[Tiger Fan]

TIGERFAN'S SPORTING NEWS
49ERS HAND EAGLES FIRST LOSS
And then there was one. The Chicago Bears are the NFL's only unbeaten team after the San Francisco 49ers handed the Philadelphia Eagles their first loss in 7 games. The 6-2 49ers did more than just hand the Eagles the loss, they slapped them upside the head with a thoroughly dominating 24-7 win. Only a late interception return for a touchdown spared the Eagles the embarassement of a shutout. One stat shows just how lobsided this game really was.

Total net yards
San Francisco 523
Philadelphia 128

San Francisco rookie QB Ike Meier, benched last week after a dreadful showing vs Kansas City two weeks ago, did a workmanlike job on this occassion. The 4th round pick forced into the starting role with the injury to Koy Harris, completed 19 of 33 for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was also picked off twice. Meier, a very mobile QB, was not sacked all game and did manage to scramble for 43 yards. Running backs Travis Henderson and Russ Davis combined for 145 yards rushing and wide receiver Benny Pace had a huge game with 7 catches for 119 yards.

The Eagles got just 73 yards out of their feature back Harley Mitchell. However it was the performance of QB Doug Bass that really did in the Eagles. Bass, back in a starting role after missing 3 games with an injury, completed just 12 of 26 passes for 64 yards and was picked off twice. You have to expect the Eagles to go back to Ken Neal for next week's game at Washington. In Bass's absence, Neal was outstanding.

The only downside to the game for San Francisco was that veteran safety Earl Joyce suffered an elbow injury late in the game when he was tackled after recording his 6th interception of the season. Joyce could be done for the rest of the season. Veteran backup Joe Germaine will likely take Joyce spot in the starting lineup but it is a huge drop-off in talent.

BEARS JUST KEEP ON WINNING - DROP PANTHERS 38-7
The league's most potent offense had another huge day as the Chicago Bears improve to 7-0 and are the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL. No one is quite sure what got into Sid *Luckman but the four-time first team all-star must have decided he felt like a running back on Sunday. Luckman, who had rushed for 78 yards in the first 6 games this season carried the ball for 110 yards in this game. He also passed for 201 yards and 1 touchdown.

In other action
Washington lost QB Sammy *Baugh for at least a month with a leg injury and lost the game to the Arizona Cardinals. Tuffy *Leemans ran for 116 yards and Brook Hasselbeck added 10 more to his league leading tackle total as the Cardinals stopped the Redskins 24-17. The loss keeps Washington 2 games back of Philadelphia, which lost for the first time this season. Arizona remains 1 game back of the 6-2 49ers.

Todd Berger ran for 155 yards to lead New Orleans past Minnesota 24-12. The 4-3 Saints are tied with Atlanta atop the NFC South Division. The Falcons need 10 fourth quarter points to rally past Detroit 24-20. Antowain Anderson rushed for 98 yards including a 5 yard touchdown scamper with 5 minutes to play that proved to be the difference in the game.

Cecil *Isbell had his best game of the season as Green Bay beat up on Tampa 24-3. Isbell completed 29 of 38 for 311 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one to Don *Hutson who had 7 catches for 110 yards.

The misery continues for the New York Giants. After a 2-0 start the Giants have dropped 5 straight including a 27-20 loss at home to lowly Seattle yesterday. To add insult to injury, the defense that was dubbed the Big Blue Machine after a quick start, was shredded for 252 yards by a QB who 5 weeks ago was a free agent that nobody wanted. Dennis Hayes, released by New England over the summer, was signed when the Seahawks top 2 QB's went down with injury. He is 3-2 in his 5 starts for Seattle, a club that has averaged just over 5 wins a season for the past 4 years.

With starting RB Mike Largent sidelined backup Reggie Hoernschemeyer ran for a career high 126 yards as St Louis outscored Dallas 38-24.

VAN BUREN LEADS JETS TO 4TH STRAIGHT WIN
As bad as things have been for the cross-town Giants, it has been equally as good for fans of the New York Jets over the past month. The Jets after losing their first 4 games of the season, including a 13-3 week 2 loss to New England, have reeled off 4 straight wins. The Patriots were the latest victim falling 20-9 in game dominated by the Jets defense and Steve *Van Buren. The 3rd year running back from LSU ran for a career high 165 yards and scored a touchdown on an 81 yard run. He also gained another 33 yards on 3 receptions. The Jets defense held 6-2 New England to just 173 total yards and allowed only 3 field goals. With back-to-back wins over division rivals New England and Buffalo the Jets are back in the AFC East title hunt.

