Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 24

2D Lincoln Journal Star Friday, November 26, 1971 HUSKER EXTRA down the SIDELINE Sooners 'played their hearts out' Thursday's game was so exciting, it had fens outside Owen Field mixed up about which team had won. "As we were getting on the bus, people were there cheering us on," said Nil left guard Dick Rupert. "One lady in the crowd said, 'Maybe you'll get them next year." A REPORT card By John Mabry and Curt McKeever RUNNING GAME Jeff Kinney (174 yards, 4 tourjrrfov) was a grade also goes to a bulldozirg effort by the offenswehne. Fullbacks Bill Olds and Maury Damkroger came through with some big blocks, none bigger than Damkroger-s hit on OU linebacker Mark Driscoll on Kinney's gamewnning score. PASSING GAME ft worked when quarterback Jerry Tagge and toe Corrtiuskers needed it most Johnny Rodgers made a coupteofkey catches, especially during the final drive, when he pulled a thirddown throw off the turf to keep the march movirg.

AGAINST THE RUN AlWmerfcan center Tom Brahaney was the matador, and middle guard Rich Glover was the bull. The bull won. Glover had 22 tackles as the Comhuskers held Greg Pruitt to 53 yards. Linebacker Bob Terrio (17 tackles) also came up with some big plays. The wishbone gave the Comhuskers fits on an 80yard, secckuarterTD drive that didnt Include one passing attempt But that drive aside, NU held up well against OU's ground game.

BY RYLY JANE HAMBtdTJN Lincoln Journal Star NORMAN, Okla. The memory of a last-second scoring drive in the first half was fresh in their minds. That's why Oklahoma players thought to the very end Thursday thatmeycoukiialry. After Nebraska scored with 138 left in the game at Owen Field to take a 35-31 lead, the Sooners started from their 19-yard line. Reminiscent of the long pass that set up a first-half score, Jack Mildren lofted a pass to Jon Harrison down the middle of the field, but it was long.

Mildren kept for a 4-yard gain, but NU's Larry Jacobson negated that with an 8-yard sack. On fourth down, Jacobson and Rich Glover pressured Mildren and Glover batted the pass to the turf with 1:10 remaining in the game to preserve NU's victory. There was no panic. We all thought, We can do Everybody was said Mildren. "If I hadn't overthrown Jon on the first play, he'd still be running "After that, it disintegrated for us that was part Glover, part us." Even in his disappointment, Mildren appreciated the Comhuskers' decision to run out the clock.

The dassy thing was that when Nebraska got the hall back, they didn't try to score. Some teams would try to jack it in and get seven more points," he said. 1 took that as a comment of respect from Coach (Bob) Devaney. He isn't a guy to try to run it up. The battle between the No.

1 and No. 2 teams in the nation proved to be all it was predicted to be, and then some. The lead changed hands four times. Johnny Rodgers electrified the crowd with a 72-yard punt return to open the scoring. Jeff Kinney slammed through the Oklahoma defense for 174 yards.

Mildren ran for 130 and, uncharacteristically, passed for another 137 yards. "Nebraska could do almost anything. Kinney was a sledgehammer, Rodgers was great and (Jerry) Tagge scrambled better against us man 4 a f. mmw sive line mat was difficult for us to handle in the second half." Nebraska rushed for 297 yards and had 65 yards passing and added 80 yards in returns. Tagge ran for 49 yanls ca 17 rarries, "They didn't do arr)rthing pected.

I think both teams felt they could win with what they had been doing," said sophomore defensive tackle Lucious Selmoa "We had been working on slow-playing the option just like when we went against our optioa "Iheir defense was stronger than our defense. We couldn't stop them. We have a showtime offense, a very high-powered offense. But they did a good job stopping our running game." That's why Mildren and Harrison hooked up before halftime to give Oklahoma its first lead of the game. Oklahoma picked up a first down with 27 seconds left in the half on runs of 5 yards by Mildren and 6 by Joe Wylie.

