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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1994)
Nebraskan hursday, March 31,1994 SPORTS Orange Bowl loss to fuel ’ 94 Huskers By Derek Samson Senior Reporter Nebraska quarterback Tommit Frazier has something different wedged in the back of his mind entering spring practice this year. The junior from Bradenton, Fla., said he was trying to fuel the Huskers with the memory of their 18-16 Orange Bowl loss to Florida State. I he Orange Bowl had an effect to an extent*” Frazier said. “We look back at the game and we found out we couldplay with Florida State. What we can take out of that is that if we put our heads toward the game, we can go out and nobody should beat us.” Miles 'he most difficult part is trying to forget the national champions!^ loss, Frazier said. “I don’t really think about it too much,” he said. “But people always bring it up and want to talk about it. Right now, 1 just want to forget about that and go out and improve every time I get on the field.” Defensive back Barron Miles said he wanted to remember the loss every time he got on the field. The Huskers need to make sure games like the Jan. 1 national championship don’t slip away from them again this year, he said. “It was like we were right there and theyjust took it away from us,” Miles said. “Now wejust want toget back again. We want to get back into it, and we feel like this time, it’s not going to be taken away from us. We have to get it done.” Coming close last year has benefited every Husker this spring. Miles said. “Most of the guys arc really focused, and there is a lot of energy out there,” Miles said. “We have a lot of young guys out there, and that’s good for competition. It’s real important those young guys get their chance tostep up and pi ay w i t h t he uppcrc 1 assme n. 11 ’ s t he i r opportu nity to show the coaches that they’re ready.” Nebraska lost nine starters—fiveonoffense and four on defense — from last season. But even at those positions. Miles said, the Huskers have game-tested backups. “Our offense that’s coming back, as far as the team thinks, is going to be real good.” Miles -44 It was like we were right there and they just took it away from us. We want to get back into it, and we feel like this time, it's not going to be taken away from us. — Miles NU cornerback -** - said. “Defensively, they said our secondary wasn’t going lobe that good (last year) and look what happened. So this year we’re not worried about what people say our weaknesses will be.” Frazier said he wanted to work on his No. 1 weakness last season — his passing efficiency. “I really want to work on my passing:,” he said. “Last year I was up around 50 or 60 percent, then I hurt my shoulder and it dropped into the 40s. I just need to stay consistent.” As does the whole team, Frazier said. The Huskers’ mental focus needs to improve, he said, in order to avoid the lapses that nearly cost them a few wins last year. Nebraska squeaked by UCLA and Kansas by one point and had to come from behind to beat Oklahoma and Okla homa State. “We have to go out and have no mercy this year,” Frazier said. “A few games last year we went out and expected to win big, and the game stayed close. We have to get that attitude now. What you put in in the spring is what you’re going to use in the fall.” NOTE: • Frazier sprained his ankle during practice Wednesday. Husker coach Tom Osborne said he didn’t think the injury was too serious. “I hate to see Frazier hurt for any length of time, because we’rcshorton qua rtcrback depth,” Osborne said. The Huskers went through 60 plays ot live scrimmage Wednesday—20 plays each for the top three units. Nebraska will practice in hel mets and shoulder pads Friday and scrimmage at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Saturday’s scrimmage is closed to the public. Jeff Haller/DN Nebraska’s Tommie Frazier prepares to throw during spring practice Monday. Frazier sprained an ankle during Wednesday’s practice. OSU sweeps doubleheader From Staff Reports The Nebraska baseball team's losing streakextended to five games after the Huskcrs dropped a double header to Big Eight conference leading Oklahoma State Wednes day in Stillwater, Okla. The Comhuskcrs. 