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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 1984)
Tuesday, September 11, 1034 PagoO Dally Ncbrsskan Osborne sees signs By Jim R&sxacssen Dally Nebrcskftn Serdor Reporter Mark Mauer couldnt resist pok ing a little fun at Nebraska foot ball coach Tom Osborne at Mon day's Extra Point Club luncheon. Mauer, the former UNL quar terback and current offensive coordinator for the Cornhusker freshman team, was giving a scout ing report on Minnesota, next week's opponent. Mauer said he thinks the Goph ers could be "a respectable foot bail team" this season. "I dont think itll be a 84-13," Mauer said, "although I'm sure coach Osborne will try to make it 84-13, the way he is." Mauer's joke got a laugh from the 250 or so fans in attendance. Several writers accused Osborne of running up the score against the Gophers last year. The 84-13 win was the most lopsided in Nebraska football history against a Division I opponent. Osborne laughed along with the crowd at Mauer's remark, although his face turned a little red. Mauer followed up his com ment with another that drew more laughter. "Of course he knows I'm only kidding," Mauer said of his boss. Osborne responded with a joke of his own. "I'd like to remind Mark that with all these microphones up here, the part about only kidding is usually edited out" Then the coach got serious as he discussed the Huskers' 42-7 win against Wyoming Saturday. "I do feel a little better this week than I did last week," he said. "Until you play a game, Federal judge rules for Pac-10 EsJftr Nebrsksn Sesior Reporter A federal district judge ruled Monday that the Col lege Football Association and the ABC network canr.ot pro hibit tfc e telecasting of games between CFA member schools and members cftha Pacific Ten and Big Ten conferences.. The ruling apparently clears the way for the Ntb-rssks-UCLA gsise to "n cn CCS Sept 22, providing UKL o2ci:& cgree to the telecast. Jn dj2 Richard A. G Jr., who rasde tht roUng in Los Angelas, Ca., upheld the sntHrust suit brorjht by UCLA and USC agcir.st Kib rsslsa, Notre Dame, ADC an i the CFA. USC joined in the suit because of the Trojaiis Nov. ?4 irce cdbst Noire Although Gsrlbcis ruling ppp!;C3 to heme imcs cf Fao-10 end Big 10 te-r.is, USCand UCLA officios jrcJd they"cckr,c v. lzdzf itzl the pfcyVd .t C'A n-?r.ib?r J, r 1 A - -V T . v . T T ""V - , V -- J . . 1 ' ) , 1 ? St, A- - i -v 'Hg- v. - "V HosSter defenders Murk Darxi (51), Chris Spachra&n (76) and comer for Wyoming qnsjrtsrbsck Dsve GosnelL you've got no idea how good you are." Osborne said he was pleased with the Huskers' play on both sides of the line. He singled out safety Bret Clark for playing "a great game." Clark led Nebraska with eight tackles, five of them unassisted. He also recovered a Wyoming famble. Nebraska's defensive pass cov erage depends on how the oppo nent's offense sets up, Osborne said. Several of the coverages Sat urday called for Clark to come up Sooners try By Jira E&ssacssen Deily Nebraekan Senior Reporter The Oklahoma Sooners will look to an old friend in 1934 to help them out of a three-year cham pionship drought in the Big Eight. That old friend is the wishbone defense, which coach Barry Switzer reinstalled this season after a one-year shift to the I formation. The wishbone returned review during OlTs 19-7 victory against Stanford, but will have a few new wrinkles, said Mike Treps, Okla homa's sports information direc tor. The Sooners gained 348 yards Saturday, with 258 of them com ing on the ground. Senior quar terback Danny Bradley threw 14 passes, completing six for 84 yards. Although his team scored only 19 points, Switzer chalked the Stanford game up to inexperience. "First of all, it's a new offense," he said. "It was a learning pro cess, and I think we got a lot of benefit." Switzer will count on the arm of Danny Bradley and the receiv ing skills of Buster Rhymes and Derrick Sheppard to make the Sooner passing game work. Steve Sewell, who starts at halfback, played wingback last year and should help give OU more of a passing threat. Super-sophs Spencer Tillman and Earl Johnson provide solid of improved Husker -1 and support against the run. "He played it pretty much to perfection," Osborne said. Nebraska's defense, which held the Cowboys to 11 first downs and 202 net yards, drew praise from the coach. "We were banking cn defensive improvement," he said "And bar