The Lincoln Star du lieu suivant : Lincoln, Nebraska • 26

ADV. 1 FOOTBALL DECEMBER 23, 1930 LINCOLN JOURNAL-STAR Buffalo coach believes in Reie Mxsi, -si." r-iinmmf'-' va taaiw, wtf mn 1 1 miiHeMli f)rt rriim i iKiiiini ir i rrn'n 'inurr miiiiri By Thomas George NwYorkTimt Marv Levy didnt have time this week to make his Pro Bowl selections. Levy, the Buffalo Bills' coach, passed that task on to his assistant coaches. As for those 125 tetters in his office from Bills' fans: "They're all telling me what I should be doing this week," Levy said. "I dont pay attention to any of it, not any of it A coach who starts listening to the fans winds up sitting next to them in the stands." Excuse Levy for his tunnel vision.

Buffalo, 12-2, has plenty at stake on Suaday when the Miami Dolphins, 11-3, travel to Rich Stadium for a huge American Conference East showdown and more. A Buffalo victory will give it the American Conference East title and assure the Bills of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Buffalo's losses were at Miami (30-7) in Week 2 and at Houston (27-24) in Week 12. The loss to Miami was disheartening. The Bills wilted in the Florida heat and they bickered on the sidelines.

After that loss, however, Buffalo won eight straight games. The Bills have victories against the Raiders (38-24), Philadelphia (30-23) and the Giants (17-13) and have the second-best record in the National Football League behind the San Francisco 49ers" 13-1 mark. The Bills flourished under Jim Kelly, who is out with a knee injury, and now turn to Frank Reich for leadership and big plays at quarterback. Levy has confidence in Reich but adds: "Frank is not going to win the game alone any more than Jim would have won it alone." Levy said the Bills' offense including its no-huddle attack will not change drastically under Reich. Miami Coach Don Shula is 32-9 against Buffalo but only 2-6 against the Levy-led Bills.

Before the Miami victory this season, Buffalo had won six straight in the series and had remained in first place in the AFC East for 33 consecutive weeks. The divisional rivalry that already exists between these teams, plus the high stakes, indicates that the game will be played at a fever pitch. In other games: GionM at Phoenix: Jeff Hosteller's debut as the Giants' starting quarterback for likely the rest of the season comes conveniently against a team against which he has enloyed success. Hostetler, who gives the Giants mobility In the pocket, hopes to revive an offense that has scored lust 52 points in Its last four games, an average of 13 a game. Phoenix had won three straight and was excited about the return of rookie running back Johnny Johnson, but Johnson rushed for lust 22 vords on 13 carries in the Cardinals' 41-10 loss to Dallas.

The Giants have won nine of the lost 11 meetings. Dallas at Philadelphia (CBS, Channels 1011, noon): "Who could have imagined the possibility of the playoffs?" asked Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys' head coach. Everyone asks him the same question. Dallas, however, will win the third wild-card spot if It beats the Eagles and then wins at Atlanta. Philadelphia has earned Its third consecutive playoff appearance.

New Orleans at San Francisco (CBS, Channels 3, 1011, 3 p.m.): Should Steve Young finish the regular season while Joe Montana rests? Here is Montana's answer: "This Is the only place I've ever heard where they want the backup to get playing time. It's fine for the media, and I'm sure it's great for Steve. But that's not part of the role description In that lob." Tampa Bay at Chicago: Neal Anderson rests his bruised ribs and the Bears seek continuity after consecutive losses to Washington and Detroit and, overall, three losses In their last four games. Mike Tome-zack replaces Jim Harbaugh (separated shoulder) at quarterback. The Buccaneers' Interim head coach, Richard Williamson, wonts to go 2-0.

L.A. Rams at Atlanta: The Rams handed the 49ers their only loss but can beat enough of the rest of the league. Atlanta has lost seven straight games by margins of 8 points to Chicago, 1 to Philadelphia, 3 to New Orleans, 6 to Tampo Bay, 11 to Phoenix and 3 to Cleveland. New England at N.Y. Jets: Bruce Armstrong has produced a magnificent season.

What a dominating offensive tackle. How else can his Pro Bowl selection on the woeful Patriots be explained? "I didnt think things were going well enough to get that attention," Armstrong sold. The Jets have won three more games than New England but hove no Pro Bowl selections. Houston at Cincinnati: Expect fireworks to flv In Cincinnati with Warren Moon fresh from his 527-yard passing day against the tough Kansas City defense. This game would have been plaved at Houston, but the baseball playoffs caused the Oct.

14 gome site to be switched with this one. Houston won that first meeting 48-17 In the Astrodome. A victory here and at home next week against Pittsburgh will give the Oilers the AFC Central title. Kansas City at San Diego (NBC, Channel 3 p.m.): Anthony Miller was a Pro Bowl selection at receiver for the Chargers even though 17 different receivers league-wide and 8 in the AFC have more catches than his 57. The league knows what the Chargers seem to hide: Miller is a serious threat who has to be used more seriously.

