Record: 8-3, 6-2 Pac-10
Coach: Mike Bellotti, fifth year (38-20; 61-45-2 overall)
Top Off. Player: RB Reuben Droughns (1,139 yards, nine TDs)
Top Def. Player: LB Peter Sirmon (93 tackles, 10 for loss)
Season Summary:
The Ducks quietly quacked to another decent Pac-10 season, including a five-game win streak to end the season. Two key moments were a 33-30, triple-overtime win over USC on Sept. 25 and a 44-41 win over Arizona on Oct. 23 in which Joey Harrington emerged as the new starting quarterback.
| TEAM HEADLINES | | Aug 26 | Sherill miffed over Oregon's Nike vests |
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Record: 8-3, 5-3 Big Ten
Coach: Glen Mason, third year (16-18; 75-82-1 overall)
Top Off. Player: RB Thomas Hamner (1,362 yards, 10 TDs)
Top Def. Player: S Tyrone Carter (127 tackles)
Season Summary:
A rags-to-riches story unfolded in Minneapolis, where the Gophers are headed to their first bowl in 14 years. Hamner is the workhorse but athletic QB Billy Cockerham sparked the team with his combo pass/run ability. The Gophers' big win came on Nov. 6 when they upset then-undefeated Penn State on a last-second field goal.
| TEAM HEADLINES | | Aug 26 | Ex-Minnesota coach Wacker dead at 66 |
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RB Thomas Hamner and coach Glen Mason enjoyed knocking off No. 2 Penn State.