Then Harrison made an adjustment to come back for a 43-yard pass from Mildren. That set tip the 24-yard score with five seconds left in the half "We've never needed it (the passing game) before. The first one to Harrison was a great catch," said Mildren. "Jon and I played high school football together, so I knew him. He's kind of shy, but he said he could beat (BSD Kosch.

Then he made a wonderful over-the-shoul-der catch for the touchdown." Kosch is normally a safety for the Comhuskers, but was assigned to Harrison in a defensive switch for the 00 passing game. "On the tang completion, I lost the ball. I looked up twice and never could find the baD. I guess the wind held it up," said Kosch. "I tost my helmet on the tackle and was soil looking for it when they lined up and threw the touchdown pass.

Things went better in the second half" Bom Harrison and Mildren said that with coaches coming down from the press box for halftime, there wasn't an urgency to strike quickly. Barry Switzer, the Sooners' offensive coordinator, said he didnt miss a play. "There's no way I'm leaving when we have a scoring opportunity," said Switzer. "Because of that drive, I really think we missed an opportunity by not throwing the ball more to Jon Hanison That, and not getting the ball to Greg Pruitt more. We don't usually care who runs with the ball, but we should have gotten it in his hands more." Reach Ryly Jane HamMeton at 473-7314 or rtiamtiletonjoufnalstaf.coni.

A AGAINST THE PASS Alkanference safety Bill Kosch said he hadnt played man coverage since junior high, so I guess we have to put the heat on the coaching staff for this one. Regardless of who was responsible, the defensive switch didnt work. Sooner split end Jon Hanison burned the Comhuskers at key times, including touriidown catches in the second and fourth quarters. SPECIAL TEAMS Although it didnt seem as significant at the thriller, FJodgers' 72-yard punt return in the first quarter is sure to go down as one of the greatest plays in NU history. Rodgers also helped the coverage units shut down OU's return game.

How about thelrarias of center Doug Jamail on that squib kick in the second quarter? PLAY-CALUNG Nothing fancy to finish the job Kinney left, right left, left Glad to see the Comhuskers didn't try to get cute at crunch time, and the plan helped eat some clock. Nifty play fake produced a 12-yard ccmptetion to Rodgers that was key to NU's second TD. GAME MANAGEMENTPENALTIES After the game, NU Coach Bob Devaney said he regretted the decision to mess with the Comhuskers' base defense to get more man coverage. We didnt understand the decision to let Rich Sanger try a 56yard field goal in the second quarter it wasn't close but with OU getting the ball at its own 20 and fumbling a few plays later, the damage turned out to be minimal. The Comhuskers didnt waste any timeouts, and penalties were not a problem.

OVERALL For sheer drama, this one gets an A. It will be interesting to see what college football historians think of it 30 years from now. Wouldn't it be something if it really is remembered as the Game of the Century? You'd get no argument here. A one thought he would, said Coach Chuck Fairbanks agreed. "We played it down to the wire and came up short.

I'm obviously very disappointed, but I'm not disappointed in my team," he said. "They played their hearts out and came up short They have no reason to hang their heads, even though they are a very disappointed group of young mea "Tagge, Kinney and Rodgers were great They have a great offen statistical In vi wrL STATISTICS NEBRASKA RUSHING OKLAHOMA RUSHING Avg. Lg TD Player No. Yds Avg. Lg TD Player Jeff JOURNAL STAR LIBRARY Nebraska linebacker Bob Terrio (45) beats the block of Oklahoma halfback Greg Pruitt (30) and tackles Sooner quarterback Jack Mildren (1 1).

It was one of 17 tackles that Terrio made Thursday. Sooners changed gameplan on the ran Jack Mildren gave Oklahoma its final lead of the game, 31-28, with a pass to split end Jon Harrison with 7:10 left. It was the last of Oklahoma's 188 yards passing, which in many ways typify the Sooners' day. "We had all the offensive records going our way and we didn't think we'd be stopped. We thought we could score on ariybody," said Mildren.

