The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 40

2EC 1 HUSKERS 9, 1OT0 SUNDAY JOURNAL-STAR u. Northern Illinois enc i lots of trouble witliNfyd tion to a threefolnt stance to overcome ti Imh Klnnlrlnn Uiiatrlao By Ken Hambleton Nebraska defensive football became a group encounter Saturday against Northern Illinois. i Reggie Cooper got to meet Stacey Robinson. Pat Engelbert and Kenny Walker found a solution to their frustrations. And Tyrone Byrd learned not to listen to Tahaun Lewis.

Nebraska senior safety Cooper ran into Northern Illinois quarterback Robinson only once in the first quarter. "I Just couldnt get over to where be was," Cooper sail "So we adjusted and moved me to the middle, kind of center field, so Td have a better shot at him." Cooper and Robinson got together four more times, resulting in losses of 4 yards for Robinson. I was, enjoying all our meetings," Cooper said. met Stacey a couple of times when he wasnt expecting it It picked me up and got me going. "At the same time, the rest of our defense stepped it up a couple of notches and we slammed the door shut" Middle guard Engelbert and defensive tackle Walker agreed that the adjustments to Northern Illinois' unfamiliar unbalanced line made a difference in Nebraska's defense.

"We were maybe trying too hard at 5 Unbalanced line had mmmmmmm fii niiiTa- times and not getting the Job done," Walker said. "Some of us understood what to do and some didnt, and they were getting a few good plays against us. "We cooperated and got the job done once we all had a chance to talk with the coaches at balftbne." In the meantime, Walker vented his frustration on the Huskies by tackling fullback Adam Dach for a 2-yard loss and helping teammates Pat Tyrance and Travis Hill sack Robinson in the end zone for a safety. Walker slammed Robinson down for a 6-yard loss In the third quarter and finished with five tackles, Engelbert had a different source of frustration. "Northern Illinois scramble-blocked like nobody I've ever seen," the Junior, middle guard said.

"They came out so low to block, It was bard to pursue anybody with an the bodies on the ground. So we just started playing the gaps and running straight ahead and getting the penetration we needed to stop them. "We stuffed them up pretty good after the middle of the second quarter. By the third quarter we ran all over them." NU sophomore Hill said the outside linebackers went from a standing post- it's six points. "With the wishbone, they run plays right at you and hope for one bust and see what happens." Nebraska's 60-14 win against Northern Illinois might not indicate many defensive problems, but McBride said the Comhuskers didnt meet their defensive goals in the game.

"Our goal was to limit them to 10 points and we missed that a bit and I think we set 250 yards as the total offense limit," McBride said. The Huskies had 295 yards in total offense. "I wasnt that excited about our first-half play," he said. "There were a few breakdowns. But once you get some- thing unexpected, you lose your excitement a bit Confusion gets you a little immobilized." Rut once McBride and the Nebraska coaching staff got the necessary changes made and had an the defensive players working as a unit, the Huskers clamped down on Northern Illinois' wishbone.

The Huskies had 192 yards of total of- Statistics 0 B. 1 Jefferson 1 Mohnsen 0 Wlghtman 0 Gelken 0 1 Byrd ....1 E.Anderson 1 No. Illinois Offense Rushing I RANDY HAMPTON SUNDAY JOURNAL-STAR Nebraska l-back Leodls Flowers goes over the top for a second quarter touchdown. Conclusion of series with Huskers is not sad time coach 1 'the Comhuskers). "I mean, it's great If you can come in here and you can be competitive.

It's' great for recruiting. It's great for exposure for your program, but what hap- pened to us physically today I dont think is worth it" Northern dug a 164 hole before junior fullback Adam Dach broke loose with the longest run of his career a 48-yard touchdown to start an U-point swing. That gave the Huskies their second wind, but it didnt last long. Nebraska answered with 10 points, and after Northern drove for a field goal on its first possession of the second half, the Comhuskers ran off 34 straight "If you're not prepared to play two' halves of football it's going to be a long day, as it showed today," quarterback Stacey Robinson said. "We came in kind of confident at halftime.

We were aU saying, 'This is where we were last year. We have to execute and do things right But the first drive was kind of important We wanted to score a touchdown and ended up kicking a field goal After that they kind of took the air right out of us." While Northern's starters did wen in staying close, the Huskies fell back when 7s mi iihiiumh mi i i mti iiiinnnd i By Ryly Jane Hambleton It's hard to communicate when you're going fuU-speed. Nebraska defensive coordinator Charlie McBride said that was the problem in making the necessary adjustments Saturday to Northern Illinois' unexpected unbalanced offensive line. "It was like telling one player at a time when we could get him off the field what we wanted to do," McBride said. "It wasnt until we could get them all together that we could explain.

