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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 1993)
Daily Nebraskan Monday, October 11,1993 Page 7 Sooners ruin Nebraska’s winning streak By Tim Pearson Senior Reporter Before Ihe Nebraska volleyball team’s match this weekend, the Cornhuskcrs’ last regular season Big EightConfcrcncc loss was to Oklaho ma on Oct. 1, 1988. Five years and eight days later, it happened again. The Sooncrs gave the seventh ranked Huskcrs their second loss of the season Saturday night in Norman, defeating Nebraska 15-10,9-15, 15 9, and 15-8. Huskcr assistant coach Cathy Noth said it just wasn’t Nebraska’s night to win. “The clear fact is that they outplayed us,” Noth said. “It was their given night and it’s a real disappoint r ing loss.” '3 In the first game,Oklahomajumped out to an 8-3 lead before the Huskers came storming back with seven straight points to lead 10-8. But the 9-7 Sooners scored the next seven points to nail down the win. Noth said it was evident from the start that Oklahoma had the confi dence they needed to beat the Husk ers. ‘‘In the first game, when they jumped out to a lead, it gave them the edge that they could beat Nebraska,” she said. Several things caused the loss. Noth said. *■' “It wasn’t just one person,” she said. “It was a combination of every body having their errors at crucial points. “We’d run two points and then miss a serve.” Noth said she wasn’t concerned about the five-year winning streak ending as much as she was about the team. “After the loss, that was the thought least on my mind,” she said. “What is most important is getting the team back on track again.” „ Noth said she expected the Husk ers to bounce back before their next match against No. 11 Colorado in Boulder. “There’s no doubt in my mind that after a disappointing loss like that, you’ll really have to turn up the heat against the next team,” she said. “It — II Right after the match, the players had a team meeting on their own. That shows maturity, and they’ve taken charge as a team. — Cathy Noth NU assistant coach akcs this to push them over the edge.” Noth said the Huskers would have to pul the loss behind them going into the Colorado match. “Right after the match, the players had a team meeting on their own,” she said. “That shows maturity, and they’ve taken charge as a team. “Sometimes it brings out the best V w in you and sometimes it brings the worst out of you.” ThislossshouldbringouttheHusk ers’ best, she said. “As a coaehing staff, we lake the loss harder than the players do,” she said. “This will help us grow as a team and build character. “This team iscommitted to getting to the Final Four at the end, and that’s what will gel them through.” Jay Calderon/DN Calvin returns A Nebraska fan (left) sends a greeting to l-back Calvin Jones during the Cornhuskers’ 27-13 win over Oklahoma State Thursday night. At right, Jones fol lows the block of left tackle Zach Wiegert. After sitting out Nebraska’s three previ ous games, Jones rushed 21 times for 136 yards. Gerik Parmele/DN Thursday’s win showed I-back Jones nearing recovery By Derek Samson Staff Reporter Despite missing Nebraska’s previous three games, l-back Calvin Jones showed he’s almost at top form in Thursday’s win over Oklahoma State. Or, at least, he proved he’s close enough for Cornhuskcr coach Tom Osborne. “I’m sure he’s not where he would have been had he not gotten hurt,” Osborne said. “But he’s still a very good back, even when he’s 90 percent.” The junior from Omaha Central rushed for 136 yards on 21 carries—including a 44 yard touchdown run with 3:38 left — in Nebraska’s 27-13 win Thursday night. “Once I started out. it seemed to pull a lot,” he said. “But the knee didn’t affect me at all like I thought it would. I’m not 100 percent, but I’m almost there.” Jones, who injured his knee in Nebras ka’s opener against North Texas, started the game with three straight carries for 15 yards. “I went out and gave 100 percent,” he said. “That helped me ggl in the mental stale I wanted to be in. I was glad to get those carries early to sec how my knee would hold up. It wasn’t a surprise to me.” Jones said he had a hard time keeping his composure while Oklahoma Slate shut down the Husker offense in the first half. The Nebraska offense only managed 118 total yards, including just 47 yards on the ground. Jones rushed nine times for only 26 yards in the first half. “Once I found out my knee was OK,” Jones said, “1 started wanting to do so many things. It got very frustrating.” Some of the offense’s frustrations had to do with the Cowboy defense, Jones said. “The whole Nebraska team knew Okla homa State would be a tough team not only offensively, but on defense,” he said. “They have one of the best defenses in the country and we just had to keep executing and keep executing. They never gave up.” Jones said he expected Oklahoma Slate to gain respect nationally by the end of the season. “The heart and soul of their team is defense and defense lakes you a long way,” Jones said. “They’re going to surprise a lot of teams. I know it is the best Oklahoma Slate team I’ve ever faced.” But Oklahoma State didn't face Jones at -44 Once I started out, it seemed to pull a lot. But the knee didn’t affect me at all like I thought it would. I’m not 100 percent, but I’m almost there. — Jones, UNL football player - 9W his best. Jones said he thought that would change in the next few weeks. “If I keep going through practice the way I've been,” Jones said, “I’m going to get smoother and smoother and hopefully I can get back to where I want'to be in another week or two.” Jay vee squad makes triumphant return against Air Force By Mitch Sherman Stall Reporter The Cornhuskcrs’ junior varsity football team finally found the key lc defeating the Air Force Academy’s Junior Varsity. After cancelling the program foi two years, Nebraska’s reserves beat the Falcons for only the second time since 1986. It was Nebraskans first junior var sity game since a 47-0 victory ovci Waldorf Junior College in 1990. Quarterback Malt Turman led the Husker reserves to a 49-20 victor} over, the Falcons, who came into the game with a 2-0 record. Turman was the game’s leading rusher with 73 yards on nine attempts. He also threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns on 9-of-l 1 passing. BrenUan Holbein caught four pass es for 88 yards and two touchdowns. And on one of the most exciting plays of the day, offensive guard Bryan Pruitt picked up a fumble behind the line and rambled 35 yards for the Huskers’ final score. But plays like those may soon be a memory. Nebraska graduate assistant coach Gerry Gdowski said the Husker re serves’ rematch with Air Force, Nov. 12 in Colorado Springs,Colo., may be the end of the road for Nebraska jay vee games. * “There’s some proposal in the Big Eight conference to eliminate jay vee games and teams all together, starting next year,” Gdowski said. “So this could be it. It just depends. If the Big Eight conference makes a rule, we’ll have to abide by it.” Gdowski echoed the comments of Air Force Junior Varsity coach Billy Mitchell, who said the elimination of junior varsity programs is unfortu nate. “1 think it’sashame,” said Mitchell, who runs one of the few jay vee pro — II / think it’s a shame.You’ve got these young men who work hard everyday in a program and they wouldn’t have anything to look forward to without these games. — Billy Mitchell Air Force coach grams remaining in Divisond athlet ics. “You’ve got these young men who work hard eyefyday in a program and they wouldn’t have anything to look forward to without these games. ¥ ¥ “Ajayvee program gives them the chanec to play in a game and gives them the chance they need if they See JAYVEE on 8