Just No ‘Soft Spots’ in Sparkling LSU Defense By DON FORSYTHE Miami, Fla. — Any way you look at it — on paper or on film as the Nebraska offensive coaches have been doing for a couple of weeks — the LSU defense is tough. Nebraska’s Grange Bowl opponent has led the nation in defense against the rush for two straight years. The Tigers have a sound defense and one which can make the big plays. “It’s pretty hard to find a soft spot,” says Cornhusker backfield coach Mike Corgan of the LSU defense. The Tigers aren’t particularly imposing physically. They dion’t look like much until the other team snaps the ball.4 They’re strong, quick, have good range and tackle well,” says Cornhusker assistant Clete Fischer. Coach Charlie McClendon has employed a basic 4-3 defense the last two seasons. “They’re in an even front about two-thirds of the time,” says Nebraska assistant Tom Osborne, “but occasionally they’ll use a five-man front like we do.” The longer the Cornhusker coaches study the Tiger defense the more they’re impressed. “1 think it’s the soundest defense we’ve seen,” says Osborne. “That’s not just this year, but the nine years we’ve been here.” The Tigers are especially impressive in short yardage situations. “It seems like when teams need a yard for a first down or touchdown they just can’t make it,” says Osborne. The leaders of the miserly LSU defensive unit are tackle John Sage, linebacker Mike Anderson and defensive back Tommy Casanova. Each earned all-America acclaim. From what the Cornhusker coaches have learned from the films the key to the LSU success has been the play of Sage and his running mate at tackle, Ronnie Estay. “They're better tackles than any we’ve faced this year,” says Fischer. Senior and defensive captain Sage, at 6-3 and 220, and jimor Estay, at 6-1 and 233, aren't huge, but they’re effective. They’re strong against the rush but great pass rushers. “They're so good that LSU can get by with a four-man rush and drop seven people back,” says Osborne. Sage dropped both Pat Sullivan of Auburn and Archie Manning of Mississippi, the top two quarterbacks in the South, for safeties during the 1970 season. Arthur Davis and Buddy Millican are small as defensive ends go, but are quick and efficient. Anything getting past the front four has to deal with an outstanding linebacking corps led by the 6-3, 225-pound Anderson. A consensus all-America, Anderson has a great knack for being in the right place at the right time. Like Nebraska’s Jerry Murtaugh, he’s started every game since joining the varsity and holds the all-time school tackling record. Anderson’s running mates are 195-pound Louis Cascio and 193-pound Richard Picou, both juniors. The Cornhuskers will be throwing against a secondary which intercepted 25 passes. Casanova, who plays the left corner, usually draws the opponents’ top receiver. He held Notre Dame all-American Tom Gatewood to four catches for 24 24 yards. A :09.7 sprinter, he has both the speed and size (6-1, 191) to handle enemy receivers. Veteran James Earley (6-0, 188) handles the other corner spot with two more seniors, Bill Norsworthy and Craig Burns, playing the twin safeties. While Casanova claimed most of the honors as a defender it was Burns who led LSU Defense Left End Mike Anderson . . . all-America linebacker. Irurzun Wins Miami, Fla. Wl — M. T. Berry’s Irurzun went through the field on the stretch turn and closed with a rush to win the $25,350 Christmas Handicap at Tropical Park Friday. ( 7 £^i£ Sunday Bowling— Noon (7). Pro Football — San Francisco v. Minnesota, Noon (6-10). Pro Football — Miami v. Oakland, 3 p.m. (3). Creighton Highlights — 11:45 p.m. (7). No. Player, Hometown Ht.Wt. Class 93 Arthur Davis, Sulphur, La ................................ . 5-11 191 Sr. 91 Mike Doyle, Houston, Tex........................... Left Tackle • 6-2195 Soph. 73 John Sage, Houston, Tex................................ 6-3 220 Sr. 99 John Weinstein, Opelousas, La ....................... Right Tackle 64 220 Soph. 78 Ronnie Estay, Larose, La ....................................... 6-1 233Jr. 61 Bobby Joe King, Shreveport, La.................... Right End 6-0221 Sr. 86 Buddy Millican, Baton Rouge, La ......................... 6-0 215 Sr. 79 John Wood, Lake Charles, La........................... Left Linebacker 6-4 220 Soph. 45 Mike Anderson, Baton Rouge, La.................... 6-3225 Sr. «2 Lloyd Frye, Baton Rouge, La .............................. Middle Linebacker 6-1 204 Jr. 48 Louis Cascio, Bossrier City, La........................... 6-0195 Jr. 96 Tommy Smith, Brookhaven, Miss......................... Right Linebacker 5-10 189 Soph. 88 Richard Picou, Gonzales, La............................ 5-11 193 Jr. 41 Pepper Rutland, Baton Rouge, La......................... Left Cornerback 5-11 195 Soph. 37 Tommy Casanova, Crowley, La ..................... 6 1 191 Jr. 16 Paul Lyons, Midland, Tex ....................................... Right Cornerback 510181 Soph. 39 James Earley, Jonesboro, La................................ 64) 188 Sr. 26 John Nagle, Gloster, Miss....................................... Left Safety 6-2183 Jr. 15 Bill Norsworthy, New’ Orleans, La ....................... 5-10180Sr. 11 John Staggs, Texas City, Tex................................ Right Safety 6-0185 Soph. 30 Craig Burns, Baton Rouge, La .............................. 5-11 175 Sr. 38 Greg Bickham, Shreveport, La .............................. 6-0 182 Soph. Spotted Line Wins Featur e New Orleans W) — Spotted Line took the lead at the halfway mark Friday and stayed in front the rest of the way to win the $12,500 Christmas Handicap at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. The victory was worth $9.40, $4.60 and $3.00. Robin’s Bug paid $5.40 and $3.40 to place and Assumption $5.20 to show. Spotted Line covered the six furlongs in 1:10 4-5. Tommy Casanova . . . leads LSU secondary. the team in interceptions with eight. Norsworthy stole five passes and Casanova three. Osborne indicates that balance is a defensive strong point for the Tigers. “Nobody has really moved the ball on them. Notre Dame came into the LSU game leading the nation in total offense and got just 227 yards,” he says. “Almost everybody has gone to throwing the ball against LSU but you have to try to both run and throw because they can play you tough if they know’ you have to pass,” he says. The Tigers limited their 11 foes to just 574 yards on the ground. Only Baylor managed more than 100 yards rushing against the defense which allowed just 52.2 yards a game. LSU rarely gambles on defense. Their game is one of recognition, execution and pursuit. That game has been most effective as opponents have averaged only 8.7 points. Ohio State, Hay es Receive Grid Awards Washington LP)—The Ohio State Buckeyes and their coach, Woody Hayes, have been named winners of two major awards to be given during the 36th annual banquet of the Touchdown Club of Washington Jan. 9. The Buckeyes will be receive the 1970 Arthur J. (Dutch) Bergman Award as the outstanding college team of the year. Hayes has won ihe Touchdown Club award which goes annually to the college coach of the year. Braxton Oakland (AP) — Jim Braxton, all-American tight end from West Virginia, will move to a familiar position—fullback—for the East-West Shrine football game here Jan. 2.
