Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 21

Even an injury can't keep Colorado's Bieniemy on sideline Cornhusker opponent USB. By Curt McKeever Eric Bieniemey said he was more tuned in to last week's clash between Colorado and Oklahoma than he's ever been (or a football game. Considering he didnt play, that's a powerful statement It wasn't, however, hard to believe. Bieniemy, Colorado's junior tailback, missed the game because of a broken fibula in his right leg. Still, there he was, running on to the field at Norman, Okla, to celebrate a clinching touchdown.

His action cost Colorado a 15-yard delay-of-game penalty. This week against Nebraska, Bieniemy says his going onto the field wont draw such a foul Despite his physical health being 70 to 80 perecent of full strength, Bieniemy says there's no doubt that hell play against the Corn-buskers. Even if he has to limp. Against Oklahoma, "if they needed me, I could have played," Bieniemy said. "But our team is just too Bieniemy knows that even without him, the Buffs are in fine shape.

J. Flannigan, usually an alternate with Bieniemy at tailback, has filled in admirably. The senior, with :04.3 speed in the 40, has rushed for 702 yards, six behind team leader quarterback Darian Hagan. "With speed, he can get outside on the nation's second-ranked team is brimming. i "We'll basically play against anybody anywhere right now because of the fact that our confidence level is sky high," Bieniemy said.

"We have, more talent and more depth, and we're more of a team this year. "(Against Oklahoma) we just came out and played as if it was another game. That's the difference between this year and last year. We took the light teams lightly, we took the greater teams intense. But this year, we're taking them all in stride." Wide receiver Jeff Campbell agreed "You stick Oklahoma and Nebraska in the same category," he said.

"They're great football teams. You cant overlook either of them, but the thing is, you have to look at them one and a time, and I think that really helped us out We nt looked at Nebraska yet We looked at Oklahoma." And now that Colorado is focusing on Nebraska? "I think every week's a challenge," Flannigan said. "We just have to prepare hard every week and do the same things, and go out and get a victory." "I expect 60-minute ball," Muilenburg added. "The last drive's going to win the game. That's what I expect" on any defense," Hagan said.

Of course, with the help of a talented and experienced offensive line. "We faced a lot of things that we had faced all year," said Hagan of last week's game against Oklahoma. "We faced a fundamental, sound defense that's based around the option. "Today, the offensive line was the factor. All our backs had to do was run the ball The offensive line wore them down and pushed them off the ball That's how we've been doing all year.

If the offensive line gets its chance, our backs are going to do their job." Colorado's offensive interior, the largest in school history, averages more than 273 pounds a man. "This is the biggest offensive line, but I think the reason why we work so good together is because we all know each other," said senior guard Darrin Muilen-burg. "We work as a unit We know the calls. We get calls all the way across. I get a call from (left tackle Bill) Coleman telling which guy I have to block if I have to pull, or something like that" Things like that have enabled Colorado to be effective.

It's why confidence Colorado roster AUKIOtMPnU Colorado tailback Eric Bieniemy breaks loose for a touchdown against Missouri. Probable starters Ho Name Pot Ht wt Yr 1 ErlcBienlemv TB 5-7 190 Jr. 2 J.J. Flannigan TB 6-0 195 Sr. 3 Oarlan Hagan OB 5-10 185 So, 4 Charles Johnson QB 5-11 165 So.

6 Marc Walters QB 4-3 180 Jr. 6 Eric Hamilton FS 5-11 175 Fr. 7 Bruce Young SS 5-10 200 Sr. 9 Mike Prltchard WB 5-11 180 Jr. 10 Tom Rouen 6-3 215 Jr.

12 DaveMcCloughan CB 6-1 185 Jr. 13 Ronnie Bradford CB 5-11 175 Fr. 14 Pat Blottlaux 6-0 230 So. 15 David Glbbs CB 54 175 Jr. 17 Tim James FS 6-3 215 Jr.

18 M.J. Nelson WR 5-9 155 Sr. 19 Doug Adklns SS 5-9 190 Fr. 20 Brent Branch WB 5-10 165 So. 21 Dwayne Davis CB 6-2 190 Fr.

22 George Hemingway FB 6-1 225 Jr. 23GregLlndsev SS 6-2 185 Fr. 25 Mark Henry WR 6-3 190 So. 26 Julian Hayward CB 6-1 165 Fr. 27 Greg Thomas FS 6-3 210 So.

