The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 41

November 2, 1975, Lincoln, Sunday Journal and Star 5D Even Fake Punt Defense Not Enough Against Huskers Missouri's Onofrio, Pisarkiewicz Praise NU Defense, Execution good situation for Nebraska," added Onofrio. "I'd say they're positioned very well just about exactly where they want to be." But returning to that fake punt. Bob McRoberts, Missouri's right defensive end, admitted, "I'm the one who missed O'Leary. I thought he was a blocker and the play was headed the other way. At the last tenth of a second, I saw some leather (the ball).

"But it was too late," he said. "O'Leary had already taken off and for some reason, I had been drawn to the other side of the field. By Randy York Columbia, Mo. A fake punt first down is embarrassing to a defense. A fake punt touchdown is even more embarrassing.

A fake punt touchdown when the defense is in a fake punt defense has to be the most embarrassing of all. Yes, America, Missouri was bracing for a fake punt in the second quarter here Saturday when Nebraska's John O'Leary loped 40 yards to the end zone as the result of the fake. Missouri Ready for Fake "We were in our fake punt defense," Missouri coach Al Onofrio confided as he held court with a large contingent of reporters following his team's nationally-televised 30-7 loss. "Nebraska just executed perfectly," he said. "Being in a fake punt defense doesn't stop it.

It wasn't that we didn't anticipate it. It was just a very deceptive play." Onofrio admitted, "I'm still not sure what happened on the play. Was it a double handoff? It boils down to our perimeter people. If they don't play it, it goes." When someone explained to Onofrio just what had happened, he registered no surprise. "They didn't do anything we didn't expect them to," he said.

"It's just that they make you do things you don't want to do. They put pressure on me all day and had the receivers covered, too. They're just very sound." Zark went on record, predicting Nebraska will beat Oklahoma. Zark: Huskers Over Sooners "I think they'll beat Oklahoma. Of course, I think we will, too," he said.

"I think it would be a good game between Nebraska and Ohio State. One of them is going to be national champion." Onofrio wasn't about to get drawn into such bold predictions, but he said "this is the best Nebraska team since Johnny Rodgers. "It's hard to compare this year's team with Nebraska's national championship teams," Onofrio said. "But with the exception of Rodgers, I think Nebraska is as good this year as its national championship teams," he offered. Where They Want To Be "Being ranked No.

3 with a shot left to play Oklahoma is a One of Oldest Plays "That's been in football for years," he said. "It's one of the oldest plays in the book. We used that when I coached at Arizona State in the early 1950s." According to Onofrio, "It's a very hard play to practice against and even harder to execute. Every week we practice against fake punts and fake field goals. Of course, it's very disappointing when it happens to you." Still, Onofrio thought too much significance was attached to the play.

"It wasn't really a turning point," he observed. Onofrio praised Nebraska's defense in general and Cornhusker middle guard John Lee in particular. John Lee Praised Quarterback Steve Pisarkiewicz (Zark), the Big Eight Conference's leading passer, echoed his coach's appraisal. "Lee is the best nose guard I've seen all year," Zark said, "and Nebraska, without a doubt, is the best defense we've played against. NU Bench Hollering Reverse "The whole Nebraska bench was hollering reverse.

Maybe that's why I went for it," McRoberts said. "It was my mistake. It might have been a turning point, but we're a patient defense and learn to accept things like that." The lake punt materialized "when we were picking up momentum," Onofrio noted, "but I don't think it disheartened us that much. I was proud we played hard until the last second." 1 Hn 8f i Hard-nosed inside running, such as that turned in by Monte Anthony (49), kept pressure on the Missouri defense and helped set up a successful, big-play passing attack. If'1 utX N-Anthonyj Uk- 5.

mmmmmmmm Kli Intercepted fif a 1 -1 I Arf, 'zf 4 4S irrili Bread and Butter One of the game's key plays came when cor-nerback Dave Butterfield (34) stepped in front of Henry Marshall (89) to intercept a Missouri pass that had touchdown written all over it. Butterfield's play shattered Mizzou's fourth-quarter comeback hopes. If i- 'V' rt vfV" T7 -r P1 iW i r-r' TT 4J i 7 i-, V'' iff '(f -i-f 51 A Offensive guard Greg Jorgensen (63) must have experienced those visions often referred to as linemen's dreams as he cruised toward the goal line with a fumbled Mizzou punt, return. Only one problem. Since the ball had touched the ground it could be recovered but not j6 4) A J5t -V ri Bit .1 (WHjrf''! lit.

By Bob Gorham Web Ray Randy Hampton Harald Dreimanis Dang it, those Cornhuskers give me fits. One frustrated Missouri rooter shows his disdain for the events of the day..