UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Monday. December 9, 1996
3B
Huskers'loss ironic
Osborne's words prove to be prophetic
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Texas' stunning 37-27 upset against Nebraska in the big Big 12 championship game was not the first loss in Tom Osborne's brilliant coaching career, nor the most painful, nor the most one-sided.
But it was the most ironic.
Exactly what Osborne warned could happen did — and to his very own team, no less. The Big 12 is certainly richer now after selling out the Trans World Dome and collecting on a high-dollar television deal. But the Big 12 also has no possibility of winning a national championship.
Fate picked Osborne to prove his own point. Now, the Huskers won't face No. 1 Florida State in the Sugar Bowl with a shot at a third straight national championship.
He also predicted a conference title game could cost the league the national championship because a contender for national honors could get knocked out by a lesser-ranked foe.
When Big 12 organizers first raised the possibility of staging a money-making conference championship game between North and South division winners, Osborne's opposition was firm. He talked about added stress and demands on players, whose season in many cases already stretches from August's heat to January's snows.
Nevertheless, in a somber postgame news conference while jubilant Texas players waited out in the hall for their turn at the microphones, Osbome passed up the opportunity to say, "I told you so." He addressed the subject only when asked.
"I think at some point we have to ask a little bit about what's fair for the players," he said. "But in view of the fact that we lost the game and Texas won, I don't think it would be very appropriate for us to complain.
"They outplayed us and deserved to win. And I'm sure (the game) is here to stay."
So are the memories of one of the most exciting afternoons any conference ever experienced. Underdogs by about three touchdowns, the Longhorns rolled up more than 503 yards of offense against Nebraska's proud defense, hitting one big play after another and stopping Nebraska every time they had to.
Texas quarterback James Brown, ridiculed for predicting a three-touchdown victory for the Longhorns, hit 19 of 28 passes for 353 yards in the game of his life.
There could be no more drama than the fourth-and-inches gamble Texas made from its own 28 with 2:38 left. Nebraska coaches didn't think the Longhorns, who were protecting a three-point lead, would even snan the ball.
Not only did the Longhorns snap the ball, they had Brown roll out to his left and heave a pass to a wide-open Derek Lewis, who went 61 yards to the 11, setting up the game-clinching touchdown on the very next play.
Texas coach John Mackovic said he and his assistants, while studying film, had noticed that Nebraska tended to have everybody rush in to plug gaps in extreme short-yardage plays.
"I told the quarterbacks all week that if we went for it on third or fourth, we'd make that call and to not be surprised if (the play) came in," Mackovic said.
Baseball pay in negotiation
Salary arbitration offered to 19 players in final hours
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Roger Clemens, Alex Fernandez and World Series MVP John Wetteland were offered salary arbitration Saturday night, when teams decided to cut their ties to 43 players.
Nineteen players were offered arbitration in the final two hours before the midnight deadline, raising the total to 22.
Players have until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offers, except for the 12 players who gained their free-agency rights Saturday. The decision deadline was pushed back to Jan. 2.
Pitcher Steve Avery and Jaime Navarro, third baseman Todd Zeile and shortstop Kevin Elster were the most prominent players not receiving offers.
Players offered arbitration may sign with their former teams through Jan. 8. Those not offered arbitration can't re-sign until April 30.
Two pitchers facing the deadline agreed to new contracts with their former teams Saturday: Mike Maddux with the Red Sox and Doug Jones with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Jones, 5-0 with a 3.41 ERA and one save, got a minor-league contract for $7,000 a month and will get a $300,000, one-year deal if he makes the team. He can earn an additional $50,004 under an unusual weight clause.
Under the deal, Jones is to be weighed every Sunday from March 30 through Sept. 28. Each time he weighs 225 or less, he would get $1,852 a total of $50,004 if he earns it all.
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