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friday, October 15, 1977
9
Tenacious Cyclone defense to test NU ground attack
By Dennis Onnen
It may be a case of the irresistible force meeting the
immovable object whea the Husker offense lines up
against the Cyclone defense today.
The Huskers are second in the Big 8 in total offense
and seventh in the country in rushing offense with 299.6
yards a game, well over the Husker record of 252.5 yards
a game set in 1971,
But Iowa State, noted mainly for its offense last year
when it led the Big 8 with 439.$ yards a game, has de
veloped a surprisingly strong defense in compiling a 4-1
record.
Sparked by All-Big 8 candidates Mike Stensrud and
Tom Randall at tackle and Ron McFarland at nose guard,
the Cyclones have limited their opponents to 114.2
rushing yards a game, best in the league. They also rank
second in, total defense (245 yards a game) and scoring
defense (11, points a game).
If Husker backs manage to get past the Cyclone line,
they will be met by standout linebackers Tom Boskey
and Mark Settle. Boskey had 107 tackles to lead Iowa
State last year and should be recovered from a sore ankle.
With Boskey sidelined during the win over Dayton, Settle
pitched in for 17 tackles.
On offense, the Cyclones were dealt a blow when start
ing quarterback Mike Tryon separated his shoulder in the
first quarter of the first game. Sophomore Terry Rubley
has4 filled the void, however, and now stands third in the
Big 8 in passing with 384 yards. He has completed 58 per
cent of his passes, best in the league.
His top targets are split ends Ray Hardee and Stan
Hixon, who have 10 and 9 catches respectively. Hardee is
also .a threat on kickoff returns, averaging 28,2 yards a
return to rank first in the Big 8 and seventh in the
country.
The Cyclone rushing attack is only seventh in the
league, but tailback Oexter Green and fullback Cat
Cummins each have 100-yard games to their credit this
year. Green rushed for 1,074 yards last year to finish third
in the Big 8, and he has scored eight touchdowns this
year to lead the league in scoring,
One of the Cyclone strong points has been the kick
ing game. They have scored two touchdowns on punt re
turns, and Rick Blabolil has averaged 41.8 yards a punt
to lead the league. Scott Kollman kicked 11 field goals
last, year, but has been successful on only two of seven
attempts this year.
The Cyclones have beaten Wichita State (35-9),
Bowling Green (35-21), Dayton (17-13) and Missouri
(7-0). Their pnly loss was to Iowa in a 12-10 squeaker.
Mlm ven
baked jgriiidor
Try a Grinder. A hearty French rol I
stuffed with Italian meatballs, cheese,
mushrooms, green peppers, and baked to
to a golden brown. Order them to stay
or take them to the game.
JlliillKlOS
Under the viaduct
819 "0"
Sat. 9 -11pm
Sun. 5 9 pm
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Th
SIBS JUSt 0H8 wcr
PUSS
1977 Jos. Schiiu Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wn.
Dnnnri Ann
O great selection
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