The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 29

dorsett 11 vs ij yards Pitt anhamdles Notre Dame, 31-10 By BOB COLLINS Star Sports Editor South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame kept Tony Dorsett from winning permanent possession of the Golden Dome yesterday afternoon by holding him to a mere 181 yards rushing as Pittsburgh manhandled the Irish, 31-10. For 48 hours before the contest rumors were flying that Tough Tony, who should finish this season as the leading ground-gainer, in the history of collegiate football, was injured. The story went that he might not play and if he did he would be used strictly as a decoy. And, indeed, he did begin limping shortly after his first carry from scrimmage.

It also was Pitt's first play from scrimmage. Tony traveled 61 yards on that one to set up the touchdown scored by himself who else? that tied the score, 7-7. From that moment on, the Irish resistance tightened and held Dorsett to the third best day he has had against Notre Dame. As a freshman in 1973, he gained 209 yards; the follow ing season the Irish held him to 61. Last year he fan halfway to Kokomo with 303.

YESTERDAY HE limped to a mere 181. That gave him a four-year total of 754 against Notre Dame or almost enough to win him two pages in the Guinness Book of Records. Nonetheless, Tony's heroics and all that, this contest was decided during a fast 2:11 in the second quarter. It was 7-7 when ND quarterback Rick Slager, who possesses a rifle arm without a gunsight, unloaded a couple of duds. Related Story, Picture, Page 5 The Irish had the ball, first down, on their own 22 when Slager threw into the flat in the general direction of a receiver.

Leroy Fielder, the Pitt cor-nerback, needed only to hide his astonishment by covering the ball with his hands before racing to the Notre Dame 2. Two running plays and one kick later the Panthers had a 14-7 lead. Next time Notre Dame got the ball Slager threw over the middle into heavy traffic. This time the lucky recipient was Pitt's Jeff Delaney. That gave Pitt the ball on the ND 33.

FROM THERE aided by a 14-yard Dorsett scamper the Panthers scored in four plays. Bob Haygood got the TD and Carson Long kicked his third extra point of the game for a 21-7 reading. Dan Reeve kicked a 53-yard field goal a Notre Dame record for a 21-10 halftime score. But it was all over by then. Pitt got another 10 in the fourth quarter on Long's 34-yard field goal and an eight-yard run by second-string quarterback Matt Cavanaugh.

Notre Dame marched 86 yards in 10 plays to score after the opening kick- off. The payoff was a pitch over the middle from Slager to Ken MacAfee, who caught the ball on the Pitt 16 and rolled in untouched. The loss was Notre Dame's first in a season-opening game since 1963. SUMMARY, STATISTICS Pitt 7 14 1031 Noire turn jit t-io ND MicAfM 35 til from siagar (Raava tick). Pit Dorsatt i run (Long kck).

Pitt Haygood 1 run (Long kick). Pitt Haygood 1 run (Long kick). ND FG Reavt 53. Pitt FO Long 34. Pitt Cavanaugh (Long kick).

A 59,075. Pitt ND 50-104 114 17 11-31-4 -34 J-1 6-73 First downs 1Z Rushts-yds 53-191 Passing yds 17 Return yds 55 Passts 6-13-0 Punts 10-41 Fumblas-lost 4-3 Piniltias 4-10 IK i Section 'J The Indianapolis Star SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1976 Stock Tables foyt i Saldana Wins Hoosier Hundred, Opperman Critically Injured By RAY MARQUETTE It may take Joe Saldana a couple of days to come back down to earth and realize he had the biggest day of his racing life yesterday. But no matter how long it takes to "recover," he's already inscribed in the victory hook of the Hoosier Hundred. The tough little guy out of Lincoln, Other Pictures, Page 1, Section held off A.J. Foyt who isn't Page 1, Section 4.

exactly the world's weakest charger to OM started 24th and took the lead briefly in the last quarter of the 100-miler over the slick dirt of the State Fairgrounds track, "but you deserved to win." No matter how modest Saldana tried to be, there was no hiding the pride he felt after taking on the "big boys" at their own game and winning the first United States Auto Club championship dirt car race of his career. It was a victory that was sobered considerably by a near-tragic accident on the 52d lap that brought out the red-flag for a restart and sent Jan Opperman to Methodist Hospital in critical condition with a severe cerebral confusion. The mishap has to be one of the most spectacular in the colorful history of the Hoosier Hundred and knocked four of the five cars involved out of the race. Only Johnny Parsons the race leader when he lost control and spun out between the third and fourth turns to trigger the accident, could make the restart. "I THINK I SLIPPED in some oil that had been sprayed by (Spike) Gehl- Turn To Page 5, Column 3 ittt -is.

