Notes on a Scorecard - Dec. 31, 1991

Just once, I would like to see it rain on the parade and Rose Bowl game. . . .

Too many gorgeous New Year’s Days in Pasadena have persuaded too many television viewers to move out here and crowd our neighborhoods, clog our freeways and pollute our air. . . .

The last time it rained during the Rose Bowl game was in 1955, when Woody Hayes made his first appearance and Ohio State beat USC, 20-7, despite Aramis Dandoy’s 88-yard punt return for a touchdown before a less-than-capacity crowd of 89,191. . . .

It should have been a showdown for the national championship between the unbeaten Buckeyes and unbeaten UCLA, but the Bruins were ineligible for the bowl because of the ridiculous no-repeat rule then in effect. . . .

A friend of mine thought he had bought the worst seat in the house that day. It was in the last row behind one end zone. It turned out to be one of the best seats because he was protected from the storm by the overhang of the scoreboard. . . .

UCLA got some wonderful news when wide receiver Sean LaChapelle said he would return for his senior season instead of making himself available for the NFL draft. Tommy Maddox and LaChapelle, who will team up against Illinois today in the John Hancock Bowl, should set several school records next season. . . .

Whoever would have thought that Oklahoma and Georgia would win bowl games with the pass? . . .

Not the least of Miami’s advantages over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl will be the home-field advantage. . . .

Virginia’s 6-foot-7 quarterback/forward Matt Blundin looks huge on the football field and average size on the basketball court. . . .

Struggling free-throw shooters should copy Hal Greer’s old style and take a jump shot from the line. . . .

No wonder Dick Vitale is such an authority on cupcake schedules. When he coached at the University of Detroit from 1973-74 through 1976-77, his teams played such powers as Hillsdale; St. John’s, Minn.; Wisconsin Parkside; Illinois Wesleyan; Kalamazoo; Oakland, Mich., and Grand Valley State. . . .

An emerging power in college basketball could be USF--not the University of San Francisco, but the University of South Florida. . . .

Many NBA scouts believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers are genuine and will give the Chicago Bulls their biggest test in the Eastern Conference. . . .

Kansas City will be a longshot at Buffalo, but the best way to beat the Bills is by running up the gut, which is something the Chiefs can do. They rushed for 247 yards in a 33-6 victory over the Bills on Monday night, Oct. 7, at Arrowhead Stadium. . . .

The Chicago Bears are among those teams that need a better passing attack to advance in future playoffs. . . .

Rickey Jackson is a great linebacker who has not been given his due because he has played on the same University of Pittsburgh team with Hugh Green and the same New Orleans Saint team with Pat Swilling. . . .

I’m surprised more visiting teams don’t use short snap counts in noisy domes. . . .

Nothing about new Cincinnati Bengal Coach David Shula indicates that he will be another Don Shula. . . .

Eighteen NFL teams lost their starting quarterback for at least one game this season. . . .

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who was an assistant coach for the Rams and USC, is getting a lot of credit for the Dallas Cowboys’ improvement. . . .

The Atlanta Falcons can gamble on defense in the manner of the old Raiders because cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Tim McKyer cover so well. . . .

Tonight’s sellout for the game against the Vancouver Canucks will be the Kings’ 50th in a row at the Forum. . . .

The NHL has given teams the right to advertise not only on the dasher boards, but on the ice itself. . . .

Mark Messier’s contract with the New York Rangers will award him a $320,000 bonus if the team wins the Stanley Cup. . . .

The Chicago Blackhawks’ last seven goals have been scored by Brian Noonan. . . .

Not a single boxing match of national interest has been scheduled yet for 1992. . . .

When Chris McCarron passed Pat Day and clinched the national money title Sunday at Santa Anita, his winning mounts paid $9.40, $34.80 and $12. . . .

Who do the injury-plagued Kings think they are, the Clippers?