Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 47

November 13, 1977, Lincoln, Sunday Journal and Star I'll 4 Huslcer-Sooner matchup 4Mt J0 took in KU locker room 1 tin By Randy York Staff Sports Writer Kansas hasn't exactly kissed off this football season, not with Missouri left on the schedule. However, the Jayhawks seemed to enjoy talking about the Nebraska-Oklahoma game after absorbing a 52-7 loss at the hands of the Cornhuskers Saturday afternoon. Maybe the topic of conversation helped KU's entourage take its mind off the record 550 yards rushing Nebraska pushed down its throat. You could sense the need for some sort of relief. "That Nebraska-Oklahoma game is going to be a helluva battle.

I'm anxious to see that one on the tube," offered Dean Nesmith, KU's head trainer the past 40 years. "I'm not going to predict the outcome though only fools and strangers do that." Three Kansas players, who don't think they belong in either category, were more willing to go out on a limb without worrying about someone cutting it off. (Mil i- fl fflf ills v. 'uV y--ri. LmdK' fl "..7 No one got to ask KU head coach Bud Moore his thoughts -about the Huskers-Sooners shootout in Norman.

He beat reporters to the punch. "I don't ever compare players or teams for that matter." he said in his three-minute meeting with the press, half of which was silence. Asked if he thought Nebraska executed better offensively than any team KU- has played this season, Moore replied: "We'fe seen some good ones. I couldn't necessarily say Nebraska was better than any other!" He did credit the Huskers' execution on sweeps and reverses. "They just walked our linebackers off and knocked our corners down," he said.

Linebacker Young thought "Nebraska ran the sweep differently, blocking to the outside and cutting off the linebackers. The blocking was completely different than ve had seen in the films. "I.M. Hipp is a great runner," Young said. "He's one of the best I've -ever played against or even seen.

He runs at you and the next thing you know he's running away from you. He's fantastic." 1 Larry Jones, who succeeded Nebraska's Lance Van Zandt as KU's defensive coordinator this season, called Hipp "as fine a back as there is in this conference." Jones said Nebraska's success at running the sweep is simple. "They knock the defensive players down. "You can't tackle anyone when you're on the ground." Banks believes he could have been more successful than 68 yards against the Huskers if he could have logged more than 15 carries. "I don't think they ran me enough," he said.

Brian Bethke, KU's starting quarterback who had the Jayhawks offense in high gear before leaving the game with a first quarter ankle sprain, believes a wishbone team will give Nebraska's stunting defense trouble. Nevertheless, Bethke wasn't about lo be drawn into a prediction on NU-OU. Like the head trainer, he's leaving that business to fools and strangers. "I'd have to pick Nebraska because of its offense," predicted John Mascarello, KU's senior offensive guard from Omaha Gross. "Oil hac nninkpr linpharfepre I think it'll hp a close game decided by mistakes." VV TV v.

iN-Spaahl f1 Freshman linebacker Scellars Young, who was Sports Illustrated's National Defensive Player of the Week last week, agreed with Mascarello. "I'd give Nebraska a slight edge because of the way they ran against us today and the fact I know they can pass better than they did today," he said. Fullback Norris Banks, who rushed for 68 yards against the Huskers Saturday, might have predicted Nebraska, if the game were being played in Lincoln. Sorry Randy, but the officials don't see it your way. Kansas linebacker Scellars Young (52) stops I-back I.M.

Hipp (32) from going over the top on a fourth-and-Roal play from the KU 1 early, in the second Quarterback Randy Garcia (18) signals a touchdown, but the officials ruled otherwise and the Jayhawks took over. "I pick OU because they have all those Texas players and the atmosphere down there is all football." Banks said. "They're noisy here, too, but Nebraska won't be playing here. It may sound crazy, but I think fans are going to maks ihe difference in a close game like that die will be." Kansas lost Oct. 1 at Oklahoma, 24-9.

N-Kunz I -1 i VJ Fumble Field goal record Nebraska place kicker Billy Todd (14) follows through after booting a record-breaking 55-yard field goal midway through the third quarter out of the hold of Randy Garcia (18). The three-pointer, Todd's 12th of the season, gives him the single-season record. He had previously shared the record with Paul Rogers and Al Eveland. yy i i jSld Goa J- '-nrnnmr am irnmrn HWntir rpQ "tbsS i in m-iiiini i i ilf tfiini mi iiniimii mm mi ii mi Anthony for 17 Senior fullback Monte Anthony (49) pounds for I Hineline 3 KBanks h' 17 yards and a Husker first down in the second quarter before being stopped by KU's Scellars Young (52). Husker freshman middle guard Curt Hineline (53), in his first varsity action, takes this fumble away from Kansas fullback Norris Banks (36) late in the first quarter.

Hineline's recovery set up Rick Berns' 63-yard touchdown gallop on the next play. kP 1 iilll W4 I N-Cralg 7 A N-Clark vx'rr' fl' Ml' iff I 7 I 1 t'fry i f' 5 quarterback Randy Garcia (18) as Dodie Donnell (45) blocks a KU chase. Craig picks up support (5) from teammate Kelvin Clark (73), who The Huskers are about to take the lead as teammates clear a path for Cur tis Craig (33) to score the game's first touchdown on a 12-yard run midway through the first quarter. Craig takes the inside handoff (1) from wards off KU linebacker Scellars Young (52), leaving Craig only a few strides short of the end zone. defender.

Stan Waldemore (62) takes on KU's Franklin King (74) as Craig cuts inside (2). Craig scoots through the hole (3) as Donnell and Waldemore hold their blocks. Craig pulls away (4) as Mike Beal (53) give My '4.