A LONG GAINER Pittsburgh's Ail-American running back Tony Dorsett evades, the Notre Dame defense en route to a 62-yard gain during the first quarter of yesterday's opener at South Bend. Dorsett did not score a touchdown on the but came back later in the same series for his and Pitt's first TD of the season. (UPI) Im 1 it k'J DOWN Vl-lO AT HALFTIMK Re-Vitali-zed Boilermakers Punish Northwestern, 31-19 win ana notning, dui noming, could have pleased him more. "Whenever you can hold off someone like A.J. Foyt, it has to be an honor to win," he grinned almost in embarrassment.

"Of course, he (Foyt) had some bad luck, but this is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me." "YEAH," RESPONDED A.J., who Sovereen booted a 35-yard field goal for a 10-0 Boilermaker lead. Then, nearly seven minutes into the third period, Purdue fullback John Ski-binski headed up the middle on first down at the Wildcat 18. As he did Northwestern safety Jim Hutchings blitzed. The two passed each other going full speed. Hutchings ended up near the 30.

Skibinski in the end zone, to give the Boilers a 17-13 lead. Two plays later Boykin dropped a pitchout, Crosby recovered at the Northwestern 28 and Purdue was on its way. On the first play following the turnover Vitali rifled a 25-yard pass to wide receiver Reggie Arnold after faking to Skibinski going inside. It appeared' Arnold might be the secondary receiver. Agase said no.

Two plays later Dierking burst over left tackle for a 24-13 Riveter advantage. THE FINAL Purdue TD came when Vitali rolled right 4 yards to climax an 11-play, 83-yard drive which started after Northwestern bogged down on Tarn To Page 6, Column 4 HOW SWEET IT IS! Jce Saldana hos nothing but a broad, broad grin on his face as he clutches the trophy that proclaims him the winner of yesterday's Hoosier Hundred at the State Fairgrounds. In the "biggest racing day" of his life, Saldana held off A.J. Foyt to win the world's richest dirt track (Star Photo By Jerry Clark) Ten Standings Contar. All Games PIS OP PIS OP Ohio Stall 1 0 0 4 11 1 0 0 it 11 MXM I 0 0 40 17 1 0 Minnesota I 0 0 32 13 1 0 PURDUE 1 0 0 31 If 1 0 Illinois 1 0 II 14 4 10 Wisconsin 0 1 0 17 40 0 1 Mien, state 1 0 11 0 1 Norlnwesttrn 0 1 0 31 0 1 INDIANA 0 1 0 13 31 0 1 Iowa 1 0 4 0 1 40 17 31 13 31 1 14 4 17 40 11 49 1 31 11 31 4 14 Dean, perhaps with the quickest release of any passer in the Big Ten, completed 12 of 21 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns a 3-yarder to Yelvington; a 31-yarder to Bailey, and a 22-yarder to freshman Todd Sheets.

Boykin rushed for 96 yards in 25 carries while Yelvington, from Indianapolis Warren Central, hauled in six passes for 104 yards. The senior wide receiver now has 94 catches, a Northwestern career record. There were no key plays in this one. There were many big plays. Three stand out.

First, defensive tackle Cleveland Pittsburgh Crosby blocked a Dean punt at the Northwestern 39 in the second quarter. Four plays later Scott By JOHN BANSCH Assistant Sports Editor West Lafayette, Boilermaker Special is on the prowl. Exhibiting some of its finest football in recent years, Purdue rose from the floor in the second half to smash Northwestern, 31-19, yesterday in the season-opener for both clubs. There were many reasons for the triumph Scott Dierking's crushing smooth running; Mark Vitali's running and passing at quarterback; a tight second-half pass defense, and possibly most important of all, control of the line of scrimmage by the Boilers' offensive line. It looked easy for a while as Purdue jumped off to a 10-0 lead.

Almost as quickly the situation turned bleak with Northweslern's air game bringing the visitors a 13-10 halftime lead. And, then it was all Purdue as the Boilers scored the first three times they had possession of the football in the final half. THE ONLY disappointing aspect was the size of the crowd. Just 46,311 were on hand for the confrontation staged in 80-degree-weather on a sunny afternoon. It was Purdue's smallest home-opener turned since 1965 when 44,809 witnessed the Boilermakers' 38-0 thrashing of a Bo Schembechler-coached Miami of Ohio team.

Dierking, who bulled his way to a career-high 151 yards in 27 carries, logged a pair of Boiler touchdowns on 4 and 2-yard efforts. Even more important, he was picking his holes well and running fluidly. Vitali made every effort possible to contradict statements concerning his inefficiency. The senior quarterback hit 5 of 11 passes for 83 yards and ran for 38 more on 8 carries. More importantly, he executed the crucial play, whether it be on the ground or in the air.

