Sept. 4, 1999

Statistics

By HOWARD ULMAN
AP Sports Writer

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Kyle Atteberry missed an extra point in overtime and Boston College, behind Cedric Washington's 177 yards rushing and three touchdowns, beat Baylor 30-29 Saturday.

On Boston College's overtime possession, Washington scored on a 1-yard run and John Matich kicked the extra point. Baylor then scored on a 1-yard run by Jermaine Alfred.

Atteberry, who missed a long extra-point attempt after Baylor was penalized for excessive celebration following a second-quarter touchdown, pulled his kick to the left.

Atteberry made 35 of 36 extra-point attempts in 1996 but handled only the punting duties the past two seasons. On Saturday, he had a punt blocked to set up Washington's 4-yard run that tied the game 16-16.

The loss spoiled the debut of Baylor coach Kevin Steele, who was linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers the last four years. He succeeded Dave Roberts after Baylor finished last season with six consecutive losses and its second straight 2-9 record.

BC is coming off back-to-back 4-7 seasons and a 1-7 slump in its last eight games last year. It also was without career rushing leader Mike Cloud, who was drafted in the third round by Kansas City.

Washington handled the job well, eclipsing his total of 173 yards rushing last season as he carried 32 times, five fewer than last year's workload, as BC overcame a 16-7 halftime deficit.

Baylor tied the game 23-23 on a 73-yard pass play from Alfred to Andra Fuller and Atteberry's extra point with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles had taken the lead one minute earlier on Washington's 6-yard run.

In the first half, the Bears capitalized on mistakes. Atteberry's 22-yard field goal followed a blocked punt, Lanny O'Steen recovered a fumble into the end zone by teammate Melvin Barnett, and McKinley Bowie returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown. BC scored on Carlton Rowe's 1-yard run.

BC tied it 16-16 with 10 points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter. Matich's 21-yard field goal made the score 16-10.

Then Washington scored on a 4-yard run with 8:08 left in the period, one play after Ralph Parent blocked Atteberry's punt. But the Eagles were penalized 15 yards for excessive celebration, and Matich missed the extra-point try.