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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 1988)
Griffin’s pal bums the Huskers By Mike Kluck Staff Reporter PASADENA Calif. — Willie Griffin was disappointed Saturday night after Nebraska dropped a 41 - 28 decision to UCLA, but still was able to work up a smile. Griffin, a senior defensive tackle from Monrovia, Calif., was able to smile because a friend of his had played well. Griffin’s friend is UCLA left comcrback Darryl Henley. Henley returned a 75-yard punt fora touch down to help the Bruins build a 28 0 lead in the first quarter. In addi tion, Henley recorded five unas sisted tackles and broke up one pass. The senior from Duarte, Calif., said he grew up with Griffin and has known him since he was seven years-old. Henley said he didn’t get to talk toGriffin after the game, ut saw him on the field. “He’s big! He’s gotten huge,” Henley said. Henley grew up in Duarte, Calif., but said the borderline to Monrovia is so close that he, Grif fin, and USC comerback Chris Hale lived around the block from each other. Henley said a decision when he was eight-years old kept him from playing football with Griffin. “In Duarte, they didn’t have an eight-year-old team and I had just turned eight,” he said. “I had the option to play in Arcadia, Monro via, or anywhere I wanted to play,” Henley said. “They (Griffin and Hale) wanted me to play for them, but I said, ‘no I am going to play for Arcadia.’ So, we kind of missed each other there. I wish I could have played with them.” Griffin said he and Henley had a chance to play together in another sport. “We played on the same little league baseball team,” Griffin said. “I’m happy for him.” Griffin said that although he doesn’t keep in touch with Henley much any more, he is still friends with him. He said he saw Henley when he played last year in Ne braska and has seen him a few times when he’s been in California. Henley said his punt return was one of his most memorable mo ments during his four-year career at UCLA. “I liked the one last week, but you can’t ask for anything more against a team like Nebraska,” Henley said. Henley returned a punt in UCLA’s opening game against San Diego Stale on Sept. 3 — a 59-6 win. Griffin said he wasn’t surprised by Henley’s performance, but was surprised by Bruin quarterback Troy Aikman’s play. “Aikman’s a good quarterback, he surprised me,” Griffin said. “Everytime we play aguy who’s up for the Heisman Trophy, we stick it to him. He stuck it to us this time.” Griffin said he is happy for Henley, but as far as Nebraska goes, he knows the Huskers will have to work hard this week to recover. u Husker fans party on the coast By Mike Kluck Suff Reporter PASADENA, Calif., — In Pasadena Saturday, Nebraska fans lived it up at a country barbecue before trying to live down Nebraska’s 41-28 loss to UCLA. Approximately 3,000 Nebraska fans living in California, and people who made the trip from Nebraska to California to sec the game, attended a country barbecue at a golf course near the Rose Bowl. The barbecue was sponsored by the Californians for Nebraska (CFN) — a Nebraska athletic de partment support group — and featured a speech by Nebraska Athletic Director Bob Dcvancy. It was held under a tent set up on the golf course. Hay bales and baskets of fruit were spread throughout. A Dixieland band was also playing different Nebraska fight songs and jazz numbers. Loren Zimmerman, who is originally from Axtell and now lives in West Covina, Calif., or ganized the barbecue. Zimmerman graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1955 and was a student manager for the Com huskcrs during his freshman and sophomore years. “This is nice,” Zimmerman said. “I’m so satisfied. It’s bigger than I ever imagined.” Zimmerman said the event is fun because it gives former Ne braskans both a chance to sec people they haven’t seen and to find out what is happening in Nebraska. The CFN group has been bene ficial in helping different Nebraska programs such as the alumni asso ciation, the Nebraska F oundation and the athletic department, Zim merman said. “We have contributed to every organized sport at the University, Zimmerman said. “Football is cer tainly the strong hold which holds us together.” _ . Devaney said the CFN is the largest Nebraska alumni associa tion. He said CFN previously sent information to Nebraska on diner ent recruits, but now just show a lo. of en.hosiasm "NCAAnfe prohibit the group from sending information on recruits, he said. Zimmerman said that while CFN is a strong supporter of Ne braska athletics, it also has another mission. “We also want to be hospitable to fellow Nebraskans who move out here,” Zimmerman said. “If someone from Nebraska moves out here and is looking for where to stay in West Covina, I try to help them out. I am like a ‘big brother’ to them." Nebraskans had a choice be tween the coun try barbcc ue and the many tailgate parties that took place near the Rose Bowl. One of the parties was “The Nebraska Bad Bash.’’ The party consisted predominantly of people from Kearney who now live in California. Organizer Pam Ball of Burbank, Calif., said the members had one goal in mind. “We are here to party! ” she said. Lori Clements, who was also at the “Bad Bash’’, said the party was like a big family reunion of Ne braskans. “People in California love us because we’re good," she said. Clockwise from left: Doug Metz of Long Beach, Calif., and Pam Ball of Burbank drop their pants at a pre-game tailgate party; Nebraska’s Terry Rodgers goes airborne in the first half against the Bruins; UCLA coach Terry Donahue celebrates his 100th victory as Bruin coach. Photos by Butch Ireland Layout by Steve Sipple