They’ve Already Been on Hold for 67 Years

Considering that Washington State hasn’t played in the Rose Bowl game since 1931, it isn’t surprising that Cougar fans are scrambling to find game and airline tickets for the Jan. 1 encounter against Michigan.

Most callers to a toll-free line for ticket information got a busy signal Monday or recording that said: “We’re sorry. All circuits are busy now. Will you please try again later?”

Those who did get through on the 1-800-GOCOUGS line on Monday--30,000 in the first few hours the line was open--learned that priority will be given to Cougar Club contributors and season-ticket holders.

Trivia time: What was unusual about USC’s Thanksgiving Day game against Oregon State in 1914?

He wants it all: Michael Jordan has always been a nemesis to the New York Knicks. However, beating New Yorkers on the basketball court wasn’t enough. Jordan wants to take their lunch money too.

The Chicago Bull superstar is negotiating to open a restaurant in Grand Central Terminal, the New York Daily News reported.

Concerned son: Bronco wide receiver Ed McCaffrey recently taped a Denver commercial for McDonald’s in which the offensive line locks him in a locker.

His 3 1/2-year-old son, Maxwell, didn’t like it. “He saw the commercial when I was away and he thought I was really stuck in the locker,” McCaffrey said. “I had to give him a call to tell him they let me out.”

No incentive? San Francisco Chronicle columnist Scott Ostler on the Florida Marlins’ public relations spin on tearing up a championship team:

“Marlins management will accomplish this with their 1998 slogan: ‘Been there, done that.’ ”

Style note: From comedy writer Earl Hochman: “Now that the length of NBA basketball players’ shorts has become such a big issue, some teams have already replaced their trainers with tailors.

Don’t bet on it: From Edmonton Oiler Coach Ron Low: “Sooner or later, my players will look at the standings and see that we stink.”

Looking back: On Thanksgiving Day in 1936, USC and UCLA played to a 7-7 tie at the Coliseum in front of 90,000. It was the first of seven tie games in the series.

Looking back again: On this day in 1966, the Washington Redskins set an NFL record for points scored in a regular-season game with a 72-41 victory over the New York Giants.

Trivia answer: It was the first game USC played outside California. The Trojans lost to the Beavers, 38-6, in Tacoma, Wash.

And finally: Southwestern Adventist, an NAIA school, had more fouls than points and more turnovers than fouls and points combined.

So it’s not surprising that the Lady Knights were routed, 103-20, by Austin College on Monday night in Sherman, Texas.

Southwestern Adventist (0-6) probably knew it was coming. The Lady Knights lost to Austin College last season by scores of 97-24 and 111-23.