Buffalo finally halted it's 4-game losing streak with a 29-18 win over division doormat Miami. Michael Williams ran for 130 yards to lead the Bills who are tied with the improving Jets at 4-4, 2 games back of New England in the AFC East. Miami drops to 2-6.

Elsewhere in the AFC

Three fourth quarter touchdowns, including a pair of Tom Friede to Bud Neal passes gave Pittsburgh a come-from-behind 25-14 win over hometown Indianapolis. Mickey Marangi ran for 134 yards for the Steelers who lead the Central Division with a 5-3 record.

Baltimore kept pace with a 17-10 wn over Jacksonville. The 4-3-1 Ravens normally rely on an outstanding defense but it has struggled at times this season, although it looked good on this occassion.

Wide receiver Brad Gibron had 2 touchdown catches as Tennessee beat Cincinnati 22-14. Gibron had 7 receptions for 124 yards in a game that saw the Bengals lose their starting QB. Bud Rutledge of the Bengals, who has been battling an ankle injury all season finally had the injury sideline him for good - the ankle is broken and his season and possibly is 14 year career may well be over.

Vaughan Diedrick and Art Tasker connected on a 36 yard pass in overtime to give Houston a 29-23 victory over Cleveland. The winning strike came after Houston had forced the extra period on a 50 yard field goal from Laverne Bethea with just over a minute to play in regulation. Zack Kruczek had 9 receptions for the Browns to run his league leading total to 57. With the loss Cleveland falls to 4-4 while the Texans improve to 2-4-1.




MIDSEASON ROOKIE REPORT - PART 2 THE DEFENDERS
In the second of a three part series discussing how the rookies are adapting to the NFL we will focus strictly on the defensive side of the ball. Last years draft was dominated by the offense as all but thirteen of 32 first round picks made last April were offensive players but as you will see below some of those thirteeen defenders selected are making a quick impact on the league.

ROCK ROBERTS LB DENVER - The ex-Purdue Boilermaker was the first defensive player selected and he slid all the way down to 8th. The middle linebacker is a big reason why the Broncos are 6-1 and have one of the best defenses in the league. He has started every game and is second on the team with 53 tackles. A defensive rookie of the year candidate.

TOMMY TAYLOR FS GREEN BAY - Taken 10th by Green Bay Taylor has been a force in the Packers secondary. Has 52 tackles and 3 interceptions including a 2 pick game against Detroit a couple of weeks ago.

JIM HENDERSON DE ST LOUIS - The 14th pick out of Colorado, Henderson's play has been sporadic. He has started 5 of the 8 games but has just 4 tackles and 1 sack to his credit. Like the rest of the 3-5 Rams he has been a bit of a dissappointment.

BOB HOLT SS CLEVELAND - Former USC star went 15th overall. He had an interception in the season opener but is showing some frustration at being eased into the job. He has not started a game yet as the Browns have 8 year veteran Dick Lewis ahead of him. The initial impression was Holt could become a star if his attitude is focused on improving.

WALTER SCOTT FS NEW ORLEANS - A bit of a surprise pick at 17 for the Saints as they already had allstar Jeff Klein, a third year pro, at the position. Scott has seen plenty of action and has 1 interception to go with 22 tackles this season but like Holt the former Viriginia Tech defensive back is frustrated at his lack of playing time.

PAT *HARDER LB OAKLAND - It has been a rough season for the Raiders but you can't blame the former Wisconsin middle linebacker. Harder surprisingly dropped to 21st in the draft and has played like a man on a mission. He has started all 7 games for Oakland and has 40 tackles and an interception

PAUL MOLDEN DE CAROLINA - The former San Jose State standout was taken 22nd by the Panthers. A pass-rushing DE who had 12 sacks as a senior, has 3 so far in 7 starts as an NFL rookie. The 2-5 Panthers defense as a whole has not played up to expectations so far this year.

BILL *WILLIS DT SAN FRANCISCO - Projected to go in the top 15, Willis slid to the 49ers at pick 23. The former Ohio State Buckeye has spent most of the season on the San Francisco bench, watching and learning behind veteran allstars Joey Griese and Ray Steele. He is projected to replace Grieise, who is in his 10th pro year, next season.

DENNIS POOCHMAN DT ATLANTA - the third of three straight picks made on defensive linemen, the ex-Virginia Cavalier went 24th to the Falcons. He has started all 7 games and been a disrupting presence in the middle. He also has 4 sacks already this season.

