Gazette-Times reporter

SAN FRANCISCO — First impressions of the Emerald Bowl upon arrival Saturday afternoon were positive. The postseason football game has the historic city going for it, and that goes a long way.

It has been more than 20 years since this Southern California guy was in San Francisco for an extended visit. Driving into it over the Bay Bridge was an awesome sight.

Emerald Bowl banners decorate downtown advertising the showdown between Oregon State and Maryland. The hustle-and-bustle of the big city was at full swing.

A big-game feel was all around.

Teams are staying in upscale, over-the-top really, high-rise hotels on the bay. The wow factor is high with the Christmas setup, monster toy train displays and Matrix-looking interior — at least where Maryland is staying.

The setting at AT&T Park is beautiful, being on San Francisco Bay. It brought together nature, the big city and modern architecture into perfect harmony.

This is a destination city, especially during the holidays. Fans and teams look forward to this event.

A pairing of teams from two of the major conferences make the contest attractive.

Last year’s game sold out. Reports from the ticket office say this sixth edition of the game should do well at the gate.

It will be interesting to see what the Beavers can do for the Emerald Bowl in terms of money and game exposure. They tend to bring the fans and put on some of the more memorable games.

Hotel maze

OSU got the short end of the stick when it came to team accommodations. Maryland is in the plush futuristic-looking Hyatt. The Beavers got the bomb shelter.

OSU is in a Marriott, but the middle is gutted for renovations. There are exposed wires and hazardous chemical warnings.

Elevators lead to nowhere. Some of the floors are abandoned at the moment for repair.

If players go missing, I’ll know where to look.

The endless maze of construction tunnel work I got lost in was maddening. I thought I was in a Clive Barker film. At least Pinhead didn’t appear and want to play a game.

Then again, mobs of pedestrians in the street I had to push through with my car, strange traffic rules and dodging cable cars can get to you after going the wrong way a one-way street.

Give me Manhattan or Los Angeles over this. Next Emerald Bowl, I’ll stay downtown and walk or take a cab.

Rumor killing

Here’s the latest rumor that had to be killed. I heard UCLA was courting defensive coordinator Mark Banker, so I asked him about it and he laughed. “I have not heard a thing,” he said.

When asked if he was going after the opening: “I haven’t done a thing,” Banker said. “A lot of times they do come after you, but they have not done a thing with me.”

So Banker and Mike Riley have no interest in UCLA and Jay Locey is not headed to Washington to be a defensive coordinator. And they all laughed at the inquiries.

Did you know?

Of the 32 bowl games this season there are only three played in Major League Baseball stadiums, including the Emerald Bowl. It is in AT&T Park, home the San Francisco Giants.

The International Bowl is in the Rogers Center (Skydome), home the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orange Bowl is now in Dolphin Stadium, home of the Florida Marlins.

There have been 50 athletes who played in the previous five Emerald Bowls who reached the NFL.

The highest draft pick is Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons, taken with the second overall pick in the April draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.