"We probably didnt get fully adjusted unUl halftime." That meant the players werent an working with the adjustments at the same time, which caused some confusion. "You need to have all ll guys playing the same defense," said NU linebacker -and captain Pat "You always think about a shutout, but I think at times we lost our concentration. We've faced enough wishbone teams to know what to expect Against the wishbone, it just takes one missed assignment and Offense Rushing Highat Bostick i MU7a flnollu trrxi cnmi nAftAtvatlrtrt ffV tUIOMJ gVW CTWMIV AHVW HWWU UV" cause they couldn't get under us to block us, nut nuu. After Nebraska made Its defensive adjustments, Northern Illinois fen father and further behind the Comhusk-era. "They were going to have to passlto get back in the game," Byrd said.

"Our line was really doing a great Job, and we knew It would be time for the secondary to get going. Robinson completed eight of his first 10 passes for 91 yards. But he completed just two of his last six for 7 yards. Byrd, who had an interception against Baylor a week ago, picked off a Robinson pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it 27 yards to the NIU 18 to set up Nebraska's sixth touchdown. He raced through the Huskies' offense but lost the ban when he was tackled.

Lewis recovered. "Tahaun kept yelling at me to pitch the baU to him," Byrd said. "I guess: I waited too long and almost lost the ball The coaches let me know that wasn't a very good play. I wont listen to anybody in that case anymore." NU on run fense in the first half. After a 54-yard drive to open the third quarter with'a field goal, Northern Illinois got just ofle first down the rest of the game, aid quarterback Stacey Robinson threw an interception on the first play after the first do wa "We needed to get our strong safety more involved, and Reggie Cooper good Job on the back side once we made the change," McBride said.

"Kenny Walker came up one time and got a sack for a loss and that also helped get the defense going." Despite the first-half problems with NIU's unbalanced line, the Nebraska defense registered a safety with 8:22 left In the first quarter when Tyrance tackled Robinson in the end "They were in a double set, aid Kenny Walker and Le Andre Anderson got good pressure on him," Tyrance said. "I came out of my run responsibility when I saw that and came up to help. thought Kenny got credit for the tackle, though." Punting No. Yds. Ave.

D.Jensen..... 5 190 38.0 Klckoff returns No. Yds. 5 94 Ray. 1 21 T.

1 21 1 21 Interception returns I No. Yds. 1 Defense Tackles UT AT Henrlcksen 6 4 TT 10 10 7 Jones 5 Upton 4 5 1 Rogan. 2 Favor 4 3 Kennedy 1 2 Wild. 1 Hanson 1 Taylor 3 Kurtz 0 Geary 1 Holllday 1 Osteen 0 1 1 1 4 1 1 I mi 3.

"ss they had to substitute. "The only difference between us and Nebraska is their depth," Dach said. "I think our starters are Just about as good as theirs are. We proved that in the first two halves of both games we've played with them. They just start to wear us down, and I've got to believe that's just depth." Dach finished with 89 hard-earned yards, and Robinson scrambled for a combined rushing and passing total of 156.

The two seemed pleased with that production, especially when they considered what they had Just faced Robinson, a shifty runner who led an quarterbacks by rushing for 1,443 yards last season, was impressed with the Comhuskers' speed. "Their corners and free safety ran the alley pretty hard," he said. "It was hard to get around the defensive end, and then see those guys at the same time." Like Pettibone, Robinson, was glad to get out of Lincoln. "Our offense showed that we're capable of moving the ball against a very, very tough defense, but they took a ton on us," he said. "Those guys are probably the best in the nation.

"Now, it's important for us to move on and forget about it" it really doesnt mean much," Dach said. The play, Dach noted, came out of Northern Illinois' basic triple option. Senior kicker John Ivanlc became Northern Illinois' all-time leading scorer when he kicked a 42-yard field goal In the second quarter. Ivanic, now at 208 points (four better than former record-holder Relno Nori, who played from 1932-35), added a 34-yarder in the third quarter. That was the 42nd field goal of his career, giving him a 10th school record.

