COLLEGE FOOTBALL : CAL'S GONZALEZ EXPANDS HIS REPERTOIRE TO LINEBACKER.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Tony Gonzalez, the country's leading two-sports star, is about to add another item to his resume.

Cal's all-conference tight end, also a power forward on the basketball team, could play outside linebacker as well in today's Aloha Bowl against Navy. Gonzalez worked out on defense in the Bears' final practice Tuesday at Aloha Stadium.

``With two defensive linemen out,'' Coach Steve Mariucci said after he and the team danced the Macarena with the entertainer Charo at midfield, ``we need some bodies.''

Indeed, with defensive tackles Brandon Whiting and Brent Jones injured and most likely unavailable for duty, the Bears need help from somewhere.

Enter Gonzalez.

``Tony's been asking me all year to do this,'' Mariucci said as he caught his breath in the humid tropical sunshine. ``He's in great shape. He won't start, but we expect to use him some at linebacker.''

The shirtless Gonzalez looked toned as he reminded inquisitors that he had been an all-state high school player at linebacker and tight end at Huntington Beach, where he led the team in tackles.

``I was a middle linebacker there,'' Gonzalez said. ``I could do just about anything I wanted. I made a lot of tackles.''

Huntington Beach played teams that ran an option similar to Navy's offense.

``I'll either go for the quarterback or the pitch man,'' Gonzalez said. ``I've been asking all year to do this, but I was kind of joking. I like playing defense. I like hitting people.''

This could be the last Cal game for Gonzalez, a junior who is leaning toward turning pro a year early. In that case, the Bears, who never called on him to play defense in his three seasons, could get their money's worth.

``I've been begging all year for him,'' defensive coordinator Tom Holmoe said. ``And then they give me him for the last game.

``He's our secret weapon. If he weren't a tight end, he could be a starter at linebacker. And probably all-conference, too.''

Whiting hurt a knee lifting weights. Jones banged up his ribs in an auto accident a week ago in Berkeley. Cornerback Kevin Devine, who bruised his back in the same accident, also isn't expected to play.

The injuries have forced Mariucci to make some changes, the most notable playing Pete Destefano at strong safety and moving Kato Serwanga to the corner opposite Derrick Gardner. The defensive line now will include freshmen Jerry DeLoach and Jeremiah Parker, among others.

On offense, Gonzalez figures to be quarterback Pat Barnes' main target, because he'll be single-covered in Navy's eight-man defensive front alignment.

``We're designed to take away the running game,'' said Navy linebacker and co-captain Clint Bruce. ``This usually works to our advantage, except Cal is so potent with the pass.

``I'll be responsible for Gonzalez on some plays. He's really a good blocker and a great receiver, a real load.''

Navy coach Charlie Weatherbie, who said he's about ready to sign a long-term contract after turning down the job at Baylor, counts Gonzalez as a component of stopping the run.

``You're never going to be able to stop him,'' Weatherbie said. ``You just hope to slow him down.''

These Irish aren't smiling: Jeremy Akers and Robert Farmer of Notre Dame figured they'd be headed to a major bowl game about now. Spending Christmas Day at the Blue-Gray game in Alabama never even crossed their minds.

But in a fitting close to a season in which nothing went as expected for the Irish, the players will be in Montgomery today, closing their college careers on the Blue squad in the annual all-star game.

``It's hard and really disappointing that we're not going to a bowl,'' said Akers, an offensive lineman. ``But we're dealing with it and I'm trying to make the best of it. I'm just looking at this as a great opportunity to help myself out.''