregnant with their |
