The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 23

eft 'L Possible Tiger Backfield Changes Could Cause Problems THE LINCOLN STAR Sports Signals Sports Tuesday, October 28, 1975 23 ill By Star Bob Owens Sports Editor Tiger Switch Possible Missouri just might come up with a backfield change Saturday reminiscent of the ones the Tigers made in the second half' of last year's game against Nebraska in NU's Memorial Stadium. That was a possibility Husker scout Milt Tenopir speculated on when he talked at the weekly Extra Point Club luncheon at the Elks Club. Missouri's regular I-back Tony Galbreath has had a lingering ankle injury suffered more than a month ago. In fact, he didn't play against Kansas State in the Tigers' 35-3 victory last Saturday. In his place was Curtis Brown, a 5-10, 200-pound junior college transfer who carried the ball only 33 times for 133 yards in the first six games.

He rushed so well, gaining 140 yards, that Missouri really didn't miss Galbreath. "I think they could move Galbreath to fullback and leave Brown at I-back and really cause some problems," Tenopir said. "It's a possibility we must consider." A year ago, Missouri trailed 10-0 with 11:26 to play against the Huskers, but roared 71 yards in 11 plays to score a touchdown. Then the Tigers capitalized on a lost fumble and an interception to get a couple of quick, easy scores and win the game. Even though Missouri lost to Colorado, the Tigers feel they probably should have won the game, Tenopir mentioned.

They were leading 17-3 with six minutes to play In the third quarter, then dropped the game as a result of mistakes which Colorado converted into a 31-20 victory. "Missouri has been kinda tough on us the last two years," the Husker scout said. In fact, Coach Tom Osborne has yet to beat the Tigers. In addition to last year's loss, Nebraska fell 13-12 two years ago in Columbia. Buff Stats Deceiving The final statistics on Saturday's 63-21 rout of Colorado are deceiving.

They show Colorado piocked up 454 yards total offense, including 268 yards rushing. Yet, the Buffs got 170 yards on runs of 74, 48 and 48 and had four pass plays which produced 86 yards. "The defense has to quit having the big breakdown," defensive secondary coach Warren Powers, substituting for Osborne (who attended the funeral of Tom Pate) told the Extra Pointers. The rest of the time the defense was effective. On Colorado's 34 other rushes the Buffs netted just 98 yards and on 31 other passes the total yards gained was an even 100.

Much of the yardage came against the Husker reserves. Powers said "you know Missouri is going to play us tough regardless of what they've done in the past. We've been good at Galbreath, lark Do Damage Coach Al Onofrio started that game with Ray Smith at quarterback and Joe Stewart at I-back, but the Tigers didn't get going until Steve Psarkiewicz took over the QB job and Galbreath moved in at I-back. Galbreath went on to rush for 870 yards to lead Missouri ball carriers last season while Psarkiewicz threw for 828 yards. Tenopir said Nebraska can expect a defensive line comparable to the Louisiana State line.

"Missouri's defensive tackles are not as large as Colorado's, but they are quicker," he said. "They play a scrambling defense," he continued. "They let you pop them and then pursue. Missouri will be a little tougher to run against than Colorado, but I think we will be able to throw against them." times the last couple of years against them, but we haven't gotten the ball in the end zone." A key to victory will be an improved pass rush and good coverage of Missouri's excellent receiving corps beaded by split end Henry Marshall. worked an hour and a half in sweats Monday on the freshman grass practice field (MU's is the only grass field left in the Big Eight).

Held out were defensive end Dave Redding, who still hasn't recovered from a knee strain suffered against Oklahoma State and tight end Ken Spaeth, who has a sprained ankle. Soph guard Steve Lindquist, who has a pinched nerve, was able to work out. Soph linebacker James Wightman has regained his starting weak side linebacker position which he lost last week. NU, GFL Teammates 'ay Tribute To Fate IMWI1WIM1IIIMW if if si ft st sS Arr tyi upi who turned into one of the Husker's "best football players." "Tom was a fine person to have around," Devaney said, "He's one of those players who makes coaching a pleasure." Among the CFL officials attending the services were J.G. Gaudaur, league commissioner, Ralph J.

