Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 2, 1992

It happened Wednesday in Pasadena:

7:30 a.m.--Another lovely New Year’s Day. Nuts. . . .

8--The General Motors and United Auto Workers float wins the sweepstakes award in the Rose Parade, assuring the state of Michigan of at least one victory for the day. . . .

10--In the parking lot, a Michigan student has maize and blue painted on his face. There ought to be a more intelligent way to show one’s allegiance. . . .

10:15--”Miami Is Not No. 1,” says the T-shirt worn by a lady, who must be a Washington fan. . . .

12:45 p.m.--Some Wolverines appear for early practice. They are wearing the most attractive uniforms in football. Sorry, but I even like the helmets. The ugliest uniforms were worn by San Diego State in the Freedom Bowl. . . .

1:10--In bright sunlight, the stadium lights are turned on. This is a wonderful example of how to conserve energy. . . .

1:55--The battle of the bands begins. The Big Ten is unbeaten in the series in this particular competition. . . .

2:09--Former Lebanon hostage Joseph Cicippio is introduced and receives a standing ovation. . . .

2:16--The press box announcer says Florida State is leading Texas A&M;, 7-2, in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl. It is the greatest scoring explosion in the state of Texas since the Hancock Bowl. . . .

2:19--Napolean Kaufman returns the opening kickoff to mid-field. Chalk players tap their skulls knowingly and note that Washington is the faster team. . . .

2:21--Good news for the Huskies. All-American defensive tackle Steve Emtman, who has been suffering from flu, lines up for the Wolverines’ first snap. . . .

2:40--An Elvis Grbac-to-Desmond Howard bomb bombs. Walter Bailey intercepts it. . . .

2:50--Mario Bailey goes one-up on Howard in the duel of the wide receivers by making a leaping catch of a Hobert pass on the Michigan six-yard line for a 44-yard gain. . . .

2:55--Hobert runs two yards for a touchdown on third and goal on the first play of the second quarter, ending all fears of a scoreless tie. . . .

3:00--This is not your ordinary kickoff. Jason Crabbe bloops one to the Michigan 41 and Washington is penalized 15 yards for interfering with a fair-catch attempt. . . .

3:01--The rare Husky mistake proves costly when Grbac and Howard combine for a 35-yard completion to the Washington nine. . . .

3:05--Who needs Heisman Howard? Grbac finds a common man named (Walter) Smith in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown. . . .

3:08--As promised by Don James, quarterback Mark Brunell, most valuable player in the Rose Bowl last year, gets a chance to play.

3:17--Quarterback controversy! Brunell completes six of seven passes and leads Washington on a three-point drive that would have been six except for a holding penalty. . . . 3:29--On the Huskies’ next possession, Hobert returns. . . .

3:34--Washington kicks another field goal to lead, 13-7. . . .

3:45--On third and 25 at the Washington 44 with 30 seconds left in the first half, Michigan runs the ball. . . .

4:08--The halftime statistics show that the Wolverines are fortunate to be trailing by only six points. They have been outgained, 207 yards to 53. . . .

4:17--Fans perform their first and, hopefully, last wave. . . .

4:34--Hobert’s five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mark Bruener makes it 19-7. . . .

4:35--Hobert hits another tight end, Aaron Pierce, for a two-point conversion. . . .

4:36--”Haven’t we seen this before?” asks Bob Verdi, Chicago Tribune columnist. . . .

4:51--Hobert’s throws his second touchdown pass moments after player of the game ballots are distributed. . . .

5:32--Final score: Washington 34, Michigan 14.