"Nebraska had ability and skills to make us do things we hadn't all year. "They made the quarterback carry the ball 31 times and (Greg) Pruitt didn't get the ball much. We're a true reading team and Nebraska just didnt let us get the ball out to Greg. I have to say, though, that Pruitt prob-ably had as ferocious a blocking game as any time." Barry Switzer, the Sooners' offensive ccordinator, said Pruitt's lack of carries was an oversight Pruitt ran 10 times for 53 yards. "He's a gamebreaker and we probably should have put the ball in his hands at least 25 times," said Switzer.

"They kept us from getting ttto him on the outside, so we should have forced it to him with belly plays or offtackle. JERSEYS NOT BUILT TO LAST: Nebraska ball carriers had a hard time keeping it together Thursday. The Cornhuskers tried new tear-away jerseys and found out the shirts were true to their name. Quarterback Jerry Tagge and iback Jeff Kinney both went through a ccwrjte of uniform tops during the game, "ft was the first time we ever wore those jerseys," Kinney said, "it was like a T-shirt." TIME FLIES: The seesaw nature of the game left some Oklahoma players wanting more. "We just ran out of time," said Lucious Selmon.

"I could have played another quarter and I'm sure they could have, too. The game was so intense and everyone felt all the buildup was played out" GOOD OMEN: Mildren is always happy to score bxjchdowns, but he was particularly pleased with the touchdown pass to Harrison seconds before halftime that gave the Sooners a 17-14 lead. "That was the first time Nebraska was behind all year, which is kind of amazing," he said. "Switzer was coming down from the press box and didnt really see it Most of the credit for that score is deserved by Harrison. We felt pretty good because we were going to get the ball to start the second half." PASSING FRENZY: Oklahoma had the No.

1 offense in the nation entering the game, but that was because the running game averaged 481 yards a game. That's what made the Sooners' reliance on passing (188 yards) so unusual. "No one had stopped us all year running, ft gave me a chance because they (the Huskers) committed to the run," said Harrison. "We are the opposite of other teams. When we want to slow down our offense, we throw the ball." Selmon said: "Throwing became a necessity.

We felt if we went in behind at halftime, we'd be in trouble. We showed some things we had not done before and caught Nebraska by surprise." IN A NUTSHELL Mildren summed up the offensive schemes and the defensive prowess of both squads. "Our advantage is speed and Nebraska's is clearly power. Power won," he said. SULLIVAN TAKES HEISMAN: Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan was awarded the Heisman Trophy, edging out recordsetting Cornell halfback Ed Marinaro for the honor, which was announced Thursday by the Downtown Athletic Club In New York.

Oklahoma halfback Greg Pruitt finished third in the voting and will get the chance to prove his talent in comparison to Sullivan's when the Sooners meet Auburn in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. Husker quarterback Jerry Tagge finished seventh in the voting. I Ryty Jane Hartbleton and John Mabiy 31 174 5.6 23 4 31130 A2 13 Jeny 12 59 A9 21 10 53 53 28 8 26 33 8 Jack Mildren LeonCrosswhite. Greg Pruitt Tim Welch Joe Wylie Johnny Rodgers. Maury Damkroger.

17 49 4 27 3 23 4 22 1 2 25 33 6.8 15 7.7 10 55 6 2.0 2 3 11 17 Gary PASSING FIRST QUARTER NU 7, OKLAHOMA 0 Johnny Rodgers 72 punt return Time left: 1128. Convenion: Rich Sanger kick. NU 7, OKLAHOMA 3 John Carroll 30 field goal Time left: 5:57. DHvw 72 yards In 12 plays. Other key ptayK Greg Pruitt 17 tun, Jack Mildren 4 run to OU 45 on Harrison 32 pass from Mildren to NU 21 on 3rtfanda, SECOND QUARTER NU 14, OKLAHOMA 3 Jeff Kinney 1 run Time left: 1108.

