CONTENTS

22
BACKBREAKERS
The swarming—and pass-happy—49ers had themselves a ball against the Falcons to go 5-0 for the season
BY PAUL ZIMMERMAN

28
THEY KNICKED 'EM
The Knicks upheld the NBA's honor—barely—during the McDonald's Open in Barcelona
BY E.M. SWIFT

30
VIRGINIA HAS IT FOR NOW
Move over, Miami, Notre Dame and Michigan, because Virginia—just imagine that—is No. 1
BY WILLIAM F. REED

38
ON TO THE SERIES

The Reds strong-armed the Pirates in six tight games to win the pennant in the National League
BY STEVE RUSHIN

The A's looked invincible in sweeping the Red Sox for the flag. But are they really unbeatable?
BY STEVE WULF

48
SURVIVAL TEST
Though assaulted and battered by pass rushers, Bernie Kosar of the Browns keeps on throwing
BY PETER KING

56
FOCUSED
Now that he has a U.S. Open title at 19, Pete Sampras says he won't "flake off and get a bad attitude"
BY BRUCE NEWMAN

64
STORMING INTO THE BIG EAST
The Miami Hurricanes' entrance into the 11-year-old league will be a considerable windfall for both
BY DOUGLAS S. LOONEY

82
THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE
Buster Douglas, the heavyweight champ, has a harder time dealing with his dad than with ring rivals
BY GARY SMITH

DEPARTMENTS

8
LETTERS

17
SCORECARD

68
COLLEGE FOOTBALL

76
PRO FOOTBALL

100
FOR THE RECORD

102
POINT AFTER

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY V.J. LOVERO

PHOTO

JOHN W. MCDONOUGH

PUT UP YER DUKES: As the A's celebrated the win that completed their American League Championship Series sweep of the Red Sox, Oakland's Mark McGwire (25) and Rene Lachemann were caught in prebash posture (page 38).