28 KenCulbertson 64 180 Sr. 29 Dennis Collier TB 5-11 195 Fr. 71 Erez Gottlieb 6-3 270 Fr. MTonvSenno FB 5-10 205 So. 72 Mark Vander Pool OT 6-8 305 Jr.

31 Matt Bell TB 5-8 185 Fr. 73 Roger Ivey OG 6-3 270 Fr. 32 David Brown LB 6-2 230 Jr. 75 David Ellis OT 67 285 Jr. 33 Erich Kissick FB 64 225 Sr.

75 Jason Perkins NT 6-4 250 Fr. 34 Chad Brown LB 6-3 235 Fr. 76 Ariel Solomon OT 64 275 Jr. 36 J.COrvis WB 6-2 200 Jr. 77 Bill Coleman OT 6-5 270 Sr.

40 Scott DeGoler LB 64 215 Jr. 78 Ariel Solomon OT 6-6 275 Jr. 41 John Katovslck LB 6-3 220 Fr. 79 RussHeasley OG 6-4 265 So. 42 Michael Simmons WB 5-9 200 Jr.

81 Jon Boman TE 6-4 235 So. 43 RobHutchlns LB 6-1 215 Jr. 83 Arthur Walker DT 6-4 275 Sr. 45 Chris O'Donnell SS 64 195 So. 84 Jeff Campbell WR 5-9 170 Sr.

46 Paul Rose OLB 6-2 210 Jr. 85 SeanEmbree TE 6-4 225 Fr. 47ScottHanna FS 6-3 185 Sr. 87 John Perak TE 6-6 240 Sr. 48 Terry Johnson LB 6-1 220 Jr.

90 Jim Hansen DT 64 250 Fr. 50 Paul Rose OLB 6-2 210 Jr. 91 LamarrGray OLB 6-3 220 Fr. 52 Jay Leeuwenburg 6-3 265 So. 93 Joel Steed NT 6-3 280 So.

53 GregBiekert OLB 6-3 220 Fr. 94 Alfred Williams OLB 64 230 Jr. 57 Nell Schlesener 6-3 275 Jr. 95 Gorry Howe NT 64 265 Jr. 59 Michael Jones LB 6-2 230 Sr.

96 Konavis McGhee OLB 6-5 250 Jr. 60 Clint Moles OT 64 285 Fr. 97 Marcellous Elder DT 64 285 Fr. 62 Joe Garten OG 6-3 280 Jr. 98 Mike Motley OLB 6-2 225 Jr.

63 Darrin Muilenburg OG 6-4 280 Sr. 99 Okland Salavea DT 6-5 260 Sr. 64 Greg Gould OG 6-5 275 Sr. 69 RIckGrunden OG 6-5 260 Fr. OFFENSE Nebraska travel roster NEBRASKA COLORADO (8-0 4-0) No.

Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Poj. No.

Player Ht. 19 Morgan Gregory 5-11 190 Sr. SE 84 Jeff Campbell 5-9 78 Tom Punt 285 Jr. LT 77 Bill Coleman 6-5 66 JimWanek 6-1 255 Jr. tG 62 Joe Garten 6-3 68 Jake Young 6-4 270 Sr.

52 Jay Leeuwenburg 6-3 69 BIIIBobbora 6-3 265 Sr. RG 63 Darrin Muilenburg 6-4 70 DougGlaser 6-7 295 Sr. RT 72 Mark Vander Poel 6-8 85 Monte Kratzensteln 6-3 230 Sr. TE 87 John Perak 6-6 14 Gerry Gdowski 6-0 190 Sr. QB 3 Darian Hagan 5-10 32 KenClark 5-10 200 Sr.

IBTB 2 J.J. Flannigan 60 29 Bryan Carpenter 5-10 205 Sr. FB 33 Erich Kissick 6-0 21 Richard Bell 64) 205 Sr. WB 9 Mike Prltchard 5-11 44 Gregg Barrios 5-8 180 Jr. 28 KenCulbertson 6-4 DEFENSE 42 Jeff Mills 6-4 235 Sr.