STEPHEN WHITEHEAD SS BUFFALO - Fomer North Carolina State DB was selected 27th by the Bills. He has started all 8 games for a very good defensive unit and his 51 tackles place him second on the team in that category. He has yet to record an interception but, as his 8 picks as a senior attest, Whitehead has a terrific nose for the ball.

SPEEDY GARRITY DT CINCINNATI - Taken 28th from Temple, Garrity has started every game for the Bengals so far this season. He has 11 tackles and 1 sack to his credit.

JASON LEE DT CHICAGO - 4th DT selected in the draft went 31st to the Bears. Former University of Washington star has started all 7 games for the defending NFC champs and has 9 tackles and 8 QB hurries to his credit.

TONY BRADY SS HOUSTON - The final pick of the first round was used on this former Pitt Panther. Brady instantly became the best DB in the weak Texans secondary and has 42 tackles and 2 interceptions in 7 games so far. If he played on a better team he could be the favourite for the defensive rookie of the year award. As it is he will still get some notice.

Next week we check the progress of the first round picks on the other side of the ball.




RED WINGS OFF TO QUICK START AS NHL SEASON BEGINS
The Detroit Red Wings reeled off three consecutive victories to start the National Hockey League season and sit alone atop the standings. In Wednesday's season opener the Wings beat the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 as Eddie Bruneteau scored a pair of goals and Sid Abel counted the other marker. The game marked the NHL debut of highly touted Red Wing rookie Gordie Howe. While the winger did not factor in the scoring he did make his presence felt on the scoresheet, taking a minor penalty in his first shift of the game and mixing it up in a scrap with Leafs rearguard Bill Barilko in the second period. The Leafs outshot the Wings 37-31 but Detroit goaltender Harry Lumley was outstanding and was named the second star of the game.

The Wings and Leafs had a rematch in Toronto on Saturday and again the Motor City side came out on top. Sid Abel scored the game winner with 1:22 to play in the third period to give the Wings a 4-3 victory. Abel's goal came less than 5 minutes after Bud Poile scored to tie the game for the Leafs. Roy Conacher had 2 goals and an assist to pace the Wings who peppered Leaf goal Turk Broda with 47 shots.

On Sunday, Gordie Howe scored his first NHL goal as the Wings spanked the New York Rangers 6-2 at The Olympia. Jim Conacher had a 3 point game for the winners while linemate Billy Taylor notched a pair of assists.

For the Rangers it was their second straight lobsided loss as Montreal beat the blueshirts 6-1 at The Forum on Thursday. Chuck Rayner started both games in net for New York but was replaced by backup Sugar Jim Henry both times, although Henry fared no better in relief than Rayner did as a starter. Leo Gravelle scored a hat trick for the Habs in Thursday's contest with Billy Reay and Rocket Richard each picking up a goal and an assist. Bill Durnan turned aside 32 shots after Edgar Laprade beat him with the Rangers first shot just 25 seconds into the contest.

The Boston Bruins looked very good in Saturday night's opener on the road in Montreal. The Bruins outshot the Canadiens 44-34 and would have won if not for some superb work from Bill Durnan between the Montreal pipes. The Canadiens tallied first early in the second period when Kenny Reardon's hard blast was stopped by Boston goalie Frank Brimsek but the rebound went directly to Habs forward George Allen who deposited the puck in the open side. The Bruins fired 20 shots at Durnan in the third period and were finally rewarded when Bill Cowley set up Joe Carveth for the equilizer.

On Sunday, the Chicago Black Hawks became the final team to start it's season. The Hawks doubled the Bruins in Boston 4-2 as the line of George Gee, Max Bentley and Adam Brown combined for 10 points including a hat trick from Gee. His final goal came into an empty net just moments after the Bruins hit the post while scrambling for the equalizer. Joe Carveth scored both Boston goals assisted on each occassion by Bill Cowley.




BASEBALL'S GOLD GLOVE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Major league baseball began it's offseason parade of awards this winning by naming the gold glove winners for both the American and National Leagues.

In the American League the Boston Red Sox led the way with 3 winners. Centerfielder Mel Almada and rightfielder Stan Spence each won for the third time while leftfielder Ted Williams made it a clean sweep of the outfield for the Bosox. For Williams it was the first fielding award of his 8 year career. The infield features a pair of St Louis Browns in first George McQuinn and shortstop Vern Stephens. For McQuinn, it is his 7th gold glove in the last 8 years (the White Sox' Dolph Camilli interrupted McQuinn's streak last year). The 25 year old Stephens wins for the third time in his 5 year career. All of the others are first time winners. Washington's Jerry Priddy because the third different winner at second base in the past three seasons. Yankee teammates Bob Scheffing and Billy Johnson win at catcher and third base respectiviely while the gold glove winning pitcher is Stubby Overmire of the Detroit Tigers. The World Series winning Cleveland Indians failed to have a single player win a gold glove.

