. SI 3B SS s ' IJ
^^^^5rW!HlariCTally Mebraskan
Born to fly
Nebraska’s Jeaneane Smith flies through the air while competing in the vaulting
competition. The Nebraska women’s gymnastics team posted a 184.3-182.05 victory
against Penn State Monday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
I_—---1
Osborne hoping to catch Florida runner
Today is one of the favorite days
of Nebraska football fans every
where: national lcttcr-of-intcnt sign
ing day for college football.
It’s time for Cornhuskcr football
coach Tom Osborne to go fishing,
and not for trout or bass like he does
in the summer.
It can, too, be one of the toughest,
most nerve-wrack mg day s for some
fans and, most of all, Nebraska's
coaches. It's a day of anticipation,
wonder, worry, excitement and often
! heartbreak.
Last season, Emmilt Smith, a
running back from Escambia High
School in Pensacola, Fla., was the
biggest one that got away from the
Huskers, but not before making some
hearts in Nebraska beat a little faster.
About a week before signing day,
Smith said he had narrowed his
choices to Nebraska and his home
state favorite, the University of Flor
ida.
The day before lettcr-of-intent
day, Smith confided to some friends
that at his morning press conference,
w here he would announce his choice,
he would wear the colors of the
school he decided to attend. When
that Wednesday morning rolled
around, Smith walked into the
school’s auditorium to face about 60
members of the national sports me
dia.
He was wearing red pants and a
red turtleneck with a white jacket
over it.
“Just kidding,” Smith giggled.
“I’m going to Florida.”
It was pretty funny until the 1987
football season started. All the laugh
ing in Nebraska — and everywhere
else, for that matter — was replaced
by silent, head-shaking awe. Smith,
18, rushed for 1,341 yards and 13
touchdowns on 229 carries for the
Gators. Thai’s about six yards every
time he touched the ball.
Smith became only the third
ireshman in NCAA Division I history
to rush for more than 1,(XX) yards.
Only Pittsburgh's Tony Dorsett (in
1973) and Georgia's Herschel
Walker (in 1980) have matched the
leal.
Now, the Huskers are recruiting
Willie McClendon, a 6-2,220-pound
tailback from Jacksonville, Fla., w ho
broke Smith’s Florida high school
single-season rushing record of
2,958 yards last year. Behind
Nebraska's offensive line, McClen
don would be a serious threat to w in
the Heisman Trophv Ins junior and
senior seasons, and maybe sooner.
As of Tuesday afternoon,
McClendon had narrowed his
choices to Alabama, w hich has Heis
man Trophy hopeful Bobby
Humphrey returning next season;
Florida, which has Smith and a new
offensive coordinator who plans to
install a single set-hack offense; and
Nebraska, which has no clear-cut
favorite for next year’s starting hon
ors at I-back (take a hint, Willie).
But, even w ith that in mind, some
“others that got away" from Ne
braska include Oklahoma tight end
Keith Jackson, UCLA tailback Eric
Ball, former Sooner halfback
Spencer Tillman and Georgia tail
back Lars Tale, just to name a lew.
It's a heartbreaking list. Here's
hoping Osborne, who loves to lish.
snags what could prove to be the
biggest catch of his career.
(ireen is a junior news-editurial and
criminal justice major and is a Hail) Nebras
kan senior reporter.
It's Valentine’s Day,
y'know?
\ what the hay-••
I ifrii t l li l
“A special gift for a ML
special valentine.”
Pamper Yourself Basket *22"
Fine collection of toiletries so she can relax and enjoy!
Sweet Champagne Bouquet
Luscious imported french chocolates and balloons abovel
I Sweetheart “Snack for Two"_*20^
Have a romantic snack with this basketful of gourmet goodies!
h Valentine “Balloon Bouauet” *8"
I 488-GIFT A mylar and latex balloon bouquet with chocolates below*
9 Visa/MasterCard Citywide delivery or shipped anywhere
9 Delivery fee $2.25 Gifts 0n The Go displayed at E-Z Mail 70th & A Clocktower
I___Call Now! We’ll do the rest!
■nr? ESCAPE FROM THE COLD
Soak in a Hot Tub
4, 2 for *7 2 for *12
'Svf. */] 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sun.-Thur. 6 p.m.-Close
2*3 , \| ^ Expires 2/29/88
Th.
Strike A Romance
in The DN Personals.
Strike a Romance by sending a Valentine message in the
Daily Nebraskan on Friday, February 12th. A ten word
personal is only $2.50 and 15<T per additional word. You can
also add a box, large type, boldface or a heart for only 50<T.
Deadline is Thursday, February 11th. So stop by our office at
room 34 Nebraska Union and strike up your romance today.
34 Nebraska Union