LOLB 94 Alfred Williams 6-6 75 RayValladao 6-3 255 Sr. LT 83 Arthur Walker 6-4 74 Mike Murray 5-10 240 Sr. MGNT 93 Joel Steed 6-3 91 Kent Wells 6-5 230 Sr. RT 99 Okland Salavea 6-5 88 Mike Croel 6-3 225 Jr. ROLB 96 Kanavls McGhee 6-5 37 MikePetko 6-2 225 So.

SLBLLB 48 Terry Johnson 6-1 Pay Tyrone 6-2 240 Jr. WLBRLB 59 Michael Jones 6-2 38 Bruce Pickens 5-11 190 Sr. LCB 12 DaveMcCloughan 6-1 17 Reggie Cooper 6-3- 205 Jr. SS 7 Bruce Young- 5-10 8 Tyrone Byrd 5-11, 170 Fr. FS ,17 Tim James 6-3 3 TyronLegette 5-9 170 So.

RC8 15 David Glbbs 5-8 47 MlkeStigge 6-1 190 Fr. 10 Tom Rouen 6-3 i wt. Tr. 170- Sr. Sr.

280 Jr. 265 So. 230 Sr. 305. Jr.

240 Sr. 185 -50. 195 'Sr. 225 Sr. 180 Jr.

180 Sr. 23o" Jr. 275 'Sr. 200 1.1 So. 260, tSr.

250 Jr. 220 Jr. 230 r. 135 Jr. 200 Sr.

215" Jr. 175 vJr. 215, Jr. 2 Mickey Joseph QB 5-11 175 So. 32 KenClark IB 5-10 200 Sr.

64 John Roschal OG 6-3 280 Sr. 3 Tyrone Lesette CB 5-9 170 So. 33 Tyrone Hughes WB 5-9 175 Fr. 66JlmWanek OG 6-1 255 Jr. 4JonBostick SE 6-2 185 Fr.

34JohnReece CB 64 190 Fr. 68 Joke Young 6-4 270 Sr. STahaunLewls CB 5-11 175 Jr. 37 MlkePetko ILB 6-2 225 So. 69 BIIIBobbora OG 6-3 265 Sr.

8 Tyrone Bvrd FS 5-11 170 Fr. 38 Bruce Pickens CB 5-11 190 Sr. 70 Doug Closer OT 6-7 295 Sr. llMarkDowse WB 64 170 So. 39 Mark Hagge ILB 5-11 230 Sr.

74 Mike Murray MG 5-10 240 Sr. -12 Jerry Dunlap QB 5-11 195 Jr. 40PatTyrance ILB 6-2 240 Jr. 75 RavVoliadao DT 6-3 255 Sr. 13 Junior Monarrez MG 6-1 270 Sr.

41 TimJohnk FB 5-10 215 So. 76 Brian Boerboom OT 6-7 285 So. 14 Gerry Gdowski QB 64 190 Sr. 42 Jeff Mills OLB 6-4 235 Sr. 77 Terry Eyman OT 64 265 Jr.

16 Chris Drennan PK 5-9 200 Sr. 44 Gregg Barrios PK 54 180 Jr. 78 Tom Punt OT 64 285 Jr. 17 Reggie Cooper SS 6-3 205 Jr. 45 JonCrlppen CB 5-10 170 Jr.

80 Chris Garrett TE 6-3 225 So. 19 Morgan Gregory SE 5-11 190 Sr. 47 MlkeStigge 6-1 190 Fr. 85 Monte Kratzensteln TE 6-3 230 Sr. 20 Terry Rodgers IB 5-7 170 Jr.

49 ChrisCaiiendo ILB 6-2 240 Sr. 87 DanSvehla OLB 64 235 Jr. 21 Richard Bell WB 64 205 Sr. 52 Roger Fltzke 64 235 Sr. 88 Mike Croel OLB 6-3 225 Jr.

22 Note Turner WB 6-1 220 So. 54 Chris O'Gara OG 6-4 270 Sr. 89 William Washington TE 6-2 245 Fr. 23 Leodis Flowers IB 5-11 200 So. 55 Randall Jobman ILB 64 235 Sr.

91 Kent Wells DT 6-5 280 Sr. 24 Curtis Cotton 1 SS 6-1 195 So. 56 Joe Sims DT 6-3 285 Jr. 93 Travis Hill OLB 6-2 230 Fr. 25 Sam Schmidt FB 6-1 225 Sr.

