Daily World from Opelousas, Louisiana • Page 9

DAILY WORLD Opeloinos. Sundoy, September 28, 1980 S6Ct lOTl Xj Tigers Get 6tewerF By 1.77 By AI Richard Daily World Sports Writer HOUSTON Rice's band greeted LSU with the Mickey Mouse theme song. And though Tiger fans weren't watching Saturday morning cartoons, they never-the-less might have felt it was truly animated characters they were viewing. Rice scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns and held LSU scoreless for three periods as the Owls ended a 14-year losing skid Risher turned the ball over on the Rice three. The second half was a disaster for LSU's offense.

The Owls limited the Bengals to 95 total yards after intermission, with 60 of those net stripes coming on LSU's desperation drive. LSU coach Jerry Stovall didn't feel the Owls' first victory over the Tigers since 1966 was an accident. "Rice played a very fine football game," he commented. "The outplayed us and deserved to win. It was no flake." THE TIGERS stressed the successful completion of the center-quarterback snap during drills for Rice after fumbling 10 times against Colorado in a 23-20 win.

However, the fumbled snaps were again present Saturday. The Tigers could have been on top 14-3 at half had they not given the ball away at the Rice one-yard line. sheer bedlam after the first win of the season. Head coach Alborn was quick with a "gosh yea" answer to the answer of whether this was his biggest coaching win. He has only four victories at Rice.

Alborn was also quick with plaudits for his team. "The kids just played their butts off," he happily remarked. "And when you beat a class team like LSU, you have done something. I am so proud of this team. LSU HAS A tough defense," Alborn continued.

"And when they get some offense, things going they will be very good the rest of the way." The Owls were confident at half. "I felt we could win at half," Alborn admitted. "Hubbie's field goal gave us a big lift. I just looked around the dressing room and I could tell these guys knew they could do it. We told them on Monday they could beat LSU if they get their minds to it and did they ever!" the lone fumble lost to LSU, however.

Rice Stadium was engulfed by a thunderstorm an hour before the contest, and the rain didn't halt until play began. "The playing field did not have any affect on the game," Stovall commented. Quarterback Risher, who was hurt when tackled by the face mask in the third quarter, admitted "I just dropped the ball" on the goal-line fumble. "It was slippery, but that didn't cause it. There's no excuse for it." Freshman Rydell Melancon, who finished with 13 tackles, three behind the line, and one fumble recovery, felt "it's tough to take this defeat.

But we've just got to go out Monday and put our set together. We've got a lot of games yet to play." Individually, Calvin Fance was the leading rusher with 87 yards for Rice. Jesse Myles had 52 on 13 attempts for LSU. (See TIGERS, Page 9B) to the Tigers. A rain-soaked crowd estimated at 41,000 looked on as Rice boiled the Tigers 17-7 at Rice Stadium here Saturday night.

RICE OBVIOUSLY didn't give a hoot that LSU entered the game 2-1 on the year and that the Owls were 0-2. The home opener was a success for Ray Alborn. Momentum swang Rice's way late in the first half when tight end Robert Rubble attempted his first field goal ever and split the uprights on a 52-yarder to bring the Owls within four, 703, at intermission. The Tigers were never a serious threat to score in the second half until they moved to the Owl six-yard line with five seconds left, throwing desperation passes. Other than their touchdown, the Tigers' only other threat came in the second quarter, but a mishandle of the snap from center by quarterback Alan sparked by Robert Williamson, who finished with 18 tackles.

"He was a big key to this win," the Rice coach felt. "He plays in pain. Once he refused to leave the game tonight even when hurt." Stovall also had praise for Rice. "Rice didn't do anything differently," he claimed. "They just outmuscled us.

Coach Alborn and his staff did a real good job of preparing them for the game, but we had seen the films of their first two games and we know what kind of a physical team Rice is." The first-year home is now worried about his team's mental condition. "We've gotta rebound and come back," he said. "There's no doubt when we had the 7-0 lead and fumbled at the goal line, it affected our play. And the field goal gave them momentum. "ALAN JUST dropped the ball," was all Stovall could say of the fumble, one of seven bobbles by the Tigers in the game.

