The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, September 10, 1977, FIRST DOWN, Page page 6, Image 6
page 6 first down Saturday, September 10, 1977 New era in the Big 8?Huskerfansmayhopenot By Pete Wegman A new era may be dawning in Big 8 Conference foot ball, ushering out the recent years when the Cornhuskers and the Oklahoma Sooners battled for the conference crown while the other six teams scrambled for the re maining spots. Because of scholarship cutbacks, upgraded programs at several schools and other factors, any of the eight schools could be in contention for the title. Going into the last week of last season, five teams, in cluding the Cornhuskers, held a share of the lead. When the season ended three teams-the Sooners, the Colorado Buffaloes and the Oklahoma State Cowboys-were on top of the heap, unprecedented in conference history. For Cornhusker fans, the trend toward a more balanced conference is esDecial I v evident with the 1977 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG Husker team. On paper, the Big Red may have one of its weakest teams since the late 1960s. At least that is what sportswriters and coaches across the nation seem to think. . Only one major poll listed the Cornhuskers in its pre season top 10, the United Press International which had them 10th. Other polls were even less respectful of the Husker tradition. Associated Press put the Huskers 15th; Playboy, 16th; Football News, . 17th and Sports Illustrated, 18th. If one thing is certain about the 1977 Cornhuskers, it is their uncertainty. Head Coach Tom Osborne, in his fifth year as mentor, has said his Huskers could finish anywhere from first to sixth in the Big 8. Much of . the Huskers' success will be determined by their ability to fill voids at quarerback, the defensive line and the defensive backfield caused by graduation losses. A week '. ago senior Randy Garcia and junior Tom Sorley still were battling to replace graduated Ail American Vince Ferragamo at quarterback. They com pleted only eight of 25 passes between them last season while playing sparingly. Osborne has decided to start Garcia today against the Cougars, but he says Sorley will play. Complementing the quarterback, the Huskers have a bevy of running backs returning. Starting at l-back is junior Rick Berns, who broke Frank Solich's single-game school rushing record when he romped for 21 1 yards against Hawaii last year. Three-year starter Monte Anthony and sophomore Isaiah (I.M.) Hipp will back up BeYns. At fullback is junior Dodie Donnell, who retained the starting berth by edging junior Keith Steward and fresh Continued on p.7 o o o o o o o o o o 0. NEBRASKA UNION REC ROOM GAME DAY BOWLING SPECIAL 35c a line 9-6 PJM. O o o o 0 o o o o Plus Foosball Billiards Pinball Video Games Lower Level - Nebraska Union A J o o o 0 o o o o oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fi i i iii iii. -pr nim i iiii.jijij;npifTrn j )innTrTTTTnTriinT rnrnTniM TWO BACON BURGER PLATTERS Our Choice Beefburger. Hickory Smoked Bacon and melted Cheddar Cheese on a toasted bun with trench fries and cole slaw; lettuce, tomato and a pickle spear Truly a burger with person ality and taste TWO FOR $ 59 ri nnr n JUL". Ill ri 1UUVLJU m T mm I . ' I vP i if - 1 4' 111 w- -vii vrv.:-. i y i i i i n i i i u a x:- izzrz B r1 A T A1 HjCAU 4- lOC i ! I nf- n J J: i ! L irsel. e educate is an expensive veatore. e FMrasfia Kationa canlielppayforyoiirs. I j cn ? f ' ! f 1 U 1 r 1 r 41 it The Good be!mgi