57 Kenny Walker DT 64 230 Jr. 95 Paul Brungardt DT 6-7 265 Jr. 26 Marvin Sanders FS 5-11 190 Sr. 58 David Edeal 6-2 285 Jr. 96 David White OLB 6-2 225 Fr.

29 Bryan Carpenter FB 5-10 205 Sr. 61 ErlkWiegert OG 64 270 So. 97 Pat Engelbert MG 6-2 245 So. Klckoff: 1:30 p.m. (CST), Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo.

TV: CBS (Channels 3, 1011). Radio: Lincoln KFOR (1240 AM), Omaha KFAB (1110 AM). Amd the pidls no 1 UtM nana IB Al kut. Ua.u 1' i nun isuinu io-ui iiusia nuvr i AP college picks NCAA statistics Rushing offense Car Yds Yds Pg 1. Nebraska 479 3203 AirForeo 475 3091 334.4 3.

Colorado 474 3009 376.1 Army 495 2410 1 372.9 Arkansas 427 2350 335.7 Passing offense Att Cp Yds Yds Pg Houston 435 270 3M9 524.1 BrlghamYoung 297 188 3160 397.5 Utah 435 230 3096 344.0 SanDlesoSt. 303 183 2591 323.9 Miami (Fla.) 315 172 2259 322.7 Total offense Plays Yds Yds Pa Houston .591 4550 6S0.0 2. Nebraska 595 4180 522.5 BrlghamYoung 575 4142 517.7 San Diego St. 448 4059 507.3 Air Force 574 385 498.1 545 3903 487.0 Rushing defense Car Yds Yds fa Southern Cal 225 480 (0.0 Miami (Fla.) 248 493 7C.4 Virginia Tech 288 605 75.6 4. Nebraska 280 622 77.8 Passing defense An cp Yds Ydspg Illinois 145 68 813 116.1 Mississippi St.

179 89 90S 129.3 Florida 188 95 905 129.3 Kansas St. 123 74 1037 129.6 Auburn 153 81 926 132.3 Total defense Plays Yds Yds Pg Florida 429 141 .208.7 Miami (Fla.) 440 1501 214.4 Virginia Tech 492 1882 235.3 Illinois i 427 1687 241.0 Auburn 420 1692 241.7 8. Nebraska 538 2080 240.0 Scoring offense Pts Av Houston 7 383 54.7 2. Nebraska 8 378 47.3 Hawaii 8 339 42.4 4. Colorado 8 325 404 Scoring defense pts Avg Penn St.

7 61 8.7 Auburn 7 64 9.1 Miami (Fla.) 7 73 10.4 Illinois 7 88 12.6 5. Colorado 8 101 12.6 V.Nebraska 108 13.5 2. Colorado (8-0) hosts No. 3 Nebraska 2 3. Nebraska (8-0) is at No.

2 ColcrwJo 3 By Rick Warner 4. Michigan (6-1) hosts Purdue ....5 Associated Prest 5. Alabama (7-0) hosts Mississippi State 4 The last (and only) time Colorado won 6. Florida State () hosts South Carolina 6 outright Big Eight championship, 7. Miami, Fla.

(6-1 hosts East Carolina ....7 ta Kpnnedv vm r.rpddpnt Roppt 8. Illinois (6-1) Isat Iowa, .................8 president, uoger 9. Southern Cal (6-2) hosts Oregon State 10 Mans was home run king and the Bea- 10. Tennessee (6-1 Is Idle 9 ties were still a local band in Liverpool. 11.

Arkansas (6-1) Isat Rice 11 That was 1961, long before anyone on 12. Auburn (5-2) hosts No. 19 Florida 15 the current Colorado squad was born. "WestV' Saturday, the second-ranked Buffalo ArKSHs'a Jirtuany clinch the conference 16. Penn State (5-2) hosts No.

13 West Virginia 14 UUe by bating No. 3 Nebraska in a bat- 17. Houston (5-2) Is at Texas tie of unbeatens at Boulder. 18. North Carolina State (7-1) hosts No.

24 Virginia .........17 Both teams have breezed through 19. Florida (6-1 Is at No. 12 16 their first eight games. Nebraska's aver- age margin of victory is 34 points, while 21. uemson (7-2) is at Nortn Carolina viTi mm 22.

