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Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 20

Location:
Lincoln, Nebraska
Issue Date:
Page:
20
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

201 3FiESTA BOWL. Half time talk rallied Michigan THURSDAY. 1988, 1388 LINCOLN. NP JttlffNtt my vv -jx ill vj teams we played than play Nebraska again," he said. "They are as strong as any team we faced this year." The Fiesta Bowl victory was also special for another reason.

"Anything that can modestly Improve our bowl record, IH accept," said Schembechler, who had a MO record with Michigan in previous bowl games. Same strategy as before "I didnt do anything different Just had a different team. This team has given me as much satisfaction as any I've had," he said. Schembechler cited some special players for the victory. When asked if split end Paul Jokisch had played with much pain, due to a sprain, Schembechler answered, "It might have killed an ordinaryjnan." He also praised the running of Morris, who finished with 156 yards on 22 carries.

"I eluded him that his brother (Joe Morris of the New York Giants) had gotten 140 yards in the playoffs and he better do the same. He really played wen." Schembechler also had plenty of praise for Nebraska. "These two teams (Nebraska and Michigan) are about the same and on any given day either team could win. They are not your average teams," he said. By Ken Hambleton Journal Sports Writer TEMPE, Ariz.

Halftime in the Michigan locker room at the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl was different than any other time this seasoa And it took a special message from Coach Bo Schembechler to rally his team to a 27-23 victory over Nebraska Wednesday at Sun Devil Stadium. "It wasn't that I had to motivate them," Schembechler said. "But they had to get their confidence back. Nobody had ever scored two touchdowns in a half against us. 'You've got to understand it was a shock to our defense to play against a team of Nebraska's ability.

Our defense was under a lot of pressure. "We hadnt ever gone against a running, blocking team like Nebraska. They moved the ball better than anyone we saw all year." Third quarter told the tale Nebraska led 14-3, and Schembechler later said, "At halftime, I wasn't so sure about things either." But Nebraska lost fumbles on its first two possessions of the second half and Michigan free safety David Arnold blocked his third punt of the season to help the Wolverines soar to a 20-14 lead with 6:42 left in the third quarter. Messner said. "He usually is," Wolverine quarterback Jim Harbaugh said.

Schembechler's emotional adjustments for his team were as important as the changes in assignments, Messner said. "We were hesitant in the first half. In the second half we were wild-eyed. Our hits made those turnovers and got us through the finish," he said. Cashed in on defense Tailback Jamie Morris, who was named the offensive player of the game, said the change in the Wolverine offense was similar.

"We've been riding on the defense all year. It was time for a change. It was time for us to show our offense off, and we cashed in when our defense did its job," Morris said. Schembechler said he was nervous despite the 27-14 lead his team had built by the end of the third quarter. "You always get panicky.

But we had no other thought than to run the clock out and we'd take a safety. Then, our defense was on the spot again. Like always," he said, referring to Michigan's final possession that ended when punter Monte Robbins ran out of the end zone with 1:22 left "I'd rather play any of the other 11- The key to the game for Michigan was the second-half kickoff. "We had to hold them and get the ball back and get some points in the third Schembechler said. The third quarter won the game for us." Michigan players explained that it wasnt a rousing halftime speech that inspired them.

"Coach told us that if we stopped hurting ourselves and played like the old Michigan in the second half we could win," Wolverine cornerback Garland Rivers said. Straightened things out Rivers said that some of the confusion on the Michigan defense had led to the mistakes. "We only had 10 men on the field when Nebraska scored its second touchdown. We weren't doing the normal things, and that's what was hurting us," he said. Safety Doug Mallory agreed.

"We didnt change as much as we just got things straightened out on defense," he said. Mark Messier, the defensive player of the game, said most of the defense was upset and mad at halftime. "Bo said to play like Michigan and things would happen. He was right," i iuM i C4 anH Rranl White and Brent White Wolverines' Mike Krauss (51) ichigan had more heart, NU's defensive coach says t. uWrXK i Jim of fumbles and blocked a punt during the 24-point third quarter that was Nebraska's undoing.

