Gator Bowl

Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz was sprawled out on the ground, trainers huddled around him, teammates, coaches and fans wondering whether he would be able to continue playing yesterday. Ganz eventually made his way to the sideline, cleared his head, got back in the game and ended up hoisting the Gator Bowl's Most Valuable Player trophy. His comeback provided an appropriate ending for Nebraska's season. After all, the Cornhuskers enjoyed one of college football's best turnarounds. Ganz shook off a horrible first half and a slight concussion, threw for two touchdowns and led Nebraska to a 26-21 win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., giving the storied program plenty of optimism after coach Bo Pelini's first season.

COLLEGE PARK - He was out of breath, he was emotionally exhausted, and he was covered in sweat. Inside Alltel Stadium, 78,892 people had just watched Steve Suter return a punt 76 yards for a touchdown, giving Maryland a 17-0 lead over West Virginia on New Year's Day in the Gator Bowl. But at that moment, Suter wasn't thinking about any of them. He was only thinking about his father, George, 800 miles away, watching the game at home from his couch in Manchester. As fans celebrated, and teammates tried to hug him, Suter ran past a television camera and blurted out what had been on his mind since the moment he crossed the goal line.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - In September, Maryland's football team defeated West Virginia so thoroughly, so completely, it instantly restored the confidence and swagger of a young football team riddled with self-doubt. Incredibly, Maryland's 34-7 win had the same effect on the Mountaineers. Humiliated by such a poor performance in College Park, West Virginia won seven of its next eight games, and today it can gauge how far its program has come when the two schools meet again in the Gator Bowl.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - With several NFL coaching positions open, Ralph Friedgen's name has come up repeatedly. Asked yesterday about the rumors, the Maryland coach repeatedly said that he was happy. He did say, however, that he wouldn't mind a raise. Friedgen has eight years remaining on a 10-year, $12 million contract he signed in 2001. "I'm happy at Maryland," Friedgen said. "I'm very happy here. I've been to the NFL. I like where I'm at. I would like some more money, though." Friedgen hasn't directly asked for a raise, but Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow has made it clear she's willing to do what it takes to keep him happy at Maryland.

COLLEGE PARK - On the days when his body hurt the most, when it seemed like nothing - not painkillers, not ice, not hours of therapy - could quell the throbbing pain in his ankles, shoulder and groin, Bruce Perry would limp to his car, point it north on Interstate 95 and drive. It was something he did often, travel home to Philadelphia, but when things were at their worst, the drive meant that much more, because it was all he could do to stay sane. Even at 75 mph, it seemed like the trip took forever.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Gone was the Maryland alma mater. So was the lingering of the players with their families on the field, and the smiling. All three were staples of the ride the Terrapins football team had enjoyed over the past two months, covering eight straight victories. After a 48-13 loss to Virginia last night, there were no reunions, no singing. Just blank looks from a group that had no idea what had just hit them. "They just played well and we didn't," said Scooter Monroe, one of several at a loss to explain how the Terrapins started so quickly, only to see the Cavaliers outscore them 34-3 during the second and third quarters, ending their hopes of a Bowl Championship Series berth.

SUGAR BOWL: No. 5 Florida 51, No. 4 Cincinnati 24 CAPITAL ONE BOWL: No. 11 Penn St. 19, No. 13 LSU 17 PG 4 GATOR BOWL: Florida State 33, No. 18 West Virginia 21 PG 4 OUTBACK BOWL: Auburn 38, Northwestern 35, OT PG 4

OUTBACK BOWL Penn State 20, No. 17 Tennessee 10 COTTON BOWL No. 10 Auburn 17, No. 22 Nebraska 14 CAPITAL ONE BOWL No. 6 Wisconsin 17, No. 12 Arkansas 14 GATOR BOWL No. 13 W. Virginia 38, Ga. Tech 35 ROSE BOWL No. 8 USC 32, No. 3 Michigan 18 FIESTA BOWL No. 9 Boise State 43, No. 7 Okla. 42, OT Coverage, PGS 2-3D

Maryland had to put its Gator Bowl travel plans on hold yesterday, and the Terps have only Virginia Tech to blame. Gator Bowl officials were prepared to extend an invitation to Maryland after its 26-24 victory over North Carolina State on Saturday night, but Virginia Tech's unexpected 34-27 loss to Boston College threw a monkey wrench into the plan. The Gator Bowl, which traditionally pits an Atlantic Coast Conference team against one from the Big East Conference, wanted a Terps-Hokies matchup, seeking to bill it as sneak preview of next year's expanded ACC. But Virginia Tech's loss may turn out to be West Virginia's gain.

BaseballCleveland Indians -- Placed C Sandy Alomar (inflamed and irritated right rotator cuff; .202) on 15-day DL. Alomar has thrown out just 3 of 14 runners attempting to steal. Optioned IF Jeff Manto (.158 in 12 games) to Class AAA Colorado Springs. Called up C Ed Taubensee (.329) and IF Ever Magallanes (.320).Pittsburgh Pirates -- Placed 3B Jeff King (.250, 1 HR, 11 RBI) on 15-day DL retroactive to May 5 because of strained lower back. Purchased contract of IF Jeff Richardson (.239, 1 HR, 13 RBI)