Sazio, CFL president and president of the Ticats, and Allen Sangster, president of the Saskatechewan Rough Riders and of the CFL's Western Conference. Mark Chalmers, Pate's CFL roommate, represented the Ticats and was one of the honorary pallbearers. Victor G. Coops, the mayor of Hamilton, also attended. Pate is survived by his parents, Mr.

and Mrs. Arthur L. pate, two sisters, Barbara and Lisa, a brother, Jeffery, and grandmother Mrs. Clara Norgard, all of Omaha. The Rev.

Ashley acknowledged Pate's death would be difficult for his family and friends to accept, but referred to the Bible and said, "What thou art can never be destroyed." CFL officials were also among the mourners. The Rev. Martin C. Ashley said the 22-year-old Pate "lived in the presence of God without a shadow of a doubt." At an early age, the Rev. Ashley said Pate showed concern for his fellow man and was active in youth activities such as little league baseball and a youth camp in Missouri where he was a counselor in charge of devotions.

The Rev. Ashley cited words written by Pate when he was a camp counselor urging youth to live every day as a "new day" and to count each day as "truly a day in my working for good and not evil. "Tom was in Christ," the Rev. Ashley said. "He was a superb athlete.

He was determined to be the very best possible man he could be." The Rev. Ashley said although Pate's life was terminated at a "very very tender Pate knew the extreme fulfillment of life was "elsewhere than in this world." "Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ died at the age of 33 years," the Rev. Ashley said. "Time and years are not God's measures." At the request of the Pate family, the Rev. Ashley read from the 23rd Psalm which he said was the "bulwark against all the troubles in the world." Pate came to Nebraska while Devaney was still head coach, and at the time Devaney said Monday "We were very much impressed with Tom and his family.

They were very fine people." Devaney described Pate as a "very dedicated young man" Pallbearers carry the casket of Tom Pate out of an Omaha Cox, Tarkenton Lead Vikings Over Bears, 1 3-9 Minnesota 0 10 3 0-13 Chicago 7 0 2 0-9 Chi Adamle 14 run (Thomas) Min-FG Cox 52 Min Lash 45 pass from Tarkenton (Cox kick) Chi Safely Tarkenton tackled in end zoone Mln-FG Cox 46 church Monday after services. had two of his throws intercepted, one of them giviing the Vikings another scoring chance until two penalties killed their drive. The last interception came in the Minnesota end zone The ictory ran the Vikings' record for the season to 6-0 while it was the fourth straight loss for the Bears and gave them a 1-5 record. The best example of the Bears' futility against the Vikings' defense was the fact that they converted only one of 12 third down oppportunities and the Vikings were successful five times in 15 attempts. Omaha (UPI) Tom Pate, who conquered a childhood illness and struggled to success on the football field, was determined to be the "very best possible man he could be," his minister said Monday in eulogizing the Canadian Football League rookie.

An estimated 1,000 persons flowed into Morning Star Lutheran Church to pay tribute to Pate, an Omaha Westside High school graduate and former Nebraska defensive end, who died last Tuesday after lapsing into a coma during a CFL game. "A lot of people are thinking about Tom Pate," said an emotional Monte Kiffin, coach of Nebraska's famed Black Shirt defensive unit. "I'm sure he'll be happy wherever he is." Kiffin, head football coach Tom Osborne, and athletic director Bob Devaney led a delegation of some 30 Huskers who came from Lincoln to honor their former teammate. Former Huskers, Pate's high school friends, and his Hamilton Tiger Cat teammates, as well as Huskers Advance To Third From News Wires Nebraska's 63-21 shellacking of Colorado moved the Huskers up in both the Associated Press and United Press International college football polls past Southern California. Ohio State and Oklahoma remained 1-2 in both polls, but Southern California, despite its win over Notre Dame, slipped to fourth.

Colorado dropped from the tenth spot in both polls, replaced by Arizona State in the AP poll and by Florida in the UPI poll. Both polls agree on the fifth through ninth spots, with Texas A Alabama, Michigan, Texas and Penn State named. In the UPI poll, a switch from last week gave the Aggies the No. 5 spot while Alabama moved back to No. 6.

The AP poll had the two schools in the same spot last week as this week. AP's second ten begins with Florida, Missouri, UCLA, Maryland, Notre Dame, Colorado, Arizona and San Diego State, with Miami of Ohio and Oklahoma State tied for 19th. The UPI second ten is topped, by Arizona State, followed by Missouri, UCLA and San Diego State. Miami of Ohio, Maryland and Oklahoma State finished in a three-way tie for 15th and Notre Dame was 18th as only 18 teams received UPI votes this week. Nebraska will play 12th-ranked Missouri this Saturday in Columbia.

