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Show S T A T E S M A if"' MONDAY, JAN. 25,2005 11 S P O R T S WHEN THE GIRL OF YOUR DREAM BECOMES TH LOVE OF YOUR LIFE Uhe \Diamond Qalferu Rusty Kennedy/The Assodafec/ Press 753-4870 QUARTERBACK DONOVAN MCNABB runs with the ball in the first half of the NFC championship game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. Eagles soar past Atlanta BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA - Yo, Philly. You're going to the Super Bowl. Donovan McNabb ignored the burden of three straight losses in the NFC championship game and the Eagles warmed a frozen city's heart, stuffing Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 on Sunday. Philadelphia moves on to its first Super Bowl in 24 years - the only acceptable outcome for the Eagles and their rabid fans after so many close calls. The fourth time was the charm for the Eagles, even though they didn't have top receiver Terrell Owens reduced to the role of MVC (Most Valuable Cheerleader) on the sideline. Nothing was going to stand in the way of this team, which entered the season with a Super Bowl or Bust mentality and met those enormous expectations. McNabb threw a pair of touchdown passes to Chad Lewis, including the clinching score with 3:21 remaining. That turned the final minutes into a delirious coronation, the 67,717 fans most of whom never sat in their seats on a 17-degree day - saluting a team that finally fulfilled its destiny. "Super Bowl! Super Bowl!" they chanted when play was halted for the twominute warning. The only warm-weather team left in the playoffs went cold in its biggest game of the year. Vick was sacked four times by the fearsome Philly defense, which also came up with a crucial interception that set up David Akers' second field goal. The significance of the day was evident on the field - the Eagles pranced and danced after every big play and in the stands, where hugs and beer flowed freely at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are one victory away from bringing the city its first major sports championship since the 76ers won the NBA title in 1983. The football team hasn't won it all since I960, which predates the Super Bowl by six seasons. Philly s only previous Super Bowl appearance came in 1981, but the Eagles fell flat in a 27-10 loss to the Raiders. This time, that score worked in their favor. McNabb completed 17-of26 passes for 180 yards, a workmanlike performance that solidified his position as one of the game's best quarterbacks. Vick is, too, but his first appearance on the Super Bowl stage will have to wait. He completed just ll-of-24 for 136 yards, while the Eagles stifling defense kept him from pulling off one of his signature runs. He ran it just four times for 26 yards, but gave up even more yards on the sacks. Derrick Burgess dropped the elusive quarterback twice. The Eagles were clearly relieved to make it to the Super Bowl, but they're not satisfied with merely winning a conference title. "We've got one more game to play," McNabb told the crowd. "Enjoy it now and we'll bring something else home." Philadelphia led only 1410 at halftime, a bit to close for comfort for a team that had lost to St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Carolina in the last three NFC title games. Even more galling - the last two losses were at home. But, as the sun gave way to a nearly full moon over "The Line" the Eagles dominated the final two quarters. Akers connected from 31 and 34 yards, then McNabb and Lewis teamed up to finish off the Falcons with their 2-yard touchdown play. Owens, who didn't play because of a severe ankle injury, played a prominent role nonetheless. He led the Eagles on the field and drew plenty of attention with his sideline antics,flappinghis arms and waving a towel to urge on a crowd that didn't need any encouragement. On the field, Owens' teammatesfilledin admirably. New England beats Pitt 41-27 BY ALAN ROBINSON The Associated Press PITTSBURGH - Nobody beats Brady and Belichick in a big game, not even Big Ben. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were an unstoppable combination again for the New England Patriots, exposing all of the Steelers' weaknesses to end their 15game winning streak and win the AFC championship 41-27 Sunday night. Brady gave the inexperienced Ben Roethlisberger a lesson in quarterbacking a championship game, throwing two touchdown passes - one to Deion Branch that gave New England a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Belichick also upstaged can't-win-thebig-one Steelers coach Bill Cowher, improving to 9-1 as a playoffs coach and matching Vince Lombardi's NFL-best STIFLE From Page 10 came on what he said is "his favorite play," a backdoor cut right to the basket. Nate Harris, playing on his birthday, got most of the attentionfromthe Highlanders. "I have to give them credit," Nelson said of UC Riverside. "They were playing hard and concentrating on keeping the ball away from Nate." Even with the extra birthday attention, Harris scored eight points and led the team with nine rebounds. With Pak's scoring, the point guard position played well. Coming off the bench, Calvin Brown hadfiveassists and two steals to help the Aggies keep their lead throughout the game.. With 10 minutes left in the second half, Riverside was already in the doublebonus - giving the Aggies 18 free throw attempts after only allowing three in the first half. -krn @ cc. usu. edu 25% OFF FOR USU STUDENTS Whcif did n Wafch monies n Earn Cash f n sflpefltire H Become a blood plasma donor & make a difference Donate Plasma Receive up to $200 per montsi playoff coaching record. Brady has a record of his own: 8-0 as a postseason quarterback, bettering Troy Aikman's 7-0 record at the start of his playoffs career. Now, the defending champions will play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 in Jacksonville, Fla. New England was installed as an early 6-to-6 1/2 point favorite. The Eagles ended their three-game losing streak in the NFC championship game by beating Atlanta 27-10 earlier Sunday. The Patriots can become the first team to win three Super Bowls in four seasons since Dallas did it between the 1992-95 seasons. This game was a near-replay of PATS See Page 13 • 45 NORTH MAIN WESTERN PLASMA Main Street You can help save someone's life by giving plasma. Western Plasma Amy Sancetta/77?e Associated Press BEN ROETHLISBERGER is wrapped up Sunday in Pittsburgh. 1061 No. Main - 753-7802 HOURS: Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat noon-4 pm. Closed Sun Happy New Year! Out with the old oil and in with the new oil! miNEX 1 WE DO IT ALL! 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