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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1971)
Big Eight Big Fight attention again focuses on Colorado and Oklahoma this weekend. Colorado, with surprising wins over Louisiana State and Ohio State, entertains Kansas State in the Big I'.ipht opener S it unlay. Oklahoma puts its 2-0 record on the line at Norman when the Sooncrs meet Southern California. COLORADO will he trying to avoid what happened against the Wildcats last year. The Buffaloes had upset Penn State and stopped the Nittany Lions .3! -game unbeaten streak, but were then beaten by Kansas Stale 21-20. That's long been the story of Colorado football. The Buffs start strong, but then choke in Big Eight play. Colorado coach Eddie Crowder, however, thinks 1971 is different. "I don't care about past history," said Crowder. "This team has a great attitude and strong desire to win." BUT THE circumstances surrounding the Colorado-Kansas State clash are similar to last year. Colorado again boasts a powerful running attack and has some big wins to its credit. Kansas State, like last year, brings the Big Eight's best defensive statistics against the rush into ihe game. The Buffaloes are second in the conference in rushing with a 332 yard average. And that's been built from playing two of the top defenses in the nation-LSU and Ohio State. The Wildcats, on the other hand, have allowed on the average just 42.7 yards rushing in their first three games this season. Kansas State, however, doesn't present the same offensive threat that it did last year. There's no Lynn Dickey. The game is at Boulder where the Wildcats haven't won since 1964. IF COLORADO avoids the Big Eight jinx, the game could turn into a runaway. puts winning record on line '.Oklahoma, after a surprisingly easy 55-29 win over Pittsburgh, has two more non-conference foes to deal with before entering Big l ight play. The Sooners host DSC Saturday and then travel to Texas the following week. The Trojans lost a 17-10 decision to Alabama in the opener, but have scored two straight shutout wins over Rice and Illinois. SOUTHERN California, a pre-season favorite to win the Pacific Eight conference, lost a lot of national prestige with its opening loss to Alabama. But the Trojans are still one of the better teams in the nation and again display a potent offense. Utah State Don't laugh when Bob Devaney says "we expect a tough football game with L'tah State." . The Aggies, considered the weak sister on Nebraska's non-conference schedule this season, could just be the best team the Huskers have faced yet this year. The Aggies, after all. own a 3-0 record and have a win over Kansas State to their credit. it's always tough to give a team its first loss." says the W(K d) Led by quarterback Jimmy Jones, tailbacks Rod McNeill and Lou llarrs and crashing fullback Sam Bam" Cunningham, the Trojans present the best offense the Sooners have seen yet this season. But Oklahoma is equally talented on offense with quarterback Jack Mildren directing the Wishbone offense with running backs Joe Wylic, Greg Pruitt and Leon Crosswhite. The Sooners have averaged 380 rushing yards in their first two games. DEFENSE, a portion of Oklahoma's game still untested, could be the deciding factor. Giving up 29 points to Utah State at Nebraska Kansas State at Colorado USC at Oklahoma Kansas at Minnesota Missouri at Arm" Iowa State at Kent State could be best Husker Nebraska head coach. "Everybody plays us pretty tough since we're rated No. 1 ." UTAH STATE has also defeated New Mexico State and Nevada-Las Vegas. The Cornhuskers own a 3-0 mark with wins over Oregon, Minnesota and Texas A & M. The Aggies are quarterbacked by junior Tony Adams who was named national back of the week following Utah State's 35-6 triumph over Kentucky last Pitt surely wasn't pleasing to Sooner coach Chuck Fairbanks. The Sooners will be without the services of Pan Ruster, starting safety and punt returner, who underwent surgery for a shoulder separation following Ihe Pitt game. Kansas takes the pride of the Big Fight to Minneapolis for a date with the Minnesota Gophers. The Gophers, who Nebraska coach Bob Devaney saiu could do quite well in Big Ten competition, lost a surprising 31-21 decision to Washington State last week. KANSAS LOST its first outing of the season last week as the Jayhawks dropped a 30-7 decision to pass-minded Florida State. The Jayhawks could find the Gophers defense the best they've seen this season and the defensive secondary may again be plagued by passing. Minnesota's Craig Curry is one of the top passers in the Big Ten. Big Eight football teams have won 17 straight games from Big Ten rivals since Kansas lost to Indiana's Rose Bowl team, 18-15, in 1967. If the Jayhawk defensive secondary doesn't improve, Minnesota could snap that streak Saturday. Iowa State, which joins Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado in not losing a game year. The 6-0, 185-pound junior started every game in his sophomore season for coach Chuck Mills' Aggies and his experience has proved vital in the opening three games. Adams has completed 20 of 38 passes for 325 yards and one touch down. Adams' favorite target is split end Bob Wicks. Wicks, a solid Ail-American candidate, was the Aggies leading receiver in 1970 with 47 receptions. He also scored five touchdowns. WICKS HAS caught nine passes this year for 168 yards-that's an 18.7 average. Utah State's leading rusher is junior college transfer Jerry Hughes. Hughes has rushed tor 20 2 yards and three .ouchdowns during the first hrce games. John Strycula, who shares time with Hughes, lias 118 rushing yards to his credit this year. The Aggies don't have much size up front either on offense or defense, but they've aided a 1970 weakness with the addition of junior college linebackers Elton Brown (6-3, 236) and Rod Rosa (6-3, 238). There will be no changes in he Cornhusker lineup for Saturday. 'ohnnij's here's nnft nnnnnn rninnn fc-TYi Statf "iiinimainf "iMiEaVaf lititf Imb mm& tm mm wmnn' mmt mmmi afirtf w&m imnJ WITH FRENCH here's Johnny's Restaurant 17th serving breakfast from 7 0OAM Saturday yet this season, visits Kent State Saturday before entertaining Colorado the following week. THE CYCLONES, who rolled for 497 total yards in blasting New Mexico last week, could repeat that show Saturday as Kent Stale is hurting on defense. The Golden Flashes are 1-2 on the season. Iowa State's George Amundson, who was previously battling Dean Carlson for the quarterback job, gained 196 of those yards as a tailback. The Cyclones should make it three in a row before running into the Buffaloes. Missouri scored its first win of the season last week with a 24-12 win over Southern Methodist. This week the Tigers visit West Point to meet the Army Cadets. THE TIGERS, who have been plagued with injuries, should be in their best physical condition Saturday. Backup quarterback Mike Fanner and tailback Bruce Berry have been added to the travel squad after missing two games. Big Eight teams have recorded a 17-5 record against non-conference foes in the first three weeks of the 1971 season. foe, so far I-back Jeff Kinney, who was sidelined earlier in the week while undergoing tests at the hospital, will be ready Saturday. Kinney's illness was reported as salmonella, but a report from university Dr. Kenneth Rose said the illness was a mild intestenal infection and not salmonella. Dr. Rose said Kinney could have had the disease since last summer. CORNERBACK Joe Blahak, who missed Tuesday's drills with the flu, will also be ready Saturday. Center Doug Dumler has completely recovered from his foot injury in the Oregon game and will be in a starting role against the Aggies. Linebacker Bill Sloey, also injured against Oregon, is the only player who started in the opener that won't be starting in the fourth game. Jim Branch will again start in Sloey's place. MIDCITY TOYOTA auto sales & service 1200 Q now features the FRIES AND COKE CLOSE TO CAMPUS and M St. party room available ofien nite 'till the wee hours - -- """"' ' nirrmi,.t.,w PAGE 6 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1971