Second baseman Tony Cuccinello of the National League champion won the 9th Gold Glove of his career. He is the active leader in gold gloves but remains three shy of the record 12 won by Cardinals shortstop Bobby Wallace between 1901 and 1914. Cuccinello's doubleplay partner Arky Vaughan remains stuck at 8 gold gloves after losing out to Brooklyn shortstop Pee Wee Reese. It was the first gold glove for the 27 year old Reese. Joining Cuccinello and Reese in the infield are St Louis third baseman Whitey Kurowski, with his third gold glove, and first time winner Phillies first sacker Roy Sanders. Pittsburgh pitcher Ken Heintzelman is a first time winner and he ends Jack Kraus' three-year hold on the award for hurlers. Cardinal catcher Walker Cooper wins for the second time in three years while two of the three outfielders are first time winners - centerfielder Joe Marty of the Cubs and right fielder Ford Garrison of the Reds. Rounding out the National League gold glove list is Reds leftfielder Joe Medwick, who wins for the second time in his career.

Next week the American and National League rookie of the year award winners will be announced.


COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUND UP
NOTRE DAME TAKES OVER NUMBER 1 RANKING
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have taken over the number 1 spot in the National College Football poll. The 4-0 Irish built up a 17-0 lead and cruised to a 17-6 victory on the road against Iowa. Previous number 1 ranked Army won to improve to 6-0 but Army needed two fourth quarter touchdowns at home to rally past a middle of the road Duke squad 14-6. Army's offense could accomplish nothing through 3 quarters against the Blue Devils and had linebacker John *Green not picked off a pass and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown midway through the 4th quarter we would likely be disecting an Army loss in this report.

TSN COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 20
Here is the new Top 20 after this weekends action. (last weeks ranking in brackets)
1- Notre Dame (2) -- 4-0 beat Iowa 17-6, at Navy next week
2- Army (1) -- 6-0 beat Duke 14-6, host West Virginia next week
3. Georgia (3) -- 5-0 beat Furman 44-3, host #13 Alabama next week
4. Tennessee (4)-- 5-0 beat Wake Forest 14-7, host #12 North Carolina next week
5. UCLA (5) -- 5-0 beat Santa Clara 44-6, host St Mary's next week
6. Michigan (6) -- 4-1 beat then #17 Illinois 44-16, at Minnesota next week
7. Pennsylvania (7)-- 4-0 beat Navy 40-10, host Princeton next week
8. Yale (8) -- 5-0 beat Coast Guard 48-0, host Dartmouth next week
9. Arkansas (10) - 5-0-1 beat Mississippi 7-3, at Texas A&M next week
10. Ohio State (11) -- 4-1 beat Minnesota 17-3, at Northwestern next week
11. Rice (14) - 4-0-1 beat then #12 Texas 13-7, host #18 Texas Tech next week
12. North Carolina (13) -- 5-0 beat Florida 41-10, at #4 Tennessee next week
13. Alabama (15) -- 5-1 beat then #19 Kentucky 23-17, at #3 Georgia next week
14. Georgia Tech (16)-- 4-1 beat Auburn 37-0, at Duke next week
15 Southern Methodist (20) 4-0-1 beat Missouri 17-7, at #16 Texas next week
16. Texas (12) -- 4-2 lost to then #14 Rice 13-7, host #15 SMU next week
17. Stanford (nr) -- 4-1 beat then #9 USC 24-20, at Oregon State next week
18. Texas Tech (nr) -- 5-1 beat Denver 23-3, at #11 Rice next week
19. Southern California (9)-- 3-1-1 lost 24-20 to Stanford, host Oregon next week
20 William & Mary (nr)-- 6-0 beat VMI 38-6, host Maryland next week

Dropping out of top 20
17. Illinois (17)--- 3-2-1 lost to then #6 Michigan 44-16, at Iowa next week
18 Kentucky (18)- 4-2 lost 23-17 to then #15 Alabama, host Michigan State next week
19. Kansas 5-1 lost 23-17 to Tulsa, host Oklahoma State next week


continued