It was 7 0 0 0-7 I 0 14-17 Riiher. Johniton LSU Rice LSU Porter 57 pate from Hoffmann. Sam kick. Rice -FG Hubble 51. Rice Wileon IS pen Irom kick.

Rice Fence 24 run. Sam kick. A 41,000. STATISTICS FiretFinldowiu Ruihes-yanii Puling yard! Return yardt Panel Punti Fumbles-Lost PenalUet-yarda Rice 15 M-1M 100 1-10-4 1-1 Ml LSU li 40-13S US 7-154 7-1 0-50 The Owl dressing room was Defensively, the Owls were Wins Over Cajuns By Bobby Ardoin Daily World Sports Writer MONROE There's no truth to the rumor that the USL football team was fed pancakes prior to the game with Northeast here Saturday night. The Cajuns' performance though, was almost that flat.

It was a case of too many Indians and not enough offense. Northeast held USL scoreless in nearly 50 minutes of driving rain, as the Indians took 33 scalps and a 24-0 victory to celebrate the dedication of Malone Stadium. USL'S MEAGER offensive performance netted just 277 yards, viewed by 16,583 a record attendance for a Northeast football game. Quarterback Phil Reynolds was intercepted three times in the game and USL fumbled twice as Northeast dropped the record of the Cajuns to 2-2. "If we had caught what we had thrown we would have been all right," muttered USL offensive coordinator Don Smith in the USL dressing room.

"We didn't execute as well as we should have. It was a case of the quarterback not throwing on target." One person who was on target most of the night was Northeast quarterback John Holman, who attacked the Tiger Going Down LSU quarterback Alan Risher (7) picks up a five-yard gainer on a slippery wet turf during the first quarter of Saturday night's game against Rice In Houston, Tex. Rice defenders on the play are Clenzie Pierson (94) andRobert Williamson (28). Looking on Is LSU's tight end Malcolm Scott (80). Rice scored its first win over LSU since 1966 as the Owls won 17-7.

(UPI Telephoto) were well prepared for us. I don't think they were tougher than we expected. We were comparable in personnel." USL's defeat marked the first time in six meetings that the Cajuns had lost to the Tribe. The Cajuns have now lost six of the last 10 games played in Monroe. Northeast took a 14-0 first half lead, and Indian head coach John David Crow was confident that his team's margin in the first two quarters was the deciding factor.

"We could have put them away in the first half if our offense had taken advantage of all the opportunities our defense presented us with," Crow claimed. "WE WERE trying to hurt them tonight by calling some blitzes," Crow said. "They started blitzing the corners and safeties and caught us on third down situations," said Smith. "This week I thought we executed -well, but the little things were not good," Robertson explained. "Their linebackers were doing the same drops we practiced and the offensive line did its job.

Last week we went downhill but this week we weren't all that bad." USL was able to move the football on the Indians most of the night, but the Cajuns failed to convert crucial situations. Rodney Smith was the leading rusher for USL with 49 yards, with David Chatman gaining 35 markers on six trys. Reynolds had 46 yards on 10 attempts. Tight end Curtis Calhoun was the leading pass receiver for the Cajuns with seven catches for 60 yards. Smith had four catches coming out of the backfield.

Northeast linebacker Ricky Sanders was named Defensive Player of the game with two interceptions of Reynolds in the first half, and nunerous other pass deflections. HOLMAN was picked the Offensive Player of the contest despite Rome's catches and Johnson's yardage. "The whole offensive line played well tonight," said Crow. "They allowed only one quarterback sack." Robertson claimed Northeast hurt USL with passes down the middle and on curl routes. "We took away their flair patterns, but we had trouble with the across routes." Northeast is now 2-1 and meets Northwestern at home next.

