Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 17

Lincoln Journal Star Saturday, November 25, 1995 Gordon Winters NU A 1 id '5 Jr BY KEN HAMBLETON Lincoln Journal Star I09 Scoring, game statistics Oklahoma 0 0 0 0 0 Nebraska 10 3 10 14 37 NU FG Kris Brown 31 NU Jamd Williams 36 interception return NU FG Brown 27 NU Tony Veiand 57 fumble recovery return NU FG Brown 35 NU Jon Vedral 38 pass from Tommie Frazier NU Joel Makovicka 1 7 run OU 12 NU 26 56-271 136 407 13-27-1 215 4-1 3-24 32:46 3-14" 2-3 First downs Rushes-yards Passing yards Total yards Passing Return yards Punts Fumbtes-tost Penalties-yards Time of possession Third-down conv. Fourth-down conv. 30-51 190 241 16-34-2 16 3-1 9-97 27:14 3-15 0-1 The final game of the storied Big Eight Conference ended without quarterback wizardry, sans dazzling and daring running, only brutal defensive domination. No sirens for long touchdown asses. No bells for reverses and ea-flickers.

Just the loud thuds of Oklahoma quarterbacks and running backs hitting the turf as Nebraska slammed a 37-0 conclusion on the Sooners Friday at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska's touted offense was slowed and quarterback Tommie Frazier's hopes of a Heisman Trophy were diminished somewhat. The Cornhusker defense provided the solution domination in Nebraska's first shutout of Oklahoma in 53 years in the legendary series. Nebraska outside linebackers Jared Tomich and Grant Wistrom raced through the Oklahoma back-field with vengeance. Husker defensive tackles Jason and Christian Peter mauled the Sooner line and wrestled their way into Oklahoma's offensive plans.

Tomich had two quarterback sacks and rushed Oklahoma quarterbacks for at least four hurries, resulting in harmless passes. Wistrom had two sacks and a number of hurries, while the Peter brothers combined for nine tackles. "These kids are confident for a good reason they're very good." Nebraska defensive coordinator Charlie McBride said. "We had great pass coverage, great leadership on the field and our best defensive effort in years. There was a lot of head-banging in there and I think our kids were having a lot of fun." Top-ranked Nebraska, 11-0, received an unofficial invitation to the Jan.

2 Fiesta Bowl at Tempe, to play in its third consecutive national championship game for a chance to win a second straight national title. Coach Tom Osborne said the victory was almost expected by his team. "It's interesting that a lot of times a team goes undefeated and wins the Big Eight. There's a huge amount of emotion and everybody gets he said. "It wasn't real On history, the fiiture, and style 'This is the way the Big Eight ends.

not with a bang, but a whimper. "Those reworked words from the famous line in the T.S. Eliot poem "The Hollow Men" seem to describe the way the string ran out on the1 Big Eight Conference and the Oklahoma-Nebraska rivalry. Friday's game didn't give Big Red fans those old fourth-quarter 1 nervous shakes. By the middle of the third quarter the question was not whether Sooner Magic would once more against the oyal and true Cornhuskers.

Other questions loomed. Would Nebraska beat that "Judas Priest!" of a 33-point spread? Yes! Dadgumit if those gamblers don't guess right once in awhile. Would the Nebraska defense be able to outscore the Nebraska offense? A No. But it was close, with the defense able to claim at least 14 of Nebraska's total of 37 points while keeping Oklahoma off the scoreboard. And the underappreciated Nebraska defense thanks you for asking.

I Symbolic of the way the energy has drained from the rivalry is that the goal posts in Memorial Stadium still stand, despite the hordeof fans that poured out on the field Friday afternoon with the intent of once again ripping them from the ground and parading them through the street. Already dead Sometim during the past five years the rivalry died on its own. This year's victory was the fifth straighf4 Nebraska. Nebraska's seniors never knew what it was 4 like to lose to Oklahoma. And the Sooner seniors never knew what it was like to win.

Already Husker fans had stopped gathering around the television with that awful mixture of anticipation and dread. And now, officially, life as we have known it in Nebraska for decades will never be the same. Future games with Oklahoma in the new Big 12 will be in a four-year rotation; two consecutive quiet, but the team was like it expected to win and the real major focus is the whole ball of wax." Nebraska's Fiesta Bowl opponent will likely be the winner of today's Florida-Florida State game, or possibly Notre Dame. "I don't care who we play, just getting in the national championship game was the goal today. Winning it is the goal tomorrow," said Christian Peter.

It didn't take long for the Huskers to establish supremacy over Okla-- homa for the fifth year in a row (the longest Nebraska win streak over Oklahoma since 1930-36). The Sooners, who finished with a 5-5-1 record Oklahoma's worst since 1965 never threatened to score and were limited to 241 yards of total offense. "Their defense gave us trouble, too." Nebraska center Aaron Graham said. "But our guys on defense were outstanding and Oklahoma had trouble breathing, not just moving the ball." NU's freshman place-kicker Kris Brown, who booted three field goals, ended the first Nebraska drive with a 31-yard kick. That was the last time Nebraska's offense was heard from until the final second of the first half, when Brown added a 27-yard field goal.

