The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 15

Penn State-Texas: A 'Redemption BowF orb By Dcniie II, Freeman rf Che QlimtiJ Penn State DALLAS (AP) Saturday Jan. 1, 1072 Section 0, 1'a-ije One enrih, Mainly fwUlfc sf I'll fA HZ i It will penn Slale's second appe; ranee in the t'oltnn Bowl. The Nittany Lions tied Southern Methodist l.l- I in l'Jlll. Texas is 7-4-1 in the bowl. This is Texas' fourth straighl Colluii Bowl appearance.

The split with Noire Dame in the past two seasons and soundly whipped Tennessee, in the loliO game. It is the eighth time since he look over at Texas in 1957 that Coach a 1 1 Royal has brought a team to Dallas on New Year's Day. He hns a 4-3 record. The Longhorns opened with three victories, but fell to 1 a and Arkansas in succession and appeared to be a longshot for a repeat SWC title. However, Arkansas slipped from the lop and Texas moved in by concluding its season with straight wins.

Royal chose to start Phillips in the final game of his career, although he has missed much of the season with injuries and Wigginton, headed for Texas as an assistant coach to Emory Bollard, starred in a sub role at quarterback, expected Donnie to be starting," said Phillips, "but I was happy to learn that Coach Royal chose me." I he host spot in the bow for the fourth consecutive year. Penn Slate was along with 10 victories before Tennessee humiliated the Nittany Lions 31-11 at a regular season ending game over national television. Both Penn State and Texas have a lot to prove and a sellout crowd of 72,000 fans will be on hand for the 12:45 p.m. CST Kickofi. "I'm sure a lot of people are thinking we are a bunch oJ phonies," says Penn State quarterback John Hufnagcl.

"We'd been hearing all year what a light schedule we played i.nd had a chance to prove something against Tennessee. The one good thing about it is that we have another game left and it's against Texas. We still have a chance to prove ourselves." Texas operates from its famed Wishbone-T offense with two excellent quarterbacks available for duty at the helm Eddie Phillips and Donnie Wiggin-toa, who pltycd most of the season when Phillips was injured. Texas has a crack halfback in Jim Bertelscn while Penn State counters with All-American Lydcll Mitchell. Ail Orange and Texas collide in the annual Cotton Bowl classic today with so much sectional prulj at stake it's being billed as the "Redemption Bowl." The collision of the lOth-rank-ing Nittany Lions and the nth-ranked I-onghorns comes two years too late Sor most football purists.

Texas and Penn State were the toast of the country in 19 but the Longhorns gut most ol the kudos because they whipped Arkansas 15-14 in a nationally televised, season-ending showdown. President Nixon proclaimed Texas No. 1 in the land. Pcnn State Coach Joe Paterno complained loudly but the Nittany Lions turned down a chance to come to the Cotton Bowl to play Texas, shooting instead for the Orange Bowl. Texas downed Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl and was nr.mcd national champion by The Associated Press.

This year the U. a teams have excellent credentials but their records are tainted a bit. Texas lost to Arkansas and Okkhoma Iwfoie winning the Southwest Conference title and Look al No, rw 1-A by Bear Bryant who has guided "If you think my eyes look bid 'torn there, you should be in here his lide into 13 straight bowl villi me! Old New Yer Day games. jroverb. i don't know how you spent My opinion? Well, since you ask, put me down as a backer ol the 'Huskers.

Nebraska is deep enough, and nas enougn talent across the board, to pound out a your New Year's Eve, but I you will be able to focus your eyeballs on the TV screen by 6:45 this evening. For that is the appointed time, central victory regardless of emotional Coach Darrcll Royal (third from left) is suiiounded by his starting backfield for today's Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Moving the football for the Longhorns will be (lrom lelt) Don F.urnsk, David Ladd and Jim Bertelson. They join quarterback F.rlrtie Phillips for the game agaust Penn State. (UPI Telephoto) leeunes.

In other words, i figure standard, when Nebraska and tlui 'Huskers can still win if they Alabama will come to slug it out come up flat whereas the Tide for No. 1 in 71 before will have to be sky high like it in the Orange Bowl. prevailing difference 0 Bowl: Who's Nool? Again. should you care to line up a late wager with your neighbor, is range Nebraska by 6 over Alabama. was in the 31-7 route of Auburn.

Not that the 'Huskers will be clown. Coach Bob Devaney, completing his tenth season at Lincoln and taking his club into an eighth bowl game, has a couple of old scores to settle with 'Bama and The Bear. This ill be Nebraska's fourth trip to lilsewhere, it's Oklahoma by 13 over Auburn in the Sugar Bowl, 'enn State by 4 over Texas hi the Cotton Bowl, and Michigan jy 7 over Stanford in the Rose Miami the most recent was a Bowl. last year when it nosed out Louisiana State by 17-12 and on wi ifW y-vc. Personally, I'd book Pcnn State and Texa6 even over in fc -K-Vf ft the first visit after the '65 season it was knocked off by Dallas.

