The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 36

6DI 1HUSSCERS OCTOBER 29, 1989 SUNDAY JOURNAL-STAR Cornhuskers use preventive measures to slaw Cyclones ByKenHambleton "Trying to explain Nebraska's defensive strategy against Iowa State is bard Whoever beard of a goal Use defense in the with blitzing?" Nebraska defensive coordinator Charlie McBride asked. hat he means, in layman's terms, is Nebraska was forced to play the pass-preventive dimei" defense most of the game against Iowa State. The Cyclones passed so often and ran from a tingle-back, or no-back, in the backfield set so Wen, Nebraska stayed in that pass defense even Iowa State was on the NU 3-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Nebraska's Witzing, stunting defense was Iowa State quarterback Bret Oberg testified to one play in particular, when he was caught in a blitz and lost a fumble. 'King Kong Bundy-W' "The guy (NU's Kent Wells) tried to slam me like a Channel 9 wrestler.

It was a quarterback draw, and they blitzed. And before I even knew what happened, the guy 'King Kong Bundy-ed' my butt on the carpet" Wells flattened Oberg, forcing a fumble In the second quarter. Defensive tackle Kenny Walker sacked Oberg twice, and defensive end Jeff Mills forced another fumble with a hard hit on tailback Blaise Bryant in the second quarter. The effect of the defense limited Iowa State to one-third of its total yardage in the second half. Bryant, the fifth leading rusher in the nation, ing up closer to the center, cutting the gaps and pressuring Oberg better than most teams, McBride said.

"I think we pressured him pretty well with all the things we did," he said. "The offense kept us going early when were were a step behind, and then we got with it, too. In order to beat teams like this we've got to beat their people man to man and that meant we couldnt afford to be hesistant like we were on their first drive." A withering Nebraska rush forced three Iowa State turnovers and shut down the ISU offense that gained more than 600 yards and 40 points against Oklahoma last week. "If we had been thinking about Colorado instead of- Iowa State, though, they would have done that to us," McBride said. had 66 yards at halftone.

He finished with 83 yards, the most allowed to any running back by the NU defense this year. Oberg, the Big Eight's' leading passer, had 123 yards passing in the first half and finished with 158. "We ran better in-line stunts and blitzes in the second half," Nebraska senior defensive tackle Wells said. been wanting to play a game of smash-mouth football, and all we've gotten is these basketball games with all the passing. "So we got a little smash-mouth ball in today anyway," he said.

Draws hurt early It was necessary, defensive tackle Ray Valladao said. "They had a very good offensive line, and they were hurting us with the short pass and the draw plays," Valladao said. "We shut down the short passes and, eventually, we got to the draw plays, too." The best example was the goal-line stand in the third quarter to which McBride referred. "They knew we were in the dime and they ran at us, thinking that would get us, and we still shut them down," said Valladao, who had eight tackles. "In the beginning of the game we were worried because they drove the field on us in our regular defense.

They ran little, quick, short passes, and we were tentative. They scored right away and got some good yards on us." Change In tactics But the defensive line changed its tactics, lin fff" nww wiiitm nnimm. uimijii.imn. miiiii mm, NU defense will turn its focus on CU now By Mike Babcock The Nebraska football team's defense didn't spend any practice time working on Colorado last week, according to defensive coordinator Charlie McBride. Iowa State had the Cornhuskers' complete attention, he said.

"This team could beat you if you start fooling around with Colorado. We used every minute we could to prepare for Iowa State," said McBride. Even though Nebraska plays the third-ranked Buffaloes in Boulder on Saturday, "we weren't about to start thinking about Colorado." Not even for a few minutes, the way the Cornhuskers might have a year or two ago, McBride sail Dramatic difference Nebraska's defense will have to change its approach dramatically after playing Iowa State. "We didn't prepare anything for next week by playing these guys," said McBride. The Cyclone offense was more diverse and probably more unpredictable than Colorado's will be.

Nebraska used its "dime" alignment for pass coverage approximately two-thirds of the time against Iowa State, according to McBride. But "well have to play our base defenses against Colorado," he said. The "dime" probably will be considerably less in evidence next week because the Buffaloes rarely pass. A familiar look The Cornhuskers might not have worked on Colorado last week. But, in a sense, they spent all spring on the Buffaloes.

Colorado's offense is a run-oriented option attack similar to Nebraska's. "The formations are a little different, but the plays are the same," McBride said. Offensively, Nebraska "is as close to Colorado as any team there is." In that respect, preparing for Colorado will be easier than preparing for Iowa State, said McBride. "I feel more comfortable going into a game like that (Colorado). You worry about it, but at least you know what to expect In a game like this, you don't know what to expect," he said.

'Glorified wishbone' The Buffaloes, who are led by sophomore quarterback Darian Hagan, run a "glorified wishbone; that's all it is," McBride said. "They've got a quarterback who does a lot on his own. "You can stop the play per se, but who knows where their quarterback is going to go. So you've got to be totally disciplined against the run." Iowa State threw 24 passes against Nebraska and ran the ball 47 times, gaining 190 of its 348 yards on the ground. But "we didn't see an option or an 'iso' (isolation play)," said McBride.

