Oklahoma quarterback goes out in style

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) _ Call it vindication for Oklahoma quarterback Nate Hybl. <br><br>Criticized at times during his two years as Oklahoma's starter, Hybl was named the Rose Bowl's most valuable

Thursday, January 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) _ Call it vindication for Oklahoma quarterback Nate Hybl.

Criticized at times during his two years as Oklahoma's starter, Hybl was named the Rose Bowl's most valuable player Wednesday after leading the Sooners to a 34-14 victory.

Hybl was 19-of-29 for 240 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.

``I was looking to prove some people wrong,'' said Hybl, who was 20-3 as the starter. ``It's fairy tail-ish. It hasn't sunk in yet.''

A reporter suggested to coach Bob Stoops that Hybl had usually been asked not to lose games for the Sooners.

``That's never been the case,'' Stoops said. ``That's people speculating, media making things up. Nate Hybl has played great for us all year and he's a key reason why we won the Big 12 championship and are 12-2 and Rose Bowl champs right now.''

Hybl scrambled for a first down on a third-and-9 play on Oklahoma's first drive, which ended with a field goal. He had a 57-yard completion to Will Peoples on a third-and-12 play from the 9-yard line. He kept another drive alive with a 17-yard completion on a third-and-8 play from the 12-yard line.

His first touchdown pass, to Antwone Savage late in the first half, came on a third-down play from the 12-yard line. He also had a 9-yarder to Curtis Fagan, again on third down.

``All the negativity is left in the dust,'' Hybl said. ``This was a storybook ending for me.''

Hybl was the starter at the beginning of 2001 but eventually lost the job to Jason White. He got it back when White got hurt, but got criticized after a three-interception performance in a loss to Oklahoma State.

White started this season as the No. 1 quarterback but again got hurt and Hybl took over. He played better than last year, throwing 22 touchdown passes with just eight interceptions, but Oklahoma lost to Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.

``Nate Hybl is an excellent football player, an excellent leader,'' Stoops said. ``I'm proud of him, mostly because of the person he is, the character he exhibits and the way he handles himself on the field. He's been solid for us all year and we've been fortunate to have him.

``He's had some things that haven't been the greatest, but you know what? He's had a lot of great moments,'' Stoops said. ``I'm just pleased for him that he goes out that way, as a champion. He'll be remembered in this game in a big way as well.''