The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 25

Pittsburgh Press, Dec. 1 1, 1979 J3 5 i i em "i ift VU Recruits A Recruiter t-f 7 The Mountaineers' job certainly excites him. The commitment that Dick Martin, an athletic director who describes himself as "student-athlete oriented," the bony skeleton of a new stadium that is starting to rise against the West MORGANTOWN, W. Va. Buckle your chin straps, Jackie Sherrill and Joe Paterno.

Don Nehlen, the new man on the block, is launching an attack on the territory you once had pretty much to yourselves. Nehlen, 43, who was Scorehatirrl i -is, Mwa tow--- a imvu mot wttiv ao ujc new football coach at West Virginia University, is asking no quarter in the recruiting wars. Even the prospects he was chasing a couple of weeks ago for Michigan are suddenly fair game for the taineers. In his introduction to the district media at the Mountaineer Lounge in the university's SDorts By Pat Livingston Sports Uifor Don Nehlen is not concerned that he'll go head-to-head with Paterno and Sherrill, two local recruiters of note. "There are lots of players for everybody," said Nehlen.

"Penn State can't take too many. If they do, they'll have morale problems." The new coach of the Mountaineers doesn't see an ethical conflict in asking players he recruited previously for Michigan suddenly to switch their allegiance to West Virginia. It doesn't bother him at all. For a time he wrestled with it until be discussed it the other day with Bo Schembechler, his old boss and the Michigan coach. "I'm loyal to Bo," he went on, "and I talked to him about that.

he told me. 'We don't have a lock on any of those boys. If you get 'em, more power to "Of course," added Nehlen with a grin, "you can bet Bo's going to be recruiting them pretty good, too." While the Mountaineers' new coach obviously will get a late start recruiting a staff is his prime priority right now he doesn't feel his presence with the Wolverines in the Gator Bowl, a period during which he will spend three days a week in Morgantown, will have any negative effect on his recruiting for the Mountaineers. "Maybe we'll be a little behind, but I don't think that's a problem," said Nehlen, who, after asking leave of the press, suddenly took off his coat and his vest. "I can't believe it will hurt tbe situation.

"It's Christmas," continued he, "and lots of folks don't want you in their homes at that time of the year anyway." Like Majors upon his arrival at Pitt, Nehlen was questioned extensively about his chances of making a winner out of the Mountaineers and their chances of achieving parity with Pitt and Penn State, two schools which induce a strange inferiority complex, a paranoia, among West Virginia's fans. The new coach didn't leave any Virginia skies, the enthusiasm and the support of Morgantown's ardent fans have already convinced Don Nehlen that this assuredly is no ordinary job. "Martin overwhelmed me," said Nehlen, explaining why he would leave Michigan and the Big Ten for this post. "Everything I asked him, he gave me an answer." Nehlen's skill at landing prospects while he served as director of recruiting at Michigan was one oi the attributes that attracted him to Martin. And it was Martin's commitment to a sound Mountaineer football program that convinced Nehlen that he'd like to work in wild, wonderful West Virginia.

Somebody wanted to know if Nehlen had applied for the job, or if he was the product of a' search initiated by Martin. "I think Dick should answer that," said Nehlen, who revealed that the Mountaineers will attack from the I-formation next fall. "I went after him," confessed Martin. "But I let him know I was available," interjected the new coach diplomatically. "I think we know how to recruit," said Nehlen, a former high school coach in Ohio who had been head coach at Bowling Green for nine years.

"I honestly feel I'm as good at that as anyone. I'm familiar with the area. With the facilities we have here, all I'm anxious to do is get into a prospect's home and talk to the boy, his mom and his dad." "I want to keep boys at home. I'm anxious to let these boys know that the farther they go from home, there's less chance for happiness," he added. "I want to let their parents know that whatever their son wants to study, it's here." Hi coliseum yesterday, Nehlen, a personable man who is imbued with the same type of arm-waving, quick-talking enthusiasm which Johnny Majors brought to Pitt seven years ago, made his recruiting philosophy clear.

From now on, he'll be out to get jthe best six or eight players in West Virginia, as many as are available within 200 miles of Morgantown, and anyone else he can scrape up, short of waves of junior college transfers, in tbe U.S.A. "I made it understood," said Nehlen, a trim, dapper, dark-haired 175-pound man in a three-piece gray suit, a gray shirt and, appropriately, a blue-and-gold West Virginia tie, "that if there's no recruiting money, I'm not interested in the job. "If we have to go to Florida to get a football player who will help our program, I want the money to fly to Florida," said Nehlen. "Of course, I won't be sending coaches to Arizona or California on vacations. I won't spend money foolishly, but we're going to recruit the best players we can find." Presi Pholo by Donald J.