That'll change Saturday. In the past, the Cornhusker defense has spent 10 minutes of practice each Monday working on the wishbone. But it hasn't this season. "I'll be honest; we've never talked to the players about Colorado," McBride said. Nebraska will go from defensing "no-backs to three backs," he said.

4 "But it's not going to be as hard for us to prepare for Colorado as it was preparing for Iowa State. We worked all spring on option football." IAN OOREMUSSUNOAY JOURNAL-STAR Nebraska linebacker Jeff Mills stops Iowa State running back Blaise Bryant after a 7-yard gain in the second quarter. Frustrated Cyclone coach shaken after three nightmares in a row ByRyly Jane Hambleton Jim Walden was demonstrative on the sidelines during Iowa State's game with Nebraska. I' When the game was over, he tried to keep his emotions in a bigger, stronger, more deep football team, which one day I'd like to be even close to," he said calmly. Obviously shaken, Walden paused to collect his thoughts be- fore a rush of frustration overcame him.

"What you want me to say is that we got beat by a good team, which we did. I cant tell you how frustrating it is to keep trying to play against this type of competition with what I'm having to do it with," he said. "You can call it whining, you can call it any damned thing you want to. can it an injustice," he said with a tremor in his voice. Disparity in numbers Valden has often pointed out the disparity in numbers of players between his program and perennially strong teams such as Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado.

fTm sick of it I'm sick of having to come over here and play Nebraska and not be able to compete against them and hay them run over my guys, because they should," he said. because they're better. But because they've got 10 times more people to pick from than I do. fTve watched walkons and freshmen go out there and try to' seniors on great teams. And take nothing away from Nebraska and Tom (Osborne) he's not my problem What you're watching is a great team playing against iayvees.

it's not fair." Fake field goals, ill-executed onside kicks and fumbles were the farthest thing from Walden's mind. "I'd like to brag on Nebraska. I'd like to ten you they're everything I thought they were going to be. They ran us over like I thought they were going to. And they won the game exactly like I thought they should have," he said.

"I'm tetany frustrated with having to coach and see such a igreat team run over what I'm trying to coach, and it's not fair. is the third week I've had to watch this. This (Nebraska) Is a fine team and I want to tip my hat to Tom I'm just totally fed up to here (motioning to his head) with watching my guys get run over by good kids. It's not fair and I shouldn't have to put up with it" No explanation Walden didn't talk about his sideline behavior specifically in third quarter Mowing a Iowa State turnover or details of the game, but some of his players were quick to point out plusses and minuses. "Any success I had, I owe to my offensive line," said running back Blaise Bryant, who rushed for 89 yards, the best running performance by a back against Nebraska this year.

"But I feel I let them down. I fumbled it twice, and I take a lot of blame on myself for the turnaround in the game." Bryant said he understood Walden's frustration after losing to Colorado, Oklahoma and Nebraska in successive weeks. "He's worried about getting a lot of us injured," Bryant said. "Nebraska has about 3,000 guys on their team, so they can probably afford it If we get beat up and key players go down, we could lose our last three and get swept six straight I think that's his concern." Cyclones stopped themselves Quarterback Bret Oberg said that while Nebraska's defense gave the Cyclones problems, Iowa State's miscues were of greater concern. "I dont feel they stopped us aU day.

We stopped ourselves," said Oberg. "We looked in the mouth of the dragon and we're not afraid to play with these guys. "It's more of a cludlenge to play three great teams like we have. It's a chaUenge we have met We didnt lay down for any of these teams." Marcus Robertson said he took a wrong turn on the third play of the game when Nebraska quarterback Gerry GdowsU broke loose for a 74-yard touchdown run. "I felt I could catch him, said the cornerback who was the Cyclones last hope to stop Gdowskl "But I guess I took the wrong angle on him and then he outran me." That was the beginning of a long day for the Cyclones and Walden.

mmmm. Husker notes, quotes Backup quarterback Mike Grant may have suffered a shoulder separation and might miss the'Colorado game, NU Coach Tom Osborne said. Cornerback Bruce Pickens had a bruised right leg and win have X-rays to determine any further damage. Saturday marked the first starts for Tyrone Byrd at cornerback, Leodis Flowers at I-back, Tyrone Hughes at wingback and Tyrone Legette at corner-back. I-back Leodis Flowers rushed for 118 yards, subbing for Ken Clark, who was sidelined with sore knees.

Flowers said he found out he was going to be the starter on Friday. "I was ready. It's been three years since I've played this much and I enjoyed it I felt like I had to come in and play as aggressive as I can." On the success of the option plays. Flowers said: "They seemed to take me, and Gerry (Gdowski) got them good. This was my first 100-yard game since I've been here and that was satisfying." On being the underdog at Colorado: "Ml motivate us, and that'll make us play tougher." I Defensive outside linebacker Jeff Mills, on the Colorado game: "The crowd can throw sticks and bombs at us.