"rx X-'' aff i i Mjmm li -rtfiMiii- i in "Iim i i faii-li'r" iliiiiiii IAN DOREMUSI mmki Star Nebraska's outside linebacker, Jarei fomtcfi sacfts dklahorha quarterback Eric Moore for an 1 1 -yard More on NU, Page 4C loss in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers held OU td just 51. yards' rushing on 30 i nt .1 Attempts in a 37 vlmMt.Jl: No. 1 Husker volfeyball team route (Wr, too BY RON POWELL Lincoln Journal Star OMAHA The Oklahoma fared no better than its. foolioynterpart against a top-ypked Nebraska squad Friday.

jOjfielUfid 15 kills from Lisa Reit-Sma and fzeach from Billie Winsett and All toon Weston, the Cornhuskers win it all (the national championship)," said Pabst whose team finishes the season 19-12. "This is the strongest Nebraska team there's yer been," added Pabst, who completed his 18th season as the OU coacfc, "This is the best chance they've ever had to win a national championship." Nebraska's high hitting percentage came as a result of a quicker, offense to theoutside, which benefitted Winsett and Kate Crnich, who smashjd a 'Career-high 10 kills. Crnich hit JwuWeston .364 and Win Civic Auditorium. Nebraska, 26-1 and winner of 25 straight, will face Iowa State in the championship match (and the last in Big Eight history) at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

The Cyclones (21-10), led by 21 kills by senior outside hitter Kristin Hugdahl. eliminated Colorado 15-17, 15-9. 17-15. 15-11 in the first semifinal. The Huskers defeated the Cyclones twice during the regular season 15-4, 15-11.

15-11 at Ames Oct. 7 and 15-3. 15-5. 15-9 at home Oct. 28.

The Big Eight and Southwest conferences will merge next season to form the Big 12. The new conference will not have a postseason tournament. "We have great tradition in this tournament, and we'd like to finish it on a high note" NU Coach Terry Pet-tit said. "Maybe our team would like to make a statement tomorrow night. You have to wait and see." After watching Nebraska outhit his team .317 to .133, outdig them 58-42 and outblock them 15-4, Oklahoma Coach Miles Pabst made some bold statements about the Huskers.

"I hope they go all the way and sett .344. Setter Christy Johnson ig nited the attack with 51 assists. "We've been working on a quicker outside attack in practice, and it really worked against Oklahoma because their blockers pinch in so much," Johnson said. "That was a big adjustment and that's why we hit so well." The Huskers jumped to a 13-2 lead in the first game and led 10-4 in the second game before Oklahoma More on TOURNEY, Page 3C years with games, and two without. rmoVed one step closer to their 17th ii i -i pig itffim lournameni cnampion-iplnfl9-years with a 15-7, 15-9, 15-5 I 9 A major thread in the state social fabric has come to an end But enough of looking back.

"The future's so bright, I've gotta wear shades' AejinflnaF.yrVictory against the ooners before a crowd of 2.963 at jr. XV' Boesis er NU stops Toledo in season opener steps up forNWU Nebraska 72, Totedo 59 NEBRASKA (72) ta-taa n-tta The Huskers' 37-0 win against Oklahoma should be convincing enough to leave the team comfortably ensconced at No. 1. no matter what Ohio State does against Michigan today. This means that the Huskers are in control of their destiny more or leSS.

i --V. -V AH they have to do is beat their Fiesta Bowl opponent. Big Rosy deal If Ohio State advances to the Rose Bowl, its foe Southern Cal doesn't have enough stature to matter. Beating the Pac-10 representative by even an overwhelming margin will not convince poll voters to move the Buckeyes past Nebraska, hj- Style points don't count any more, except in the Heisman race. On that front.

Tormnie-FrazieF Bernard Gamer 2- 1-2 Enck SincWand 6-8 Jaron Boone 4-11 Chns Salee Tyronn Lue 6 23 12 2 8 9 8 7 0 0 0 84 4-4 00 00 1-1 0- 0 4-S 1- 2 0-1 04 00 rb 6 2 3 0 1 1 28 BY MARK DEROWITSCH Lincoln Journal Star Nebraska Wesleyan guard Marcus Boegiger tried hard Friday riot to be noticed during his first collegiate start. Boesiger's play, though, grabbed the attention of Wesleyan Coach Todd Raridon. And it exceeded all of 4-5 1-1 1-3 34 0-2 0-0 0-0 Jason dock ChadWeus Mikki Moore Vonson Hamirion Terranoe Badrjett Andy Markomki Lerl Nelson Team rebounds HILO, Hawaii Hoping improve on last season's 18-14 record, during which opponents averaged 74 points a game while shooting 42 percent, the Nebraska men's basketball team made a preseason commitment to improve its defensive -IT'' Friday, the effort paid off as the Cornhusker opjeneo their season with a victory against Toledo in the Big Island lrrvitational at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. held theRockets to Sgrcsnthootingi.frbm the field. includjcgiQifrJlNlO ftlprtj Hhree-point range.

