thursday, September 1, 1977
page 14
daily nebraskan
c
capable Husker backfield pleases Coach Cor
gan
By Rob Barney
Depth is the key word used by offensive back coach
Mike Corgan to describe this season's Husker football
team's backfield.
Corgan Wednesday said he is pleased with the number
of capable backs he has this season at both I-back and
fullback. - ' v ,
' "We have more depth than last year," he said. 'We
have kids three deep that can play ball."
According to the latest depth chart posted by the UNL
coaching staff, Rick Berns and Isaiah (I.M.) Hipp are
sharing first string I-back duties. Running third is sopho
more Tim Wurth of Omaha.
Berns as a sophomore last season, led the Huskers in
rushing with 972 yards, including a school record 211
yards against Hawaii.
Hipp, a walk-on from Chapin, S. C, was a 1976 red
shirt but netted 366 yards rushing for the '75 frosh team.
Breakaway threats '
"Berns is coming along real well and Hipp is a good
prospect,'' Corgan said. "Both can be considered break
away threats. They can both run the 40-yard dash in 4.5."
Corgan said he is aiso impressed by Hipp's strength.
"He's a well built rascal. I'm surprised how quick and
fast he is for his size (6 ft. 200 lbs.).!'
Hipp was UNL's co-weightlifter of the year in 1976-77,
sharing the honors with offensive guard Lawrence Cooley.
The Huskers have depth at the fullback position but
injuries and academic problems have slowed their pro
gress, Corgan said.
Running with the first team is junior Keith Steward.
Last year's starter Dodie Donnell is listed on the second
unit with freshman Andra Franklin.
Eligibility problems :
"We're trying to get caught up after some eligibility
problems and some pulls (muscle)," Corgan said.
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Photo by Td Kirk
Isaiah (I.M.) Hipp
UNL near bottom
The Husker football team has been ranked 18th in
Sports Illustrated magazine's Sept. 5 College Football
preview issue. UNL was picked for third place in the Big
8 Conference behind the University of Oklahoma and the
University of Colorado.
OU was ranked second behind the University 'of Notre
Dame for national honors and CU was picked 1 1th.
Sports Illustrated Top 20
1. Notre Dame
2. Oklahoma
3. Michigan
4. Texas Tech
5. Alabama
6. USC
7. -Ohio State
8. Texas A &M
9. Maryland
lO.Penn State
11. Colorado
12. UCLA
13. Pittsburgh
14. Mississippi State
15. Houston
16. Arizona
17. Florida
1 8. Nebraska
19. Kentucky
20. Brigham Young
sports shorts
UNL Rugby practice will be at 5:30 pm. every
Tuesday and Thursday at Mabel Lee Field.
-
Anyone Interested in women's field hockey can report
to Mabel Lee Field 4 to 6 pjn. weekdays. Coach Harriet
Gould said recruits do not need experience and should
corns ready to play.
MDodie came back a little heavy and not in the greatest
shape. I don't know if that had anything to do with his
hamstring pull but he is just getting back to full strength.
Steward had to complete some correspondence courses
before he could become eligible to play, He said he is
number one and plans to stay that way.
Tm here to play football and I think I can do the job
to help the ball club win," he said.
"It's a lot of work being number one. You have to
keep on your toes because there are other backs that can
come in and do the job," he added.
Freshman given chance ,
Backfield difficulties have given freshman recruit
Franklin a chance to show his fullback skills to Husker
Coaches. "
"We could use him if we needed him," Corgan said.
"It's tough for freshmen. They not only have to learn the
mechanics but must adjust to the work load. However.
Franklin is a fast learner."
Well down the depth charts at both I-back and fullback
is UNL's fourth all-time leading rusher Monte Anthony.
Anthonya senior from Bellevue, began fall practice
Monday after taking some tests to clear-up his eligibility.
"I'm really tired," Anrhony said following Tuesday's
practice. "I have a ways to go to get back into top
physical shape.
"It's hard to say whether I'll be ready for the season. I ;
missed two-a-days which builds up your endurance and if-'
you are not in top physical shape you're more prone to
injuries and you make more mental mistakes."
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Byron Stewart
Photo by Ted Kirk
sports
Husker manager wants rally support
By Kevin Schnepf
The Husker's' football team manager spent the evening
at a local Discotheque Tuesday night, but he was not
there for disco dancing or barley pop.
Gary Clark, new head student manager, was using some
fancy footwork to persuade the manager of Uncle Sam's,
25th and O Streets, to sponsor what Clark calls "Beat the
Tide night," a pre-game rally for the Huskers confronta
tion with Alabama Sept. 17 in Lincoln.
"We just got started with this idea and. we're trying to
find sponsors," the senior from Auburn said. "I've been a
Big Red fan all my life and I like doing things like this."
Clark is aiso trying to locate sponsors to fund the pur
chase of Husker T-shirts. The T-shirts display Husker play
ers running into a wave of water with Alabama Coach
Bear Bryant standing on top of the wave. The shirts sport
the phrase, "The Tide is Washed Up."
Clark does not spend all his time drumming up Big
Red spirit off campus. He works six days a week, six
hours a day assisting the football team.
"It can interfere with studies," Clark said, "but it's a
matter of where your priorities are and I love Nebraska
football. The teachers cooperate, a lot when they know
you're involved with the football team."
Clark has worked with the training staff since his
freshman year. He replaced Pete "Pugsley" Smith as head
manager.
When' Clark was a senior at Auburn High School, he
was offered the job by a hometown car dealer,
"He knew the parents of Monte Kiffin fformer UNL
defensive coach) and was a member of tne Wheeler's
Club ," Clark said. "He asked if I wanted to work with the
team and it has turned out to be a fantastic job."
As head manager, Clark coordinates the nine-man
staff to prepare offensive and defensive stations and time
each drill for head coach Tom Osborne. x
"Each practice drill requires a certain amount of time,"
Clark said, "when the coach needs something we're all
there."
Assisting Clark are Mike Frei of Grand Island, Mark
- Eiserman of Nebraska City, Greg Morris of Stella, Jerry
Peters of Aurora, Rick Hartwig of Cortland, Alan Edwards
of Wymore, Tom O'Holleran of Sidney and Andre Dobson
of St. Louis, Missouri.
Clark, who said he is unsure of his major is consid
ering a business degree. But added that many jobs are
associated in athletic training.
"Last summer I attended the National Equipment
Manager's Association meeting and there are lots of
jobs associated with either pro or college ball," he said.
Clark receives $65 a month for his new job but he said
there are benefits.
"I eat at the training table with the players and
working with the players is fun," Clark said.
; : "They're real ' nice guys and are normal people."
But he said his most memorable moment is on Sat
urday afternoons at Memorial Stadium. -
"When you walk out on the field in front of 76,000
Big Red fans, it gives you a great feeling' Clark said.
!sff!y fir
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Rick Berns (35)
Photo by TtdKirk
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Courageous people to work for no pay. Frequently the hours and
conditions are inconvenient or difficult. Occasionally even dan
gerous. Ho reward, beyond the gratitude of Uie people you help.
Apply at your local Red Cross Chapter. '1
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Red Cross, The; Good rubier.