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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 5, 1970)
1 11 I II I I I II i by Jim Johnston Have you heard it? There's a rumor circulating around the Nebraska campus. It goes something like this: "Nebraska's defense is collapsing. The Black Shirts gave up a lot of running yardage to both Kansas and Colorado. They'll never survive against a real strong running team." The listener usually adds his own comment: "You're right. That triple option has really hurt the Huskers. What will happen if Nebraska plays Texas in the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns are the top rushing team in the nation and they invented the triple option. The Huskers won't have a chance." Rumor partially true, but . . . Part of that "rumor" cannot be denied. The Cornhuskers have given up large chunks of yardage to both Kansas and Colorado, but don't let that give you a false impression. Husker defensive line coach Monte Kiffen and the Black Shirts think there are more important statistics than rushing points allowed and winning. And the Huskers are the best team in the Big Eight in those two. departments. "Big deal if the opposition moves from the 20-yard-Dne to the other 20," said Kiffen. "That doesn't put points on the board or win ball games. It just takes up time." And when you're leading, that time consumption only hurts the opposition. "Sure we gave up 297 yards rushing to Colorado," continued Kiffen, "but we held them to only 13 points. Allowing few points and winning are the two most important things to us." Not completely satisfied But Kiffen admitted he wasn't completely satisfied with the progress made by tie Black Shirts. "We just haven't played as well defensively as we would like too," Kiffen admitted. "At the beginning of the year, we were very pleased by the defense, but we just haven't come along as good as we would like to lately." The defensive boss agrees that the triple option has given the Black Shirts the greatest problem. "You have to be equipped to stop all three phases of the triple option if you want to defense it well," offered Kiffen. "We planned to give Colorado the pitch (the third option) and consequently that's what hurt us. It was the dive (the first option) that Kansas hurt us with. And we'll see it against Iowa State this week too. We'll just have to continue to improve defensing it." Always up for Nebraska There's another thing to take into consideration. Nebraska Is always playing teams at their best. "We're the number four team in the nation," pointed out Kiffen. "Iowa State will play this Saturday like it's the national championship." Kansas coach Pepper Rogers and Colorado boss Eddie Crowder had no complaints about the performances of their respective teams against Nebraska. Both Colorado and Kansas played their better games of the year against the Huskers. And the remaining Big Eight foes will continue to do so. "These kids realize that the opponents are fired up when we play them," offered Kiffen. "But I'm sure that they're probably a little disappointed in themselves, but they still have a lot of pride." And what's the reason to complain or start rumors anyway? The Huskers are still undefeated. Kickoff juggling Nebraska's kickoff team, which has been doing a juggl ing act all season, may undergo further changes. And part of the change this week could revolve around the condition of W o o d y Cox's sore shoulder. "If his shoulder is okay, we'll have him on the kickoff unit," Devaney said. "If it's not, we'll have to come up with somebody else." Devaney said the important thing with the kickoff team is to play the individuals that "are anxious to play and who want to go down and lilt peo ple. Nebraska's date with Iowa State will be the second straight game for the Huskers on a real surface. "We noticed some difference in going from our artificial turf to the grass at Colorado last week," Devaney pointed out. "There was some slipping that wouldn't have happened on our field. "I thiiik one of the problems was that the players get ac customed to making sharper cuts on the AstroTurf that you can't make on natural grass." The Huskers, who practiced on grass Wednesday thanks to cooperation by the weatherman, will do the same in Ames Friday. Nebraska quarterback Van Brownson, who came up with a sore elbow earlier in the week, was throwing the ball Wednes day and Devaney said he was not concerned with Brownson's ailment as far as being a han dicap to the signal caller. Cip alternates Chalk, Jura in new cage plan by JIM JOHNSTON Associate Sports Editor When basketball coach Joe Cipriano said the Huskers would switch to a single post and fast-breaking game this year, many people (including tt Chalk . . . everything Show Your Committment-- 9) A ffu Sign Up at tho Booth in the Union Cipriano) thought this would take either Chuck Jura or Leroy Chalk out of a starting role. But since practice began three weeks ago, there's been a change in Cip's thinking. coming along okay. Go Big (led 43 RPM with "Nebraska Chant Hail Varsity- an tide 2 Available at the following: U. of N Music Bldg. Band Office; oRcord Oept at Brandeit and Mil lar's. Also by prepaid mail for $1.00 fron ROTO RECORDS P.O. Box 4545 Lincoln Nb. 68504 hi 1 The Huskers will still operate from a single post and present a running game, but both Jura and Chalk will be on the floor at the same time. How? Cipriano scratched his head and came up with the answer. "We'll alternate Leroy and Chuck between the post and forward positions," explained Cip. Cipriano felt earlier that he would have to alternate the two big men from the bench if he wanted to have a fast breaking team from a single post "But they've both improved a great deal in getting die ball out quicker--and have become much more aggressive, said Cipriano. This situation will solve one of the bir&esi worries Cipriano had before practice opened . . . rebounding. Jura stands 6-10 and Chalk 6-7. 'Tm gonna like this setup better than last year's,'' of fered Jura. "This year I'll get a , chance to work more in the middle and I'm a better shot from there. I've been--working on my hook and short Jump shots fro-n the middle all sum mer." Chalk doesn't think he'll en counter any special problems In adjusting to the forward spot "Naturally a new position seems to be a little hard at first," smiled Chalk, "but everything seems to be coming along okay. It doesn't make any difference to me if I play forward or the post, Just so I don't get mixed up on where I'm supposed to be." IN PERSON A KLMS RADIO PRESENTATION FRI. NOV. 13-8 P.JVL EXTRA ADDED TEAGARDEN And VAN WINKLE ALL SEATS RESERVED $3.50 $4.50 $5.50 (Tax included) PURCHASE TICKETS PERSHING TICKET OFFICE 12 TILL 6 P.M. Office 12 till p.m. Dally Brandeis, Miller & Paine, Downtown, Gateway Montgomery Ward, Treasure City, World Radio Richman Sordino, Record Deptt. DURING STORI HOURS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1970 THE NEBRASKAN PAGE 7