A iong, Long Run 'Bama, 39-28, largely through W- the efforts of Steve Sloan. The Crimson reopened that This year's best bowl offering, 11 wound the following New Year's Day with a 34-7 breeze in the ncyond question, comes up in the Orange at Miami the Crimson Tide of Alabama trying do what no other college football eleven has been able to io in Vk seasons, beat the Cornhuskers of Nebraska. Nebraska, 12-0 this campaign, and winner of 30 out of 31 games and 22 straight since a Sugar Bowl. Nebraska nad gone into the '66 game unbeaten, Alabama had gone unscarred into the '67 matchup in New Orleans. And now both are unbeaten and untied, and undecided on who is the real No.

1. Meeting Of The Minds Both clubs, too, are directed by coaching geniuses. Devaney, the sanguine resident at Nebraska, has produced a 91-18-1 ledger in ten years with the 'Huskers before he arrived the legions from Lincoln had gone to only two bowls in 62 17-7 loss to Missouri in early '69 the lone blemish a deadlock Southern Cal. Alabama, tl-0 this season, a contributor to 210 career victories piled up JIT A Moving The Football for Alabama is the chief concern for quarterback Terry Davis (left) and halfback Johnny Musso in tonight's national championship showdown against Nebraska at the Orange Bowl in Miami. Davis is a product of Bogalusa, and controls the Tide's Wishbone offense which often winds up with Musso running the ball.

years. Jiryant, you are iamniar with because of his good works raL. wx, in the Southwest and Southeas tern conference 210 victories By Will Grimsley MIAMI, Fla. (AP) "It's going to be bne hell of a football game I don't see hew either team could be rated a favorite," said Coach Bob Devaney of Nebraska. "We a 't played a game good enough to beat this club," acknowledged Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant of Alabama.

"It will take a super effort on our part to win it." Caution and mutual respect not bombast were the keynote as college football's No. 1 and No. 2 ranked powers prepared to square off tonight in the Orange Bowl in a once-in-a-decade battle to decide the national championship. The Associated Press, originator of the college poll, has announced that its final poll will await the Outcome of the bowl games. The national Football Foundation said itsMacArthur Bowl, a symbol of the title, would be presented to the-" Orange Bowl winner -immediately after the contest, with co-champions to be proclaimed in case of a tie.

A sellout crowd of more than 80,000 and an interna-t i a 1 television audience will see Nebraska, a six-point favorite, lay a 31-game unbeaten streak and national title on the line against the tough, unbeaten Alabama team at full physical strength for the first time this season. Kickoff is 7 p.m., CST climaxing a full New Year's Day schdule of bowl activity, starting before noon. The National Broadcasting Company is televising the game on a countrywide network, to Canada, Puerto Rico and points overseas via satellite. Rarely has the season come to such a dramatic finale. Football buffs poured in from everywhere for the college pro doubleheader including the Baltimore-Miami playoff for the Ameri-c a Football Conference over-alL: a 5-5-2 record in bowl a favorite receiver and also a kick return man capable of breaking the game wide open.

The workhorse of Alabama's Wishbone is Johnny Musso, a stocky, hard-running junior who ran for 1,083 yards and 5.7 a try during the campaign. "Musso is not as fast as Oklahoma's Greg Pruitt, but he'll beat you to death physically." said a s-ka's defensive backfield coach Warren Powers. Davis Accurate Musso operates in the backfield with Terry Davis, a 173-pound quarterback who hasn't thrown much but has a .636 completion average: halfback Joe Labue and fullback Steve Bisceglia. Devaney, whose team defeated LSU 17-12 here last New Year's Day, has been a staunch supporter of a national championship playoff and has often defended the college football polls. "I think they're great," be said.

"They lend controversy and help create interest in the game. all for them. "I'm in favor of a playoff for the nrtional championship but there are faculty, problems on this score. I think the polls fill in nicely." Neither coach was hanging around the telephone awaiting a call from President Nixon. Reminded a noon press conference Friday that the sports-minded chief executive was in the habit of placing calls on such occasions, Bryant said: "I haven't had any communication with the White House." "The President a 't called me, either," said Devaney.

"He hasn't consulted with me about the budget or general state of the tion." But the President did call Devaney after the Cornhuskers' victory over Okla-h ra a Thnnks.a,'flnff Dav and congratulated him on the No. 1 position. games and 3-2-1 against the Big r.ignt. But, and here is a nagging reminder. The Bear has not done well in bowl efforts the last Alabama Split End David Bailey if Tide throtos, he'll be four times out namely an target 0-3-1 record.