By United Press International (Seventh Week): Ttam Points 1. Ohio St. (7-0) (35) 413 2. Oklahoma (74) (3) 364 3. Nebraska (74) (2) 328 4.

Southern California (7-0) (2) 285 5. Texas (7-0) 204 6. Alabama (6-1) 195 7. Michigan (5-0-2) 178 8. Texas (6-1) 141 9.

Penn St. (7-1) 107 10. Florida (6-1) 43 11. Arijona St. (7-0) 27 12.

Missouri (5-2) 10 13. UCLA (5-1-1) 7 14. San Dieoo St. (7-0) 5 15. (tie) Miami (Ohio) (6-1) 2 15.

(tie) Maryland (5-1-1) 2 15. (tie) Oklahoma St. (5-2) 2 18. Notre Dame (5-2) 1 (Only 18 teams received votes) Nott: By agreement with Nit American Football Coaches, teams on probation by the NCAA art Ineligible for top 20 and national championship consideration by tht UPI Board o( Coaches. Those loams on Orobation for 197S art: Mississippi State, SMU, Long Beach Statt and Southwestern Louisiana.

By The Associated Press AAecom Tabs Hefferle To Replace Fired North RATINGS by Randy York Prep Sports Editor Class A Vikings 18 39-139 181 18 Bears II First downs Rushes-yards Passing yards Return yards Passes Punts Fumbles-lost Penalties-yards 31-137 79 72 10202 9 34 21 448 16-30-0 841 3-1 6-46 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS RUSHING-Minnesota, Foreman 25-91, Miller 5-20, Marinaro 8-19. Chicago, Adamle 14-65, Payton 10-44, Harper 6-25 RECEIVING Minnesota, Marinaro 5-42, Lash 4-95, Craig 3-36. Chicago, Rather 4-59, Grim 3-25, Adamle 2-13. PASSING-Mmnesota, Tarkenton 16-30-0, 234 yards. Chicago, Huff 10-22-2, 97.

6 Creighton Prep (6-2) 7 Lincoln Northeast (6-1-1) 8 Omaha Burke (6-2) 9 Omaha Bryan (5-2-1 10 Lincoln Southeast (4-4) 6 Wayne (7-0) 7 Ogallala (7-1) 8 Lexington (6-2) 9 -Albion (7-1) 10 Platteview (7-1) 1 Omaha Westside (7-1) 2 Grand Island (7-1) 3 Lincoln East (7-0-2) 4- Bellevue (7-1) 5 Omaha Benson (7-1) Comment No. 7 Northeast faces Ralston (6-2) Saturday night in week's best matchup. Season-ending games show Westside hosting Omaha Ryan, Grand Island at Hastings, East against Lincoln High and Bellevue against Omaha Gross. Wins would clinch district titles for all four rated teams, although Bellevue currently ranks behind Benson in district 2 point standings. 1:57 left to play before the inter mission, a pitch which put the Vikings ahead for the first time.

But in the second half Tarkenton completed only five of eight passes for 26 yards and let workhorse Chuck Foreman keep the Vikings' offense rolling. Foreman, who gained only 29 yards in eight carries in the first half, rocked the Bears for 70 yards in 18 carries in the second half. But neither Taikenton nor Foreman could get the Vikings another touchdown and Cox produced the only Minnesota points in the second half with a 46-yard field goal with 3:12 left to play in the third period. His earlier field goal covered 52 yards with 5:38 to play in the first half. Both the Vikings and the Bears displayed expert defenses.

The Vikings limited the Bears to only three first downs in the entire second half, all of them in the final five minutes. But the Bears' defense kept the pressure on Tarkenton most of the way and he was sacked four times for 55 yards, his worst performance in a game this season as in five previous contests he had been caught only 13 times for 99 yards. To add insult, the final Bears' points came when Tarkenton, with Minnesota having the ball on its 22, was chased back into the end zone and tackled by could have a 50-50 chance of materializing. Bellevue defeated Westside, 146, in the first week of the season and East dispatched Grand Island, 20-12, in the second week of the season. The other most likely semifinal development (East v.

