page 16
daily nebraskan
friday, October 31, 1980
Osborne expects Tiger confrontation to be tough
By Tad Stryker
Nebraska faces what is considered by many to be one
of its toughest chores of the season when Missouri comes
to Lincoln Saturday.
The Tigers, who are tied with Nebraska and Oklahoma
for the league lead, have not lost in Memorial Stadium
since 1972 (a 62-0 romp for the Huskers).
Head Coach Tom Osborne said he expects the job to be
tough.
"I can't see any weakness in their team," he said.
Osborne said he doesn't feel past years' games will
have much bearing on this year's contest.
"I think every year's a new year," he said. "The other
years' games don't matter. I don't think that because we
won last year is going to make much difference. It doesn't
make any difference to me. Nebraska-Missouri games
are always battle royals. This game will be no different '"
If you put faith in the old saying about the kicking
game deciding close ballgames, a comparison between the
two teams' kicking games may be noteworthy.
In senior Ron Verrilli, Missouri has the Big bight's
top-ranked field goal kicker. Verrilli has made seven of
nine field goals and kicked 30 extra points. I lusker sopho
more Kevin Seibel has made one of two field goals, and
also has kicked 30 extra points. The Missouri punter,
senior Jeff Brockhaus, has punted 42 times for a 42.9
yard average. Husker senior Scott Gemar has a 40.0
average on 24 punts and has had one blocked.
Dave Liegl, the Huskers' 5-8 punt returner, is second
in the Big Fight witli a 9.3-yard average. Bill Whiteker's
5.0-yard average leads the Tigers.
Osborne earlier in the season called the Husker kicking
game one of the team's "weak points," but said he feels
it showed much improvement in last week's Colorado
game.
"I think we're all right in our kicking game," Osborne
said. "Our punt coverage and punt returns have been
good, and so has our kicking off and PAT's. The field goal
kicking lias not been real good, nut we ve mostly mcu
long kicks. The punting's been so-so, but it looked good
last week. Lvcry week's a new experiment," he said.
Another thing that gathers Osborne's weekly concern
is injuries. Thc Huskers will be in "reasonably good
health" this week, he said.
"Jarvis (Rcdwinc) will start." Osborne said. "I think
lie's all right." Roger Criag will be the second-string I
back. he said. Craig Johnson is still caring for a sore
shoulder, and is questionable tor Saturday's game.
Two Husker defenders, middle guard Curt Hinelinc
and monster Sammy Sims, are also questionable as start
ers. Hinehne has been bothered with a form of "turf toe,"
and hasn't practiced this week.
Osborne said Hinelinc's injury concerned him, but that
"he's got a chance to play." Sims jammed his wrist in
Wednesday's practice. Osborne said, but X-rays have
shown it was not broken .
Big Eight is trend-setter for gymnastics Allen
By Scott Ahlstrand
Francis Allen, Nebraska's men's gymnas
tics coach said he is confident-about the
upcoming season.
The Cornhuskers wiJl host the Big Fight
Invitational this weekend in die Bob
Devaney Sports Center, and, according to
Allen, Nebraska should be the favorite to
win not only the invitational, but also a
third consecutive national championship.
"The whole nation will be looking at
the results of this meet," Allen said. "The
last four years the national champion has
come out of this conference, and if every
thing goes right for us, this year could be
the fifth time. I think the Big Fight Con
ference is the trend-setter for college gym
nastics, This year we (the Big Eight) prob
ably have three of the top four teams in
the nation."
Althmioh Allrn hflipvc !fhr-icl"i
should be the favorite going into the meet.
y v ....
Nebraska sophomore Phil Cahoy performs on the still rings during last year's dual
with Colorado.
there is one element that he thinks could
hinder the Huskers' chances.
Injured finger
"A lot depends on how Jim Hartung's
finger holds up. He dislocated it last week
in the World Games at Toronto, and had
to withdraw from the team portion of the
competition," Alcn said. "He's worked out
some on it, and if he does OK we should do
pretty well. But if his finger doesn't hold
up, Iowa State might win the invitational."
Hartung was the national all-around
champion last year, and a member of the
U.S. Olympic team, of which Allen is the
coach .
If Hartung can remain healthy, Allen
said he likes his team's chances of winning
a national championship.
"When we have everyone healthy, we're
a tremendous team," Allen said. "We have
the strongest group of all arounders in the
nation, and we have some excellent special
ists. If we can stay healthy, we have a po
tential to be the best team in college men's
gymnastic history."
Although the Huskers are shooting tor
their third national championship. Allen
discourages any talk about a dynasty.
"I don't know what a dynasty is. The
only dynasty I can talk about is the Ming
dynasty in China. "Allen said.
"You can say that we've been very for
tunate to have good training facilities, great
athletes and a fantastic following and sup
port from this area. Our goal is to try to
stay on top and be consistent, but who
knows. We could lose."
Fan support
Allen feels that the kev ingredient in
Nebraska's success, has been the support of
the fans.
"The people in this area have helped our
program tremendously. Most colleges are
licky if they can get 1,000 fans to show
up, but we've been drawing K,000 to 9,000
for every home meet." Allen said.