USL will be making its fourth straight road trip when the Cajuns travel to Denton, Texas to meet powerful North Texas State. Tulane Drops Rebs By Skin Of Teeth How The 20 Fared 1. Alabama (3-0) defeated Vanderbilt41-0. 2. Ohio State (3-0) defeated Arizona State 38- 21.

3. Nebraska (3-0) defeated Penn State 21-7. 4. Oklahoma (1-1) lost to Stanford 31-14. 5.

Southern Cal (3-0) defeated Minnesota 24- 7. 6. Texas (3-0) defeated Oregon State 35-0. 7. Notre Dame (2-0) did not play.

8. Pittsburgh (3-0) defeated Temple 36-2. Cajuns' secondary for 172 yards on 15 of 31 hits. INDIAN RUNNING back Nathan Johnson also had a good night, rushing for 109 yards on 20 carries. Northeast wide receiver Tag Rome had five catches for 90 markers.

A dejected USL head coach Sam Robertson was concerned that his team had broke down on, "the little disciplines of the game." When asked to be more specific, Robertson claimed that discipline matter was a personal one between coaches and team. "I just don't want to elaborate on it," Robertson said sharply. "Our problem was the offense," Robertson admitted. "We didn't throw and catch well. When the receivers were open and the ball was there we'd drop it." Holman, Robertson confirmed was effective throwing from the Tribe's newly-conceived multiple-I offense which feature motion, a split backfield and various formations.

"I THOUGHT Holman was well-poised out there tonight. "I thought that both he and his team 9. Florida State (3-1) lost to Miami, Fla. 10- 9. 10.

Georgia (3-0) defeated TCU 34-3 11, Penn State (2-1) lost to Nebraska 21-7. OXFORD, Miss. (UPI) Vince Manalla kicked a 29-yard field goal as time ran out Saturday to cap a furious 70-yard drive in the final 74 seconds and give Tulane a come-from-behind 26-24 over Mississippi. The Rebels appeared to have the game won seconds earlier when quarterback John Fourcade scored on a 5-yard run for his second touchdown of the day. However, Tulane quarterback Nickie Hall, who completed 19 of 40 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns, hit three straight passes to set up Manalla's dramatic game-winning kick.

The key play was a 40-yard pass to tight end Rodney Holman who took a short toss, broke several tackles, and dashed to the 4yard line. Ole Miss, which turned the ball over eight times on fumbles during the rain-marred game, had taken a 24-23 lead on Fourcade's touchdown with 1:45 remaining. The score was set up by a 40-yard pass by Fourcade to split end Breck Tyler, who outfought a Tulane defender at the 5. The Rebels' other touchdowns came on a 7-yard run by Fourcade in the second quarter, a 2-yard run bv Tulane 07 11-10 Hiuiuippi 10 7 7-M Mil Fourcade 7 run. Gatlin kick.

Tul Andenon I pan from Hall, kick tailed. Mis -FG Gatlin M. Tul Reginelle 4 pan from Hall. Manalla kick. Mil Gipeon i run.

Gatlin kick. Tul Holan pan from Hall. Manalla kick. Tul -FG Manalla H. Mil Fourcade 5 run.

Gatlin kick. Tul -FG Manilla 29. A STATISTICS Tul Mill 12. Missouri (3-6) defeated San Diego State tailback Malvin Gipson in the third period, and a 24-yard field goal by Todd Gatlin. Hall, who tossed five touchdown passes against Rice last week, accounted for all of Tulane's touchdowns.

He hit Marcus Anderson from nine yards out in the second quarter, Reggie Reginelli from four yards out in the third quarter, and Holman for six yards in the final period. Manalla also had a 33-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss was plagued by fumbles throughout the game and lost the ball inside the Green Wave 15 on three occasions. At one point in the third quarter, the Rebels fumbled away the ball on their first play in three straight drives. Tulane linebacker Frank Robinson had three fumble recoveries.

