Billy Joe Hobert

The Washington Huskies might enter the football season without knowing if they are eligible for the Rose Bowl or any other postseason play, school officials have been told. An investigation of the program, including an interest-free loan to former quarterback Billy Joe Hobert and reports of easy-money summer jobs for other players, is set for completion in late August.

After two Billy Joes, New Orleans Coach Mike Ditka may try a Danny against the Buccaneers. First-string quarterback Billy Joe Hobert is injured again and Ditka has doubts about second-stringer Billy Joe Tolliver. That means the Saints may resort to third-string quarterback Danny Wuerffel, famous for working magic down the road at Florida. The 49ers spent the week practicing plays from the shotgun, a formation they haven't used for 20 years.

Quarterback Billy Joe Hobert would just as soon forget his abbreviated appearance in Washington's 46-34 Rose Bowl victory over Iowa last January. Filling in briefly for starter Mark Brunell, who was named player of the game after passing and running for four touchdowns, Hobert failed to complete any of his three passes, one of which was intercepted, and lost two yards on his only carry. "I wasn't too excited," he said. "I just (stunk)."

WEST / An Ode to Billy Joe That You Wouldn't Expect Billy Joe Tolliver will fit in nicely with the worst group of NFL quarterbacks in New Orleans, replacing an injured Billy Joe Hobert. Hobert's loss is catastrophic. The Saints rank last in rushing after one week and Hobert gained 13 of the team's 35 yards on the ground.

The Buffalo Bills waived backup quarterback Billy Joe Hobert on Wednesday, two days after he admitted he was unprepared for an injury to starter Todd Collins. Hobert told the Associated Press earlier this week he glanced over the passing plays and was not ready last week when Collins sustained a strained shoulder in a 33-6 loss to the New England Patriots.

After two Billy Joes, New Orleans Coach Mike Ditka may try a Danny against the Buccaneers. First-string quarterback Billy Joe Hobert is injured again and Ditka has doubts about second-stringer Billy Joe Tolliver. That means the Saints may resort to third-string quarterback Danny Wuerffel, famous for working magic down the road at Florida. The 49ers spent the week practicing plays from the shotgun, a formation they haven't used for 20 years.

RUSHING *--* Player, Team No. Yds. TD BARRY SANDERS, Lions 30 137 1 MARSHALL FAULK, Colts 23 133 1 JEROME BETTIS, Steelers 24 125 0 *--* PASSING *--* Player, Team Att. Comp. Yds.

The Pacific 10 Conference unanimously recommended Sunday to let stand the results of Washington games in which junior quarterback Billy Joe Hobert played. The Pac-10 Council, meeting in San Francisco, determined that $50,000 in loans Hobert received shouldn't alter the Huskies' record. However, it also said in a statement that "substantial questions remain concerning important aspects of this case."

An independent counsel will be appointed as soon as next week to investigate allegations involving the University of Washington's football program, school President William P. Gerberding said Friday. The special counsel will report to Laurel Wilkening, university provost, and work with Richard Dunn, the school's faculty athletic representative.

Billy Joe Hobert, the Washington quarterback who lost his college eligibility for receiving improper loans, will make himself available for the NFL draft instead of appealing for reinstatement with the Huskies. Hobert, a junior, was ruled ineligible on Nov. 10 after it was learned he received $50,000 in loans from an Idaho nuclear scientist. "I think it would have been in my best interest to get reinstated, but I don't think it was possible," Hobert said Tuesday.

RUSHING *--* Player, Team No. Yds. TD BARRY SANDERS, Lions 30 137 1 MARSHALL FAULK, Colts 23 133 1 JEROME BETTIS, Steelers 24 125 0 *--* PASSING *--* Player, Team Att. Comp. Yds.

The Buffalo Bills waived backup quarterback Billy Joe Hobert on Wednesday, two days after he admitted he was unprepared for an injury to starter Todd Collins. Hobert told the Associated Press earlier this week he glanced over the passing plays and was not ready last week when Collins sustained a strained shoulder in a 33-6 loss to the New England Patriots.

The letter came addressed to Billy Joe Hobert. There was no return address. But while the writer's identity was a mystery, his sentiments were not. Referring to the guns Hobert purchased with money from a series of loans he took while at the University of Washington, the anonymous correspondent wrote: "You ought to take those guns and shoot your hands off. Then try to find a way to shoot your brains out. Wait, don't shoot your brains out. That would be a wasted bullet."

Sunday, the Pacific 10 Conference had its say. Monday, it was Billy Joe Hobert's turn. Still reeling from the news of the penalties levied by the Pac-10 against the University of Washington, Hobert, a former Husky quarterback and current Raider rookie, responded from the club's El Segundo training headquarters. The Washington scandal had started with Hobert, but he didn't dream it would end this way.

In this year's NFL draft, the Raiders raised some hopes, a question and a few eyebrows. In other words, a typical Raider draft. The hope is that first-round pick Patrick Bates, a safety from Texas A&M, can help fill the gaping hole left by the defection of free agent Ronnie Lott to the New York Jets. The question is what happens to quarterback Todd Marinovich, now that the Raiders have drafted Billy Joe Hobert of Washington?

Having lost Ronnie Lott, the Raiders selected safety Patrick Bates of Texas A&M in the first round of Sunday's draft. Having apparently lost faith in Todd Marinovich, the Raiders selected quarterback Billy Joe Hobert of Washington in the third round. Later in the third round, the Raiders took defensive back James Trapp of Clemson. The acquisition of Bates was expected.

A decision on the eligibility of Washington quarterback Billy Joe Hobert won't be made before next week and forfeiture of games he played earlier this season is up to the Pacific 10 Conference, Tom Hansen, the league's commissioner, said Friday in a statement. A report of unsecured loans totaling $50,000 resulted in the suspension of Hobert by Washington to investigate the matter.

The Pacific 10 Conference is investigating whether University of Washington athletic boosters improperly provided quarterback Billy Joe Hobert with a job in high school and financial benefits after he joined the Huskies. Hobert, a junior, has been declared ineligible to play football for accepting $50,000 in loans last spring from the father-in-law of a friend.

The Washington Huskies might enter the football season without knowing if they are eligible for the Rose Bowl or any other postseason play, school officials have been told. An investigation of the program, including an interest-free loan to former quarterback Billy Joe Hobert and reports of easy-money summer jobs for other players, is set for completion in late August.

Billy Joe Hobert, the University of Washington quarterback suspended over improper loans, has moved to Arizona, saying he no longer felt safe in the Seattle area. Hobert, who played high school football less than an hour's drive from Seattle, is in Phoenix, working under the scrutiny of his agent. "We're getting out of the area because it's just too scary," he said Thursday. "With my family being in jeopardy, I think it would be in my best interest to move down here where people don't know me."