ring injury, I think we should be improved." Osborne said he thinks the de fense is quicker than Jast year and might have more athletic newfangled talent at halfback and fullback. But after that, things get a little thin in the backfield. Fred Sims, who was expected to start at ful lback, failed to make grades. After the first teamers, only Jerome Ledbetter and Alvin Ross have much experience. Switzer may call on freshmen Chris Richards, Patrick Collins and Don Maloney for relief help. Several starters return in the offensive line, led by senior center Chuck Thomas. Thomas, a three year letterman, is expected to challenge Nebraska's Mark Tray ncwicz for all-Big Eight honors. Other returners include seniors David Dillingham and Brent Burks and sophomore Jeff Pickett. Only four starters return from a tough 1083 defense, but Treps said several newcomers should fill the gaps we'L "We think we may be better than last year," he said. Kevin Murphy, UPI's Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in 1983, made several pre-season All-America teams. He and fresh man Darrell Keed will start at the ends. Switzer said he thinks Reed is better than last year's starter, Darryl Goodlow. Keith Stanberry, an all-conference candidate, returns at strong ssfety. Hell be helped by Andre Johnson, a redshirt fresh man who beat out returning star ter Briar. Hall for the starting job. Up front, noseguard Tony Camil las will anchor the defensive line. The Sooners are inexperienced at tackle and linebacker, but Sprit zer said he's expecting big things from freshman Brian Bosworth. "lie's better than any linebacker in the Efg Eiht riht new," Switrsr DavSd CresmrDJ!!y Ntbraskcn Cfead Bailer (43) close the ability. He said the defense played well early last year but were slow ed by injuries later on. The kicking game was also a positive factor in the Wyoming game, Osborne said. The differ ence in return yardage, 162 fpr the Huskers to only 37 for Wyom ing, was probably worth "a couple of touchdowns" in Saturday's game, he said. Although the offense didn't break the big play against Wyom ing, Osborne said he thought the wishbone 'a' 4 Stcts'a Tcsny Davis. said. Switzer may be feeling the pres sure this year. After three straight four-loss seasons, the OU Board of Regents voted net to extend Switser's five-year contract, he still has four years remaining. Treps downplayed the importance of the regents' decision. "He's not under a mandate," Treps said. "I think they were sending him a messas that they efense Huskers played well. "We thought the offense would be pretty good, and I think it is," he said. Husker quarterbacks Craig Sund berg and Travis Turner drew passing grades from Osborne. "They made a few mistakes, but who doesn't?" he said. "There are guys that' have played quarter back in the NFL for nine years and they're still making mistakes." Osborne also praised Jeff Smith, who rushed for 170 yards on 28 carries, and fullback Tom Rath man, who rushed for 103 yards in 13 carries. The offensive line, he said, may be further along than last year's line was at this point. The Huskers went through the game with only minor bumps and bruises and should be in better shape, injury-wise, for Minnesota than they were for Wyoming, Osborne said. Defensive end Bill Weber missed the game because he had the flu, but is expected to be ready this week. Defensive tackle Rob Stuckey, who saw min imal action Saturday because of a knee strain, should be "almost 100 percent" against Minnesota, he said. The flu bug has been bothering a few other players, including middle guard Ken Graeber and running backs Thur man Hoslans and Paul Miles. Osborne said Minnesota is a good team on offense. The Goph ers rolled up 485 yards in a 31-24 win against Rice Saturday. Os borne said Minnesota had 70 fresh men report for football this year, which shows new coach Lou Hokz is emphasizing a walk-cn pro gram. Tm sure Lou Hoitz will get all he can out of that football team," he said. in title quest .Jk.j. 1 -i Phoia Courts sy cf E!i 0M Services astve end Kevin Elsrpliy fiis dswa Ictra wanted a few changes." The biggest change has been discipline. Switzer and the coach ing staff have tightened the reins this year, imposing stricter penal ties for skipping classes or being late to practice. "The regents wanted increased academic progress and more dis cipline," Trep3 said. Those are important foundations for any football program."