No Surprises in Rose Bowl Opener : Donahue, Fry Begin Festivities With the Usual Responses

UCLA’s Terry Donahue and Iowa’s Hayden Fry, the Rose Bowl coaches who are alike primarily in their records of success, agreed Friday that they will be sending similar and talented football teams against one another in the 72nd Rose Bowl game New Year’s Day.

Meeting the media, and parrying gently with each other, Donahue and Fry appeared in Pasadena for the first official football event of the Tournament of Roses, the obligatory coaches’ press conference.

Fry, wearing sunglasses, a dark suit and gray alligator cowboy boots, said: “Both teams play a wide-open offense and solid defense. We are really looking forward to it. And there are many, many people from Iowa coming out. We have the best fans in the world.”

Donahue, looking for all the world like a successful broker in a dark gray suit and black tassel loafers, said: “I think Iowa resembles us more than any team on our schedule. They may throw the ball a little more than we do, but our styles on offense are very similar.”

Then, recalling the 20-7 defeat his team suffered at Iowa City in 1980, Donahue said: “The thing I remember about that game is that we couldn’t move the ball a lick. I think we made something like 23 yards that day. That was about as well-conceived a defense as we have ever faced.”

Of course, since that time, Donahue’s teams have become much more versatile on offense. But Fry, in coaching stops at SMU, North Texas State and Iowa, may have written some chapters of his own on versatile offensive football, and his current Iowa team has the skill-position players to make it go.

The key Hawkeye, of course, is All-American quarterback Chuck Long, the only quarterback in Big Ten history to pass for more than 10,000 yards. This season, he completed 65% of his passes for 2,978 yards and 26 touchdowns, all school records. Long was praised by both coaches.

Fry said: “Chuck Long is an All-American in every sense of the word--as a citizen, a student and an athlete. He’s a great leader and he leads by example.

“If I call a bad play on the sideline, he changes it and calls a good play.

“He will have looked at films of all 11 UCLA games and should be ready for anything they throw at us, unless, of course, Terry plans something new.”

If Donahue is planning a surprise, he didn’t tip his hand Friday. “You know they’ll get some yards. We just have to make him work for everything he gets,” Donahue said.

“We can’t get discouraged if he makes a big play, because he will. We just have to be patient and play hard. When we are healthy, we are a pretty good defensive team.”

Indeed. Despite the presence of 1,000-yard rusher Ronnie Harmon in its backfield, Iowa may find itself relying on Long’s passing, since the Bruins lead the nation in rushing defense.

On several other traditional questions, Fry and Donahue were in mild disagreement.

Fry, whose team was ranked No. 1 for five weeks during the season, favors postseason football playoffs for Division I-A schools. “Who are these people that decide who is No. 1?” he asked. “The only way to decide is a postseason tournament, but that will never happen. Penn State may go undefeated, but I’m not sure they’re No. 1.”

Donahue said: “I’m opposed to a playoff. It would hurt the bowls, and they have been so good for college football. There would be a terrific stress and strain to reach No. 1. This way, there are lots of teams in bowls, and many teams go home happy. I don’t think the athletes would benefit from a playoff.”

On the Pac-10’s recent dominance in the Rose Bowl game:

--Fry: “I can’t explain it. I defer to Terry.”

--Donahue, the diplomat: “I think it’s a cyclical thing. The Big Ten dominated for a long time. And then the Pac-10 did. But overall, it’s 20-19 (in favor of the Pac-10), and the overriding factor is, over the years, it’s been unbelievably competitive.”

On the Rose Bowl “distractions”:

--Fry: “It’s a real problem when you come out here and see all the sunshine, bright lights and movie stars. It turns these kids’ heads. The last time we were out here (for the 1982 Rose Bowl) we had dinner with Bob Hope one night and then Jimmy Stewart. There’s lots to see and do out here, and last time, I don’t think our kids missed any of it. At least I don’t know of anything.

“I’m hoping Jimmy Stewart doesn’t eat with us this time.”

--Donahue: “Hayden, I’ve been at UCLA, as a player, assistant coach and head coach, for 18 years and I’ve never had dinner with Bob Hope.”

On UCLA’s home-field advantage:

--Donahue: “We’ll be comfortable in the Rose Bowl, and I think it’s important for a football team to be comfortable in its surroundings. In that respect, we may have a slight advantage.

“But the crowd noise in the Rose Bowl game is about 50-50.”

--Fry: “I was hoping Arizona State would win the Pac-10. Then they would be visitors, too. But we were out here last year for the Freedom Bowl. And you learn from all your experiences. We’ll be ready.”

On the importance of the game to the coaches:

--Fry: “It’s more important to me because I’m older. Terry will have several more chances to play in the Rose Bowl. What can you say? The next game is always the most important.”

--Donahue: “We are just thrilled to death to be here. The last times (Rose Bowl victories in 1983 and ‘84) are just ancient history. This game is the most important.”

Rose Bowl Notes Hayden Fry said his team, which has its own indoor practice facility at Iowa City, will not arrive until Dec. 26 and will attend only the Beef Bowl and Big Ten Banquet of Champions before the game. Fry said the Hawkeyes will remain in Southern California for two days after the game to do their sightseeing. . . . Terry Donahue gave this rundown on UCLA’s injury situation: Cornerback Dennis Price (separated shoulder) may be able to play; safety Craig Rutledge (also a separated shoulder) would have to make a speedy recovery to play; cornerback Darryl Henley (bruised kidney) is participating in light drills and should play; offensive guard Onno Zwaneveld (knee) has an “outside chance” of playing; defensive tackle Frank Batchkoff (stretched knee ligaments) is said to have a good chance of playing. Wide receiver Mike Sherrard, who missed five games with a broken collarbone, and running back Gaston Green, who missed five games with a sprained knee ligament, will play. Fry declined to discuss Iowa’s injury situation, saying the month off would give his team time to heal. On All-American linebacker Larry Station, who was injured against Minnesota: “He’s been responsible for a lot more limp-offs. We won’t work him too hard and he’ll be ready. He’s already earned his letter.” . . . Donahue expressed concern about Iowa’s big edge in experience. “They have 17 senior starters, and we only have 17 seniors on our squad,” he said. “And only seven start. That is a big advantage. But this team played only four home games and has overcome a lot of bad luck and injuries. We are fortunate and blessed to be here.” . . . Fry conceded a big edge in placekicking to UCLA’s John Lee. . . . As Fry recalled Chuck Long’s six-touchdown, 461-yard passing performance against Texas in the 1984 Freedom Bowl, Donahue’s chin sank slowly to his chest. . . . Iowa was 10-1 and won its first outright Big Ten title since 1956. The Hawkeyes won Rose Bowl games in 1957 and 1959 under Forest Evashevski and lost to Washington, 28-0, in the 1982 game under Fry. UCLA was 8-2-1 and won the Pac-10. The Bruins are 4-5 in the Rose Bowl, but Donahue has yet to appear in a losing Rose Bowl game. He is 1-0 as a player, 1-0 as a Bruin assistant and 2-0 as head coach.