Texas (4-2) hosts Texas Tech 18 Colorado is Nebraska ctosest call 23. Brigham Young (6-2) hosts Oregon was a 12-point win over Utah. Colorado's 24. Virginia (7-2) is at No. 18 North Carolina State tightest games were 17-point victories 25.

Fresno State (8-0) hosts San Jose State. 22 over Washington and Oklahoma. -Ohio State (5-2) Is at .....21 The most striking numbers are these: Michigan State (3-4) Isat Indiana ..25 hB8 with Colorado dating back to 1968. Journal-Star columnist Mike Babcock Is a voter In the AP poll. The only Colorado win in that span was a 20-10 decision at Boulder in 1986.

Last year, Nebraska won 7-0 on a third-period Harrah'c mllpOP odds touchdown run by Ken Clark, nun clll CUlieyiS UUtia Although both sides have high-pow- 1. Notre Dame 35 over Navy 15. Arizona 13V4 over Callfornlo ered of fenses, this should be another de- J. Colorado SVt over No. 3 Nebraska 16.

Penn St. 3 over No. 13 West Vlr- with much at rtakP 3. Nebraska 5Vi under No. 2 Colorado elnla W6- W1 4 Michigan 34Vi over Purdue 17.

Houston 23 over Texas Christian the Cornhuskers and Buffaloes will play 5. Alabama 17 over Mississippi State 18. N. Carolina St.2over No. 24 Vlr- close to the vest on of fense and wait for 6.

Florida St. 23 over South Carolina ln'a tJ thpir dpfpn! tt fnrrp mikpi 7. Miami, Fla. 31 over East Carolina 19. Florida 9 under No.

12 Auburn meir oeienses to lorce misiaxes. 8. Illinois 3Vi over Iowa 20. Texas AS.M vsSMU.no odds Both teams are on a missioa Ne-9! Southern Col 21 over Oregon State 21. Clemson 24 over North Carolina braska wants to give Tom Osborne his 10.

Tennessee Is Idle 22. Texas 8 oyer Texas Tech national -hSnrtonshln and Tnln-11 Arkansas 22 over Rice 23. Brigham Young vs Oregon, even nauonai cnampionsmp ana uho-12! Auburn 9 over No. 19 Florida 24. Virginia 2 under No.

18 N. Carolina rado has dedicated its season to former 13. west Virginia 3 under No. 16 Penn St. quarterback Sal Aunese, who died of St.

2f- Fresno St. vs San Jose State, no cnt 93. 14. PIHsburghlsldle odds cancer sepL a. In the country.

First team that scores AUBURN 10-7. No. 13 W. Virginia (plus 3) at No. 16 Penn SL: West Virginia has lost 17 in a row at Penn State.

PENN STATE 20-14. No. 15 Arizona (minus 13) at California: 'Arizona has a shot at its first Rose ARIZONA 28-10. No. 17 Houston (minus 22) at Texas Christian: Houston is 17th in the country and fifth in the Southwest Conference.

HOUSTON 56-14, No. 24 Virginia (plus 1) at No. 18 N.C. State: Yes Virginia, you can win the ACC VIRGINIA 17-16. Southern Methodist (plus 45) at No.

20 Texas Texas beat Houston, which beat SMU 95-21. Mercy is all SMU can hope for. TEXAS 52-7. No. 21 Clemson (minus 23) at North Carolina: Tar Heel fans can't wait for basketball season to CLEMSON 38-3.

Tesr? Tech (plus 7) at No. 22 Texas: Texas is coming off upset wins ever Oldslioma and Arkansas. TEXAS 28-24 Oregon (even) at No. 23 Brigham Young: Was BYU's 56-14 loss to Hawaii a BYU 34-21 San Jose SL (no line) at No. 25 Fresno SL: There's only five undefeated teams in Division I-A, and Fresno State is oner of them.

FRESNO ST. 48-14. The Buffs are favored by six COLORADO 17-13. Navy (plus 35) at No. I Notre Dame: It's not an off week for the Fighting Irish, but it's NOTRE DAME 56-7.

Purdue (plus 35) at No. 4 Michigan: Michigan becomes the first Division I-A school to win 700 football MICHIGAN 56-0. Mississippi St (plus 17) vs. No. 5 Alabama at Birmingham: Alabama has won 30 of their last 31 meetings.

