BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The University of Cincinnati football team will be honored by the Ohio Senate following UC's first bowl appearance in 47 years.

UC coach Rick Minter and four players - Phillip Curry, John Kobalka, Tinker Keck, and Kevin Wardwill - go to Columbus Tuesday to hear the resolution, sponsored by State Sen. Janet Howard (R-Forest Park).

UC beat Utah State 35-19 in the Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 29.

All stars

Offensive tackle Jason Fabini, defensive end Derrick Ransom and cornerback Artrell Hawkins will play in the Senior Bowl next Saturday in Mobile, Ala. Fabini played in the East-West Shrine Game at Palo Alto, Calif., on Saturday.

Virginia Tech bails out

UC is attempting to find another non-league football opponent for 1998, after Virginia Tech pulled out of a game scheduled for Oct. 10 at UC.

Virginia Tech instead will play Clemson, and has paid UC $100,000 to buy out a series which included the 1998 and '99 seasons, according to the Roanoke (Va.) Times Tech, a perennial Top 25 contender, made the Gator Bowl last season.

New deal

Goin said he and Minter soon will begin discussions about extending Minter's contract. Minter has a year remaining on his original five-year UC deal.

SEASON IN STORIES