Ststier AD Dick Martin admires WVU necktie of new Coach Don Nehlen. doubt that he would enjoy what for too long has been a one-sided rivalry. As a matter of fact, he cited Penn State's as a program he would like to pattern West Virginia's after. "I'd like to build a Penn State-type program," confessed he. "Penn State will never stay down long.

Our job is to catch up with them, and I think it's all here." The Mountaineers' 1980 schedule. Does it appall him? "It's an interesting schedule," remarked he. "I see it as 5-6 games we have a chance to win, and 5-6 games where we'll have to fight to stay afloat. I like the competitiveness of the schedule. You can't build the program West Virginia deserves unless you play that kind of schedule." Steelers Take Cheap Shots? Campbell Not Complaining By JOHN CLAYTON, Press Sports Writer HOUSTON Many of the Houston Oilers are crying assault, but Earl Campbell, the alleged victim, doesn't want to press charges.

Several Oiler players complained that the Steelers used cheap shots in last night's game, won by the Oilers, 20-17. Campbell, who carried 33 times for 109 yards, received the most but wasn't upset. "Nah, that's just the way they play tougtf," Campbell said. "I have the greatest respect for the Pittsburgh Steelers." Yet his teammates did the talking. Backfield mate Tim Wilson expressed disappointment in the Steeler defense.

"They were taking a lot of unnecessary shots out there," Wilson claimed. "There were plays where they would carry Campbell out of bounds and continue to hit him. And there were plays where they would take him out of bounds and throw him into the dirt. "Some of the things they did were unprofessional. This is supposed to be a professional league.

I know that they were trying to intimidate us, but some of the shots were uncalled for." In the first quarter, Campbell swept to the sidelines and was wrestled out of bounds by cornerback Mel Blount. Linebacker Dennis Winston then joined in, sliding into a rocky area where he received some scrapes on his arm. Other Oilers were upset with some sideline hits by Winston, who replaced injured Jack Ham in the first quarter. "I have so much respect for the Steelers, except for took some cheap shots out there. It was uncalled for," said quarterback Dan Pastorini.

"When I have a chance to play, I have to go and do the job," Winston explained. "I could feel the intensity of the game. I always enjoy the challenge of a good running back, period." The Houston "Earler" star runner became the first back to gain more than 100 yards on the Steelers during the season and only the second in two years. John Cappelletti gained 106 in Los Angeles' 10-7 win last year. In four previous games against the Steelers, Campbell gained only 230 yards on 66 carries.

And last night, the Steeler defense seemed to have him contained. The bullish 224-pound fullback-halfback, aligned in a tighter backfield formation than normally used, produced only 36 yards on 16 carries in tbe first half. He bad only 64 yards on 26 carries by the fourth quarter when he fumbled at the Steeler 19 after picking up a first down. A hard hit by J.T. Thomas jarred the ball from Campbell.

Oiler back Rob Carpenter grabbed the loose ball, but his momentum took him back to the Steeler 22, short of the first down. Toni Fritsch entered and booted a 34-yard field goal to give the Oilers a 13-3 lead with 11:10 left in the game. Campbell leads the National Football League in rushing with 1,563 yards on 342 carries and 18 touchdowns. His 342 carries breaks the season mark of 339 set by Chicago's Walter Payton in 1977. The 190 yards gained on the ground by the Oilers was the.

most this season against the Steelers. Their 54 rushing attempts were also a high for the season against the Steeler defense Despite the controversy over the supposed cheap shots, the Oilers did not run up the score. In fact, after getting the ball at the Steeler 1 in the final seconds, the Oilers were ordered to sit on the ball although that order was one play late in arriving. With 15 seconds left, Pastorini handed off to Tim Wilson, who did not gain a yard. Pastorini, hearing Oiler coaches shouting from the sideline, called a timeout.

"We just wanted to run the clock out," said Oiler Coach Bum Phillips. "Things got mixed up on the signal. The players wanted to go in for the touchdown, but every time you run ad extra play, you risk having an injury." Houston needed to beat Pittsburgh by 20 points to have a tiebreaker advantage if tbe two teams ended the regular seasop with the same records. "It didn't mean anything if we got the touchdown, and we know that we are probably going, to have to play the Steelers again," Pastorini said. "That long gray road always seems to end up in Pittsburgh." "You don't want to give the other team something fhey can get fired up for the next game." Xr'-'-J-i- I fttlU, -t-- II llll I ,1 Tilling Preu Pholo.

by Albert M. Herrmann Jr. for Campbell cuts through Steelers for 4-yard gain in third quarter. Ankle Injury May Sideline Ham Steeler Setback Gives Oilers A Kick weeks The Oilers intercepted two Terry Bradshaw passes and sacked him three times. Houston leads the National Football League in interceptions (34) and sacks (51).

