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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 1972)
n i doilu n y jll I I II IJ(AI I f(S J f v IrvA C m if j A, . -44 - v ' . Hi! 1 by Kim Ball If Percy Eichelberger has as good a game today against the Missouri freshmen as he did twq weeks ago against Kansas State, the Missouri backs had better hold on to the football. The Missouri freshmen invade Memorial Stadium at 1:30 p.m. today for a game involving two of the top freshman teams in the Big Eight Conference. In the Husker's 33-10 opening victory over Kansas State, Eichelberger made two bone-jarring tackles which caused fumbles. He also was a stalwart on a defense that allowed K -State just 39 yards rushing. But Eichelberger, a 6-1, 210 lb. linebacker from Louisville, Miss., wasn't satisfied with his play against K-State. "I didn't have the type of game I wanted to," Eichelberger said. "I could have made more tackles and I could have done better on pass coverage. I also could have read the offense a little quicker." NU frosh coach Jim Ross, after viewing films of Missouri's 20-7 win over the Kansas yearlings, said "Missouri seemed to have a real tough defense." "We're going to have to play a real good football game or we're going to get beat," said Ross. "I think they have a much better football team than Kansas State." Eichelberger anticipates Missouri putting the ball in the air. "I expect them to throw a lot more than Kansas State even though Kansas State was supposed to be a passing team," said Eichelberger. "After they see our films against Kansas State (K-State completed 15 passes for 172 yards), I expect that they'll pass." photo by Bill Ganzel Eichelberger was a defensive end and an offensive guard at Louisville High School and compiled an 11-0 record his senior year. But switching from defensive end to linebacker wasn't that tough, according to Eichelberger. "In high school the defensive end position was like a linebacker," said Eichelberger. "We had walk-away ends, so we covered on pass plays." Eichelberger had three interceptions his senior season. Eichelberger thinks that he will continue to improve as a linebacker, because "I'm not in top condition. I'm not in as good shape as I was (in high school). I get tired too fast." If Eichelberger wasn't in top condition, Kansas State should feel fortunate. But today Missouri will have to contend with Eichelberger. And that's no easy assignment, even if he isn't in shape. Nebraska offense SE 89 Dave Shamblin LT71 Steve Hoins LG 77 Rich Varner C 50 Rich Bonness RG 63 Nick Zanetcik RT 73 Ron Pruitt TE 83 Ken Homola QB 13 Glen Ray FB 30 Jim Belka IB 14 John O'Learly WB 22 Tom Heiser Nebraska defense LE 84 Randy Lessman LT 72 Bob Lingenfelter MG 76 Willie Thornton RT 74 Jim Sledge RE 80 Dan Brock LLB 45 Percy Eichelberger RLB 52 John Kane LCB 44 Mark Weaver RCB 35 Dave Butterf ield Mon 35 Randy Benish S 27 Walt Slattery Missouri offense SE 22 Rich Lain LT 70 Mike Owens LG 64 Ken Keils C 55 Brian Meyers RG 61 Joe Shockley RT 72 Dan Doyle TE 83 Charlie Douglass QB 15 Steve Pisarkiewicz TB 45 Mike Hopkins FB 31 Pecky Watson SB 46 Chris Hoskins Missouri defense LE 15 Blaine Henningsen LT 75 Larry McDevitt MG 35 Mark Kirkpatrick RT 60 Earnie Bohner RE 80 Jerry Thomas LLB 52 John Austin MLB 51 Tom Cooper RLB 21 Steve Brickey DHB 17 Chuck Banta DHB 12 Jerry Williams S 10 Ken Downing The Seiko If-Wtnd m Sa Day-Dater SrM UmmU Simm IBM 1129 "O" STREET L GATEWAY MALL gifir Jwlri Amarlci" Gam Soclaty 1 1 ASv. S Omaha pro team won't hurt football The emergence of professional basketball in Omaha will not, as some folks have hinted, have an adverse effect on Nebraska football. The belief that the only reason Nebraska football is so big is because it's the only sport may be partially true. But a professional basketball team in Omaha will not dim fans' enthusiasm for the Big Red. However, college basketball in Nebraska may feel the effects. It's doubtful that Omaha can support both the Omaha-Kansas City Kings and basketball at Creighton University. Creighton's athletic department will encounter the problem faced by other universities in large cities . . . competing against professional organizations for the sports' buck. Basketball at the University will not feel the immediate effect of professional basketball in the state. Cornhusker head coach Joe Ciprinao even says he feels it might bolster his program. "There's two ways you can look at it," Cipriano said. "I'm for anything that will help promote basketball in this state. We should finally get basketball pictures and professional team box scores on the sports page. That has to help promote basketball in general." Dangers But Cipriano also realizes the possible dangers. Take a hypothetical situation. It's the 1974-75 basketball season and Nebraska is playing in its new fieldhouse which seats 15,000. The Cornhuskers are having one of those so-so years and are out of the Big Eight title race. The Omaha-Kansas City Kings, however, are in contention for their divisional championship. Which team gets the coverage in Nebraska newspapers? In which team do the fans take more interest? ,s po The answer is obvious. And CiprianQperfectly aware of it. "It's no secret that tickets are sold by a good tradition and winning team," Cipriano said. "We.jiaye to develop this tradition. But before we can do that we have to have a new facility or we can't stay alive." 55 miles Auici At present, Nebraska's basketball program is not vying for the Omaha buck. The average fan won't drive 55 miles to fight for a seat in the dingy Coliseum. But in 1974, when the new fieldhouse is supposed to be ready for basketball, Nebraska's basketball program will be vying for that Omaha buck. That's when the Cornhusker athletic department may feel the pressure from professional sports. Not concerned Cipriano, however, isn't too concerned. "Professional sports aren't gonna come in and knock out the Big Eight," Cipriano said. "When we get an adequate facility we won't have trouble filling it." It's also doubtful that the Omaha-Kansas City Kings will still be around in 1974. After a super promotion for their opening game against Los Angeles Wednesday night, only 8,598 fans showed Up. But that's no real consolation to Cipriano. He still must build a basketball tradition and winning team at Nebraska. And, despite the constant criticism Cip hears, he has built Nebraska's basketball program and it will show long strides in the next five years. No excuses "I don't have to throw excuses at people for our not winning a Big Eight championship," Cipriano said. "We've had some damn good teams here. We were 18-8 a couple years ago." But Cip has been competing against the toughest competition in the state. Nebraska basketball just can't compare to No. 1 football. But don't count Cip out. He wants desperately to build his program. This year he has perhaps the finest crop of freshman athletes ever at Nebraska. Basketball will soon be bigtime at Nebraska. Forecast Nebraska 52, Missouri 7 . . . The Tiger defense has always been good, but this year it's inexperienced. Not to mention the offensive turnovers the Tiqers are famous for this year. Iowa State 28, Colorado 20 . . . The Buffs are tough to beat in Boulder. But it's tough to believe that Colorado can really bounce back after losing to Oklahoma State two weeks ago. Oklahoma 42, Texas 24 . . . Someone will finally score a touchdown against the Sooners' defense. Kansas State 28, Kansas 21 . . . Kansas State will show better in the Big Eight than they did in non conference games. Oklahoma State 35, Virginia Tech 21 . . . Virginia Tech surprised some by tying Houston last week. But Oklahoma State has too much going for it right now. The Cowboys are leading the Big Eight. page 12 daily nebraskan friday, October 13, 1972