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Redshirting Davis
would save eligibility
by Jim Johnston
You've probably heard this story before. It's as old as
college football.
There's this freshman kid, you see, who didn't enter the
college football world with a great deal of fanfare.
He wasn't a walk-on. He had a scholarship and all that. But
he just wasn't regarded as one of those kids that comes around
once in a generation.
But suddenly, during the middle of his freshman season,
pople start to take notice. This stocky running back from
Tecumseh is lowering his head into the bellies of those
250-pound linemen and making them step aside.
Fans start buzzing. "This kid is gonna make it. He might
become one of the all-time greats."
The kid lives up to his freshman season billing during spring
drills. He leads all rushers in the spring game and enters fall
practice as the No. 2 I -back on the varsity.
Then it happens. Two weeks before fall practice opens he
injures his knee while playing handball. Surgery is required.
He's lost for the start of the season and perhaps the entire
year.
Tony Davis can give you more details about the story. He s
just experienced it.
"It's the most disappointing thing in the world," Davis said.
"It just knocked me on my tail when I learned I needed knee
surgery just before fall ball started."
Davis didn't play in Nebraska's first three games this year.
His first varsity appearance was in the closing minutes against
Minnesota. And his showing wasn't too impressive.
"I wasn't happy with the way I ran in the Minnesota
game," Davis said. "My knee didn't bother me, but I just
didn't have my quickness. My execution just wasn't very
smooth."
His performance against Minnesota didn't solve the
question of whether Davis would be redshirted this year. But
his showing in Friday's scrimmage indicated that he has
recovered from the knee surgery and could play this season.
"I feel more confident now," Davis said after Friday's
scrimmage. "There's no question that my knee is strong again.
I feel like I'm ready."
But Nebraska's coaching staff still hasn't reached a decision.
A hardship case can still be pleaded for Davis and he still can
be redshirted this season. But if he plays in another game, he
cannot be considered a redshirt.
Even if Davis is completely recovered from knee surgery,
stepping into Nebraska's I -back spot will not be easy. Dave
Goeller, who was behind Davis entering fall practice, has filled
Nebraska's No. 2 l-back position with success. He won't be
easy to push aside.
Jeff Moran also has enjoyed a good season running at the
No. 3 spot.
Davis stands 5-1 1 and weighs 205. He is a punishing runner.
But his talents may have to wait for another season.
"We hate to gamble on a kid and have him lose a year's
eligibility if he isn't fully recovered," Nebraska coach Bob
Devaney said. "If we need him this season and we feel he's
ready, we won't hesitate about using him. But there's no need
to waste a year."
That's the situation Tony Davis lives with now. But he's not
alone. It's been shared by many.
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Overtime
touchdown
saves Pro
Students
by Kim Ball
The Pro Students remain No. 1 in the Daily Nebraskan's
All-University ratings after defeating the Hawks in one of the
most exciting games of the flag football season. The Pro
Students now have won 18 straight over a two-year span.
The Hawks and the Pro Students were tied after regulation
play, 27-27. Each team also was deadlocked in penetration
points. (A penetration point is awarded to a team each time it
crosses midfield and advances into its opponent's side of the
field. Penetration points were installed in order to break ties.)
The contest then went into overtime. The Hawks were
given the ball at mid-field, but failed to score in four plays.
The Pro Students advanced and on the fourth play scored on a
pass from Guy Ingles to Billy Carver. The final score went
down as 28-27.
Another battle involving rated teams ws rain-shortened at
the half. Previously No. 3-rated Delta Tau Delta was leading
No. 2-rated Delta Upsilon, 26-13, when the game was
postponed.
Delt lineman Steve Fallon proved to be a defensive stalwart
as he batted down three DU passes. .AQharley Beard, the
offensive star, had a hand in three of the four Delt
touchdowns. The Delts and DUs switched positions.
Other changes in this week's ratings are,'siight with only two
teams entering the ratings for the first time. Gooding replaces
Kiesselbach (4-1) in the Dorm League. Phi Gamma Delta,
whose only loss was to top rated Phi Delta Theta, is No. 4
after defeating previously ranked Triangle (2-2).
All-University
1. Pro Student (5-0)
2. Hawks (3-1)
3. Phi Delta Theta (3 0)
4. Phi Delta Phi (5 0)
5. Delta Tau Delta (3 0)
Fraternity League
1. Phi Delta Theta (3 0)
2. Delta Tau Delta (3 0)
3. Delta Upsilon (3 0)
4. Phi Gamma Delta (2-1 )
5. Tau Kappa Epsilon (5-C)
Indepcndont League
1. Pro Students (5 0)
2. Hawks (3 D
3. Phi Delta Phi (5 0)
4. Fumblers (4 0)
5. Bang Gang (4 0)
Dorm Leaque
1. Gus II (6 0)
2. Glenn 7 (40)
3. Abel VI (4-0)
4. Gooding (4-1 )
5. Abel VIII (3 1)
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Cross country team loses
second meet to KSU
by Steve Kadel
Nebraska's cross country team lost its second meet of the
season Saturday, dropping a 31-25 dual to Kansas State at
Pioneers Park.
Lynn Hall was the top Husker finisher, third in 25:14 over
the five mile course. Bob Unger was fourth and Jim Hawkins
finished fifth. Kansas State freshman Jeff Schemmel won the
race in 24:55.
Jerome Howe, former Kansas State distance standout,
found himself in the unfamiliar role of spectator at Saturday's
meet. Howe, a 1972 K -State graduate, is a graduate assistant
and helps coach cross country at Kaunas State.
Howe was last year's Big Eight cross country champion and
ran the fastest 1500 meters of the year by an American, 3:38,
in last year's AAU meet.
He was picked as an alternate for Munich and made an
extensive European tour shortly before the Olympics, running
in Norway and Italy.
He works out with the K-State team, but admits that
they're ahead of him at the moment.
"I took a three week vacation after I got back from
Europe," Howe said. "These guys are really coming aiong well.
Our best runner didn't even make the trip-he's got an injured
knee and stayed in Manhattan."
Howe said the difference in Saturday's meet was the
background of the Kansas State runners.
"They all worked real hard during the summer," Howe said.
"Nebraska will be catching up all season. They'll probably be
even bv Biq Eight meet time."
monday, October 9, 1972
page 8
daily nebraskan