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Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 18

Publication:
Arizona Republici
Location:
Phoenix, Arizona
Issue Date:
Page:
18
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

KEPUSUC CITY. un Devils dance with afte ed machine glee clogging Vs'-. a- if-'-sir: ft LII I My knees were shaking uhen I uent out there. I just tried to remember to keep my head doun and not think about the -Danny Kush 'Danny has been around pressure all is lif e. Th ny thing is that Thursday in practice he couldn't hit a bull in the butt ith a handful of popcorn from three fee Frank Kush Republic photo by Sue Levy Danny Kush signals thumbs up with a big grin while standing on the sideline after hitting the winning field goal Friday to give Arizona State its 17-14 triumph.

TtYY-1 mrr v-x-mT 1 D) PI Si ID 1 9" BIPOIR' u) iv'e 1 0 halunlav, Dec. 19. rf xr a. Republic Photo by Sue Levy Arizona State's Fast Freddie Williams savors the moment as the seconds tick off the stadium clock with ASU 3 points ahead of Nebraska. JJ We won thanks, Elated ASU had no doubt about outcome By BOB EGEIt TEMPE "Big That's the way Arizona State's All-America cornerback, Mike Haynes, summed things up Saturday after the Sun Devils stunned Nebraska's Big Red Machine, 17-14, in Fiesta Bowl Five.

The Sun Devils were delirious, but not a bit surprised, after knocking off the fifth-ranked Cornhuskers with a determined defense and an offense that ad-libbed at some critical times. "We knew all along we could win," said sophomore split end John Jefferson, who tied a Fiesta Bowl record by grabbing eight passes for 113 yards and earned the Outstanding Offensive Player award. "It was just a matter of going out there and doing the things we normally do. "They couldn't stop our passing game. Their linebackers weren't quick enough to drop back and cover the medium-range curls.

They were good, but I thought Arizona was better." Game story on A-l; picture pace on D-5 Haynes felt ASU won Round One before the football was even teed up. "You can't beieve how great il felt to come out on the field and see all those gold pom pons and hear that crowd," said Haynes, who was a big reason Nebraska's longest pass play was 12 yards. "Their fans started chanting 'Go Big Red' and our fans just drowned them out. I've never been more ready to play in my life." "We've had a lot of big games," said Sun Devil Frank Kush. "But from the standpoint of national recognition, this probably is our most meaningful victory ever." Kush said sophomore quarterback Dennis Sproul talked him out of going for a field goal early in the fourth quarter when the Devils, trailing 14-6, faced a fourth-and-one situation at the Nebraska 14-yard line.

"I figured we could kick the field goal and still have time to take the lead." said Kush, "but Dennis was so positive he could make the first down 1 decided to let him try. "It was a good call because it worked. If it hud failed, it wouldn't have been a good call." "I just felt we could make it, and we did." said Sproul, who sneaked for the first down but had to leave the game when he jammed his left wrist on the play. But Fred Mortcnsen came in at quarterback and one play later drilled Jefferson with a nine-yard scoring pass. He then hit wingback Larry Mucker with a two-point conversion pass to knot the score at 14-14.

"I've been ready to play all week Continued on Tage D4 is I 4 VTWV 'lTV. ipl i TEMPE The book is officially closed on the 1975 version of the I Sun Devils. And what an epic it has become! From rags to riches would be too simplistic. This team a year ago had been rent with dissension, morale problems, frustrated coaches and finished with a lousy 7-5 record. But what a difference a year makes! Arizona State head mentor Frank Kush made some personnel changes both on the field and on the coaching staff, tightened the reins and molded Arizona State's third undefeated team.

I still stand bv the assertion Repubhc photo by Sue Levy Mouth open in expectation, ASU head coach Frank Kush watches his son's deciding field goal sail toward the uprights beside Sun Devil quarterback Dennis Sproul. last drive." quarterback Terry Luck said. "If (fullback) Tony (Davis) hadn't fumbled that last time, I think we would've von. "But don't say anything bad about Tony-I still have the utmost confidence in him. "People say Arizona Stale and the WAC (Western Athletic Conference) are overrated, but I don't think so.