Bellevue and Westside v. Grand Island) would assure an Omaha- Lincoln or Omaha-outstate finals matchup. Tiebreakers are used in state playoffs. Of course, possibilities are geared on the assumption that district winners pass their final regular season assignments Friday. Upset prospects appear dim.

While Class A playoffs remain a mysterious puzzle, at least half of the Class race appears relatively solved. Lincoln Pius twice defending state champion and Class B's No. 1-rated team all season, appears headed for a semifinal matchup against Waverly. CHICAGO (UPI) FYed Cox' two field goals combined with a 45-yard touchdown bomb from Fran Tarkenton to Jim Lash Monday night to keep the Minnesota Vikings unbeaten in the National Football League with a 13-9 triumph over the Chicago Bears on national television. Tarkenton again was the Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles this year and took a one-point victory over Green Bay, which was winless at the time.

North joined the Saints in 1973 as offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach. He was promoted to head coach with the firing of J.D. Roberts four games into the preseason. He was unavailable for comment on the firing. North's only other professional coaching experience was an eight-year stint as an offensive assistant with the Detroit Lions.

He was an assistant at Louisiana State for three years before that. Mecom did not indicate his preference among possible new head coaches, but the New in If Bellevue and Grand Island tie for the third best point average in Class "the win and loss record of the teams' opponents will be calculated and the team having played the higher percentage of winners will be awarded the higher average," according to the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) playoff manual. Such a determination is critical since it will decide both semifinal opponents and therefore figure into site selection. Four Possible Winners Bellevue is assured of having played three winners (Omaha Westside, Omaha Benson and Creighton Prep) and could qualify for having played a fourth, if Omaha South (4-4) defeats Omaha Central Friday night. Grand Island is assured of having played two winners (Lincoln Northeast and Lincoln major factor in the Vikings' vic tory, but the aging quarterback put on his best show in the first half when the resurgent Bears appeared able to reverse a previous 28-3 licking at the hands of the Vikings.

In the first half, Tarkenton completed ll of his 22 passes for 208 yards including his 45-yard touchdown heave to Lash with Orleans States-Item said he had asked a veteran NFL executive to help arrange a meeting with former Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian. Former Kansas City coach Hank Stram also had been mentioned as a possible replacement for North, but the States-Item said Mecom did not appear to be interested in Stram. "He is fully aware that he will not be our head coach in 1976 when we will endeavor to obtain the services of the very best head coach who would be available to the New Orleans Saints," Mecom said. He said Hefferle would resume duties as director of personnel after the new coach was named. U1 East) and could qualify for two more, if Lincoln Southeast (44) defeats Papillion and North Platte (4-3-1) downs Scottsbluff Friday night.

Thus, the possibility of Bellevue and Grand Island tying for the third highest Class A point average behind likely district winners East and Westside is strong. In that case, a coin flip in the NSAA office will decide the issue. Should Grand Island wind up a district champion with the fourth highest point average, it's likely the Islanders would be paired with East in one semifinal. Should Bellevue be considered the playoff representative with the third highest point average, the Chieftans would be paired with Westside in the other semifinal. Possible Rematches Hence, the possibility of two rematches in tie state semifinals rookie Mike Hartenstine for a safety.

It was the first safety against Minnesota since Nov. 22, 1966. The Bears converted a Foreman fumble into their only touchdown in the opening three minutes of the game. Craig demons recovered the ball on the Vikings' 16 and Mike Adamle carried on three straight plays, running 14 yards for the touchdown. Another fumble, by rookie Walter Payton, probably cost the Bears a touchdown.

It came after he had run 27 yards to the Vikings' eight, but he lost the ball when tackled and Bobby Bryant recovered for the Vikings and returned two yards to the Minnesota six. A penalty for clipping put the ball on the three and gave Tarkenton the opportunity for his most spectacular show. He took the Vikings 97 yards for their only touchdown in five plays, completing four of our passes for 95 yards in the drive and hitting three straight, to Foreman for 21 yards, to Ed Marinaro for 20 yards and finally to Lash for the 45-yard scoring play. The Bears' passer, Gary" Huff, gained only 26 yards by completing 6 of 12 passes in the first half and he didn't complete another effort until less than five minutes remained in the game. He had 10 completions in 22 attempts for 97 yards but he If Pius handles Omaha Cathedral and Waverly whips Wahoo Friday night, the two teams are likely to finish with the second and third highest point averages among Class playoff qualifiers.