His '67 team lost to Texas in the Cotton, his 68 club bowed to Missouri in Bowl the Gator, his '69 outfit was usar beaten by Colorado in the Liberty and his '70 unit was tied by Oklahoma in the Bluebonnet. Some of those teams, admit tedly, shouldn't have gone bowl A Pat and? ins anyway. But who can resist Tide's John Hannah war in the pits. the lure of Bear and 'Bama? championship Sunday, and some found themselves paying $200 for -a pair of scarce tickets. Observers may find it hard distinguish between the collegians and pros, so impressive are the collegians' size and statistics.

Nebraska is the team of poised muscular giants who have averaged 437.7 yards a game, balanced between air and ground scored an average of 39.1 points and limited opponents to a total of 12 touchdowns. Alabama features barelegged operatives, bigger than previous Alabama teams, feared for their toughness and quickness. They seem to swarm on the ball. Utilizing the Wishbone-T, they have rushed for 324.1 yards, rarely passing, in sweeping past 11 opponents, five of them bowl teams ranked in the Top Twenty. Strong defensively, they have giveL up only 10 tOUChdoWnS.

Two Precendents Alabama and Nebraska have met twice previouslyin bowls, with Alabama winning both games. The Tide beat the Cornhuskers 39-23 in the 1966 Orange Bowl and 34-7 in the 1967 Sugar Bowl. The current Nebraska squad is of a different bolt of cloth, not only big but quick, resourceful and confident. "We never panic we thrive on pressure," says Larry Jacobson, the 6-foot-6, 247-pound tackle who, with 234-pound middle guard Rich Glover, forms the big muscle of the defense. The Nebraska front five averages 226 pounds.

The Cornhuskers' basic offense is a spread quarter-backed by Jerry Tagge, a 6-2, 215-pound athlete who passed for 2.019 yards and 17 touchdowns during the season, both Nebraska records. Johnny Rodgers, a 5-10, 171-pound slot back, is Does No. 2 Try Harder? running out of the I-formation Bear Bryant, however, is crowding Bob Devaney with a because of runners Jeff Kinney and Bill Olds. Once the running oarns is established, auarter- psychological advantage here in the 72 Orange Bowl. Devaney Mo.

1, Bryant's No. 2. The Bear back Jerry Tagge 2,019 yards is dangerous when cornered. By Gerry Robichaux Times Asst. Sports Editor NEW ORLEANS Can Auburn's defense help Pat Sullivan find happiness and the football today in the 38th Sugar Bowl Classic? That question, bantered back and forth with pros ana cons all veeiv here in the Crescent City, will be answered in the tmee-oud hours following an 11 a.m.

kickofi wiiich brings Lie Tigeio the Southeastern Conference face-to-iacc with the ground-ganoang Sooners of Oklahoma Five of the Tide's opponents regular season, Oklahoma 'established three NCAA records." It gained 711 yards rushing against Kansas State for a new single game mark, averaged 472 yards rushing over the season and had a record total offense' average of 568 yards per Those figures already have. Sugar Bowl record keepers with erasers in hand awaiting today's kickofi' whico will lollow Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of the National Anthem at 10:57. The ABC television cameras will be on hand for the festivities as will a full house of more than' 85,000 Tulane Stadium visitors'. While Oklahoma's statistical and 17 toucnaowns win open up a bit, particularly to flanker Johnny Rodgers who is also a threat on kick returns. How the 'Huskers operate against the Crimson defense will hp a stent for vour sore eyes.

The Tide's front four of Robin Parkhouse, Terry Rowell, Jeff Beard and John Mitchell was impressive against LSU, particularly the terminals. Jeff Rou-zie also was sharp at linebacker look for him in the pileups and the a notably Steve Williams and Steve Hig-genbotham, offer good pass protection. These two clubs couldn't be much closer. Still, I'll stay with the 'Huskers by 6 points. Easy to Say nave also gone cowling LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Houston and Auburn.

Only LSU, of the group, made a fight of baiting the Bear before bowing by 14-7 in Tiger stadium. The Tide demolished Ole Miss by 40-6, Tennessee by 32-15, Houston by 34-20 and Auburn by 31-7. This is Nebraska's fourth trip to Miami, but Alabama will be playing a sixth time in the Orange Bowl. The Tide has gone 1-1, losing only to Texas in '65. Check And Checkmate But enough of past history.

