The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 17

Palm Braeh Post, Tuesday, Novemher 14, 1978 B3 Dolphins' Start, Finish: Classic Deja Vu ruled I didn't catch it, so I guess I'll have to accept it. Chuck Otterson IS ORCHARD PARK, N. Y. It started out like a classic case of deja vu. It ended up the same way.

And what transpired along the way was, at times, as bizarre as anything ever dreamed up by Federico Fellini, Roman Polanski or Edgar Allan Poe. Miami Dolphin fans who witnessed Sunday's 25-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium didn't need any sixth sense or a fanatical belief In reincarnation to get the feeling that "I've been through this before" when the Dolphins took the opening kickoff and drove 79 yards for a touchdown. The same thing happened last week against the Dallas Cowboys at the Orange Bowl. It was the first time this season Miami had scored on its first possession of a game, but people who followed the Dolphins during their Super Bowl years (1971-73) remember that it used to be as predictable an occurrence as December snow in Fairbanks. As for the way the game ended, it bore haunting similarities to numerous games between the two clubs at Rich Stadium since Don Shula became the Dolphins' head coach in 1970.

Miami hung on to win for the 18th straight time, establishing a National Football League record for domination of an opponent. "When we go out to play the Bills or any other team, we're concerned with the game we're playing and not what's happened in the past," Shula said. "I'm sure they feel the same way. "Beating a team one or twice or 18 times doesn't make it any easier the next time you play them. Teams change and situations change." One thing hasn't changed for everyone now playing for the Bills and all but a handful of the Dolphins: when Miami and Buffalo play, Miami wins.

The Bills usually manage to keep it close and they often have numerous opportunities to win. But they always lose. Sunday's one-point defeat left the Bills mumbling to themselves and grumbling to anyone who cared to listen. A few more last-minute losses and they may start thinking there's something to this talk of a Miami "jinx." 'At the time, I thought I caught the ball. Now I don't know.

It might have hit the ground, but it happened so quickly I don't know." As Hooks said, he'll have to accept it. What Dolphin fans may have trouble accepting is an alarming and potentially dangerous trend toward not scoring in the second half. Miami has failed to score a touchdown in the second half of its last three games, being shut out by Baltimore and managing only a field goal against Dallas and Buffalo. In the last two, it was up to the defense to preserve the victories with big plays in the final seconds. Despite their recent second-half shortcomings, the Dolphins lead the NFL in points scored.

But the difficulty in scoring points in th second half is nothing new. Last season they were shut out in the second half of a 45-28 loss to Baltimore and a 21-17 victory over the New York Jets a week later. Then they failed to score in the third quarter against Seattle the following week, finally breaking the spell on a 3-yard run by Don Nottingham in the final period. Deja vu again. Ironically, the Dolphins had a chance to put Sunday's game out of reach in the fourth quarter.

They had the ball at the Buffalo 2 and could have taken a 32-17 lead with a touchdown. But Bob Griese fumbled and Bills' linebacker Randy McClanahan ran 58 yards with the recovery, setting up a touchdown pass from Ferguson to Frank Lewis. Suddenly, instead of 32-17, it was 25-24. And, with 1:56 remaining Miami was forced to punt and the Bills had one last chance to win it. "I knew we could stop them," linebacker Steve Towle said.

"I was just afraid they'd get into field-goal position. "That's the kind you've gotta win." And win they did, despite having two extra-point attempts blocked. The last time that happened Nov. 16, 1975 the Dolphins lost a 20-19 decision to Houston and it cost them a berth in the playoffs. Coincidentally, Miami's next game is against Houston Monday night at the Astrodome.

After that, the Dolphins must play the Jets, Washington, Oakland and New England. tf Umi Bills' owner Ralph Wilson believes no such thing. He laid the blame for the defeat squarely in the laps of the officials. Wilson was especially incensed over a pass from Joe Ferguson to Roland Hooks that was ruled incomplete on Buffalo's last possession with 1:42 remaining. "They (the officials) stole a chance for us to win the game," Wilson shouted.

"Dammit, how can they make a call like that last one? "That last call was incomprehensible, plus a lot of other ones, but I can't think of enough words for that last call. It was disgusting." Wilson entered the officials' dressing room and could be heard shouting, despite an NFL rule which prohibits owners, coaches and players from entering officials' quarters after a game. Criticism of officials and unauthorized entrance into their quarters usually result in automatic fines from NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. "Rozelle can try to fine me, but I won't pay any fine," Wilson said. "First he can sue me if he wants.

Let the league sue me." The pass to Hooks, if ruled complete, would have given Buffalo a first down near the Miami 25, well within range for a game-winning field goal by Tom Dempsey, who holds the NFL record of 63 yards and has hit on seven of nine this season. Hooks, however, wasn't as convinced as Wilson that the officials blew the call. "I don't know," he said. "It happened so quickly. They 'They (officials) stole a chance for us to win the game That last call was incomprehensible, plus a lot of other ones, but I can't think of enough words for that last call.

It was disgusting. Ralph Wilson Colts' Irsay Threatens To Sue NFL Officials 'I'm going to sue each and every one of the officials for $5 million. The hell with Pete Rozelle. Let's see what the federal court has to say. Robert Irsay Pott Wirt Strvicn BALTIMORE Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay, upset with officiating and the hospitality of the Seattle Seahawks, threatened Sunday to sue all the officials in the NFL and also promised never to allow Seattle club officials into Memorial Stadium.

Irsay told the Baltimore News-American after the Colts' 17-14 win over the Seahawks, "I'm going to sue each and every one of the officials for $5 million. The hell with (Commissioner) Pete Rozelle. Let's see what the federal court has to say." In the Colts' dressing room, Irsay crossed his heart and said, "You know I don't lie. When I'm right, I'm right. I'm not going to cool down." He also was unhappy that a door near his seat was locked, preventing him quick access to the field and locker room.