I just want us to play. Ill be satisfied if everybody gives their best effort I want to get that game out of the way and walk away knowing who is the best AU the hype, aU the talk about Nebraska and Colorado win be over after that game." Defensive coordinator Charlie McBride said he hopes injured CU back Eric Bieniemy returns to action. "Let's play it at full strength. Do it right That way be no excuses one way or the other," McBride said. With four sacks against Iowa State, Nebraska has 29 quarterback sacks in its last six games.

For the 12th time in Its 100-year history, and for the fourth time under Osborne, Nebraska is 8-0. Chris Drennan'sSS-yard field goal attempt that was wide was only the second miss in 10 attempts for the Cornhuskers this year. The other miss was a 52-yard attempt NU is 50-for-SG on extra pointkicks. 0 bi 4H 4''. GAIL FOLOA SUNDAY JOURNAL-STAR Iowa State quarterback Bret Oberg (bottom) recovers his own fumble on the Cyclones' first play from scrimmage, as teammate Blaise Bryant (21) and NU's Mike Murray (74) move in.

Cyclone notes, quotes Statistics Kickoff returns No. Yds. Thlbodeaux 2 35 S. Williams 1 16 Bvrd 5 3 8 -Reece 5 1 6 Iowa State Offense Rushing No. Yds.

Ave. Bryant 89 3.7 Punt returns No. Yds. Hughes i 6 Kickoff returns No. Yds.

Flowers i 19 Missed field goals No. Yds. Drennan 53 51 5.1 Oberg .10 8 Pedersen 4 Warmack 1 28 3.5 19 4.8 3 3.0 Vl Quarterback Bret Oberg, on the INU-CU game: "Colorado is on a mission. didnt say one word to us on defense. Nebraska tends to talk a lot I thfjik you can beat a defense that talks a lot, because you can disrupt what they're supposed to be thinking about But they're both great defenses, and I have a Jotof respect for them.

Colorado by seven. Their offense is more explosive, if you give them the ball, they will score every time. And, they're playing on emo-tibn 1 Oberg on ISlTs passing, completing his first eight passes before going ft-for-15 the rest of the game: "I don't know exactly what adjustments Nebraska made. I know they blitzed different people and their man coverage changed a bit and got tighter." Banning back Blaise Bryant, on the NU-CU game: "I think it win be the Nebraska Offense Rushing No. Yds.

Ave. Gdowskl 17 176 10.4 Flowers 16 118 7.4 5 52 10.4 Rodgers 6 37 6.2 Joseph 3 31 10.3 Grant 2 15 7.5 Turner 1 14 14.0 Dowse 1 7 7.0 Schmidt 2 7 3.5 McDuffy 1 5 5.0 Hughes 5 5 1.0 Dunlap 2 1 0.5 Passing No. Co. Yds PI Gdowskl 6 3 62 0 Grant 10 0 0 Receiving No. Yds.

Hughes 2 41 Kratzensteln 1 21 Punting No. Yds. Ave. Stlgge 2 77 38.5. team that wants it the most who win win.

Oklahoma and Nebraska are faster defensively than Colorado, but Colorado is bigger. Colorado likes big guys because their whole team is huge. Speed and quickness has to go to Nebraska. "I think Colorado's offense is a uttle better than Nebraska's, but defensively, I think it win be a battle. So you never reaUy know what's going to go on." Coach Jim Walden paced the sidelines in the third quarter when the officials ruled quarterback Bret Oberg wasnt down when the ball popped loose on a sack by Kent Wells.

The ISU coach appeared to be voicing his displeasure to a pair of nearby officials during a timeout BUI Jennings, a former Big Eight official and now an observer of officials for the conference, quipped in the press box, "If he doesn't get it (unsportsmanlike penalty) now, he wont get it aU year." A penalty wasnt caned. Defense Tackles UT AT TT Rehberg 2 3 5 Block 4 2 6 Grubb 2 3 5 Dunn 0 1 1 Ratlgan 6 1 7 Shane 2 0 2 Vondra 3 0 3 Watklns 1 1 2 Navarro 1 2 3 Buggs 5 0 5 Eder 3 1 4 Robertson 6 1 7 Walker 2 0 2 Baker 1 4 2 6 McMilllon 5 0 5 Bauer 1 12 Moore 1 0 1 L. Doran 1 0 1 J. 10 1 Defense Tackles UT AT TT Valladao 3 5 8 Wells 5 1 6 Walker 3 2 5 Mills 7 1 8 HIM 4 0 4 Croel 2 2 4 White 2 0 2 Petko 4 1 5 Ty ranee 2 1 3 Hagge 1 0 1 Gelken 1 0 1 Pickens 2 0 2 Legettt .4 0 4 Passing No. Co.

Yds PI Oberg 23 14 158 0 Pedersen 10 0 0 Receiving No. Yds. Lester 8 74 Busch 3 45 2 32 Glotfelty 1 7 Punting No. Yds. Ave.

Johnston 1 41 41.0 Team 1 -21 Punt returns No. Yds. Robertson 1 32 Cooper 7 2 9 Cotton 2 0 2.