Ball State

In many ways, Brandon Crawford stands out as a college football player. There's his age. At 32, Crawford is not only the oldest player on the Ball State team, but he also is believed to be the oldest player on any Football Bowl Subdivision roster. "I think I'm more relaxed with it now," Crawford said this week as Ball State prepared for tonight's nationally televised home game against Navy. "I'm playing my role, trying to help my team out. I'm more in my comfort zone. "But I'm not satisfied.

Tennessee's title defense ended sooner than expected, wrapping up the worst season for Pat Summitt's vaunted program. Ball State stunned the two-time defending national champion, 71-55, in the opening round of the NCAA tournament last night in Bowling Green, Ky., ending one of the more remarkable streaks in college basketball history. The Lady Volunteers (22-11) had never lost on the opening weekend of the tournament, going 42-0 through the years. Fifth seed Tennessee also became the first defending champ to lose in the first round of the women's tournament.

Navy's 1991 schedule will feature six home games and six opponents who weren't on the schedule last season -- Ball State, William and Mary, Bowling Green, Temple, Tulane and Wake Forest. Navy never has played Ball State, Bowling Green or Wake Forest. The Midshipmen last played William and Mary in 1987, Temple in 1988 and Tulane in 1973.Date*************OpponentSept. 7************ Ball StateSept. 14************at VirginiaSept. 21************William & MarySept. 28************Bowling GreenOct.

Ball State@Miami-Ohio 7 p.m. [ESPN2] What do we know about Ball State? The Cardinals - did you know that? - are ranked 14th. The school is located in Muncie, Ind. Sure, we know David Letterman is an alumnus, but how about these other illustrious former students: Joyce DeWitt of Three's Company; Garfield creator Jim Davis; Oprah's squeeze, Stedman Graham; and former Oriole Merv Rettenmund. Consider yourself enlightened.

WHAT WENT RIGHT The Midshipmen rushed for 346 yards, led by Shun White's 128 yards on 13 carries. Jarod Bryant and Eric Kettani were just short of 100-yard nights, rushing for 94 and 92 yards, respectively. WHAT WENT WRONG Ball State found plenty of opportunities to move the ball against Navy's secondary, as quarterback Nate Davis threw for 326 yards and four touchdown passes. Wide receiver Dante Love caught nine passes for 165 yards. DEFINING MOMENT Bryant was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-one at the Ball State 3-yard line in the middle of the third quarter with Navy trailing 28-23.

1 Inside game: Before tonight's Mavericks-Rockets game (8 p.m., ESPN), Houston gets to shoot a technical because of the Mark Cuban (left) insider trading mess. 2 Short trip: They're saving on gas: Towson visits Loyola in women's basketball at 7 p.m. 3 Weekends off: Ball State faces Central Michigan (7 p.m., ESPN2), and so we wonder whether Ball State ever plays on a Saturday. 4 Quacked: The Capitals are in Anaheim to face the Ducks (10 p.m., Comcast SportsNet) and just so you know: Emilio Estevez isn't the Ducks' coach.

Simpson leads Morgan to 29-20 win Running back rushes for 192 yards against Norfolk State. Pg 7D Index Other games No. 1 Ohio State 17, Illinois 10 No. 2 Michigan 34, Ball State 26 No. 4 Texas 36, Oklahoma State 10 No. 7 Florida 25, Vanderbilt 19 No. 13 LSU 28, No. 8 Tennessee 24 No. 22 Wake Forest 21, No. 16 Boston College 14 William and Mary 29, Towson 28 COVERAGE, PGS 5-7D

A matchup with undefeated Boise State on its home field in the Humanitarian Bowl emerged yesterday as Maryland's most likely bowl scenario, but the Terrapins' spot in the Dec. 30 game was not guaranteed. The Humanitarian Bowl is intrigued by a possible matchup of two undefeated teams - Boise State and Ball State. If Ball State commits, the Terps would be bypassed and would probably end up with an at-large bid to the Motor City Bowl in Detroit or another game, according to bowl officials and others.

BaseballAngels: Will not offer salary arbitration to P Shawn Boskie.Dodgers: Designated P Felix Rodriguez for assignment.Rangers: Offered arbitration to P Mike Stanton and C Dave Valle. Did not offer arbitration to SS Kevin Elster, P Kevin Gross and P Dennis Cook.Yankees: Offered P John Wetteland salary arbitration. Did not offer arbitration to IF Tony Fernandez and OF Mike Aldrete.BasketballWarriors: Activated G Bimbo Coles from injured list. Placed F Lou Roe (strained lower back) on injured list.

Midwest Regional Ky. 85, St. Bonaventure 80 Syracuse 79, Samford 65 Mich. St. 65, Valparaiso 38 Auburn 72, Creighton 69 Iowa St. 88, C. Conn. St. 78 Maryland 74, Iona 59 Utah 48, St. Louis 45 UCLA 65, Ball State 57 West Regional Texas 77, Indiana St. 61 LSU 64, SE Mo. State 61 Arizona 71, Jackson St. 47 Oklahoma 74, Winthrop 50 Purdue 62, Dayton 61 Gonzaga 77, Louisville 66 St. John's 61, N. Arizona 56 Wisconsin 66, Fresno St. 56 ...