Asheville Citizen-Times from Asheville, North Carolina • Page 19

if 'r SECTION SportsBusiness ASIIEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES Shh.iv. A'r. 2. IV80 ww v. (t 1 A't 'Vv VV Viir 6-3! Mississippi State Hands No.

1 Alabama Stunning Defeat Beaten! No. 1 Alabama No. 2 UCLA No. 6 N. Carolina No.

10 Baylor No. 12 Texas No. 14 S. Carolina No. IS Missouri "1 thought wc had a chance to win the game, I thought we were going to win the game right there at the last." Bryant said.

"But the (roaring I crowd took care of that." He refused to say wheiher officials should have called time out because of the crowd noises as the Tide with no time outs left tried to get off a last pass play. "We were beaten badly," said Bryant, whose team had last lost 24-14 to Southern California in 1978. "I'm still proud of our players because they've given us a lot of joyful afternoons. "This must be a test. Maybe the good Lord intended it that way.

This loss proved we're not as good as some people think we are. Maybe we'll use this as a stepping stone to give us some pride, determination, and class to go forward." Bellard, whose unranked Bulldogs are now 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference, called the victory, "a great per formance and I guess my greatest win." "That might have been the longest two minutes of my life there at the end of the game," he said. "Alabama nas the No. 1 defensive team in the country and 1 would have to put us up there after this game, too." He said that Bryant told the Bulldogs after the game that they had deserved to score more points and "that was a great compliment from a great football coach." "Sophomore Dana Moore kicked field goals of 37 yards in the third quarter and 22 yards early in the last period and the Bulldogs rode an inspired defense to victory, surviving a last-gasp Alabama drive in the waning moments. Alabama drove to the Bulldog three in Uie last two minutes, but defensive end Billy Jackson preserved the triumph by recovering quarterback Don Jacobs' fumble in the fading seconds.

JACKSON. Miss. (AP) Alabama Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant said he had thought the top-ranked Crimson Tide would rescue victory Saturday, but "maybe the good Lord intended" (or Mississippi State to hang on for a 6-3 upset, ending college football's longest winning streak at 28 games. In Uie victorious Mississippi State dressing room, Bulldog Coach Emory Bellard declared: "I would put a flat-out 10 on our team, just like (actress) Bo Derek." ASU Rallies Past Western, 27-24 built a 17-7 lead at intermission, but could not make it stand up in the second half. WCU bolted to a 27-14 lead a year ago here, only to see it fade with ASU winning 35-27.

Brown and the rest ol the MuuntuinevriC were dealt a damaging blow in the curly Henley, the schools' all-time lending pass receiver, caught a 16-yurd pass on the thud pluy ol the game, but suflered a knee sprain und let the game. That put the responsibility ol carrying the Apps on the shoulders of Brown, ami he delivered. Appalachian State started Its first drive uf Die sucuml lull on Hi own 4-yartl line, ilrottn' mixed the pass with the run well and the Mountaineers scored 11 plays later on liullback Arnold Flovd 4 -yard run around lell end. Mark French booted the I'AT und ASU trailed, 17-14 with Turn To I'uge 11-11 lly MILKS D. MORGAN Citizen Sports Kdltor BOONE' Quarterback Steve Brown stepped forward with his leadership and poise when Appalachian State needed it most and directed the Mountaineers to a thrilling 27-24 victory over Western Carolina here Saturday.

It wus a game that saw Uie senior at his best especially in the second half. Western came to Conrad Stadium and showed more than 15,000 lans that they were not as bad as Uieir 2-5-1 record indicated. WCU played inspired football, but was not enough as Brown went to work on a patched-up Cat delense and finally wore them down for the win. The victory marked the third straight time Appalachian State has beaten Western with the Mountaineers earning bragging rights for another year between the two mountain rivals' As was the case last year, the Catamounts -Hholu by Malcom Gambit Appulmhitin Quarterback Steve Brown Fade's Back Into The 1'oeket To Attempt Pass Sooners 'Boom UNC 41- 7 NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma quarterback J.C.