The Oilers moved Conway Hayman from left guard to right tackle to replace Morris Towns, who has been bothered by a knee sprain. Towns played on special teams. David Carter played at Hayman's spot Houston tried two end-arounds. Mike Barber gained 6 and Rich Caster 5. The Steelers did not have a first down rushing in the firM half and had only three in the game.

Houston offensive lineman Carl Mauck threw a chair against a locker, almost breaking the locker-room door after finding out a security bag holding his wallet was stolen. son had lost his job to rookie Anthony Anderson after his average dipped to 21-yards a return and his fumbles increased to three for the-season. Houston kicker Toni Fritscb booted two field goals to increase his season total to 19, tying a team record set by Roy Gerela. Gerela started his career in Houston before being sold to the Steelers for $100. John Stallworth caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, bringing his season total to 66, one shy of Roy Jefferson's team record The Steelers set a team record for points scored in a season (388), previously set in 1975 (373) Dan Pastorini received a phone call from San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts after the game.

Houston could meet the Chargers in a wild-card game in two HOUSTON Steeler linebacker Jack Ham, who exited in the first quarter of last night's game with the Oilers with a badly sprained ankle, is doubtful for Sunday's game against Buffalo. Offensive guard Sam Davis suffered a slight con-( cussion and missed the second half. Jack Lambert and L.C. Greenwood' were kicked in the stomach on plays, but missed little action. The Oilers escaped with minor injuries.

Linebacker Robert Brazile was shaken up, but returned. Ditto for running back Tim Wilson and tight end Mike Barber. The Steelers used Larry Anderson as a kick-returner. And the second-year pro enjoyed his best day, as he returned three kicks for a 24-yard average and did a good job on kick coverage. Ander Central Picture Pet PF PA y-Pittsbirgh 11 4 0 .733 388 f(2 y-Houston 11 4 0 .733 342 305 Cleveland 9 6 0 .600 347 336 Cincinnati 3 12 0 .200 321 409 y-clinched playoff berth LAST NIGHT Houston 20 Pittsburgh 17 SUNDAY (Last regular-season games) Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Cincinnati, 1 m. Philadelphia at Houston, 4 (Continued from Page B-4) Bradshaw was sacked near the end zone in a final desperate attempt to pull it out. At the end, the Steelers still believed Bradshaw would throw a bomb to Swann or Stallworth or Jim Smith or somebody. "There was still a chance we could win it," said Swann. "You never lose hope." "It was more like wishful thinking," said Greene.

"I didn't give up, but I knew we were in a desperate situation." "I still believed we could win," said defensive back J.T. Thomas. "I'm not a doubting Thomas." But they didn't. Even so, the Steelers overcame a lot of adversity to make it as close as they did. They and their fans are still talking about a holding call on That would have given the Steelers the ball at midfield instead of their own 8 in the last minute of the game.

A tying field goal or TD might have been possible. Who knows? Bradshaw doesn't brood about that. "It doesn't make any difference," be said. "That's not why we lost. We had our chances." Noll knows better, too.

"I think the Houston Oilers played the best I've ever seen them play," he said. "That's No. 1. It was a great effort on their part. "We had a great defensive effort, but we didn't play as well as we could offensively.

They (the Oilers) did a great job of controlling the football. They ate up a lot of time. I like the Oilers so much, I'd like to play them every game. It would make for an interesting season." The match-up certainly made for an interesting game. ummary McKeesport Dismisses Floor Coach tackle Larry Brown which erased a 13-yard touchdown strike to Swann late in the third quarter.

And Coach Chuck Noll agreed with the TV cameras, insisting that Bahr's on-side kick traveled the necessary 10 yards before Anderson grabbed it. Steeler By DAVE HERBST Jimmy Monroe is out and Gary Christian is in as basketball coach at McKeesport High School. His dismissal immediately was passed by a 5-3 vote of the school board last night. There was one abstention. Richard D.

