Big Ten teams ace bowls, go 5-0

Two years ago, the Buckeyes pulled out a late win over undefeated Arizona State in the Rose Bowl, but had to settle for No. 2 when Florida beat top-ranked Florida State for the national title.

Different state, same result.

''We gave it our best shot,'' coach John Cooper said Saturday morning after Ohio State's 24-14 victory over Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl.

Three touchdowns in a span of 6 1/2 minutes in the first quarter almost blew the Aggies out of the Superdome, but the Buckeyes managed only a chip-shot field goal the rest of the game.

AP PHOTO Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne ran for a record-tying four touchdowns and 246 in the Badgers' 38-6 victory over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Dayne was named MVP.

''We had a fast start, but we missed some opportunities to put more points on the board,'' said Joe Germaine, who threw an Ohio State bowl-record 38 passes trying.

The Buckeyes had 210 yards rushing, and wide receiver David Boston, the Sugar Bowl's MVP caught 11 passes for 105 yards.

No. 9 Wisconsin 38, No. 6 UCLA 31

Wisconsin felt right at home in the Rose Bowl - and really made UCLA wish it was somewhere else.

Ron Dayne ran for 246 yards and a record-tying four touchdowns Friday in a 38-31 victory over UCLA, which had to settle for playing in Pasadena after losing its shot at the national title.

The sixth-ranked Bruins had hoped for a trip to Tempe, Ariz., for the Fiesta Bowl, but a loss to Miami (Fla.) on Dec. 5 gave them a game in their own back yard instead.

''We thought we were national champions a month ago,'' offensive tackle Kris Farris said.

But their last chance was dashed as Cade McNown's shotgun pass intended for DeShaun Foster was intercepted by Jamar Fletcher. He ran 46 yards down the Badgers' sideline for a touchdown and a 38-28 lead.

Dayne showed power up the middle and speed in the open field against UCLA's flimsy defense. He carried 27 times and scored on runs of 54, 7, 10 and 22 yards to lead Wisconsin to its first 11-victory season.

''I got so hyped up after our first touchdown that I threw up,'' said Dayne, who averaged 9 yards a carry despite a sore shoulder.

Purdue 37, Kansas State 34

Kansas State really lost the Alamo Bowl three weeks ago.

That's when the Wildcats' shot at a national championship vanished - along with much of their heart.

Unable to recover from the crushing disappointment of losing in the Big 12 title game Dec. 5, the Wildcats played most of the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30 as if they didn't want to be there. And, in fact, they had said as much leading up to the game, angry at not getting an invitation to a top-tier bowl.

Unranked Purdue took advantage of Kansas State's apparent apathy and won 37-34 when Drew Brees quaterbacked the Boilermakers to an 80-yard touchdown drive in the final minute. Along with the game, the No. 4 Wildcats lost much of the respect they had earned during the season and probably will fall out of the top 10 in the final poll.

''Tonight was the culmination of three weeks of disappointment,'' Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said.

Penn State 26, Kentucky 14

If the Outback Bowl was Tim Couch's final college game, he won't remember it as his best.

The Kentucky junior, considering the prospect of turning pro, threw for 337 yards and two touchdowns but was unable to solve No. 22 Penn State's defense in a 26-14 loss Friday.

Couch amassed his Outback-record yardage total on 30 completions in 48 attempts. But he also threw two interceptions and was sacked six times after helping his team to a 14-3 lead.

Penn State, appearing in a New Year's game for the eighth consecutive season, maintained its composure and scored the game's last 23 points.

Courtney Brown led a relentless pass rush, Anthony King had both Nittany Lions' interceptions and the defense only allowed Couch to throw for 107 yards in the second half.

01-06-99