ALABAMA 42-17. South Carolina (plus 22) at No. 8 Florida Without injured quarterback Todd Ellis, South Carolina is overmatched against the streaking Semi-noles. FLORIDA ST. 32-7.

East Carolina (plus 31) at No. 7 Miami: Someone's gotta pay for that loss to Florida State. MIAMI 56-7. No. 8 Illinois (minus 3) at Iowa: The Hawkeyes are having an off year, but they're always dangerous at home.

Upset Special IO A 21-20. Oregon St (plus 21) at No. 9 Southern Cal: Oregon State hasnt beaten Southern Cal since 1967. SOUTHERN CAL 28-7. No.

11 Arkansas (minus 20) at Rice: Arkansas spends a day in Hog Heaven 42-17. No. 19 Florida (plus 9) at No. 12 Auburn: Two of the best defensive teams Handicapped Concordia defensive back didn't want to be left out Brecka said he hones the Bulldogs. 0-7 field tackling.

If a guy breaks loose and Nebraska colleges was encouraged to do any thing I wanted. It was a challenge, but it would be even bigger now. If it had happened now, I probably would have fallen flat on my face." Last week's results Nebraska Wesleyan 27, Dana 26 Chadron St. 40, Carroll College 21 Hastings 23, Concordia 3 Midland 27, Doane 7 I UNO 17, No. Colorado 10 Peru State 33, Benedictine, Kan.

8 Ft. Hays State 38, Wayne State 7 This week's schedule Chadron State at Dakota Wesleyan Concordia at Nebraska Wesleyan Midland at Dana 1 Doane at Hastings Kearney State ot Fort Hays State North Dakota State at UNO Benedictine, Kan at Wayne State By Mark Derowitsch Most defensive backs have a hard time intercepting passes, but it's especially tough for Concordia sophomore GregBrecka. Brecka said he keeps waiting to intercept his first pass at Concordia. But unlike other backs, he only has one hand to snare it with. Brecka lost his right arm in a farming accident when he was 9-years-old.

The naturally right-handed Brecka can use just his left arm. His handicap isnt much of one on the football field, Brecka said. He played football for four years at East Butler High School before going to Concordia "It's pretty much the same for me as it is for the other backs," he said. The only thing I have problems with is open- overall and 04 in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, make the right plays Saturday against Nebraska Wesleyan. The game will start at 1:30 p.m.

at Abel Stadium. The Plainsmen enter the game with a 7-1 record and ranked No. 7 in NAIA Division II. "It's a big game, and we're all looking forward to it" he said. "We know that they're probably looking over us, and we hope to take advantage of that and upset them.

It's a very big game." Brecka said he's just glad to be able to play in the game. He said if the accident had occured later in his life, he might not have participated in sports. "I was pretty young when it happened," he said. "I try to do everything. I gets me in a one-on-one situation, nes gone.

I've been working at it, and it's not so tough anymore. For me, the big thing is to have confidence in myself It doesnt take long to realize Brecka, a 6-foot, 183-pound native of Brainard, betieves to himself. "It's surprising that some people don't think I can do a lot of things," Brecka said. "But most of my friends treat my like I dont have a handicap. My friends dont even think about it they just expect me to do what they do.

That makes me feel good. I dont want people to leave me out of things." He also didnt want to be left out of "I'm not the fastest man on the team, and I need some work on back-side help," Brecka said. "I almost had two interceptions, but on one, I just couldn't grab it The other one I had but looked upfield too soon and dropped it I finally had the chance, but I blew it" Oetting said Brecka's smart play on the field more than makes up for his handicap. "Every time when he should've had an interception, I begin to wonder if he should even be out there," he sail "But every time I think that I realize most people probably wouldn't have been in a position to make the play." football The summer following his senior year at East Butler, he called Concordia Coach Larry Oetting and asked him if he could come out Oetting said he was skeptical about Brecka joining the team at first "We did not invite him to play, but he contacted us," Oetting said. "We told him about our concerns but left it up to him.

And he's improved 100 percent" Brecka, who also played baseball for Dwight's American Legion team this summer, has started two games for the Bulldogs and has broken up 10 passes this season..