Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 13

NEBRASKA-UAB Lincoln Journal Star Saturday, September 5, 1998 3D IUSIER CLASSIC Sept 17, 1977, Nebraska 31, Alabama 24 Huskers shake off upset by stunning No. 4 Tide BY STEVE HILL Lnedn Journal Star Coach Tom Osborne emphasized the importance of the victory to his team in regard to the rest of the season. Cut he also acknowledged the significance and personal satisfaction of earning a win over a coaching legend. "To beat a team coached by Dear Bryant is a great feeling out of respect for him, hot animosity." Osborne told reporters following the game. The phrase most likely to be uttered as 76,000 Nebraska fans left Memorial Stadium on Sept 17, 1977? Now, that's more like The Huskers, coming of an embarrassing loss to unranked -Washington State in the season and home opener, responded by downing the Bear Bryant-coached Alabama Crimson Tide 31-24.

The victory over the No. 4-ranked Tide served as an important confidence booster for a team that needed it after losing to the lightly regarded Coach Tom Osborne emphasized the importance of the victory to his team in regard to the rest of the season. But he also acknowledged significance and personal satisfaction of earning a win over a coaching legend. "To beat a team coached by Bear Bryant is a great feeling out of respect for him, not animosity," Osborne told reporters following the game. Osborne and the Huskers did it with several bold decisions on offense.

The boldest Osborne spurned a cinch field goal with just over seven minutes to play and the score tied at 24. Instead, facing a ourth-and-short near the goal line, Osborne called Rick Berns' number. The I-back responded by diving over the pile for a touchdown and a 31-24 lead. The seven-point margin proved critical because it forced the wishbone-option prone Tide into a passing attack. Husker cornerback Jim Pillen responded with two interceptions, preserving Osborne's first win over a top-five team.

Osborne's Nebraska teams went on to win another 11 games vs. top-. five teams and posted a 12-24 record against such opponents. In addition to the gutsy fourth down call, the supposedly conservative Osborne pulled several other tricks out of his bag en route to the win. In one touchdown drive the Big Red used an I-back pass, a flea-flicker and, finally, a fake field goal But it was Alabama and Bryant that began the trickery.

WithMJ leading 3-0 in the first quarter, the Tide rolled 91 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown. The key play in the drive came on a flea-flicker when running back Tony Nathan took a handoff then pitched the ball back to quarterback Jeff Rutledge, who hooked up with All- American split end Ozzie Newsome. on a 33-yard pass NU responded later in the quarter with the I-back pass from Berns to wingback Curtis Craig for 36 yards. Then quarterback Tom i -Sorley pitched the ball to Berns, who pitched it to split end Tim Smith, who pitched it back to Sorley. The i California native then fired an 11-yard strike to tight end Ken Spaeth.

But Sorley was hit as he released the ball reinjuring the right shoulder he had hurt in the previous week's loss. Quarterback Randy Garcia continued the drive, finally hitting paydirt when he completed a pass to Berns on a fake field goaL IIHBill I I Ilill It 'VS JOURNAL STAR LIBRARY That winning feeling: Nebraska defensive end George Andrews (96) raises his hands to celebrate a fourth-down sack of Alabama's Steadman Shealy (1 0) in the second half of the Huskers' win. NUlnjury bug biting No. 3 Huskers SIDELINED LATELY? Continued from Page 1B mow ana men we on cdr i yet "sidelined" by the many lliifliiH CTEAKUEUTFET 48th Hwy 2 423-1343 Head to Silver Star for a home cooked meal after the game, i All you can eat STEAK Grand Buffet Endless Salad Bar, Drinks tt -J- challenges of life. I can help set you back into the ''same'' of life.

KathyZupanciCMA, therapist coaches you with quick solutions ense. Bobby was a little more consistent and he understands the offense a little better having played in it last year." The news that Newcombe is out was just another in a series of bul- letins about Nebraska starters missing for the second game of the year. Earlier this week, starting wingback Lance Brown broke a bone in his foot and will miss the next five weeks. Starting defensive tackle son Wiltz sprained his ankle and will miss the next two weeks. Starting free safety Clint Finley has not pracv "Wt.

Miumtmtuu: ie yT; to set you oit tne siaennes for one low price Call for a free 1 0-minute phone consultatioa yj fcuqcftt.Mnn.-Friday Uam Dinnm Mot. friday 4pm rtose AJf Day Saturday Sunday Teen, AdultS" Family Counselins) uced at full speed since injuring his knee two weeks ago and starting I-. back DeAngelo Evans has not prac- ticed since hurting his knee two 'weeks ago. Now, Solich is starting his second quarterback in two games. Crouch, a former Journal Star player of the year from Millard North, will become the second freshman in modern history to start for the Huskers.

The last time a freshman started at quarterback for Nebraska, was in 1992 when Tommie- Frazier opened for the Huskers in a 34-24 victory at Missouri Newcombe played quarterback in mop-up roles in the first two games in 1997 and switched to wingback. He made a charge to take the top spot at quarterback last spring. In his first start at Newcombe hit nine of 10 passes for 168 yards that's the second highest yardage total for a first-time starter to (now quarterback coach) Turner Gilt who threw for 178 yards against Colorado in 1981. Late in the third quarter, New-; combe pitched the ball to teammate Dan Alexander on a touchdown run. He was hit and partially' tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Newcombe passed some but was held from practicing all week. He won't require surgery but he needs the time off to heaL Solich has been staring at the depth chart steadily since mid-August With the latest additions to the masses in the Nebraska training room, the Huskers are looking at five new starters from the projected starting lineup just three weeks ago. "I hope that's it," he said. "Nobody fell out of bed. Nobody got hurt going through the walk through practice today (Friday).

We're crossing our fingers." s. -4. rnnini limn Quality, Selection and Service for 25 years 'Mi MEXICAN RESTAURANT It wasn't all bad news though. Of- tensive tackle Jason Schwab and guard Ben Gessford, who were injured in practice this week, are expected to start. Solich said he talked to Tom Osborne about football and other things.

"He asked about the team and how things were going," Solich said of his recent chat with the former head coach of the Cornhuskers. "But you know, he didn't offer any sympathy. Not one bit. I don't think he's, worried about the troubles I'm going Osborne actually had it pretty easy the last four years Tvhen it came to replacing injured starters. He had just five starters in the last four season miss at least one game because of injuries.

He hadn't te-. placed a starting quarterback for injury the last three full seasons. "Some restrictions appiy, see store for details. Perry Ellis 0scar DeLarenta Raffiniti -Lord West Anr! Othfir Dfisinner Names 1 'Z-' Appearing h3 September 12 26: tn Alpine Village next to J'Maries Bridal at Mazatlan 4848 Normal Blvd. Lincoln.

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