LSU's 'Offense' Oh Defense Casanova Stalks Foo toall By CHRIS SMITH Sports Staff Writer MIAMI Tommy Casanova, Louisiana State's All-America safety, says he likes the "wide-open spaces." Against Mississippi three weeks ago, the Tiger junior proved his love for the open field by running back two punts 61 and 74 yards for touchdowns as LSU routed the Rebels, 61-17 to earn the Orange Bowl bid. He tied an NCAA record with his performance. New Year's night in the 1971 Orange Bowl, Casanova hopes to find the open spaces against Nebraska. Yesterday afternoon, Casanova and his teammates took the Miami Military practice field for their first workout after arriving from Baton Rouge earlier in the day. "We just work real hard at returning punts," says Casanova of his success. "We just keep plugging away." In two seasons, the 6-foot-l, 185-pounder with 9.7 speed has run back three punts for the distance. Casanova fielded 25 punts his sophomore year, but only got his hands on the ball 14 times this past season. The opposition tired to keep the ball away from him. x But trying to keep the football from Casanova is like keeping people off the beach on a sunny day. Besides averaging 16.3 yards on punt returns and 17.3 on klckoffs, Casanova also carries the ball on offense, and on defense wound up with three interceptions. In fact, Casanova gives LSU Coach Charley McClendon the kind of problem any coach would like. Casanova is versatile enough to play tailback on offense, and many times in the past two years, he has stayed on the field as the ball changed hands from offense to defense or vice versa. "I like playing both ways," says Casanova, who wants to be a doctor like his father. Casanova also might be considered greedy, because he would like to be a receiver, too. "I've always wanted to catch the ball out in the open," he said. "But I've got bad hands." Casanova's so-calied bad hands cost him an interception against Notre Dame. He knocked the ball away from Tom Gatewood, but on the next play the Irish kicked the field goal that beat the Tigers, 3-0. "Hell," said an LSU aide, "he did a helluva job getting to the ball." However, Casanova did hold Gatewood to just four catches and 21 yards in their meeting. Gatewood, an All-America, had been averaging eight receptions .per game. During his brief offensive appearances, Casanova carried the ball 48 times for 194 yards and three TDs. From his corner-back position, in addition to his interceptions, he made 21 tackles. "In high school," said Casanova, "I was a fullback and blocked most of the time. On defense I was a safety. I sure would like to run with the ball more." However, against Nebraska, he will be used almost exclusively cn defense. "They have a team similar to Notre Dame's," says Casanova, "but Nebraska . . . boy, they're much faster. I just hope I don't get beat." - Professional Mofo Gross W Purse