Drive: 54 yards in 12 plays. Set up by Jim Anderson re-coveryof GreePruitt fumble Other Key ptary: Bill Olds 6 run, Jerry Tagge 3 run, Taege 2 run to OU 43 on 3rdand-l, Kinney 6 run, Olds 6 run to OU 31 on3rdand4, Johnny Rodgers 12 pass from Tagge, Tagge 5 run, Kinney 2 run, Tagge 7 run to OU 5 on 3rdand3, Kinney 4 run. Convenion: Rich Sanger kick. PASSING CM Yds 1 TD 6-120 65 20 0 Player Player C-A4 Yds Lg TD Jack Mildren 5-100 137 43 2 -Jon Harrison. 1-1-0 51 51 0 RECEIVING Player No.

Yd Avg. lg TD Jon 4 115 28.8 43 2 Albert 2 73 365 51 0 TACKLES Johnny 01-0 0 0 0 RECEIVING Player No. Yd Avg. Lg TD Johnny 5 61 122 20 0 JeffKimey. 1 4 4.0 4 0 TACKLES Player UT AT TT Sack UT AT TT Sack Mark Driscoll Steve Aycock.

00 00 5 6 11 00 2 9 11 00 1 9 10 16 6 3 9 00 Player Rich Bob Larry Jacobson Joe Blahak 3 19 22 4 13 17 2 12 14 5 8 13 NU 14, OKLAHOMA 10 Jack Mildren 2 run 00 1 5 lucious Kenith Pope Derland Albert Bruce DeLoney 7 9 Jim Branch I Time left: 5:10. Drive: 80 yards in 13 plays. 3 2 5 00 1 4 5 00 Steve 3 1 4 00 John Dave Jim 5 3 3 0 IS 00 00 00 00 1-12 00 00 00 00 Raymond Hamilton 2 2 4 00 Lany Roach 3 0 3 00 Other key pkyc Leon Orosswtiite 24 run, MiWren 7 run to NU 44 on 3rdand5, Crosswhite 5 run, Mildren 12 run to NU 25 on 3rdand3, Mildren 10 run. CmveraloKJorflCariottkick. OKLAHOMA 17, NU 14 Jon Harrison 24 pass from Jack Mildren Time left: 005.

Drives 78 yards In 4 plays. Other key pbryc Mildren 5 run, Joe Wylie 6 run, Jon Harrison 43 pass from Mildren. Convenion: John Carroll kick. Bill 00 UonellDay. 0 3 1 1 1 1 2 Willie Harper 00 Danny Mullen Jon PatMorrelU.

1 1 2 00 FUMBLE RETURNS John 11 2 00 FUMBLE RETURNS Player No. Ydt TD Rich Glover 1 0 0 Dave 1 0 0 1 0 0 PUNTING THIRD QUARTER NU 21. OKLAHOMA 17 Jeff Kinney 3 run Drive: 53 yards In 6 plays. Set up by Dave Mason recovery Time left: 8:54. of Inr Mildren fumble.

No. Avg. 1 5 182 36.4 49 PUNT RETURNS Jeff I Olds 4 run, Tagge 33 run to Other key plays: Kinney 6, 5 runs, Jeny Tagge 3 run. Flayer No. Yds TD Uncus Selmon 10 0 PUNTING Player No.

Yds Avg. Lg loe Wylie 3 107 35.7. 39 PUNT RETURNS Player No. Yds Avg. Lg TD Joe Wylie 1 7 7.0 7 0 KICKOFF RETURNS Pfaryer No.

Yds Avg. Lg TD Joe Wylie 1 16 16.0 lfi 0 Greg Pruitt 1 9 9.0 9 0 Leon Crosswhite 1 7 7.0 7 0 Steve Dodd 1 2 20 2 0 uu on droanoo. Player No. Yds Avg. Lg TD 2 80 40 0 72 1 Conversion: Rich Sanger kick.