NU 3112. this year. Fullback Adam Dach scored on a 48-yard run and Robinson led the Huskies on a 59-yard drive that ended in a field goal that closed the score to 16-11 with 9:33 left in the second quarter. Huskers caught fire That was almost the last time North-era Illinois was heard from. Nebraska outside linebacker Mike Croel, who teamed with linebacker Pat Tyrance to sack Robinson for a safety in the first quarter, popped the ball loose from Robinson on NIU's next possessioa Tyrance recovered the ban at the Huskies' 28.

Eight plays later, Flowers scored from the Nebraska's defense slammed the door on Northern Illinois again, and with one second left in the half, Gregg Barrios added a 32-yard field goal. "When we got the 10 points before halftime, I could see things start to build for us and fan apart for them," Flowers said. "Our defense was mad and playing like they know they should. Our offense was determined to get some points on the board and get this game up to where we thought it should be." Brief scare The Huskies struck first in the second half with a 54-yard drive, which included their next-to-last first down of the game and ended with a 34-yard field goal by John Ivanic. After that even Nebraska's only lost fumble of the game couldnt slow the Comhuskers much.

NU fullback Omar Soto scored on an 8-yard run to cap an U-play, 70-yard gHLfr i 1 Punt returns No. Yds. 2 6 1 5 Cornier 1 13 Klckoff returns No. Yds. Hushes 3 136 Bostick 1 30 Interception returns No.

Yds. 1 27 By Curt McKeever For Northern Illinois Coach Jerry Pet-tibone, Nebraska is a nice place to visit, but on his next trip hell likely leave his Huskies at home. "I'm glad we're through playing Nebraska," Pettibone said after Saturday's 60-14 loss in Memorial Stadium. "I'd just as soon play teams that are more at our development We're not ready for Nebraska." Pettibone, the Comhuskers' recruiting coordinator from 1979-81, has watched his squad battle NU tough for one half each of the last two seasons. Last year, the Huskies shocked people by going into halftime tied at 17.

Late in the first half Saturday, they trailed just 16-11 before Nebraska reeled off 10 quick points to take a 15-point advantage into the locker room. 1 As for the second half, it was deja vu. A -year ago, Nebraska outscored Northern 31-0. Saturday's taUy was J4-1 "The physlcalness of the game today -took a real toll on our team," said who lost backup fullback Erik Jensen for the season and starting left defensive end Scott Van Bellinger for at least three or four games with knee injuries. "I dont think it's worth it (to play Coach Jerry Pettibone was impressed with Nebraska.

"They have truly a great footban team, and I really feel, just like every year, that they'll certainly have an opportunity competing for a national championship," he said. Why does he feel that way? They've got everything that a truly great defensive team needs to have," he said. "They've got excellent size. They've got great speed and quickness, and smart players, and they play hard. What more could you want? Huskie No.

Flowers .......21 D. Brown 5 Joseph .........11 Soto 9 Haase 2 Johnk 1 Acho'a 2 1 Devon 1 Hughes 4 White 1 Werner 2 Baldwin 2 Dunlap 2 1 1 Yds. Ave. 124 5.9 72 14.4 75 6.8 52 5.8 28 14.0 13 13.0 13 6.5 12 12.0 11 11.0 9 2.3 4.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 notes, quotes Defense Tackles UT AT TT 5 7 12 Cooper 5 2 7 L. Anderson 3 3 6 2 3 5 Creel 3 2 5 T.Lewis............

2 2 4 Penland 2 2 4 4 0 4 12 3 Svehla 2 1 3 1 1 2 M. 112 Brungardt 2 0 2 1 12 0 2 2 Legette 2 0 2 Zacharlas 1 12 Carmer Hill 0 1 1 Engelbert 0 1 1 White 0 1 1 Hedrlck 1 0 1 No. Yds. Ave. Dach.

.13 89 6.9 58 2.9 Strasser 2 14 7.0 2 14 7.0 3 11 3.7 2 6 3.0 Montgomery 1 5 5.0 1 4 4.0 E.Jensen 1 1 1.0 Isaac 1 -1 Rugal 2 -4 Passing No. Co. Yds PI 10 98 1 Rugal 10 0 0 Receiving No. Yds. 3 67 4 18 2 8 Cassidy i 5 "I think Nebraska has got three bona fide All-American players Reggie Cooper, Pat Tyrance and Mute CroeL An three of them are guys that at the end of the year should be considered for AU-American.