Holdrege, Kimball Battle The highest point average most likely would belong to whoever emerges champion in district four either Holdrege or Kimball, both of which could land final 46.44 averages. That's exactly what Holdrege will finish with if the Dusters defeat Ogallala Friday. Kimball still has six opponents on its schedule which are on the border between "winning" and "losing" status. Whoever survives the final mathematical test appears headed for a semifinal matchup against Wayne, which might need a win over fellow unbeaten Hartington Cedar Catholic Friday night to seal its own fate. The "ifs" are abundant now, but will be answered sometime this weekend.

Class 1 Lincoln Pius 2 Holdrege (8-0) 3- York (7-1) 4- Kimball (7-0) 5 Waverly (8-0) (7-0) NEW ORLEANS (UPI) -New Orleans Saints owner John Mecom Jr. fired head coach John North Monday and named director of personnel Ernie Hefferle the team's interim coach. The dismissal came after New Orleans lost its fifth game in six starts this year, North's third season in charge of the team. "I have respect for John North as a man and a coach, but things simply didn't work," Mecom said. He said the search for a permanent head coach will start immediately.

North, the Saints' third head coach in nine years, led the Saints to identical 5-9 records his first two seasons as head coach. His squad had lost to By HANDY YORK Prep Sports Editor If anyone thought things would be simplified with a statewide prep football playoff system, he was badly mistaken. Even the 32-school Class A ranks could be involved in some virtual photo finish situations as the curtain falls on the regular season this weekend. Consider these two distinct possibilities: (1) If Bellevue and Omaha Benson each win Friday night, they will finish with identical 8-1 records and the same point averages. But Bellevua would win the right to represent district 2 in the state playoffs Nov.

7 because the Chieftans scored a 7-0 win over Benson Oct. 3. (2) If all systems go right for both Bellevue and top district 4 challenger Grand Island, they could wind up with identical 42.22 point averages. That would throw the formula for semifinal matchups into a minor turmoil. Comment Pivotal district 3 match sends No.

6 Wayne to Hartington Cedar Catholic (8-0) Friday night. Pius closes at home against Omaha Cathedral. Holdrege hosts Ogallala and Kimball entertains Gering as district 4 battle heads for close windup. Computer Ratings Nexf Monday, the Nebraska Schoo Ach'Wfies Association (NSAA) will select four teams in each of six cosses as statt stmifinal playoff qualifitrt for friday, Nov. 7.

The Sunday Journal and Star computer fiat rated the present kadtn and fop contenders in each dhlrid, according to the NSAA playoff formula. Team! with tfie first and fourth highest point overages will be reamed in on fmitinal and teams with the second and third highest arogn will be matched in the other lumifinat. All six state championship games or scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14. Class A i District leaders: District 1 Lincoln East, 44.00; Lincoln Northeast, 38.75; District 2 Omaha Benson, 42.50; Bellevue, 41.25; District 3 Omaha Westside, 43.75; Omaha Bryan, 36.88; District 4 Grand Island, 40.00; Scottsbluff, 37.50.

Class District leaders: District 1 Lincoln Pius 44.14; York," 41.25; District 2 Waverly, 43.88; Platteview, 40.63; District 3 Wayne, 41.29; Albion, 40.63; District 4 Holdrege, 45.75; Kimball, 44.86. 1. Ohio St. (50) 7-0-0 1,190 2. Oklahoma (8) 7-0-0 1,084 3.

Nebraska (2 7-0-0 939 4. S. California (1) 7-0-0 890 5. Texas 7-0-0 632 6. Alabama 6-1-0 609 7.

Michigan M-2 584 I. Texas 6-1-0 516 Penn St. 7-1-0 459 10. Arizona St. 7-0-0 342 II.

Florida 6-1-0 293 12. Missouri 5-2-0 183 13. UCLA 5-1-1 151 14. Maryland 5-M 108 15. Notre Dame 5-2-0 62 16.

Colorado 5-2-0 52 17. Ariiona 5-1-0 41 11. San Diego St. 7-0-0 34 19. Miami, Ohio 6-14 33 (tie) Oklahoma St.

5-2-0 33.