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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 3, 1993)
Stigge cut, but not down By Sam Snyder Staff Reporter Former Nebraska punter Mike Stigge has tasted what irs like to be an NFL rookie. Released by the New Orleans Saints last week, the former All-Big Eight player now knows what it’s like to be cut as well. Stigge joined other former Nebras ka players Kenny Wilhite, Reggie Cooper, Tahaun Lewis, Tim Rotner and Lance Lewis, who were released from their teams during the preseason. Despite losing his first NFL train ing camp battle, Stigge said he was not discouraged. “It takes a while for kickers to get in,” he said. “You have to try it for a few years.” Stigge said he was encouraged by Saints coach Jim Mora and punting coach Joe Marciano, who both told him he had the potential to make it as a punter in the league. At the Saints’ training camp — where Stigge was joined by former Huskere Derek Brown, Tyrone Hughes and Tyrone Legette—the differences could be seen between college and professional football, he said. “It was a step up,” he said. “Every body had a lot of talent and was in great shape.” -44 At first you’re kind of in awe. But then you realize that most of those guys are nice and down-to-earth like you. „ — Stigge former Nebraska punter Punting in the NFL also was more demanding than college, he said. “You’re expected to perform to perfection,” Stigge said. “Every punt had to not only be good, but it also had to be placed in the right spot on the field.” Stigge had to do that while com peting with Saints punter Tommy Bamhardt, a seven-year veteran punt er like Bamhardt, whom the coaches gave plenty of second chances. Stigge said it was a difficult task to beat out a veteran punter like Bamhardt, whom the coaches gave plenty of second chances. Stigge said even though he kicked better than Bamhardt in several prac tices, Ire knew the coaches wanted to stay with a veteran. Still, Stigge said his experience was unforgettable. He earned $500 a week, traveled to Tokyo, went to train ww ing camp in La Crosse, Wis., and spent a week in New Orleans. He also hung around some child hood heroes. At training camp in La Crosse, where the Saints and other NFL teams trained in the “Cheese League,” Stigge said just being around Kansas City’s Joe Montana, Minnesota’s Wade Wilson and New Orleans’ Sam Mills was an experience. “At first you’re kind of in awe,” he said. “But then you realize that most of those guys are nice and down-to earth like you.” This, however, didn’t stop the vet erans from carrying out a Saints tradi tion of shaving the rookies’ heads, he said. Despite that downside, Stigge said he would put off going to veterinarian school for another year. He said he was anxious to tryout for the NFL again next summer. Eagles Continued from Page 9 Eagles should be playing. “We’re preparing to beat Nebras ka, not to just go up there and get kicked all over the field,” Parker said. “We’re not flying to Nebraska to be their sacrificial lambs.” While Osborne said the Huskers were in a no-win situation, Parker said he hoped North Texas could make a major gain against Nebraska. “If we win or just play well it will give our program a lot to build on,” Parker said. “We’re in a position to compotetfce blggct footb^l gome of our season ancfmaybe our lives. If I told you it was just another game, you would either classify me as a liar or a fool.” But Parker also said his players needed to concentrate on their duties instead of being absorbed by the at mosphere of playing what he consid ered one of the top five college foot ball programs. “We need to focus on doing our jobs and not who we’re doing those jobs against,” Parker said. “I don’t want them to get caught looking at the big red “N” on the helmet and the 7£000 people in the stands.” This is not the first time the Eagles have encountered a Divison I football power. Last year, NorthTexas battled both Southern Methodist and Texas. The Eagles fell to SMU 28-14, and lost to Texas 33-15. While both those losses were re spectable for North Texas, Parker said, he was disappointed with the loss to Texas. “Nebraska this year and Texas last season don’t even compare with each other,” Parker said. “Texas was in a rebuilding phase, and we missed a grand opportunity to beat them.” But like last year’s game with Tex as, the game with the Huskers won’t make or break the Eagles’ season. “If we won the game and then lost our next 10 because we were thinking about how meat that game was, then we wouldrtbt have accompl ished any thing,** Pmrkor nM. *lt*» m game. It’* not like if we lose we’re going to die or anything.” Coming Thursday to: The 11th «r"0" 476-2124 99 Distractions 99 500 DRAWS w/ the purchase of EZ Street 16oz. cup No Cover FRIDAYS 500 Draws 7-10, $1.50 Long Island Ice Tea 4-10 Free Hor d'oeuvres 4-7 pm. $15 off sculptured nails Regularly $40, Now $25 2 Haircuts for the price of 1 Expires 9-11-93 -More than a haircut We’re not just another salon, we're a collage of today’s fashions and styles in hair, with information from all around the world. We use only the best products on our clients. We're a Joico International Salon featuring products like K-Pak, Kerapro, Ice Lotion, and Brilliantine. We're much more than a haircut, we're a lifestyle. We're the Phoenix Hair Artists 3810 Normal Blvd \ ..mrimnfl v 483-4726 Maher Continued from Page 9 cellent decision. “There is a much clearer focus for the first game,” Maher said. “We’ve been preparing for Nebraska all spring and fall and we’re ready to play. All year long, we’ve been working hard and practicing hard and that first game we’re ready to let everything out.” And they’re ready to play against a crowd that Maher said will probably “let everything out." “It will be the biggest crowd I’ve S'iyed against and that I will y ever play in front of in my [aher said. “It is going to be a lot different. It will be a lot noisier, and I’m going to have to concentrate and make sure everyone can hear me.” Mahersaidhe is most excited about playing where some of his idols have played. Osborne Continued from Page 9 dealing with the element of surprise Saturday. Nebraska coaches weren’t able to get a good look at the Eagles since it is bom teams’ first game. “There will be something that they do that we haven’t been able to cov er,” Osborne said. “That always hap pens in the first game because you don’t know too much about your op ponent." The Eagles finished 4-7 and in fifth place of the Southland Conference in 1992. They return 17 starters, includ ing nine on offense. “They’re a fairly good-sized team with reasonably good talent,” he said. “They’re good enough that if we’re not playing well, they will give us problems, we have to come in and try to play our best.” 1st Annual Starter Jump Start Co-Rec Sand VOLLEYBALL Jam Sunday, September 12, 1993 4 - On - 4 Competition NO ENTRY FEE! PRIZES AWARDED! Entries Due 5:30 pm, Thursday, Sept. 9 For More Information Call 472-3467 ^ Welcome to Fall Sale! Join us for great ^Post^Nickel Downtown at 14th & "PH savings storewidi on this fall's__ men's and women clothing^ sportsweai, and f oot wear.
