(2 of 2)
Next year, when the Nos. 1 and 2 are not so conveniently suited, someone will want the best of the bowl winners to play another Super Bowl. Paterno worries, "Maybe it is too big, maybe it isn't worth it." But the polls can be so bitter. "To win it on the field," he said, smacking his lips. "I'm not going around saying we kicked their ears in, but we had more points. We had a bunch of kids that just believed they were going to win."
At the very end, Cobbs entertained doubt. "When Testaverde brought them down the field in the last minute, my heart started to drop. 'Oh no,' I thought. 'This is the one time all year we're not going to hold.' " It came down to a wing and almost a prayer. First and goal at the nine, second and goal at the five, third and goal at the 13, fourth and goal at the 13, Testaverde released his last pass with about ten seconds left. "I'm not the type to pray," Paterno swore, "but I was tempted to pray." The Canadian Giftopoulos, whose helmet is "too big and makes me dizzy," intercepted the ball and swooned on the spot. Testaverde quietly took the loss much as Shaffer once had, and was consoled by Conlan. The game was behind them. "When you heading out?" Testaverde asked the interceptor of two of his passes, bound the next morning for an all-star game in Japan. "We're on the same plane, right? I'll see you."