Kost, the superintendent of the McKeesport Schools, said that he could not discuss the reasons for the action due to the possibility of further litigation. He would offer only that "the board and administration took this ac tion because it is in the best educational interests of our students." Christian, a ninth-grade coach, will be an interim replacement for Monroe, whose team was 20-4 last season and 3-3 thus far. Monroe, who was in the third year of a three-year contract, was also mum. "I wasn't going to talk tonight," be said. "I don't want to talk until I collect my thoughts." Asked if he anticipated further litigation, Monroe answered politely, "Yes." Pittsburgh 14 10 17 20 Houston Hou Burrouah 25 mss from Pastorini (Fritsch kick) Pit FG Barw 37 Hou FG Fritsch 7i Hou FG Frrrsch 34 Pit Swann 9 run (Bahr kick) Hou Carpenter 4 run (Fritsch kick) Prt Stallworth 34 pass from Bradshaw (Bahr kick) A Team Statistics Rushing Passing -Oilers 20 9 2 350 Total Steeltrs 15 6 0 3M 120 218 2 3- 4- 44.0 He was to meet with his attorney early today.

A citizens' group in McKeesport sought Monroe's dismissal last summer, complaining among other things that the fiery basketball coach denied basketball players the opportunity to participate in other sports. One such player, Keith Murphy, a starting guard on the basketball team last season, transferred to Serra Catholic for his senior year and starred for the football team this fall. Murphy, who was chosen to The Press Finest 44 team as a wide receiver-defensive back, said this fall he transferred "because I wanted to play football." Asked if would not have been able to play football at McKeesport, he responded, "The coach said we could play football, but don't expect to be on the basketball squad." Kost would neither confirm nor deny that such a practice was reason for the firing. Monroe had been confronted with that claim and had denied that he restricted his basketball players' participation in other sports. Kost did indicate that during last night's meeting two facts were exposed.

First, that the coach failed to supply eligibility lists for the first few games, resulting in the use of an ineligible player; Second, that a trainer was possibily used in a coaching capacity. "We are trying to clean house, so we can move ahead," Kost said. Noting that the McKeesport school board earlier re- ported to the WPIAL its use of a non-cer-' tified person in a football coaching position last seasdn. Rushing 100 Yards Passing 160 AttsCornp 17-10 Had 0 TackledLost 1-10 Tops In NFL: Week No. 15 RUSHING (100-plw yards) M.

Phiitr(Brpwns), 20 carries for 149 Anderson (Cardinals), 29 for 140, 2 TDs. yards, 2 touchdowns. Tyler (Rams), 18 for 138, 1 TD. Campbell (Oilers), 53 for 109. Payton (Bears), 25 for 115.

PASSING (200-pln yards; fewer thu interceptions) Pastorini Big Hero (Continued from Page B-4) a problem. His offense huddled around Pastorini in a tight formation. His two-tight-end formation tightened even more. On passing downs, a running back, such as Rob Carpenter, would line up in a double-wing formation, leaving only one wide receiver to the outside. And the Oilers tried different things with their running backs, aside from handing off to Campbell over the middle.

"We mixed it up moving to the right and to the left," said running back Tim Wilson, who contributed 47 yards on 10 well-spaced carries. "We tried a new thing where one play Earl would be the fullback and I would be the halfback. On other plays, I would be the fullback and he would be tbe halfback." Pastorini explained further. "We have been doing things the same way the last three times we faced Pittsburgh," the quarterback said. "So we tried something different.

If you keep doing the same thing every week in this league, you become a victim." And Pastorini knows the painful role of a victim. The Steelers have taught him throughout years. PuntsAverage I0-79 yards 4-28 Lost 1-0 1-0 How They Scored Second Quarter OILERS Pittsburgh had gained a first down at Its 37 on a rhlrd-and-6 oass to Randy Grossman that was good for 18 yards.Terry Bradshaw came back to Grossman on a pass down the middle on the next play, only this time it was picked oft by Oilers' outside linebacker Robert Braille, who returned It 26 yards to the Pittsburgh 25. On the Oilers' first play, Dan Pastorini passed to wide receiver Ken Burrough in the end zone, with Mel Blount defending, for the touchdown at 13:43. Tool Fritsch converted.

HOUSTON, 7-0. Third Quarter STEELERS On first down at their 49 the Steelers got off to a good start when Rocky Bleier bolted through the line for 17 yards. Bradshaw passed to Lynn Swann for 13 on the next play. Then on ttiird-and-9 at the Houston 20, Bradshaw pass to Swann was incomplete. So Matt Bahr kicked a 37-yard field goal at 3:54.

HOUSTON, 7-3. OILERS Houston came rloht back Pastorini passing to Rich Caster for 24 yards on the ttrst plav of the next series. One third-and-6 at Houston 48, Pastorini passed to Rob Carpenter tor 12 yards, then to Mike Renfro for 25 yards tor a tlrst down at the Pittsburgh 15. Earl Campbell ran left for 4, an end-around bv Caster pained 5, Campbell lost 1 and on fourtn-and-2 at the Pittsburgh 7. Fritsch kicked a 24-yard field goal at 9.24.

