Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 27

e-era. Sunday Journal-Star SEPTEMBER 9, 1984 BliikeF OYercbme Mistsikes for 427 win 7 f'. Fullback Rathman runs wild By Virgil Parker Spoils Editor The Nebraska Cornhuskers came up with a new version of their famous "fumbleroosky" play in the irst half against Wyoming at Memorial Stadium Saturday. Instead of putting the ball on the ground for a big guard to pick up and chug around end for a nice gain, the ball went on the ground three times -into the hands of a Cowboy defender. Add in a pass interception and five penalties and its understandable why Nebraska struggled to a 14-7 intermission lead.

Coach Tom Osborne's troops regrouped in the second half, however. Without another turnover or penalty, the Big Red machine moved relentlessly to a 42-7 victory. This season's "machine," in its opening test, took on the appearance of a powerful tractor when compared to last year's racehorse group which formed the "Scoring Explosion." But the result was the same. Spread similar The first game a year ago, against the same Cowboys, resulted in a 56-20 triumph a 36-point spread. This time, 35 points separated the two teams at the end.

i "It was a pleasing game to me," Osborne said. "Last year we bombed them in the first half and didn't play very well in the second. I'd rather have a strong finish." Osborne said he felt like a "play director on opening night" before the Statistics ii First downs 34 Rushes-yards 42-98 71-440 Passing yards 104 119 Total yards 202 559 Return yards 37 142 Passes $-14-0 8-11-1 Punts-ove 8-49 1-37 Fumbles-lost 3-1 4.3 Penalties-yards 4-23 5-50 Time of possession 25:23 34:37 Third-down conversions 2-13 4-9 Fourthdown conversions 0-1 0-1 game. "I didn't know what to expect And my fears, were realized with all those turnovers. I felt forturnate to be ahead 14-7 at the half.

"It took us a half, to get those things out of our system," he added. "Wyoming has a better defense this year and their quarterback played well Overall, they are probably a better team. "We may not be quite as explosive as a year ago, but if we can eliminate the turnovers and penalties, we'll be a good football team." 85 Huskers play A total of 85 Huskers including five quarterbacks saw action. Thirteen different backs carried the ball on at least one running play and eight different receivers each caught one of the eight passes completed in 11 tries. "I thought (Craig) Sundberg and (Travis) Turner both played well at quarterback," Osborne said.

Sundberg, the fifth-year senior starter, hit six of eight aerials, with one intercepted, while Turner, a junior, was two-for-three. Nebraska led the nation in rushing See HUSKERS on page 40 6 I STAFF PHOTO BY HUM8ERT0 RAMIREZ (39) and Craig Earl (49) during the Even though Nil's players think they might be, they are split on where they want to be. Safety Bret Clark likes the idea. Fullback Tom Rathman doesn't "If it comes to be, I'm not going to tell 'em no," Clark said. "We went through all last year being No.

1. 1 think we can do it again this year. I mean, we know what the pressure's like, being up there on top." Rathman knows and he'd rather not deal with it at this point "I hope we're not on top, to tell you the truth," he said. "This team doesn't need that right now." -Cornerback Neil Harris thinks "it would help if we were No. 1 at this time in the season.

But it really doesnt matter to me personally. If we win 12 I' 4 By Mike Babcock Tom Rathman ran like a bull in a china shop Saturday afternoon. Wyoming's defense wasnl as fragile as me china, gf course, Rathman just made it look that way. The Nebraska fullback carried 13 times for 108 yards and one touchdown-in the Cornhuskers' 42-7 victory over Wyoming at Memorial Stadium. His yardage was the most by a Ne braska fullback since Andra Franklin rushed for 122 yards on 20 carries against Oklahoma in 1980.

"If they want to give it to me, I'll carry it," said Rathman, who made mundane trap plays exciting. His performance was far from trite. "I was really surprised at how much I got the football. You dont usually see a fullback here gaining that many yards," Rathman said. What Cornhusker fullbacks usually do is block for Cornhusker I-backs, a responsibility Rathman didnt shirk qn Saturday.

"He did a heck of a job block-ingsaidl-back Jeff Smith. "I heard a lot of cracks out there, and a lot of them were Rathman," Nebraska center Mark Traynowicz said. "Hell hit you, and youH feel it." Smith gained 170 yards With Rathman, Traynowlcz, and the rest of the offensive line clearing the way, Smith carried 28 times for 170 yards, the second most productive opening game for a Cornhusker I-back in 22 years. Jarvis Redwine rushed for 179 yards against Utah in 1980. Much of Smith's yardage came on isolation plays, designed to go inside, with Rathman blocking a linebacker.

"I was killing that linebacker on the 'isos'," said Rathman. Rathman's touchdown, the second of his career and his first rushing, came on a 16-yard run of right tackle. "It was a well-blocked play, and I saw a big hole," he said. "I just had to cut off one block, either by the wingback or the split end I don't know which. "I was only concerned about getting in the end zone because I'm so unfamil; See RATHMAN on page 6D Nebraska fullback Tom Rathman eludes Wyoming's Dane Ingram first quarter of his 108-yard performance Saturday.

WP wmdred. with No. 1 possibility Osborne BAx. Assistant Sports Editor Put a voting booth in front of Memorial Stadium Saturday and there's no question who the fans would say was No.l. But the issue is far from unanimous among Nebraska players.

And Tom Osborne admitted he doesnt want the No. 2 team to get that big promotion now that Miami is destined to fall from the dubious grace of No.l. 'Td rather not get into a discussion about No. 1 right now Osborne said after his second-ranked Huskers handled Wyoming, 42-7. "If we are there, so be it," Osborne said "But I'd rather hide in the shadows for awhile." Nebraska's head coach said even if the polls declare his team No.