Johnry OFF RETURNS NU 28. OKLAHOMA 17 Jeff Kinney 1 run No. Yds Avt Lc TD Tbne I 38. Drive: 61 yards in 8 plays. iv: Maurv Damkrocer 5 run.

Kimev 5. 15 runs. Johmv Rodcera 20 Other I Jeff Kinney. 2 30 15,0 19 0 DougJamal 2 1 0.5 2 0 Johnry 1 25 25.0 25 0 p8framKjerrJe NU 28, OKLAHOMA 24 Jack Mildren 3 run Drim 73 tmria In 7 Dtavs. Time left: 02a KFABAM playbyplay voice LyeU Bremser's call of Johnny Rodgers' 72yard punt return for a touchdown in the game's opening minutes: Here's (Joe) Wyle's Mck.

If high. holds up there. Rodgers lakes the bal at the 30. He's hit and got away. Back upfieU to the 35, to the 40L He's to the 451 He's to the 50! To the 451 To the 40, to the 351 To the 201 To the 101 He's a the way home! Holy mdy! Man, woman and chid, dd that put torn In the aisles! Johnny The Jef Rodgers Just tore ton loose from their shoesT Other kev Din Miklmn 6 run.

Atwrt Charts' 51 ness tarn Jon Harrison to NU 16 Average per wrnptefon. PUNTING AVG. RRST DOWNS NU 19 15 OU 22 16 103 313 364 35.7 5-182 3-107 0 0 Rushing. Had 4 0 6 0 Penalty PUNT RETURN 7.0 1-7 0 40.0 280 1 112 TOTAL OFFENSE. Total Awerage per play RUSHiNGYARDS touchdowns.

362 467 72 77 5.1 6.1 297 279 60 64 314 299 NCKOTf RETURN on 3rdand4. Mildren 8, 5 runs. Cortveritan: Jcnn CamoU kick. OKLAHOMA 31, NU 28 Jon Harrison 16 pass from Jack Mildren Time left: 7:10. Drive: 69 yards In 12 plays.

Set up by Uiotous Sernonre- covetv of Jerry Tagge fumble Other key play- Mildren 9, 5 runs, Tim Welch 4 run, Greg Prutt 18 run, Mildren 2 lUV Welch 2, 4 runs. Mildren 4 tun to NU 21 on 4thenctt. ConveisfcM John Carrol kick. NU 35. OKLAHOMA 31 Jeff Kinney 2 run Time left! 1:38.

DnVet 74 yards ri 12 jteys. Other hey P-ysi Jrjhnny Rodgers 4 run. Klrvwy 5 ru Klnrey 17 run to OU 48 on 3randl, Gary Don 2 run, Johnny Rodgers 11 pass from Tagge to OU 35 on 3nJandS, Nrv Attempts, 566 434 0 0 Retumsyards. RJMBLESLOST Yards Yards fast 1-1 17 20 53 3 TOTAL 1 5.0 4.4 Average per rush Touchdowns. 3rWWNCONVERSI0Na.

4 2 PASSING YARDS The stories In this section are new accounts of Nebraska's 3531 victory against Oklahoma on Nov. 25, 1971. The Husker Extra writers watched a videotape of ABC's telecast of the game and then wrote about It as If they were in Norman on that ThanksgMng Day. While some of the quotes were taken from the newspaper's original coverage, most were gathered re-cenrJy to offer a fresher perspective on what is rww known as the Game of the 916 815 63 .533 00 23 .000 667 65 188 6-13 6-11 AtterrsoimpietJore. Had intercepted.

Percentage cornerted 4THrj0vVN(X)fWERSIONS. Percentage coNerted PENALTIES-YARDS SACKS BY-YARDS LOST TouriirJowns. 1-5 1-5 novi.o run, nuas i run, mmey (, runs. Average par My 5.0 171 vwwerwuniracn; Sanger kick. 2-20.