Kansas City is banged up (running back Christian Okoye, shoulder Iniury, and quarterback Steve DeBerg, finger Iniury), but the Chiefs have not lost two straight this season. Cleveland (3-11) at Pittsburgh (8-6): Cleveland entered against Atlanta last Sunday ranked No. 28 in rushing but finished with 142 rushing yards and a 13-10 victory. It was the most rushing yards by Cleveland in Its last 29 games. Pittsburgh stalks Its first divisional crown since 1984.

Denver at Seattle (ESPN, Cable Channel 23, 7 p.m.): Denver has lost five straight road games to its divisional foes. HARALD DflEIMANISUNCOLN JOURNAL-STAR ffIu.Statfoqrterbak Bradley (3) sets up to pass during an NAIA Division II playoff game earlier this month. Bradley led the Bobcats to a 12-0-1 record and the national title. State College Offensive Player of Year un-and-shoot perfect for Peru QB ByMarkDerowitsch probably be a tight end right now instead of a quarter- Lincoln Journat-Star Nate Bradley's career as a veer offense nnartorWb win the whole thing" The area Bradley improved the most this season was reading opposing defenses. The Bobcats' lone offensive touchdown in the title game against Westminster a 9-yard pass from Bradley to wide receiver Troy DeBoest was the result of an audible by Bradley.

Threw school-record 26 touchdowns This season, Bradley completed 265 of 528 passes (50.2 percent), including 26 touchdowns, a school record. He also set school records for most yards in a game (416 against Teikyo Westmar), most completions and attempts (33 of 65 against Westmar) and tied the school mark with four touchdown passes against Dickinson State. "At the end of last year, I knew I had to get better in two areas: one was my quickness and the other in reading defenses," Bradley said. "My reads got better but I still have slow feet" Bradley has yet to decide if he will come back for his senior season. He will graduate in May with a degree in psychologysociology.

He transferred to Peru from Rutgers University, where he sat out his freshman season as a redshirt "IH make that decision after graduation," he said. Bradley said he's not concerned about his statistics. The only one he's worried about is the number of games Peru State wins. "I just want to play football," he said. "The records mean nothing to me." back." Shea said the change in offense paid immediate dividends and led to the national title.

Bradley led the Bobcats into the playoffs for the first time in school history as a sophomore last season and helped them win the national title this year. Live or die with run-and-shoot "Nate's freshman year, we decided to live or die with the run-and-shoof Shea said "His first game (against Wesleyan), he threw for almost 360 yards. I knew right then that we were onto something." Corning into this season, Bradley said he knew the Bobcats had a special team. That sentiment was verified when Peru defeated Dickinson (N.D.) State 38-34 in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Peru trailed Dickinson 27-10 at halftime before Bradley threw three of his four touchdown passes in the second half, including the game-winner an 11-yarder to wide receiver Cory Catterson with 1:38 left in the contest For the game, he completed 26 of 47 passes for 326 yards and was named the game's outstanding offensive player.

He was also named the most outstanding player in the championship game, throwing for 315 yards in a 17-7 win against two-time defending champion "When we beat Dickinson State, something inside told me that we were destined to win the national championship," Bradley said. "When we came back, and beat them, something told me we were going to Lasted just one game before Bobcat Coach Tom Shea Explored other options. a result, Peru State switched to the run-and-shoot ijffense that highlighted Bradley. After Peru lost to Missouri Valley in its season jppener in 1988 (Bradley's freshman year), Shea Scrapped the veer offense, inserted Bradley into the Starting lineup the next week against Nebraska Wesleyan and unveiled the run-and-shoot Bradley had earned the starting job when Rod Olson Injured his knee on the first play against Missouri Valley. Bradley came in and scored the Bobcats' only Jouchdown on a 53-yard run in a 21-7 loss.

Offensive switch paid off The switch paid off right away as Bradley ted Peru to a 38-10 victory against Wesleyan. Bradley started six James his freshman season and Peru won five. The run-and-shoot is still paying off in a big way. Thisjseason, Bradley threw for a school-record 3,806 and guided Peru to a 1241 record and the NAIA division II title. And for the second year in a row, Bradley has earned the Lincoln Journal-Star's State Jtollege Of fensive Player of the Year honor.

1 didnt like the veer offense because I'm not very last," said Bradley, a junior from Newark, J. "I ran Jhe option one game before we put in the run-and-shoot jt's a good thing we changed because if we hadn't I'd From Pge1D NFL Bobcats' Hansen enjoys football again ww more TD passes in his last three games (10) than he had in his first 12 (eight). Before throwing three in each of his previous two games, he had gone 20 straight quarters without a touchdown pass. The Vikings (6-9), who have lost three in a row, will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1986. The Vikings were 8-0 at home last season when they won the NFC Central but have supped to 4-3 in the Metrodome this year.