12-14 over all and 0-5 in the Big Eight, lost 7 6 and 21-5 to the Cowboys. With the score tied 6-6 in the eighth inning of the first game, Nebraska loaded the bases with no outs. Hut the Huskers failed to score, as Oklahoma State’s Rob Gaiko came in and struck out the side. The Cowboys, 21-7 and 8-0, then scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning. Gaiko, 3-0. got the win for the Cowboys. Mike Bellows took the loss for the Huskers. Inthc nightcap. OklahomaStatc exploded for six runs — five of them unearned — in the second inning and nine in the seventh in a 21-5 rout. Alvie Shepherd (0-3) took the loss for Nebraska. Loss motivates wrestler at nationals By Tim Pearson Senior Reporter A first-round loss at the Big Eight wrestling meet made Scott Gonyo re alize that his wrestling career was almost over. Gonyo lost his opening match at the conference meet to Oklahoma’s Eric Ivins, whom he had beaten last year at the national championships. “I had it in my head that I was going to nationals,” Gonyo said. ‘‘It took that loss to give me a spark that nationals was right there and that this was my last chance.” That last chance paid big divi . Gonyo euise. dcnds tor the senior 118-pounder from Fort Myers, Fla., as he earned All American honors by placing sixth at the NCAA meet March 19. Gonyo said the loss may have been a blessing in dis “I’m glad I lost there rather than losing to that kid at nationals in the first round,” he said. “That really was kind of a turning point. “It made me realize that if I wrestled like that. I’d be sitting in the stands watching.” At the beginning of the season, Gonyosaid, he was aiming fora finish in the top four. Although he didn’t quite accom pl ish that goal, Gonyo said he was still pleased with the final result. “1 was satisfied with how I did, but I wish I could’ve done a lot better,” he said. “I was content with the way I finished, considering all the things See GONYO on 8 NU tennis star to be recognized on ‘HugBernthal Day It's hard to define greatness. Perhaps the only thing more diffi cult would be trying to define what is growing on the bottom of my feet. Anyway, when it comes to great ness, two words and an initial come to my mind — J. Bradley Bcrnthal. Bemthal Bcmtnai is a se nior on ihe men’s tennis team, but more importantly, he’s a paragon of perseverance and a real swell guy. For those three people who actually go to men’s tennis events, Bcrnthal is the big. hairy Cau casian wearing light shorts, ror those of you who don’t know him, you soon will — and in the most intimate way. Bcrnthal was the 1988 Nebraska state junior champion in tennis and a Domino’s pizza delivery boy. But his tennis success didn’t earn him much notoriety in the state and caused him to seek out other schools. Bemthal spent his freshman year at Trinity University, and after a year off, another two years at Kansas. When asked why he left KU, Bern ic responded that he had philosophical differences with the coach and that he simply got sick and tired of that damn “Rock-Chalk-Jayhawks” chant. But don’t accuse this educational free agent of not being loyal. Bcrnthal is the golden retriever of college athletes. Not that he nuzzles people’s crotches or anything; rather, he has a puppylike allegiance to his team. Anyway, after a little exchange of dinero—if you know what I mean — Bcrnthal was persuaded to come to NU to finish his collegiate career. No matter where Bern th al has been, he has appl icd the same fire and feroc ity to his play. At Trinity, Bcrnthal was referred to as “Cheetah Boy” for his court Beau Finley speed and quickness. At Kansas, he was simply regarded as “the extremely white, fast guy that hit the yellow thing real hard.” The Jayhawk squad never has been noted for its eloquence. However, when asked, Bemthal says he prefers to be referred to as “Fluffy.” You sec, he’s never forgot who he really is — a man in touch with his feminine side. As the NU tennis squad moves into the Big Eight season, Bemthal owns the best record on the team at 10-3. When a player is so talented ath letically, spiritually, intellectually and hygienically, I believe he deserves a little special attention. That’s why I would like to propose to the student body that Friday be denoted as “Hug Bemthal Day." I say go out, find Bemthal — his head is freshly shaven — throw your arms around him, and tell him how much of an inspiration he is. Tell him you’re glad to be a Cornhuskcr because we have guys like him representing us. I encourage showing the love we all share for this man. However, be careful not to kiss him, because he’ll slap a lawsuit on you faster than you can say “Free James Brown.” On a serious note, kids, with Bcrnthal’s disposable school past, Friday’s show of appreciation may be the only way to keep him on this campus the entire season. Women's golf update: There was no Huskcr hacker press release this week. Apparently, women’s coach Robin Kranfi couldn't be reached for comment because she was too busy coaching: “OK, Heidi, now just stand next to that little white ball and smack it really hard." So I guess I'll have to make up something. The Dinah Shore— the first of the four major women’s professional golf tournaments—was played last week end and Huskah sensation Michelle Patterson won it. That’s right, she won the whole friggin' thing. Patterson is the youngest w i nner of the event ever. She is 10. Patterson seemed quite excited about her historic win. “Man. this kicks so much boot ay," Patterson apparcntlysaid.“I can’t believe how bad I smoked that Lopez chick. I made her look like a chump. “Hell, screw Bemthal. It should be ‘Hug Me Day,’ dammit.” Finley is a first-year law student and n Daily Nebraskan colunmist.