They did what it took to win," McBride said. "When they had to get the baU back, they got it back." The Wolverines' offense was limited to 234 yards, 156 of which came on the running of Jamie Morris, but it was able to capitalize on the third-quarter scoring opportunities provided by the Michigan defense. Nebraska's defense spent nine minutes on the field in the third quarter and constantly was forced to line up in the shadow of its own goalposts, but "that's no excuse," McBride said. "I don't care if you put the baU on the 1-yard line, you don't let 'em in the end zone. "Turnovers, defensively, don't mean a thing.

That's part of the business. You've got to stop 'em no matter what happens on offense. "You have to hold up your end of the bargain, and we didn't. The kids tried hard. I'm not saying they didn't.

But we weren't playing real intense footbaU at the start of the second half, and that cost us." Cornhuskers complacent The Cornhuskers umited Michigan to three points in the first half and took a 14-3 lead to the lockerroom at intermis- NU's McCathorn Clayton rambles Andy Moeller (49) on this second celebrate victory. sioa But that may have made them complacent, according to McBride. They had a letdown and Michigan took advantage of it "When we came out (for the second half), our guys went in the tank," he said. "We came out big and fat We re-, laxed, and we got the crap knocked out of us. You can't play football like that You've got to play every minute you're on the field or you might as well stay home.

"Maybe our young kids win learn something from this: Dont take anything for granted." Nebraska had some bright spots on defense, McBride said. "I was disappointed for the seniors. They gave us a good effort, aU of them" Parsons leads Junior linebacker Kevin Parsons was the Cornhuskers' leading tackier, finishing with 13, six of them unassisted. Middle guard Danny Noonan, another junior who played most of the game with an injured knee, was credited with nine tack' les. McBride also singled out tackle Jim Skow, middle guard Todd Proffitt, linebacker Steve Forch and defensive backs Brian Davis, Brian Washington and Dennis Watkins.

Overall, however, "we didn't play like we were playing to win," McBride said. between Mike Hammersteln and' quarter run. on any given day." On David Arnold's block or a Ne; braska punt which set op a Wolverine touchdown That kid blocks punts lik I dont know. By the time he leaves her he could block a whole bunch more." Ar2 nold has blocked three punts this year. Safety Garland Rivers: On his interception in the end iom? with 28 seconds left which halted NU final threat "I was surprised the, threw that deep because they had time; to throw some sideline passes and work the ball in closer." On NU quarterback Steve Taylor think Taylor is real quick and he's the; best quarterback we've faced in He hurt us with his scrambling and he was an emotional lift for Nebraska." I man i i 1 1' 1 llll JL By Mike Babcock Journal Sports Writer TEMPE, Ariz, You gotta have heart According to Charlie McBride, defensive coordinator for the Nebraska football team, that's the lesson to be teamed in the Cornhuskers' 27-23 loss to Michigan in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl Wednesday af ternoon.

Michigan's defense might not be as good as Oklahoma's. "That's just my opinion, McBnae said. The Wolverines "don't have the athletes or the speed Oklahoma has, but they play with their hearts. That's a big thing. That's how you have good teams, year after year.

You get players who play with their hearts." Michigan, which went into Wednesday's game ranked first in the nation in scoring defense, second in total defense and sixth in rushing defense, got pushed around by Nebraska, which often ran from a power formation with two tight ends. Respects foe But when the time came, the Wolverines "took it upon themselves to win that game," said McBride. As a result, "I've got a lot of respect for Michigan. They played defense like they were playing to win." Michigan's defense recovered a pair Nebraska quotes Kicking coach Cletus Fischer: On the blocked punt "I don't even know where the guy came from. It's been a long time since we've had a punt blocked.

It's inexcusable to let that happen." Offensive tackle Tim Roth: "Things seemed to be going our way in the first half. But we look at it like a team effort. If things go well, the whole team gets the credit If somebody messes up, we all share the blame. Our team wins and loses together. "We were trying to show the nation that we are a good football team.