Fourcade, who leads the Southeastern Conference in total offense, completed 16 of 21 passes for 230 yards and added another 61 yards rushing. The Rebel ground attack was led by halfback Andre Thomas who gained 104 yards on 16 carries, but fumbled three times in the final period. Tulane Coach Vince Gibson said, "We saw two football teams with fantastic hearts out there today. We lost to Southern Mississippi the way we won today, so the Lord gave us one back." The Green Wave was upset 17-14 by Southern Mississippi in the season opener. Rebels Coach Steve Sloan said his defense played "magnificent" in the face of the rash of turnovers.

"We had a great week of practice. We hardly ever fumble and then today we fumble eight times. I don't really understand why. Iloir Thi'Y Si'oretl 31-7. 13.

Washington (3-0) lost to Oregon 34-10. 14. UCLA (3-0) defeated Wisconsin 35-0. 15. North Carolina (3-0) defeated Maryland 17-3.

16. Arkansas (2-1) defeated Tulsa 13-10. FIRST QUARTER NLU: On their third possession of the itanza, Northeast put the games finl pointi on the board when Bubba Toupi connected on a M-yard field goal. The Tribe's drive for three point! began on their own 10-yard line. The two key piayi were duo of aeriali to widereceiver Tag Rome for S3 yards.

After bogging down on the USL 8-yard line, Toupi came in to convert a fourth and four situation from that point TIME: 01 NLU USL0. SECOND QUARTER NLU: The Tribe again connected for three pointi. this time with Toupi hooking a 8-yard field goal. Northeast began iti drive on the Jo-yard line, and moved to the USL t-yard marker. The key play on the field goal march was a 12-yard pass from quarterback John Holman to Rome.

Thil 17. Michigan (1-2) lost to South Carolina 17- 14. time, the completion gained yardage lo the Cajun an. A couple of playi liter, Toups itepped in to complete the three-pointer. TIME: 14: II NLU 1.

USL0. NLU: Phil Reynolds' second interciption of the game proved detrimental to the Cajuns as it led to Northeast's tint touchdown of the game Reynold! threw into double coverage, and Tribe linebacker Ricky Sanders picked off the errant aerial at the NLU 47-yard line and Kt the ball up at the USL 31 On the finl play. Holman faked a pan to freete the linebackers and handed oft on a draw to Nathan Johnson who broke two tackles carrying the paydirt NLU went for two points, and easily made the convenion, with Holman throwing to Rome TIME: IS NLU 14, USL0. FOURTH QUARTER NLU A controversial call give the Cajuni the shaft and the Tribe another three points. Reynolds threw an incomplete pan to tight end Brent Anderson at the USL 17-yard line, but the officiali ruled the catch complete, and after the Indians Jumped on the scrambling ball.

It was called a fumbled catch. Holman went lo work in the air, with the big play an 11-yard pan to Mitch Renfro at the USL 8-yard line. The Tribe didn't get much past that point, and Toups booted hi! third field goal, this time from 40 yards out. TIME: 14:04. NLU 17, USL0.

NLU The Tribe had a short IS-yard drive for the game's final quarter. The Cajuns failed to make a fourth dowa at that point la four plays. Northeast had another TD. Elvta Spears scored in five plays with 1 II left. TIME: 1 II.

NLU 14.USL0 18. Arizona State (2-1) lost to Ohio State 38- Southwestern Northeast 21. STATISTICS 19. Miami, Fla. (3-0) defeated Florida State 0 0 0 0 0-0 11 0 10 24 USL NLU 4 1 41-111 45-174 1 171 0 41 1W1-I imm M-l MM 11 J-Sl 10-9.

First downs Rushes-yards Pauing yardi Return yarda Passia Punts Fumbles-Lost Penalties-yards 15 SIS 57-504 115 II t-40-1 IMI-I W7.0 1M First downs Ruihw-Yardi Paninf Yardi Return Yard Panel Punti Fumblei-Loit Penal Uei-Yardi 20. Baylor (3-0) defeated Texas Tech 11-3..