Minnesota quarterback Wade Wilson separated bis shoulder midway through the third quarter after being sacked by Scott Davis and had to leave the game, Wilson, who completed 11 of 19 passes for 162 yards, was making his first start since a Sept 23 thumb injury put him on the disabled list. Colts 35, Redskins 28 Rookie defensive back Alan Grant returned an intercepted pass 25 yards for a touchdown with 50 seconds left at Indianapolis to lead the Colts past the penalty-plagued Redskins. The Redskins had already clinched their first NFC playoff berth in three years. The Colts remained alive for a possible AFC wild-card berth. The Redskins appeared to have the game under control after two touchdown passes by Mark Rypien and four field goals by Chip Lohrniller, including a career-best 56-yarder.

Lohmiller's fourth field goal, a 27-yarder with 4:15 to go, put the Redskins up 28-21. The Colts had to punt on the next possession, but got the ball back with two minutes to go after Clarence Verdin returned a short Washington punt to the Redskins' 37. Washington was called for encroachment one of 14 penalties on the Redskins, putting Indianapolis at the 32. After an incomplete pass, rookie Jeff George then completed three straight including a 12-yarder to Bill Brooks for the tying touchdown with 1:21 to go. Rypien, who completed 18 of 37 passes for 249 yards, started the next drive at the Redskins' 21.

Twenty-five seconds later, Grant picked off the pass and ran untouched into the end zone. George hit 18 of 33 passes for 252 yards, including two earlier touchdowns to Stanley Morgan The running of Washington's Earnest Byner, whose 154 yards marked his fourth straight game of at least 100 yards rushing, set up Rypien's first touchdown pass, a 12-yarder to Art Monk in the first quarter. t. Jr -i LJ ByMarkDerowitsch Lincoln Journal-Star 1 Bob Hansen's hiatus from football 3110011 last long. In fact it lasted less than a month.

Hansen's "retirement" from football after disappointing stints at Nebraska and Wyoming. But a call from Peru State Coach Tom Shea convinced him to change his mind and play again. "1 was down because I think I got Screwed at Wyoming," said Hansen, a Junior from Greenwood. "They told me hat If I came out there, I would get a scholarship. I never got any money and I fed up with the whole thing and quit JVben Coach Shea got hold of me during Jh Rummer, I decided to give football Another try.

Now, I'm glad I did" So is Shea. Hansen anchored a Bobcat defense that finished sixth in scoring defense in NAIA Division II He led the national champion Bobcats, who finished a 12-0-1 record, with 138 total tackles and also recorded 6 sacks, second-best on the team. Today, Hansen is being' honored as the Lincoln Journal-Star's State College Defensive Player of the year. pave Hansen opportunity "We provided a good situation for Bob," Shea said. "We gave him an opportunity to use his great ability.

I'm glad "I want to come back and defend the title," he said. "Besides, I'm just starting to enjoy football again." Hansen, who graduated from Ashland-Greenwood High School in 1986, walked on at Nebraska the following falL He started on the Cornhusker freshman team, then sat out the 1987 season as a redshirt After things didnt work out at NU, he transferred to Wyoming, where again he had to sit out That's when Hansen got tired of playing, or not playing, football "After two redshirt years, I was happy to play again at Peru," he said. "My last year at Nebraska and again at Wyoming, I just got to practice. I missed playing in games." He missed the competition so much that he jumped at the chance to move from linebacker to defensive line one week before the first game of the 1989 season Last year, Peru State had two honorable mention Little College All-America linebackers Kory Lind and Steve Rasmussen. Hansen said he changed positions just to get some playing time.

He led the team with 12 quarterback sacks last season and was named an all-Tri-State Conference first-team tion. "They needed some size on the defensive line and Coach Shea asked me to move," said Hansen, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 230 pounds. "I never had played on the line before but it didnt matter to me. At least I got to play." Moved back to linebacker This year, Hansen moved back to linebacker and shined. He's one of the reasons the Bobcats did so well this year, Shea said.

"He's the most unselfish player on the team," he said. "We try to get the best people on the field and that's why Bob played on the line last year. He's quick and he gets the job done no matter where he is playing." Hansen said he's not totally bitter about his two years at Nebraska. He said that's where he became a good football player. "They taught me about reading the holes and going after the balL" he said.