But, we just couldn't get the job done. I thought we did a good job running the ball They only gave up five touchdowns all season and we got three in one game." Quarterback McCathorn Clayton: On his fumbles "I tried to concentrate too much on the pitch instead of holding onto the ball and that caused one of the fumbles. I don't know what happened in the second half. We were ready to play, but Michigan seemed very hungry. About being replaced by Steve Taylor "I wanted to be out there, but we needed a change and Steve reaUy came through and almost won the game for us." Linebacker Kevin Parsons: About Michigan running back Jamie Morris "You can't take anything away from him, but we had some bad tackling.

We had him behind the line and he got free. "When the turnovers happen frequently it gets discouraging. We felt we had to make something happen. "When we held them at the goal line at the end, we were playing with a lot of emotion and I would say we had a lot of incentive. "I'd say that's the best stand I've played in.

It showed the character of our defense. It was important to do, to give us a chance to come back." Photos by: Randy Hampton Ted Kirk Gail Folda NU's Dennis Watklns (27) was called for interference in the end zone Show sums it up in two words usker defense frustrated on this pass to Jeffrey Brown. lot out of you. Wc (the defense) finally came back and toughened up, but it was too late." Davis came within inches of a pass interception, broke up a couple of others. That's as close as you can come without intercepting one," he recaUed.

"When I got my hands on it, I bobbled it a little. Before I could get control of the ban, the receiver grabbed my arm and I couldn't hold on. "Since I was playing in my home town," Davis added, "I wanted to have a good game. I think I did, but it didn't turn out the way I wanted. Now well have to regroup and look forward to next year.

Well have a good offense and defense next year. We have a lot of guys coming back. "Everybody on the team has a lot of confidence in Steve Tay.or," Davis said of the freshman quaiterback. "The coaches are sometimes afraid to put in a real young player, but I think he showed what he can do. Hell be a big help next year." Skow closed with a comment on the same subject This was not a good way for me to go out," he admitted.

"I just hope the returning guys can go on and win a national championship. And I think they can. Nebraska will have a lot of talent coming back next season." Michigan quotes By Virgil Parker Journal Sports Editor TEMPE, Ariz. Nebraska Ail-American defensive tackle Jim Skow is usually very talkative. But he summed up his feelings after Nebraska's Sunkist Fiesta Bowl loss to Michigan in two words.

"This sucks." After taking a deep breath, the Omaha senior explained his frustration. "The sad part is that we (the defense) shut them down pretty good," Skow said. "Then came all those problems (three fumbles, two of them lost; a blocked punt, a bad punt and two pass interference penalties) that cost us the game." Skow said that after the Huskers took charge at the outset and moved to a 14-3 halftime lead, "we won the battle. The only trouble is that we wound up losing the war." Skow said he hadn't seen such a turnaround in a game "since grade school days. And what also makes it sad is that I thought we were stronger than they were late in the game.

But, we just ran out of time." Skow said Michigan got to the outside more in the second half because of a change Michigan made "in order to adjust to the defense we were in." Play 'tough to defense Senior linebacker Mike Knox agreed. "That one power olay that they were running in the first half," Knox said, "is tough to defense. It's hard for the defensive end, tackle and linebacker to contain because there are several holes to fil That No. 23 (Jamie Morris) started going to the outside in the second half. He can dart to the outside like that, or he can cut it back.

When that happens we need some support from the comer-backs and safeties." Knox added that "breaks are part of the game. We tried to overcome them, but we just couldn't "But I'm still proud of what my accomplishments were this year after coming off of knee surgery," Knox said. "Our defense came together and played very tough, We had very few returning people back this fan. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year. So, aU in all, I think it was a good year for us." Davis almost intercepts One of the newcomers who played a big role was defensive cornerback Brian Davis, who came to Nebraska last faU after playing hlgh'school and junior college football in the Phoenix area.

"There was a feeling of letdown when the offense turned the ball over to them so many times in our territory," Davis admitted. To go right back on the field several times in rapid succession takes a Coach Bo Schembechler: On Nebraska "They played tougher defense than anybody we've played. They ran against us better than anybody we've played? On college football playoffs "If we had a playoff we probably would have been left out. But I think that both Michigan and Nebraska would beat any team Harald Dreimanis of the Lincoln Journal and United Press International A.

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