I don't know if overall the WAC and the Big Eight aren't on the same level. But they ought to be proud they won Sporls today RADIO-TELEVISION NFL Playoffs Baltimore at Pittbu'ah, Ch 12 and KRDS (1190), 1 a.m.; St. Louis at Los Angrier. CD. 10.

2 pm CoHroe Football Colorado vs. Tea In A'lro-Bluebonnet Bowl at Houston Ch. 3, i 1:30 P.m. WHA Hcckr-y Denver at Phoenix. KRUX College Bs.ketball-Arijona vs.

Cincinnati O360I. 7:45 O.m. in Rainbow Classic at Hawaii, KXIV (14001, 12.15 a.m. (Sunday). Nolan out SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Eight-year veteran Dick Nolan (54-53-5) was fired Friday as head coach of the San Francisco announced club president and CM Louis G.

Spadia. Spadia said he has "a number of candidates in mind as replacements," but he mentioned no names. He said he hopes to sign a replacement for Nolan "as soon as practicably possible." I TT'TT pC H. treacherous footing and the quiet zones. Once a few of the players released their pent-up emotions a helmet thrown to the ground here, screams of anguish there the loudest sound was the buzzing of air currents caused by a combination of players shaking Iheir heads back and forth in disbelief and players shaking their heads in a silent body language for "no comment." In the minds of Nebraska players there was little to say with a few exceptions.

"We should've won the game on the The Republic the third were Phoenix' only production. San Diego scored 43 minutes into the game, taking seven seconds to cash its first powerplay with Jim Clarke off for tripping. John French bounced the puck off a Phoenix defender's leg with a shut from behind the net. The Mariners used the power leverage for another glial at 1:011 with Jim Niekamp off for slashing. Ray Adduno got that one.

No. 3 was a rebounder by Alex Tidey during a delayed penalty situation with Clarke binned again, giving the Mariners a six on three skating attack. Continued on Page D-2 i Republic pholo bv John WilUrd Arizona State's Rocky Mataalii scoops up fumble Bobby Thomas (foreground) also reach for ball as by Nebraska's Tony Davis late in fourth quarter to Sun Devils Harry Garbarini (63), John Harris, Mike preserve Sun Devil victory. Davis and teammate llaynes (40) and Alex Stencel close in. 'aillWSIJii 9t forget; Nebraska MiT-K foil editor The Cornhuskers' pile-driving run- ners occasionally splintered A-Stale, but the Devils usually toughened when it really counted.

Those who watched ASU click for I 11 points in the final quarter to bail out the decision might argue the point that defense won the game. But even though Nebraska had the ball over six minutes more than ASU, the Cornhuskers could muster only two TDs against the overwork- ed Devil defense. And one of those was set up by a pass interference 'i call. And lest we forget, in all the celebrating Thanks. Nebraska.

For changing your mind. For coming to a bowl of lesser repute. Fur giving up your holidays. For allowing ASU to test i its mettle. For providing a game that will rank with any of the postseason attractions.

1 Both the Sun Devils and the Fiesta Bowl came of age Friday. We won't forget the pari you 1 played, It couldn't have been done without vou. Hope you had a tremendous lime in the Valley of the Sun. Arizona Stale may have made its reputation at your expense. But you MADE the Fiesta Bowl.

Again, thanks. accounted for six steals as the Suns who lead the league in that category-registered a club record 18 thefts. Continued on Page D-2 BOSTON (112) MP FT Rek A TP Havlicck KuDfiKi Cowens Sco" V.hile Si la, McDonald Stacom Ard Ncl-nn TOTALS Jt 7 15 II 45 10 31 46 0 0 17 il 5 5 3 Od 00 00 4 15 3 4 II I 1 I 45 34 10 15 43 10 It 30 3 6 9 1 10 I 2 4 3 i 5 11 1 4117 it-a PHOENIX (104) MP 0 FT Rek TP Erickson Perry Adams VanArvlalf Westphal Sobers Shumate Hav thorn TOTALS 44 I 5 1 12 f.l IS 21 15 4 14 76 3 71 37 II Ml I 5 6-11 II 41 30 31 11 I 4 147 1 35 31 106 iOSTON PHOENIX IS 22 -1U )0i Total fouls Boston 24, Phrenin 21 PouleO cut Scott (Bo-tont. Terhnical fowls Hetnsonn (Boston coach). Adams (Phceniai FG Pel Boston PhoencK 41 FT Prt.

