BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LB Brad Jackson returns one of his two interceptions. (Idaho Statesman photo) | ZOOM |

BOISE, Idaho - Cincinnati senior linebacker Brad Jackson capped his whirlwind two-sport weekend with a huge game in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Jackson, who flew to Boise Sunday after playing with the UC basketball team in Cleveland Saturday night, had two interceptions, four tackles, half a sack, and six passes defensed in UC's 35-19 win over Utah State.

Tired, Brad?

''It wasn't a problem, because I took care of my body,'' he said, grinning. ''I have (Monday night) to party now.''

Jackson practiced Friday and Saturday with the football team in Boise, flew to Cleveland Saturday afternoon, played in the basketball game Saturday night and flew back to Boise on Sunday. He slept less than four hours Saturday night, but was his usual ebullient self after a full night of rest Sunday.

''We came to Boise to bring back a victory to the Queen City, and it's a tremendous feeling,'' he said.

Landon Smith breaks free for an 18-yard gain. (Idaho Statesman photo) | ZOOM |

Petrus peeved

Senior backup receiver Brent Petrus did not play a snap. Petrus, who flew with Jackson to Boise Sunday after playing basketball Saturday night, had drawn the ire of coach Rick Minter for dedicating most of his December time to basketball.

Minter had said that Petrus might not play, and he didn't.

''It kind of sucked, standing over there and not playing,'' Petrus said. ''But it's his (Minter's) team and he can do what we wants.''

Petrus, formerly a backup quarterback, had rarely seen eye-to-eye with Minter because he felt he did not get enough chance to play quarterback. But he said he was happy to be with his football mates Monday. ''I'm happy that the team won,'' he said. ''I have no regrets. I'd do it the same way again.''

Dameron wins job

Kim Dameron, who has been interim defensive coordinator since Rex Ryan resigned last month, will be awarded the full-time coordinator's job, Minter said after the game.

Sickening

Minter, fighting bronchitis, was hoarse during his postgame remarks Monday. But after he was awarded the winning bowl trophy, he took the field microphone and urged his cheering fans to sing the school fight song with the players - which they did.

''It's been 47 years,'' Minter said, referring to UC's last bowl. ''You UC people out there, you stick your chests out and be proud.''

Half full

Game attendance was 16,131 on a sunny, 43-degree day at 30,000-seat Bronco Stadium here.

UC appeared to have a few thousand fans in the stands, having sold or distributed 6,500 tickets. Bearcat rooters were quite vocal, and also made themselves known by shaking red-and-black pompoms.

''It was a great turnout,'' said Bill Mulvihill, a UC associate athletic director. Best in years

UC's 8-4 record matches the most wins in the last 20 years. The 1993 team went 8-3.

Remember when

UC improved its record to 3-1 in bowl games. The other bowl results for UC:

• Jan. 1, 1947: Sun Bowl - Beat Virginia Tech 18-6.

• Dec. 3, 1949: Glass Bowl - Beat Toledo 33-13.

• Jan. 1, 1951: Sun Bowl - Lost to West Texas State 14-13.

HUMANITARIAN BOWL: UC 35, UTAH STATE 19 Dec. 30, 1997
QB rotation could stick in '98 Dec. 30, 1997