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TOSTITOS FIESTA NOTEBOOK: QBS THE DIFFERENCE
By Marc Connolly
ABC Sports Online
TEMPE, Ariz. – Tennessee's Tee Martin and FSU's Marcus Outzen didn’t exactly
evoke memories of Flutie vs. Kosar with their passing exploits on Monday night. Facing
rush-happy defenses with shadow-like cornerbacks, both quarterbacks struggled to find the
open man throughout the night. Sometimes when they did, it happened to be someone wearing
the wrong colors, too.
But when it was said and done, Martin had gotten the job done for his team. Outzen had
not. Tennessee had won 23-16.
Starting just his third game after starter Chris Weinke herniated a disc against Virginia
in early November, Outzen rushed the ball eight times in the first half alone. His numbers
(9 of 22, 145 yards, 2 INTs) weren't overly impressive, but his ability to gain first
downs whether it be on 4th and inches or 1st and 10 was key in keeping drives alive for
the fleeting Seminoles offense.
Unfortunately, he also made the kind of mistakes one often makes in just his third start,
most noticeably a late-game fumble while scrambling at his own 28 that put the game out of
reach.
Martin, who rushed for seven touchdowns in 1998, got very little on the ground. However,
he was 11 of 18 for 278 yards through the air, with two TDs and two interceptions. His
vision downfield and exceptional quickness enabled him to keep the daunting FSU defensive
line out of his face for most of the contest. And of course, his two bombs (76 and 79
yards) to Peerless Price were the difference in the outcome.
"He played an outstanding game," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He
knows how to manage a game. He gives you a threat as a runner, he's very difficult to
defend. As the season has gone along, he's gotten better and better. I would not trade Tee
Martin for anyone in the country."
More Laurels For The "Voice" of College Football
On the day of his final broadcast, ABC's legendary play-by-play announcer Keith Jackson
learned that he'll receive the 1999 Gold Medal Award from the National Football Foundation
and College Hall of Fame. This award is bestowed on individuals who have demonstrated
integrity, achieved success and have carried the basic values taught in amateur sport into
their professional life. The 70-year-old Jackson, retiring from the broadcast booth after
46 years of involvement with college football in some capacity, joins an exclusive list of
Gold Medal recipients, including seven U.S. presidents, actor John Wayne, Gen. Norman
Schwartzkopf and baseball's Jackie Robinson. He will receive his award at a dinner in New
York City in December 1999.
Don't Those Guys Stretch?
Apparently, there was no safe haven on the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl battlefield. Not only did
Tennessee CB Dwayne Goodrich (left ankle) and DT Ron Green (knee) exit the game in the
first half with injuries, but so did Side Judge Colin McDermott. Dave Cutaia, the game's
alternate official, was forced into action in the second half after McDermott ruptured a
tendon in his right calf during the second quarter.
Don't Make Any Quick Movements
The secret service was out in full force at Sun Devil Stadium due to the presence of Vice
President Al Gore and his family. Several dogs were escorted throughout the stadium before
the game to check for explosives. Gore's bodyguards even set up shop in the press box,
where they scanned the crowd with high-powered binoculars throughout the game.
Watching The Game Or Just Schmoozing?
Among the celebrity spottings at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: New York City Mayor Rudy
Giuliani, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, ex-senator and astronaut John Glenn,
1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, Dallas Cowboys cornerback and former FSU
All-American Deion Sanders, actor John Forsythe and Hall of Fame running backs Gale Sayers
and Tony Dorsett.
When's The Next TV Timeout?
You may have noticed some of the Volunteer and Seminole players gasping for air on the
sidelines. Part of the reason stemmed from the high altitude in the Valley of the Sun.
Florida State center Jarad Moon had the best quip about the thin air by saying, "Why
do they call it Arizona if it doesn't have any air in it?"
A Full House
As expected, the attendance record was broken at Sun Devils Stadium on Monday night. The
80,470 fans at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (also a game record) beat the previous mark of
79,864 set at the last time the Fiesta Bowl pitted No. 1 vs. No. 2, 1996 (Nebraska vs.
Florida).
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