"I think I'm a better player for going there." Still, Hansen said he wont leave Peru State until he plays another year of football and gets bis degree. Hell graduate next December with a degree in psychologysociology. "I can't wait to come back," he said. "I wish the season had already started." BobHanten Colorado linebacker Williams misses flight miami (AP) All-American line-. practice on Sunday.

backer Alfred Williams missed Colora he decided to come last year." This spring, Hansen will quit school again, but not because he's unhappy at Peru State. By sitting out next semester, Hansen will have a chance to play next year, when Peru State will defend its national championship. Hansen has one more semester of eligibility left, so if he sits out the 1991 spring semester hell remain eligible for the fall semester. He plans to get a job this spring and summer, work out in the weight room and get ready for next Top-ranked Colorado will play No. 5 Notre Dame on New Year's night in a game that could decide the national championship.

The Fighting Irish, who beat Colorado in last season's Orange BowL will arrive Christmas night While Williams finally arrived, another player was sent back to Boulder. Eric Hamilton, a backup safety and the team's leading tackier on special teams, will miss the game for (lisciplinary do's team plane to Miami for the Orange Bowl, had two flights canceled and finally arrived more than 12 hours late and with an upset stomach. "I dont think flying is his favorite thing to do," Coach Bill McCartney said. Williams, who was vomiting when he finally reached the Buffaloes' hotel Saturday afternoon, was sent to bed and missed their first workout McCartney said he hopes Williams will be able to eiensive secondary is to 1 jriority for -flusker JL Nebraska football oral commitments In-state Po. Ht.

wt. school RB-DB 6-0 185 Crete LB 4-2 220 Grand Island QB 5-11 185 Bellevue(West) OL 6-4 227 Henderson Out-of-state QB 6-3 305 Goodlond, Kan. DB 6-4 200 Cheyenne, Wyo. OL 6-3 253 Monroe, La. Junior college transfers DB 6-0 220 Ellsworth (Iowa) CC SE 6-4 200 Highland (Kan.) CC i Name Tom Steer Phil Ellis Clester Johnson Steve Ott Brook Berrlnger Troy Dumas BillyJones Ernie Beler TrumaneBell 'signed letter-of-lntent By Ken Hambleton Lincoln Journal-Star Nebraska has completed the first step, ini in many cases a most important second step, in its football recruiting this "The first thing we have to do is decide who we would like and get them to jrishT Nebraska on-campus recruiting coordinator Dave Gillespie sail "We're pleased with where we're at in tiecruiting right now," he said.

"We're getting a lot of top players in the country to.yisjt 4 But we have a long way to go." Nebraska has received oral commitments from eight recruits and has signed a junior college recruit already this season. Thirty-eight recruits 'have made their official visits to the Nebraska campus, and the Cornhuskers ex- Reece suffered a knee injury last spring and missed the entire 1990 season, and Collins and Stewart redshirted as freshmen this year. Lorenzo Brinkley, originally a running back recruit from St Louis, has moved to the secondary. Corey Dixon, who signed a letter-of-intent in February 1990, was a wingback who also was moved to the secondary. So far this recruiting season, Nebraska has signed strong safety Ernie Beler of Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College, and received an oral commitment from defensive back Troy Dumas of Cheyenne (Wyo.) East High SchooL Beler was a running back recruit at Nebraska two years ago, but he did not qualify academically.

He now has his associate's degree and is immediately eligible to play at Nebraska. "We're going to need a few more like Beler and Dumas this recruiting season," Nebraska defensive backs coach George Darlington said. "One of the points we make to defensive back recruits is that they could step in and make a bid for a position right away." Darlington said the case is easily made at cornerback, where the only underclassman scholarship player currently at Nebraska is Tyrone Legette. "There are high school players out there who are physically capable of playing cornerback," Darlington said. "The key is the mental capabilities.

We need to find someone who wont be scared to death playing in front of a huge crowd. "That's one reason why we're looking at junior colleges to find some of the cornerbacks we need." The Cornhuskers are not above recruiting a true athlete who could adapt to playing cornerback, too. "Too often the high school player wants to be on the offensive side of things and win the Heisman Trophy," Darlington said, "But he doesnt realize that may take years on the bench. Whereas a move to defense could mean he could play right away." Charles Fryar was an example of a player who made the switch from wing-" back to cornerback. He became a three-year starter and a two-time All-Big' Eight player at cornerback.

"We're looking for 4.6 speed in the 40 or better, and we're looking for quick-; ness and aggressiveness to play corner- back," Darlington said. "You can find out if a player is missing those attributes in a hurry in a big game." pect at least 40 more to visit before national letter-of-lntent signing day Feb. 6. One of the top priorities in Nebraska's recruiting this year is in the defensive secondary. Six defensive backs will complete their eligibility on Jan.

1, when Nebraska plays Georgia Tech in the Citrus BowL In the past two years, NU has signed just four recruits specifically to play in the secondary. Those four are Cedric Collins, Ed Stewart, John Reece and Chad Hunter. Hunter transferred to Texas i WA,.