That's the kind of talent they have on defense." Fullback Adam Dach had the longest run of his career when he bolted 48 yards for a second-quarter touchdown. "That was a thrill, but I always teU people in a loss those things are nice but scored Time left Scoring NIU-NU How Passing No. Co. Yds PI Joseph .........11 4 103 1 1 1 18 0 Haast 2 14 0 Receiving No. Yds.

Bostick 2 66 1 20 Makell 1 18 Huohes 1 17- Bobolz 14 Punting No. Yds. Ave. Stlgge 1 42 42.0 drive with 5:29 left in the third quarter. Five minutes later, fullback Tim Johnk scored on a 13-yard run to end a 71-yard drive.

Two minutes elapsed before NU safety Tyrone Byrd intercepted a pass and returned it 27 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman third-string I-back Derek Brown. Another three minutes barely ticked away before Brown, a former high school AU-American, scored on a dazzling 59-yard run. It took four more minutes before Nebraska reserve fun-back Robert Glantz scored the final touchdown. Score no indicator "Overall, we improved. We scored better," Osborne said.

"We wanted to hammer at them and then pick our spots. I felt sorry for Northern Illinois, though, because the score was not indicative of the strength of the two teams. "They just didnt have the second unit as good as our second unit Derek Brown can puU away from people and Robert Glantz is our fourth-string fullback and he's pretty good in there." Nebraska schedule Sept. 1 Nebraska 13, Baylor 0 Sept. Nebraska 60.

No. Illinois 14 Sept. IS idle Sept. ti Minnesota, 1 :30 p.m. Sept.

2 Oregon State, 1 :30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Kansas State, 1:10 p.m. Oct. 13 Missouri, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. Oklohoma State, 1 :30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Iowa State, I p.m. Nov.

Colorado, 1:30 p.m. Nov. is at Kansas. 1:30 p.m. Nov.

17 Idle Nov. 11 at Oklahoma 1 :30 p.m. (CBS) Note: times sublect to change rS- fit- mmmmm 'v l- FIRST QUARTER 0-7 Joseph 1 run 12:59 Drive: 34 yards In six plays. Set up by Hughes 65 klckoff re- turn. Highlighted by Flowers 12, 13, 7 runs.

Conversion: Bar rios kick. 0-9 Safety, Robinson tackled In end ion 1:22 Setup when Huskies took ball over on downs at NIU 1. 0-16 Garrett 20 pass from Joseph 5:32 Drive: 36 yards In six plays. Set up by Bostick 30 punt return. Highlighted by Flowers 9 run.

Conversion: Barrios kick. 8-14 Dach 4S run 1:47 Drlv: 82 yards In eight play. Highlighted by Robinson 7, 1Z 7 runs. Conversion: Robinson run. SECOND QUARTER Ivanlc 42 field goal 9:33 Drive: 59 yards In 11 ploys.

Set up by Favor Interception of Joseph pass at NIU 17. Highlighted by Robinson 41, 21 passes to Rodger. 11-23 Flowers 1 run 2:40 Drive: 28 yords In eight plays. Set up by Tyrance's recovery of Robinson fumble at NIU 28. Highlighted by Flowers 6, 4 runs.

Conversion: Barrios kick. Barrios 32 field goal 0:01 Drive: 50 yards in six plays. Highlighted by Joseph 31 pass to Bostick, Joseph 19 run. THIRD QUARTER 14-26 Ivanlc 34 field goal 11:18 Drive: 54 yards in eight plays. Highlighted by Robinson 8, 32 runs.

14-32 Soto 8 run 5:29 Drive: 70 yards In 11 plays. Highlighted by Flowers 11, 11 runs, Joseph 13 run. Conversion: kick failed. 14-39 Johnk 13 run 0:29 Drive: 71 yards In nine plays. Highlighted by Flowers 20, 11 runs, Soto 11 run.

Conversion: Barrios kick. FOURTH QUARTER M4-44 D. Brown 1 run 13:27 Drive: 18 yards In two plays. Set up by Byrd 27 Interception return to NIU 18. Highlighted by Joseph 17 pass to Hughes.

Conversion: Barrios kick. 14-53 Brown 59 run 10:34 Drive: 66 yards In three plays. Highlighted by Brown 4 runs. Conversion: Bennett kick. 14-60 Glantzl2run 5:53 Drive: 55 yards In seven plays.

Highlighted by Haase 14, 14, runs, Achola 7 run. Conversion: Bennett kick. IAN OOREMUSSUNQAY JOURNAL-STAR NU fullback Omar Soto politely sets the ball on the turf after scoring on an 8-yard run in the third quarter. 1 ll.