page 10
daily nebraskan
monday, October 31, 1977
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Stillwater Okla.-The Huskers proved an old adage
but added a new twist in their win over Oklahoma State
University (OSU) Saturday. That is, 22 heads are better
than one. -
UNL rolled to a 31-14 Big 8 Conference victory over
OSU before 49,100 fans at Lewis Field and a regional
television audience. The winning team has "no individual
stars," according to head coach Tom Osborne.
"This is probably as big a win as we've had all year,"
Osborne said. "Alabama was big at the time, but this was
a pivotal game. We're on the threshold of becoming a very
good team."
The UNL defense shut down a high-powered offensive
attack for the second week in a row. Osborne labeled the
OSU game "our first true road game."
OSU Heisman Trophy candidate Terry Miller had 116
yards, for his lowest rushing total of the year. Miller, who
has rushed for more than 100 yards in 16 straight games,
didn't break 100 yards until the final minute of the game,
"We didn't set our defense to stop Miller " Osborne
said. "We did key on him at times. Our defense just did a
good job. They did real' well except for the long pass and
one short drive."
Confidence builder
UNL defensive coordinator Lance Van Zandt said the
past two games have been "real confidence-builders" for
his defense.
"We practiced hard all week. And, if we play like we
practice we're okay," he said. "We played with a heck
of a lot of effort all week."
Osborne said the Huskers' offense moved the ball
"pretty well."
"They were set to stop our I-backs" Osborne said.
"That made our pitch play, which is probably our best
play, a little bit tough to run. I'm sorry Isaiah (Husker
I-back I.M. Hipp) didn't get 200 yards but the main thing
is we won and I think he understands that. Curtis Craig
had his best day running ever."
Craig, who led Husker rushers with 82 yards on five
carries, said , UNL has a very balanced team this year.
"Dodie Dorinell is a good runner, and so is Isaiah and
Rick Berns," Craig said. "Andra Franklin's going to get
better," and "we've got good runners and receivers."
Running talents
Husker quarterback Tom Sorley showed his running
talents against OSU with 55 yards on 12 carries. He said
the lack of passing by UNL the past few weeks does not
bother him.
"It's okay with me if we never pass as long as we still
go to the Orange Bowl," Sorley said. "J don't care if we
get two yards total offense as long as we win and can go
to the Orange Bowl."
Sorley and Husker linebacker Lee Kunz were named
ABCTV's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game,
respectively, Kunz was in on 14 tackles.
Sorley said he was surprised he got the award and
added "there are probably ten guys who deserve it more
than I do."
Osborne said the Huskers Big 8 title hopes have
improved with the win,
"This was the most convincing win over OSU in a long
time and our best allarouftd football game this year,"
Osborne said. "If we'd lost today, we would have been
in tough shape. We're in the Big 8 race yet and the players
are gaining confidence."