"I know that in our triangular home
meet against Oklahoma and Iowa State
last year, our fans won us the meet before
it even started. We came out to a crowd of
V.UUO tans and they gave us a standing ova
tion, and that just blew the other two
teams away. They were so awe struck that
by the time they were ready to compete,
we were too far out ahead of them."
Another element that should aid the
Huskers cause is the overall team spirit
and leadership that is present on this year's
squad.
"I think we get excellent leadership
right down the line." Allen said. "F very one
trys to contribute, but I guess you could
say Hartung's presence is probably the
strongest. Jim possesses an amaing ability
to have a great rapport with people, and
be great in gymnastics. His personality kind
of outweighs evervone elses."
Hartung should have plenty of compet
ition at the invitational as fellow Olympic
team members, Bart Connors of Oklahoma.
Ron Galimore of Iowa State and Husker
Phil Cahoy will be present also.
Allen feels that this meet will olfci the
fans a great deal of action .
"I think the fans will really enjoy this
meet." Allen said. "They'll get a chance to
see some of Ameiica's. as well as some ot
the world's, best gymnasts."
Huskers to end home field jinx with 30-24 win
Last week's record was 29-6. That works out to H3 per
cent. With the season heading into its last month, my rec
ord is 94-o7, a 74 percent clip.
The Nebraska-Missouri game has always been a bitter
rival r . It grew more bitter last year alter Missouri's
Norman Goodman tried to nqinc Jarvis Redwme.
goodwin
Stonnin' Norman is playing in Canada this year and. from
all reports, is very happy, lie found a new hobby --hunting
baby seals.
Phil Bradley had to sit out last weeks's game against
Kansas State and it was obvious how much the Tigers
missed him. But if he can walk, he'll play in this game.
Missouri also has James Wilder, one of the best power
runners in the country.
Like Bruce Springsteen. Jarvis Red wine was born to
run. And, like Bruce, Jarvis is ready for a big comeback.
The Huskers haven't beaten Missouri at home since 1972,
but it can't stay that way forever: Nebraska 30 Missouri
24.
North Carolina at Oklahoma. This might be the biggest
game in the history of North Carolina football. A win over
the Sooners, even a Sooner team that already has two los
ses, would give them a great deal of prestige and, even
more important, confidence in themselves.
The Sooners showed last w eek that they are capable of
a good game when they don't fumble. If Oklahoma man
ages to hang on to the ball, and that's a big if. the should
manaue to edge the taiheels Oklahoma 28 North Carolina
21.
South Carolina at Georgia. Ihis game tenures
makliup 'vlween the two top ninnim kkks m the mni.
ry . South ( arnlina has Geo! go R.:gcis. ihe numk-i two
iiishei in the emmm
Ihe Bulldogs have a slai o then own in Hetsehel Walk
ei. Walker is only a treshman but he's aheady heme talked
about as lleisman material. Not as a iiiniot or even a soph
omorc but this year. Obviously Georgia has a very good
sports information director.
Georgia is always tough at home but South ( .nolina
should be really up for this one. A hit? dav tor Ro.-.r
could make mm tlie trontrunner in the Heisman race
Gamecocks win a squeaker. South Carolina 27 Georgia
MIDWEST: Iowa State 3X Coloiado 14. Illinois 27
Minnesota 20. Michigan 35 Indiana I". low., 24 Wiscon
sin 17, Kansas State 2 Kansas 20. Ohio State 32 Michi
gan State 10. Puiduc4 Northwestern 14
WIST 1(1 ?4 Anon., Oie-oii 24 Washington
State ".Oklahoma State 2s San Diego State l). I S( 3
California Stanton! 4! Oievon State K Washington 2n
moiu State 24
The
EAST: Rutgers 2K Amiy 14,. Duke 23 Georgia lech
20. Maryland 31 North Carolina State 24. Notre Dame
28 Navy 14, Pcnn State 26 Miami. Ma. 21. Pitt 34 Syra
cuse 14, Virginia Tech 35 West Virginia 24. Clcmson "4
Wake Forest 20.
SOUTH: Arkansas 38 Rice 14. Baylor 49 San Jose
State 10. Florida 2X Auburn 21. Florida State 40 Tulsa
13, Houston 33 TCU 7. LSU 23 Mississippi State 9,
SMU 28 Texas A & M 7, Tennessee 31 Virginia 20. Texas
39 Texas Tech 1 7, Tulane 30 Kentucky 24.
Cross country team comjjetes
in Big Eight Conference meet
1 he CM men's eioss
country team travels to
Missouri this weekend
tot the Big Light (mi
teience Meet .
"Wo will be hoping to
finish in the middle ol
the pack, but it won"!
be easv." Coach Frank
gne said.
'Missouri will be run
ning on then home
course, so they should be
right up among the
leaders." Sevigne said.
lor the Corn
huskers. freshman Marc
Adam and senioi Brian
Dunning.in should be the
lioni iiinneis. w it It tiesh
man Jell I agan ridit
behind. Sevigne said.
Junior om Bow master
ami tieshman Maik
Gokie round out the top
five and will be an im
portant part of how the
Huskers will finish.
Sevigne said.
The remaining two
squad members arc Dave
Cudmore and Todd
llornung.