They Said It

? Pete Maravich of the New Orleans Jazz, hearing that Julius Erving had been signed by the Philadelphia 76ers in a $6.5 million deal: "Some sheik must own that team."

? Jim Palmer, Baltimore Oriole pitcher, recalling the way Chris Chambliss fought off New York fans after his pennant-winning homer against Kansas City: "I figured the Jets and Giants might be after him, seeing he's the only guy in New York to break a tackle all year."

? Hugh Campbell, football coach at Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., after his team had defeated Whitman 70-30: "It wasn't as easy as you think. It's hard to stay awake that long."

? Lee Corso, Indiana football coach, asked if Michigan had any weaknesses: "They sure have a lot of turnovers. Every time you look around, they're kicking off."

? John Hall, Los Angeles Times sports columnist, objecting to college football at night: "The colleges would do better to get rid of the nights and return to Saturday afternoon football the way God and Grantland Rice created it."