Here's what to watch for tonight When Alabama has the football, Terry Davis, the junior quarterback from Bogalusa, will uirect Wishbone-T offense much like Oklahoma's that ran ip 31 points on Nebraska. Johnny Musso will run the wide options with spirit, Joe LaBue Ellis Beck will try to split die tackles along with backup Joe Biceglia. i But Tide center Jimmy Granv mer will need help against 'Husker middle guard Rich Glover, which means double-teaming from John Hannah and Jimmy Rosser. That, however, would leave open paths to the ball carrier lor standout end Willie Harper and two dock-walloping tackles in Larry Jacob-son and Bill Janssen. Remember, too, that they contained Oklahoma's Greg Pruitt so they'll key on Musso.

Look for Davis to go to the air, probably to split end Dave Bailey. Oklahoma's Jon Harrison often beat 'Husker safety Hill Kosch, so should Bailey. Cornerback Joe Blahak mav have to drop off to help with St'jy -i I Patcrno No Trouble for Gov. Smith I in Tulane Stadium. Quarterback Sullivan, the Heisman Trophy winner, is one of the most devastating individual perlormers in the game, thanks to his deadly right arm and a flock of ready, willing and aole receivers who make the Tiger air game go.

Devastating Offense But Oklahoma, is the most devastating offensive unit ever in college football. However, a key to stopping the Sooners may rise from the ashes ol one of Auburn's most bitter defeats, a season-ending 31-7 loss to Alabama. In that one 'Bama neutralized Sullivan by simply monopolizing possession of the football. Auburn must similarly keep the football away from the Sooners Jack Mildren and if it is to survive today and it is with the defense that the burden lies. If Auburn can come up with a defense which can turn the ball over to Sullivan and the offense then it may be able to give Oklahoma a troublesome afternoon.

Oddsmakcrs evidently feel that the Tigers won't be able to accomplish the trick. They've set the Oklahomans up as an 11 -point favorite, mainly on the strength of quarterback Mildren and runners Greg Pruitt, Joe Wylie. Roy Bell and Leon Crosswhite. 's no group in the history of the college game which can match that wishbone wrecking crew when it comes to moving the ball. Both coaches, Shug Jordan of Auburn and Chuck Fairbanks of accomplishments are Auburn's worksheet is impressive, too.

In a comparison of defeases, the Tiger unit has the' edge. Auburn, (9-1 on the reason) has given up lfio yards rushing per game to 189 for. the Sooners, and the air defense has surrendered 111 yards to 152 per game by the Big Red. Fairbanks points out that the Tiger defense has come up with the big plays most ol the reason. He insists it is a sound one to use against the Oklahoma wishbone.

Ho.vever, thei has been talk about Jordan and the Tigers making some cnanges in the defensive scheme especially mv this game. Jordan sidestepped any questions about the changes as game day neared. Pruitt, who ranked third in the Heisman balloting behind Sullivan and Ed Marinaro of Cornell despite being a junior finished third in the nation in lushing with an average of 159 yards per game. Sullivan's 209 yards average in total oflense per game was fifth best in the nation. Oklahoma is 8-5-1 in bowl play and 2-1 previous Sugar Bowl appearances, beating North Carolina in 1949 (14-9), and LSU in 1950 and losing to Kentucky in 1951 '7-13).

Auburn, 4-5-1 in post-season'' play, is making its first trip to the Sugar Bowl although Pie Tigers helped dedicate Tulane Stadium way back when, winning by 2-0 over the host Green Wave. The weatherman hasn't been too encouraging, calling for better than 30 per cent, chance of showers with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in thi high Wis or low 70s at kickoff time. DALLAS (AP) Gov. Preston Smith said Friday he is glad Penn State is the Cotton Bowl's visiting team this year because Joe Pater-no's name is "a great deal easier to pronounce than that of the Notre Dame coach." Smith spoke at the annual Texas Sports Hall of Fame luncheon. Two years ago, Smith mangled the pronunciation of Ara Parseghian's name.

Parseehian responded thanking "Governor Schmidt." Last year. Parseghian. Ara. and Spiil.b said to I'll rail you call me vou he was Pi-pFtm." Another reason glad to welcome Paterno, Bailey, and monsterman Dave Mason will have to handle the wide stuff. 'Bama will play for field nosition.

It has the kickers for the job in punter Greg Gantt and placckickcr Bill Davis. When Nebraska has possession, look for a lot of inside tbfi IVii.i StMp roach was Oklahoma, indicated they felt that today's contest would be a high-scoring affair. Three Hecords The slalistics bear out the prediction. In the wake of a 10-1 Lightning Greg Pruitt (30) is one of the reasons Oklahoma is a 10-point favorite over Auburn in today's Sugar Bowl at New Orleans. But linebacker Tommy Yearout (right inset) will be one of the Tiger defenders because two years ago Patcrno "got mere bad publicity in the Texas papers than I did," Smith y.nio trying to halt Pruitt.

Harry Unger (left inset) helps Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley on offense with his running from the tailback spot and passed for Auburn's only touchdown in its lone loss to Alabama. I.