Watts ripped for three touchdowns and halfback David Overstreet added two more as the Sooner wishbone pounded a proud North Carolina defense to pieces in a 41-7 intersectional college football victory Saturday. The Sooners'rolled for 495 yards rushing against a defense of the sixth-ranked Tar Heels that ranked third in the nation in' rushing defense and first in yielding points. The win snapped North Carolina's winning streak at 10 over two seasons and improved the 16th-ranked Sooners' record to 5-2. Oklahoma moved in front 14-7 in an explosive first quarter on a 23-yard run by Overstreet and Watts' first touchdown run from 42 yards out. The Sooners exploded for 20 points in the third period on runs of 7 and 1 yards by Watts and a 29-yard scoring dash by Overstreet.

Kecord-setting tailback Amos Lawrence started off the game with a bang on a 62-yard run on the Tar Heels' first possession, which was capped by his 1-yard scoring plunge. But he was held in check for most of Uie rest of the way, finishing with 109 yards rushing That moved him past Mike Voight lor the all-time liNC rushing record. But the star of the day was Watts, who operated the wishbone controls to near perfection except lor a couple of lapses and a scoreless second period. The senior quarterback finished with 139 yards on only 18 carries. The linal Sooner touchdown came in the fourth period on a 1-yard run by reserve quarterback Darrcll Shepard.

The game was billed as an Intcrscctiunal showdown between the Atlantic Coast Conference Tar Heels and the Sooners of the Big Eight Conference and Uie press box was jammed with observers from most major and minor bowls. No one had expected a rout, and many observers had been surprised that the Sooners were rated as almost a touchdown favorite. --Jl -Phl by Malttm Gmbi WeMiTiiH Liirrv McClniii CIiiimch After Sli Sieve Brown Mars Hill Bombs L-R, 40-0 3HH ftrtil 1) tUt 0 Ttfi II TerwumW II Nfh Cflft 1 tUftSM CltlMBrt 11 I Oalahama posed to scoring 40 points on said Gibson, whose unit did nut allow L-R past the MHC 36. "They were averaging over 300 yards per game and (quarterback Craig I Corbett was nationally-ranked (ninth at 195 yards per game) in total offense. Heck, they scored 25 on Appalachian.

Maybe that means we have a better defense than ASU." While Corbett was being held to 48 toul yards, Gearrin and the Mats Hill I were busy dissecting a defense that had surrendered 102 points in its previous two games. The opening drive covered 78 yards in 6 plays and culminated with fullback Gary Smith's 7-yard draw up middle. Mike Davidson then tacked on the first of five -Turn To Page 4-B featured a bit of the new and a bit of the old. The surprise package was a 218-yard passing total, triple MHC's normal output. The familiar nugget inside was a defense that recorded its fourth shutout uf the season to move the winners to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the SAC-8.

Lenoir-Hhyne, meanwhile, shackled with a suddenly Impotent veer attack and a Swiss-cheese secondary, tumbled to 3-5 for the season and 2-2 in league play. Though Mars Hill's offensive burst was an uncharacteristic one. save for a freakish 71-0 rout of Guilford earlier this year, Lions coach Claude Gibson found greater delight in his squad defensive el-fort. "Actually, I'm much more surprised that we were able to shut them out as op By JIM BAKER Staff Writer HICKORY The scenario became evident on Uie first play from scrimmage Saturday at College Field. Mars Hill freshman quarterback Tim Gearrin, a strong-armed replacement for senior Mark Clark, cut loose a sideline bomb to Mark Jones for 35 yards to the Lenoir-Khyne 43.

Five snaps later, the Lions had a 7-0 lead they never relinquished. With its hibernating offense thus mobilized, nationally iOUi-ranked Mars Hill coasted behind a punishing delense to a 40-0 domination of Uie Bears and a continued hold on first place in the South Atlantic Conference. The Lions' first-ever win over L-R in a nine-game series dating back to 1924 km: Qatujia II twin Cerlina l'p Afwrfi Mittltiippt Allium) Vaffltfbill Mtrnftfclt It. II LIU II OltMHt Tular KcMwthtf ft SOI Til ATLANTIC Mm Hill fntif NhfM I HowtM'T Wfinftih il t-fitfi It lift It i Virginia rli W.ll Virflhii II ttt tri.na W.lnam 4 ttr 1 Vt 41 TmH. SOITIIKKN emi u.

