pago 12
daily nebraskan
Wednesday, September 20, 1979
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Parents', priest's support to help Hager in climb to top
Tim Hager1! smile didn't fade-not even once-as he
walked from the astroturf to the locker room.
Not even when offensive tackle Dan Rice said, "Hi
Jeff." His smile only grew.
Because, Nebraska quarterback Tim Hager knows
at least for a while-he's on top.
Nebraska coach Tom Osborne announced Tuesday that
Hager, who began fall camp as the number Ave quarter
back, will start this Saturday against the Penn State
Nittany Lions.
Hager moved his way up to the number two spot
behind Jeff Quinn during fall practice. Last week, in the
Huskers narrow victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes 2421,
Hager came off the bench to replace Quinn, who left with
a thigh and ankle injury.
It was Hager who led the Huskers from behind in a
late third quarter rally to beat the Hawkeyes.
And, apparently, the rally paid off.
in
it A t; i
Photo by Mark Billingsley
Quarterback Tim Hager calls a play during last week's 242 1 win over Iowa.
UNL Rugby Club works to play ball
The UNL Rugby Club wants to play, and it's not
going to let a little thing like lack of money stand in its
way.
Several members of the club have taken jobs as
security guards during rock concerts and high school
athletics at Lincoln's Pershing Auditorium to raise funds
for the club, according to Vince Powers, rugby coach.
"It's fun. A lot of times at the rock concerts, you can
get backstage and talk to the guys," said Scott Carlson, a
senior from Omaha. "It's just a way to get money."
The UNL club's situation is not unique, Carlson
said.
"A lot of clubs across the nation don't get any money
(through university athletic departments) although some
of them get a little," Carlson said.
Besides raising its own money, the rugby team pro
vides its own transportation to the away games.
"WHEN I FIRST started," Carlson said, the players
were supported somewhat by the University, but they're
not affiliated any more."
. "In a way, we like it like that.
However, people wishing to see the rugby club can do
so at no charge, Carlson said.
"Everybody at the university lias a lifetime pass to all
rugby games" Carlson said, jokingly. "We got it in
cluded in the tuition."
The games are free. They are played at the Lincoln
Humane Society field.
The sport has never achieved the mass success of other
athletic events in the United States. However, U.S. rugby
teams won championships in 1920 and 1924 at the
Olympic Games.
Big Eight Standings
w L
Missouri ' 3 0
Nebraska 2 0
Oklahoma 2 0
Oklahoma State 2 1
Iowa State - 1 -,!
Kansas State I i
Kansas 0 2
Colorado 0 3
t per.
o 1.000
1.000
1.000
.667
,500
;500
.000
000
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
PFPA
92 35
59
70
48
47
35
19
40
27
40 42
7 52
28 90
Games Saturday
Texas, at Missouri
Perm State at Nebraska
Oklahoma at Rice
Iowa State at Iowa
Kansas State at Air Force
North Texas State at Kansas
Colorado at Indiana
Oklahoma State idle
Rugby in college was first introduced in England by
Cambridge University in 1839, although the original laws
of the game were not drawn up until 1871. Four years
after the rules were drafted, the game got its start in the
United States.
"It's derived from soccer, but it's really more like
football, except there is no blocking,"Carlson said.
Instead, the contact is more like pushing.
During the two 20-minute halves, there are no time
outs or substitutions. There are no forward passes, but
lateral passing is permitted.
Kicking, dribbling, and tackling also are allowed.
FIFTEEN PLAYERS make up each side, eight
forwards and seven backs or wings. The forwards are
comparable to football linemen.
Running the ball into the end zone, as in football, is
the most common method of scoring. However, instead of
a six-point touchdown, the score is called a "try" and it
is worth four points.
However, on a try, the ball has to touch down on the
field. This is the same as in old-time football.
A two-point conversion kick attempt follows the try.
Penalty kicks afford players an opportunity to either
kick the ball through the uprights for three points or run
for a try.
The drop kick, where the player drops the ball on the
ground and kicks it as it bounces up, is worth three
points, but is hardly ever used.
Each half lasts 40 minutes with a five-minute break
between halves.
"Youre going all the time. Youre always moving,
said Dan McGuire of Wisner.
.Rugby players, unlike football players, wear no heavy
pads for their contact sport, although they do wear cleats,
Carlson said.
But major injuries pose no problem, he said.
"YOU GET A lot more bumps and bruises, but not
as many major injuries," said Carlson, who played high
school football at Omaha Westside.
"Injuries really are not that prevalent
Rugby in Nebraska has grown in popularity since
Powers joined the team in 1974, he said.
UNL had one of three teams in the state when he
joined, Powers said, but now, there are four teams in
Omaha, including UNO and Creighton. Lincoln also has a
city team, -
Powers said the enjoyment of rugby doesn't end after
the game. .
The tradition of rugby calls for sportsmanship, he
said. Its a real party tradition. There's always a party
after the game.
Rugby attracts a certain type of personality, Powers
said. They take a lot of pride in their sport and they like
to do everything themselves, You will find that people
who are associated with rugby are big advocates of the
game.
1tt better to participate in something than to be a
spectator " Powers said.
"I'm pretty excited," Hager said.
"I was waiting all day today. I really never knew when
he (Osborne) was going to tell me, and boy were there
butterflies in my stomach," he said.
And, there was another Hager who was anxious to hear
who would start Saturday-Tim's father Weslyn.
Weslyn came to his first Extra Point Club Luncheon of
the year Monday just to see if Osborne would announce
the starting quarterback.
But, Osborne kept both Hagers wondering until Tues
day. "I know that young man can do it, Weslyn said, Mon
day. ,
"He's been able to do it all along, he added quietly.
Weslyn said he and his wife have long visualized a
dream that Tim would come into a game, be given a
chance, and then earn starting honors.
Tim's never been in a game where it was 0-0," Weslyn
said.
"But I think we'll be more nervous than he is," Weslyn
said.
Tim agreed and laughed.
"It's going to be an emotional game in many ways.
They probably will be more nervous than me," he said.
Tim said his parents link with his football goes back a
long way.
"I can remember when 1 was a little kid and I'd come
home after a bad practice and boy would he scream at
me," he said.
However. Tim said his father doesn't scream now
except for elation.
"Both he and my mom have been real supportive of
me. Even when I was number five," he said.
Tim said hes nervous, but shrugged it off on being
human. v
He said he realizes he has a job to do, and has to play
this kind of game .
"Penn State's good, but I'm thinking real hard about
beating them now," he said.
His parents support the support of his priest and
positive thinking helped him make the comeback, Tim
said.
"Monsignor Crowley told me there had to be a brighter .
side," Tim said.
That side is shining brightly now, he added .
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Photo by Mt Bittinsrffy
UNL gymnast Jim Hartung qualified for the US.
Men's Trials for the world gymnastics champion,
ships last weekend.
