Jan 19, 1998
Terps' Ogbogu Named MVP as South Edges North, 20-19
WAILUKU, Hawaii,
Jan. 18-As far as Maryland defensive
end Eric Ogbogu and Michigan running back Chris Howard
were concerned, the Hula Bowl was not a relaxing all-star
game.
Ogbogu had four sacks to lead a South defense that held on
after Robert Nycz's game-winning field goal to preserve a
20-19 victory over the North today in the 52nd annual Hula
Bowl.
"I just wanted to have a good game and impress the scouts,"
Ogbogu said. "I did a little better than I thought."
Ogbogu had four sacks and was named most valuable player
for the South. Howard had 14 rushes for 116 yards and was
MVP for the North.
"I played like I was playing for Michigan," Howard said. "I
didn't care if it was a relaxed game. I came here to win."
Nycz, of Arizona State, kicked a 47-yard field goal with two
minutes to play to rally the South.
The North scored all its points in the second half, rallying from
a 10-0 halftime deficit to take a 19-17 lead with 6 minutes 43
seconds to play on a five-yard pass from Penn State wide
receiver Joe Jurevicius to Michigan quarterback Brian Griese.
Jurevicius took the ball on a reverse from Howard and found
Griese in the right front corner of the end zone. Hofstra kicker
Dave Ettinger missed the extra point.
"I knew that once I got in the end zone, I had to catch the ball,"
said Griese. "I knew I was going to get hit, but I knew I had to
catch it."
Griese drove the North into South territory in the final minutes,
but two sacks and an incomplete pass ended the comeback.
The game-winning kick by Nycz capped a nine-play, 55-yard
drive that was led by North Carolina State running back
Tremayne Stephens, who picked up 27 yards rushing and
caught a nine-yard pass.
The North took the opening kickoff of the second half and
drove 69 yards on six plays, with Griese hitting Jurevicius on a
35-yard scoring pass with 13:27 left in the quarter.
The North intercepted Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost on
the next series, with Wisconsin cornerback LaMar Campbell
returning the ball 25 yards to the South 14. Ettinger's 20-yard
field goal tied the score at 10.