Boston 70. Phoenix 81 Turiv ovt'j Boston 2, Phoeni 19. All. 11.842. J'J Vrnl(' lvZ 1 i Huskers solemn after loss and Kush probably does, too that the '75 crew was not nearly as talented as the unbeaten '70 bunch or the once-beaten '73 team But the '75 Sun Devils reached heights that the others onlv dreamed of.

Not only did they rack up a perfect season and a Top Ten ranking, but they proved they deserved it by beating a legitimate national power. Kush claims the '70 Peach Bowl squad put Arizona State on the map. Well, the '75 team proved that Sun Devil football is for real a question previously open to great debate. There may be greater teams in fact, no farther away than '76 from A-State, but one thing they'll never be able to take away from the Nebraska-beaters. They put the squelch to all the dirty digs, jokes and cackles about the quality of Western Athletic Conference football.

No longer will the WAC champ be snickered at in such gridiro Valhallas as Columbus. Ohio, Tuscaloosa, Los Angeles and Lincoln, Neb. Over and over I heard it in the pressbox: "I saw it, but I don't believe it." It was a fantastic effort by a band of fanatics determined to prove the critics wrong. It didn't have all the thrills and excitement of the Arizona game. But considering every thing that was on the line, it was a tense, nail-biting bowl as good as any you're likely to see over the holidays.

Despite occasional offensive pyrotechnics, the punt-laden game was a battle of defenses. And Arizona State proved it could play on the level of Nebraska's famed Elack Shirts. assert themselves at that juncture, gained a tie at 77 and used the final 3:08 of the period to assume permanent control. Cowens had three goals and four major rebounds in the spurt that allowed the Celtics to enter period No. 4 with an 88-81 lead.

Big Red finished with 21 points, got one third of his club's rebounds in a 45-35 victory under the backboards, and targeted six assists. Boston, 20-8 with a sparkling 9-4 road mark, also got 47 points from its backcourt tandem of Jo Jo White (23) and homecoming Charlie Scott, the ex-Sun who was traded last May for Paul Westphal. And the Scott-Westphal showdown? Each scored 22 points. Westphal was the assists victor, 11-4. Westphal also By JAY COLEMAN TEMPE The atmosphere in the of Nebraska locker room after Friday's Fiesta Bowl game resembled a convention of casket salesmen.

To say it was solemn is to say Arizona State's 17-14 win over the Cornhuskers was upset. Approaching Nebraska players for comment was dene with all the caution of a mountain drive in a blizzard. All the warning signs were there the icy si arcs, the uphill grades, the because they beat a good football team." Davis, the Most Valuable Player of the Cotton and Sugar bowls the past two years, fumbled after catching a Luck pass on third-and-10 with 1:08 to go on the ASU 31 when Sun Devil safety John Harris jarred the ball loose and middle guard Rocky Mataalii pounced on it. A first-quarter Davis fumble led to Danny Kush's first field. Often the 'llusker holler guy during the season, Continued on Page D-2 Suns tired of seeing Red Four power plays carry Mariners past Runners By DAVE HICKS Perhaps one of those echoes reverberating around the Tempc buttes wafted across the Valley to the Coliseum later in the day.

And Big Red went to work. No, not THAT Big Red. This one hails from Florida State and is left -handed and plays for Boston's Celtics and can change the complexion of a basketball game From Bright to Big Red. That's what red thatched Dave Cowens did in the thirl period Friday to help wipe out a phoenix lead and trigger the Celtics to a 112-106 decision. The Suns, who take their 15-12 record on the road for a five game trip opening Sunday in Milwaukee, were up by 63-53 early in the third quarter.

But the Celts (and Big Red) began to Special to SAN DIEGO San Diego cashed four powerplays earning first win in four meetings with the Phoenix Road-runners, 4-2, here Friday night. Victory widened the Mariners' hld on third in the World Hockey Association West to live points over No. 4 Phoenix. The Roadi'unners. who regroup tonight at home for an 8 o'clock game with Denver, gave up two goals in the first 1:08, were down 3-1 at the end of the opening period and 4-1 going into the third.

Cam Connor's seventh goal of the jcar wiih 1:32 left in the first period, and Dave Gorman's rebound 3:26 into 4-.

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