"Theif owner, John or Bob Thompson, kept me from leaving the owner's box," Irsay claimed. "He's going to be sued, too, and I'm telling you no one from their team will get into the Baltimore stadium except the players and coaches." John Thompson is the general manager of the field in what appeared to be great pain after being hit on the shoulder during a tackle. He returned to throw the winning touchdown pass in the Colts' victory. After his comeback, members of the ABC-TV sportscasting team covering the event questioned on the air the authenticity of the latest injury. Players and coaches on the Redskins also said later that they thought Jones was faking the injury, because of the speed and accuracy he displayed on late-game passes.

On Sunday, CBS-TV's "NFL Today" showed films of the Colts-Redskins game accompanied by music from "The Sting" a film about con men. Remarks by commentators Brent Musberger and Jimmy (The Greek) Snyder also seemed to infer that Jones' injury was a fraud. Jones reinjured the shoulder Sunday, missing most of the final quarter after the final 12 minutes after injuring his a jarring tackle by safety Keith Simpson. Simpson was called for unnecessary roughness on the out-of-bounds hit and later complained that the flag had been thrown only because Jones was involved. Jones is expected to play in the Colts' next game, against the Cleveland Browns.

Meanwhile, Baltimore coach Ted Marchibroda said yesterday he is angry over comments by reporters and opposing players and coaches that Colt quarterback Bert Jones might be faking a shoulder injury, and called the remarks stupid. Marchibroda, a quiet man who usually does not react to news media criticism, said the Jones case was different. "Ordinarily I wouldn't care, but they're making those accusations on national TV, and people everywhere are believing them," said Marchibroda. "They're saying Jones is lying about his injury," the coach continued. "They don't know what they're talking about.

They've got no idea at all. "They've seen Jones in one game, and they believe they know it all. But they've got no idea what kind of player he is. I've been with him four years; I've seen him play with a great deal of pain before. "I've seen him take risks when he was playing while injured.

And they're going to tell me he's faking it? They don't know anything about his injury and they don't know anything about his tolerance for pain. "What would be the point of faking it? Do they believe we held him out of nine games as a joke? Their accusations and insinuations are stupid." Jones missed the first six games of the season with a separated right shoulder. He played less than 10 minutes before re-injuring the shoulder against the New York Jets and sat out two more full games. While playing against Washington in a nationally-televised Monday night game a week ago, Jones left the i I Osborne Redeems Himself In Victory Over Oklahoma Save Now On Tires For Vans, RV's, Light Trucks 'Beating Oklahoma has become very important to the people in the state. The fact that we hadn't beaten them since 1971 seemed to be getting on people's nerves a little, but to what degree I don't Tom Osborne 6.70-15 TT, LR plus $2.42 F.E.T.

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Bill Battle was replaced at Tennessee because he only beat Alabama once in seven tries. Charley McClendon is on the hot seat at Louisiana State for much the same reason. Mike White, who was dismissed at California after last season, only got the best of arch-rival Stanford twice in six tries. Army's Homer Smith saved his job with a 17-14 victory over Navy last year after losing his first three games with the Midshipmen. Tom Osborne is in his sixth season as Nebraska's head coach and he was starting to hear an undercurrent of grumbling that he couldn't beat Oklahoma.

But on Saturday a funny thing happened: Nebraska and Tom Osborne beat No. 1-ranked Oklahoma 17-14, ending six years of frustration against the Sooners and lifting the Cornhuskers into the Orange Bowl game. "It was important that we beat them sooner or later," says Os- Sale Ends Saturday Night! free mounting on standard one piece rims or a vendetta," says Osborne, a private person who has a doctorate in educational psychology. "I'm not one of those guys who feels this job is so all-important that, it would drive me insane to keep it. If I did that, I wouldn't have anything left by Saturday.

"I work as hard as I can and I try to win as many games as I can, but I'm not at the point where it's got me uptight. If it ever becomes such that you can't enjoy it, you ought to get out." Since Saturday's final gun, Osborne has been enjoying it. His head coaching record now is 55-1 -2 don't forget he followed the legendary Bob Devaney, no mean feat and thanks to victory No. 55, no one in Nebraska is saying that Tom Osborne can't beat Oklahoma. borne, a tall, soft-spoken man whose low-key demeanor belies his shock of red hair.

"It seems that over the last five years this game has taken on great significance for Nebraska fans no matter where Oklahoma is rated. "Beating Oklahoma has become very important to the people in the state. The fact that we hadn't beaten them since 1971 seemed to be getting on people's nerves a little, but to what degree I don't know." By that, Osborne means he hasn't been hung in effigy or burned at the stake, although one written account of last Thursday night's wild pep rally and bonfire 17 students were arrested said the celebrants threw a "coach" onto the flaming pyre. It should have said couch. "I never felt beating Oklahoma was that much of a personal crusade Great way to go for dependable Goodyear quality Tracker LT.

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If Penn State decides to go elsewhere, the logical spot to find the Crimson Tide on New Year's Day is the Cotton Bowl against Houston. And Finally If all of this may sound somewhat confusing, imagine the scrambling and the confusion that will be going on Saturday night among the top football teams and the bowl Cotton Bowl Houston is the favorite to get in since it leads the SWC and has a victory over Texas. The candidates to be the opponent are the same as with the other bowls Penn State, Oklahoma, Southern California, Michigan, Alabama and Notre Dame. Rose Bowl The Pac-10 champion either Southern California or UCLA will play the Big 10 champion Purdue, Michigan, Ohio State or Michigan State. No problems here unless there is a tie in the Big 10 and it comes down to a vote of the league's athletic directors.

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