Nebraska guard EricK Strickland I said the Huskers wanted -fij make a-i complete change from last season. "We know if we play good de Total 30200 72 Rarido.n's expectations. 2S-41-2J TOLEDO (59) Ij-lga It-tta 4-9 2-6 14 44 7-14 12-13 4-9 04 Boesiger. hd had scored a total points inWiesJeyan'i first three games hi a 'reserve role. Casey Shaw Brett Fedak Craig Tham -Kevin Baker Gardner Snnnprs Undecided voters I Sooners.Undecided voters 1-2 rb 3 4 5 2 1 3 0 6 2 2 28 0-1 1-3 o-i Joet i 0-0 OereK Stfemore Taam rebounds Total 23200 ,33 .26 39 33 iToiBdo fense it win help us to run and fast break," Strickland said.

"We have chanced our Dhilosoohv this season. i mwMmin ejoara pieiasKa o- (omcKiano a-a, iBoona 0-4. Gtock 0-1, Haminon 0-1). Toradon 0-10 (Fade 0-2. Thames 0-5, Qtadnut 0-1.

Klzer 0-1. Gard- anrtmvH.dncT it ntA tWtfifcnciim' r-k rw 0-1). Field goal patpantaaa Nebraska .510. probably will staypn the bubble -V until after the'othet contetwfers have had their chances to turn in a 'P dazzling performance; jj'C But we can still talk about the 1 ''1 Frazier style. i'ivM Here's a little-known story from last year's Orange Bovirl me at least, gives insight into thS complex mixture of fire arid ice I that make up the man who has quarterbacked the Huskers frh v'v ft' "most of the past four As Frajfier ran onto the fretd tq f' S-replace Brook Berrihr in if i third quarter with Nebraslii i scored a career-high 16 4 point sC kwt1twfalMis5W'taied the1 baft over ortly once in more than 39' minutes of action against Linden-(wood Mo.) College In the first game Classic.

But-' more important for Wes-Jeyani'. Boesiger, directed the Plain-smen to a much-needed 89-67 victory in the first men's basketball game at Snyder Arena, fBoesiger Verted into the starting lineup so- Kipp; Kissinger could move back to off guard, a spot be played all of last year. Kissinger sorted thear at Uie boint after Weslearfuraor iej cided-td redshirt this season after -WT 826. Toledo 69 AaalaM Nebraska 17 (Boon 7). Stickland led the Huskers with 23 J0" 112" -j0 A rxask 22.

Toledo 21. Btockad hot NeCraska 1 points, Connecting On 3 Of 3 ShotS from three-point range and all eight, t. Toledo 7 (Thame. Baker. 2).

free-throw attempts. Nebraska Coach Danny Nee'said ave the. he was pleased with the Huskers1 ex-, "us k.e" 181? lead thev never n-ecution in their openlrtg victory. unquished. "We played solid defense and itU Strickland's third three-pointer-as start for, Nee came with 1:33, left in the half to d.HfijalitoVk0sed witn ave a 32-24 lead, their: i'S need.td largest margin of the half, i better the second halt.

Nebraska in- 2rpoints on did olav a fcf iveoole inmn chn tr.kmn. irauine Miami, nurricane Jf defensive tackle Warren Sift titty i to him, "Where have ypu been; 1 tetng'jdeclarecl inelfgible for first se- think 'oipg have taken six points Raridon 'sarda hilvent.really asked him T'co'mestotheline from ttife Husker II huddle, he looks over at SappKVil tqictlc waht hlrn.w;5 iTT; 1 0 i with :39 remaining the game. thA, tame lintjLKtrirklnnd HoA it earns says, "it's not wnere im teen, rji Boy. It's where I'm gotflgV. cprjWtft iin; getting Hjs Into our Nebraska trick Strickland puts up a shot over Toledo Craig ft fldft'e Hrn Lue, who started the game and tiffenselHe did both tonight." -r.

Tnames (35) aurina a tirst-rourtd game Friday tn the Big island N', Ana razier lanes ine icam down the field to the endzoheand -a national Invitational at Hllo, Hawaii. NU won the game 72-59. More on NVVU, Page 7C ,0 M4l wlyj al'ytppint basket. Tole-do regained theTlead on a free throw by Craig Thames, but another three played 14 minutes, finished with six! More on HUSKERS, Page 7C: 1 A.