HOUSTON. 10-3. Fourth Quarter OILERS Taking over at their own 23 after Bahr missed a field goal, the Oilers drove to the Steeler 18 In II plays. When the drive stalled, Frrtscri kicked a 36-yard field goal. HOUSTON, 13-3.

STEELERS They started at their 20. On thlrtf-and-1 at their 29, the Steelers picked up a first down on a l-yard dive bv Franco Harris. Then, on third-and-3 at their 37 the Steelers picked up another first down on a 20-yard run bv Bradshaw, after he first attempted to pass but didnt find any receivers open. Harris ran left lor 34 yards. On first down at the Houston 9, Swann took an end-around and ran In for the touchdown at 8 14 Bahr converted.

HOUSTON, 13-10. OILERS Houston came right back to bulkf up Us lead. Campbell ran left for 31 to the Pittsburgh 35 On third and-1 at the Pittsburgh 26, Campbell gained 1. Pittsburgh was penalned on successive plays, putting the ball at Its 4. Carpenter ran left, with a key block from Campbell to score a touchdown at Fritsch converted.

HOUSTON, 20-10. STEELERS Pittsburgh replied with a quick score of Its own. Bradshaw passed to Bennle Cunningham for 26 to Oilers' 45. Bradshaw passed to Harris tor 1 1. Then he passed 34 yards to John Stallworth for a touchdown at Bahr converted.

HOUSTON, 20-17. Zorn (Seahawks), 22 completions out of 39 Morton (Broncos), 22 of 40 for 245 yards, 1 attempts for 308 yards, 2 TDs; 2 int TO, 2 int Landry (Colts), 16 of 36 for 240 yards, 1 TO, 2 int. Theismann (Redskins), 23 of 34 for 296 yards, 2 TDs; 2 int Dickey (Packers), 20 of 37 for 283 yards, 2 TDs; 2 int Anderson (Bengals), 20 of 36 for 278 yards, I TD. Fouts (Chargers), 17 of 23 for 253 yards, 1 TD. Grogan (Patriots), 15 of 36 for 247 yards, 2 TDs.

Bradshaw (Steelers), 14 for 29, 237 yards, 1 TD, 2 int Griese (Dolphins), 17 of 22 for 229 yards, 2 TDs; 1 int. Ferguson (Bills), 18 of 44 for 227 yards; 2 int Jaworski (Eagles), 13 of 36 for 216 yards, 1 TD. 1 int Individual Statistics RUSHING Steelers Harris 12 carries tor 59 yards; Bleler tor 32: Bradshaw 1 for 20, Swann I for 9, TD. Oilers Camobeil 33 carries tor 109 yards; T. Wilson 10 for 47; Carpenter 7 tor 25, 1 TD; Barber 1 for Caster 1 for i Clark 1 for PasVinl 1 for -2.

PASSING Steelers Bradshaw 14 completions of 29 attempts for 237 yards, 1 TD, 2 intercepted Oilers Pastorini 10 completions of 16 attempts for 170 yards, 1 TD: Nielsen 0 of 1. RECEIVING Steelers Swann 4 catches lor 50 yards; Staiiworrh 3 for 44, 1 TD; Harris 3 for 32; Cunningham 2 for 67; Grossman 1 for 18; Bleier 1 tor 6. Oilers Burrough 3 catches tor 48 yards. 1 TD; Campbell 2 for 22; Barber 1 lor 22, Caster 1 for 24; Renfro 1 for 25; Coleman I for 17; Carpenter 1 for 12. INTERCEPTIONS Scalers None.

Oilers Stringer 1 for 21 yards; Braiiile 1 for 26. TACKLES ASSISTS Steelers Lambert 10-2; Greenwood 9-0; Winston 7-2; Thomas 5-3; Cole 5-1; Blount 4-0. Oilers Stringer 6-4; Wilson 5-1; J.C. Wilson 5-1; Bingham 2-4; Perry 4-0; Relnteldt 3-1; Culp 3-1; Dorris RECEIVING (100-plut yards) Morgan (Patriots), 6 catches for 129 yards, Francis (Falcons), 10 for 108 TDs. Jefferson (Chargers), 5 for 104, 1 TD.

Lofton (Packers), 6 for 112. McCullum (Seahawks), 5 for 102. Lewis (Bills), 8 for 111. 'i mi irmmir rn'ir i "nnrinnriif inirnnininiri rnmm rum fun.