Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 29, 1996

Our town may be without an NFL team, but Super Bowl XXX had “L.A.” stamped on it. . . .

The Dallas Cowboy cornerback whose two interceptions made him the most valuable player of the game, Larry Brown, attended Los Angeles High. . . .

The quarterback who extended his Super Bowl record to 3-0, Troy Aikman, starred at UCLA. . . .

The Pittsburgh Steeler kicker whose 46-yard field goal and successful on-side kick in the fourth quarter helped to build some rare Super Bowl suspense, Norm Johnson, is another former Bruin. . . .

The receiver of the on-side kick, Deon Figures, hails from Serra High in Gardena. . . .

The pinpoint Johnson-to-Figures kick would have made Brazil proud in the World Cup. . . .

Funny, but the knock on Aikman at UCLA was that he couldn’t win the big ones. . . .

With a Rose Bowl berth at stake and Aikman the quarterback both times, the Bruins lost to USC in 1987 and 1988. . . .

Barry Switzer is owed some apologies. . . .

His game plan was sound. . . .

The Cowboys attacked from the start. . . .

In contrast, it was two runs, a short pass and out for the Steelers on their first possession although they already trailed, 3-0. . . .

That set the tone for the first half. . . .

Bill Cowher got imaginative in the second half, but not even a team as determined as the Steelers can expect to rally all the way back from a 20-7 deficit in the fourth quarter against a team as talented as Dallas. . . .

Aikman’s protection was so awesome in the first quarter that he slipped to the turf, got up, and still was able to complete a pass. . . .

Instant replay review advocates have another exhibit--the replays that indicated Emmitt Smith didn’t get into the end zone on what was ruled a touchdown in the third quarter. . . .

Look-alikes: Switzer and actor Harvey Keitel. . . .

Phil Simms was a Super Bowl winner on the field with the Giants and Sunday in the broadcast booth with NBC. . . .

When Cowboy tight end Jay Novacek catches a ball in the end zone, he acts as though he has been there before. . . .

Other safeties might have done better coverage jobs than Dallas veteran Scott Case, but none hit harder. . . .

The trouble with starting a game in the desert at 3:20 p.m. is that receivers have to fight the sun in the first half and the stadium lights in the second half. . . .

Has there ever been a balloon-less Super Bowl halftime show?. . . .

Just once, I’d like to hear referee Red Cashion holler “Fourth down!”. . . .

*

The Lakers have needed an on-court leader ever since Magic Johnson retired. . . .

Filling that role again would be his biggest contribution the second time around. . . .

Another local team that could use some veteran leadership is UCLA. . . .

The young Bruins are trying to make too many spectacular plays. . . .

Degree of difficulty doesn’t count in basketball. . . .

However, Charles O’Bannon had perhaps his best week ever as a Bruin, scoring a career-high 27 points in the romp over USC on Wednesday and leading a late-game comeback in the loss to Louisville on Saturday. . . .

It is appropriate that Brian Kiser, the Louisville reserve forward who was six for six in three-point shots against the Bruins, wears No. 3. . . .

“This game is being televised regionally to 25% of the country,” announcer Larry Kahn said on KMPC during USC’s 85-53 loss at Cincinnati Sunday. “The other 75% got lucky.”. . .

The Great Race Place lived up to its name Saturday when the champion filly, Serena’s Song, won a stirring stretch duel from the previously unbeaten contender, Exotic Wood, in the Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita. . . .

On Super Sunday, trainer Dallas Keen won two races. . . .

Mr. Blackwell ought to put the Kings on his worst-dressed list after the debut of their “third” jerseys during the 5-4 victory over the Mighty Ducks on Saturday at the Forum. . . .

They looked like something a pickup team would wear at 3 in the morning at a neighborhood rink. . . .

The Mighty Ducks’ new attire was easier on the eyes. . . .

Kevin Stevens for Rick Tocchet? Looks like a wash to me. . . .

Tom Mack got another raw deal from the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters. . . .

Super Bowl XXXI prediction--Dallas 28, Miami 24.