Appcotfsitn si. fittman DavsfliOA 1) Th OU0I 11 vwi Western fauna Mart hall CuilUrd llrd Satisfying Victory For Appalachian's Steve Brown Miles Morgan he's worthy ol being a star. Harp caught 5 passes (or 87 yards with his longest catch being 39 yards. )on't forget about sophomore tailback lyconard Williams, He headwl toward star status. Williams rushed lor a U-arn-high 82 yards and was second In pats receiving with 45 yards on 4 (uls.

And, don't forget about Uial 4Vyard score. Remember It boause you II see mors of the same In the future. He appeared to be stripped cold at the line of scrimmage bul somehow broke lose, spinning and turning on hi way to a touchdown. Il wss one ol (wo he Uie young'tr la toll nursing an ankle Injury I ve come to know Hub V. tiers very well and he not Oy- type of oat who likrj to lose Bad breaks happen.

Western has had more than its share tins season. But those things happen and Waters can only build towsrd the luture Catamount fans will yell for a winner vn Bob Waters will guarantee It. Keep Ibc faith middle for 16 yards. "One guy took me by Uie foot and another got me Irom behind, he said. "It mashed my foot against Uie turf and when I fell, I fell to the side." He continued, "1 felt something pop and got up slowly.

I started back to the huddle and realized I had better go and get It checked They told me later I was definitely out until Uie Wake game (bit of Uie season) but I hope I can play then. 1 was happy to lit out and see our team come back like they did." FOR THE CATAMOUNT faithful, there is plenty to look forward to in yean to come. Young sophomore quarterback Ronnie. Mii'in showed i lot ot claw. He completed 14 of 27 passes for 205 yards.

A Uie game wore on, he showed a more take charge altilurte and any team mutt have a leader if it is to be Mcceiiful. Mixon Just may be your man. Then there is Gerald Harp He I given WCU a lot of happy thrills and bn performance against Appalachian Stat proved Boone APPALACHIAN STATE FANS be proud. Western Carolina lans, be patient. When two mountain rivals like ASU and WCU lock horns you know there will be plenty of thrilling moment.

Neither team disappointed their faithlul fans here Saturday as the Mountaineers had to wait until the final minute of the game before they could claim a victory. Senior quarterback Steve Brown bid a fond farewell to ASU as he played hii last home game with a cool head and plenty ol class with 14 completed passes lor 166 yard'- And senior itar receiver Rick Beasley, who combined with Brown to rewrite the itatiiUcal record book at ASU, gave hts fans one final catch before he was forced to leave with a knee fpriin on the third play of the game. Ironically, the injury was the first serious one for Beasley, but it was enough to force him to the sidelines where he watched Brown work his wonders. Brown offered, "The victory was the most satisfying one I had from the standpoint of coming from behind to win a game. I started thinking to myself at Uie half (Appalachian State trailed 17-7) that this would be my last time before the home fans and 1 wanted to win It for them." As for Beasley, that No.

21 Jersey Brown has passed to for three glorious years, Brown said, "There Is not much 1 can say that 1 haven't already. It was a bad break for Rick to get hurt. I just hope he can come back. He Uie best receiver in Uie Southern Conference and I great individual." BOTH BROWN AND COACH Mik Working said Beasley i departure served as an inspiration. "It was weird," Brown said.

"When I start to scramble, I always look for No. 21. The guys told me In the huddle that be wu not in the game anymore so we had to get Inside Scoreboard Page 2B Mead Column Page 3B SAC-8 Page 4B Top Twenty Page 5B S. Conference Page 6B Prep Page 7B Bowling Page 8B Outdoors Page 9B going and we did." Working, who locked up a lure winning season with a 6-3 record with two games left, added, "One person does not make a team and our players are aware ol Uie fact So, when Rick got hurt it gave the team a lift. He suffered significant sprain but will not need surgery He's a great kid and a super competitor.

He I meant a lot to our team." Beasley recalled the play, a thlrd-tnd-five when Brown found him over the I-.