"Vitali has come back all the way," a jubilant Alex Agase said afterward. "I don't want to even talk about his problems last year that's history," the fourth-year Purdue coach added. "Mark is ready this year." HE HAD TO be. Northwestern, behind the passing of Randy Dean, the running of tailback Greg Boykin and the pass catching of Scott Yelvington and Mark Bailey, threw a severe scare into the Boilers. Today's TV Sports NFL FOOTBALL Now 11:30 a.m., Cftannal I.

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Oaan, man's finals, i a.m., Cluneal a. i.i'. loses iihimoiax Hoosiers9 Tunnel Vision Impaired By Minnesota By BILL BENNER "The blocked punt did it," echoed couple of first downs and appeared to Star Sportswriter Gopher boss Cal Stoll. be on the march. But a pair of disas- trous penalties killed the drive and the Minneapolis It has been billed as ITH KICKER DAN Zarl.ngo ready Hoosiers were forced to kkk the year in which Indiana will begin to to boot away from the I.U.

15, the see the light at the end of the tunnel. Minnesota line which had barely Starting on their own 39 with time Yesterdav that tunnel caved in missed 8etting hand on tw0 earlier 111 Gophers Hoosier punts poured through for ahead of them in the next three fjrst downs and pa'sjng Qf a thjrd Sophomore safety Keith Brown arrived Wltn iust 20 seconds left before the INDIANA LOST its Big Ten' and just as the ball was leaving and batted break- Dungy right to pass from season-opener to Minnesota, 32-13, and it the other way. Junior Mark Merrill the 6 but instead tucked the ball under that alone is ample reason for serious scooped the leather up at the 8 and nis arm and shot across the stripe for concern. was convoyed in -for the touchdown: his second TD and a 19-0 Minnesota But to make matters worse, the "It's a cardinal sin to get a punt command. Hoosiers also lost tailback Courtney blocked," Corso said.

"I think that's By then, the writing was on the Snyder and linebacker Craig Brink- the first time that's happened since proverbial wall, but for anyone who man, both co-captains and both leaders I've been here. They overloaded an couldn't read, the Gophers made the of the offensive and defensive units. 5amin stron and fast And both are gone for the season. bIocked lt- They Just dld a S0 SeCnd halL Snyder the senior looking to go Given the lift of a U'ck "nexpert- Taking the kickoff and the ball on over a i 000 yards rushing for the ed 7" lead' the Gophers wasted no their own 25, Minnestoa moved in for a third consecutive season, was carted time in widening the spread. 25-0 advantage in 11 plays.

Dungy away midway through the first quar- Again the Hoosiers couldn't move mlxed Jhn Mathews and Steve ter. He has a broken right leg and a and Minnesota, after a punt, had room Breault on the carries as the Gopher possible dislocated ankle which may to roam, starting a drive on its own 'ine Pened wide holes in the I.U. need surgery. 42- Nine plays and 58 yards later, the defense. score went to 13-0 with Dungy the But when they got within sniffing BRINKMAN, ONE OF Indiana's cool senior quarterback on whom the distance, Dungy again displayed his leading tacklers for the past two au- Gopher hopes are riding-sliding in a 1 s.

His 15-yard dash on third tumns, joined Snyder in the dressing from the 7. down saved the drive and put the ball room in the second period. He has torn knee ligaments and was scheduled INDIANA STRUCK BACK with a Turn To Page 6, Column 1 for an operation last night. Whether their day-long presence paMasgEaf would have altered the eventual re- id suits is, however unlikely. After a EStSlUP I blocked punt untied a scoreless knot early in the second quarter, the Go- phers and quarterback Tony Dungy i hvi(t SU VVUS Average5 I took unquestionable control of the pro- Big Fish 16 ceedings and convincingly avoided a To Another Title VtlifV 2 Bob Collins 2 third straight loss to Indiana.

Football Scores ....12 Later, both coaches would call the Hums Olie-Sliol Lines Shots IS 1 blocked punt the deciding play of the 19 contest. World Open Leader-Page 3 tu 2 I Shootin' Stars 8 "It turned the game around, said i Indiana's Lee Corso. "It gave them a Speaking of Speed .14 Spark. rj, 'l AIRBORNE Scott Dierking of Purduo goes airborne yesterday in a desperate try at the goal line. He was stopped at the 3 by Northweslern's Bill Geegan (31) but Purdue was able to get across in this series of downs.

(Star Photo by Charles A. Berry).