1, "I hope people don't think we're there because we've got a lot of improving to do. Every week is going to be a new experience." Wyoming Coach Al Kincaid did not divulge his vote in the UPI poll. But reporters left his locker room, presuming he saw the elements of a No. 1 team. Kincaid praises NU Asked if Nebraska deserved its high rating, Kincaid said: "They got my vote.

I think they do. They're a good football team." The question, of course, is, are the Huskers a great football team? there." And because there are, the point is moot. "In six weeks, it'll mean something," Behning said. "But the first three or four weeks, you can put anybody in there." Defensive Scott Strasburger puts No. 1 talk in the same category as the Heis-man and Outland trophies.

"We're not going to worry about those three things this year," he said. "We just want to go out there and play ootbalL" Quarterback Craig Sundberg doesn't think the pressure would be any different between No. 1 and No. 2. "But we're going to put that stuff out of our minds," he said.

"It's really not in our control The only thing we can control is how we play." fights back to win title iclligan Snaps Navratilova WRAP'S Result 1. Miami m) tost to Michigan, 3. Nebraska (Ml) del. Wyomitja, 3. Clemson (2-0) del.

Virginia, 554..... idle From News Wires There was reason to gloat, but Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler wasn't about to do that despite his Wolverines' 22-14 upset Saturday of top-ranked, defending national champion Miami of Florida. "It was a satisfying victory, but we have to put it in the proper perspective because it is an opening game," Schembechler said. "We dont really know how good we are or they are." In other Big Ten games, Illinois edged Missouri 30-24, Washington pounded Northwestern 264), Purdue stunned Notre Dame 23-21, Iowa blasted IoWa State 59-21, Michigan State nipped Colorado 24-21, Minnesota beat Rice 31-24, Duke downed Indiana 31-24, Ohio State held off Oregon State 22-14 and Wisconsin stopped Northern Illinois 27-14. At Ann Arbor, Miami had been good enough to win 13 games in a row over two seasons, including its first two this season.

"The problem we had was, we were completely unaware of what they were going to do, offensively and defensively," said Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson. "Three games in 12 days may have had an effect" Johnson said. "I dont know. I dont want to make excuses. They (Michigan) didn't do the same things in the ball game today that they did in the films of last year." The Hurricanes were plagued by eight turnovers two lost fumbles and six interceptions by Michigan, which tied a Wolverine record.

Highly touted Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar threw two touchdown passes but constantly had drives thwarted by Michigan's defense. Fullback Bob Perryman scored three touchdowns for 14th-ranked Michigan. Miami trailed 12-7 midway through the fourth quarter and was driving when defensive tackle Mike Hammerstein leaped at the Une to intercept a Kosar pass and set Michigan up at the Hurricanes' 24. The Wolverines then took seven plays to score, with Perryman plunging off right tackle from a yard out for his third Perryman had scored on a six-yard run in the first quarter See BIG TEN qn page 10D 4. ucuA (i-O) det.

sart Diego Long Beach St. 5 Texas (0-0) did not Auburn 4. Ohio State def. Oregon 7. Notre Dame (0-1 tost to Purdue, Michigan St.

S. Auburn (0-1) did not play at Texas Alabama (0-1) lost to Boston College, 39-31 Go. Tech 10. Iowa (14) def. Iowa State, 59-21 Penn State 11.

Penn State (1-0) def. Rutgers, at Iowa 12. Arizona State (Q-t) tost to Oklahoma San Jose St. 13. Brlsham Young (2-0) def.

Baylor, 47-13. Tulsa 14. Michigan (1-0) def Miami, 22-14 Washington 15. Southern Methodist (0-0) did not Play. at Louisville 16.

Oklahoma (1-0) def. Stanford, at Pittsburgh ,17. Pittsburgh (0-1) did not 18. Boston College (2-0) def Alabama, Idle. 1.

Washington (1-0) def. Northwestern, 24-0. at Michigan 20. Florida State (1-0) did not at Kansas topple Stanford; Illini hold off Mizzou games this season, well be right there whether we're ranked No. 1, No.

5 or No. 12 right now." Even though the fans cheered Miami's loss to Michigan Saturday, Harry Grimminger didn't. "With Miami getting beat, I guess it's our turn to be No: 1," said Nebraska's offensive guard. "But it's so early, you can't say what's going to happen." Players ignore ranking Center Mark Traynowicz and offensive tackle Mark Behning agreed. "I really dont pay any attention to it" Traynowicz said.

"I'm not out there on the field, thinking 'We're No. I'm just worried about getting the next block. There are a lot of good teams out Top 20 fared This week's opponent offensively. They are an outstanding defensive team. We couldnt seem to do anything on offense." The Sooners' new offense, based on the wishbone but with various sets included, allowed Oklahoma to finish with -348 total yards.

Quarterback Danny Bradley finished with 100 yards rushing and completed See BIG EIGHT on page 10D Devaney to stay on? Pag 3D Major league baseball Page bd Outdoor news Pageiso College football Page 100-120 Sunday Morning Fiffdus vs. Notre Dame 10:30 NFL Preview 11:30 0NFL'84 11:30 tl CD (iXNFL Today 1 1 :30 GDNFL Football Preview Afternoon 12:00 fl(3Fl Football: Denver at Chicago 12:00 II CD Q3)Na Football: Dallas at Nm York Giants 12:00 Pocket Billiard 1 :00 Auto Racing: CART Motion Indy 3:00 OCDNFL Football: San Diage at Seat- 3:00 OCSD (UjTennis: U.S. Open man's final 3:00 CB Hydroplane Racing 3:0 (TlWinhall: Atlanta at Ban Franeiaco 4:00 OGDAmariom Junior Quartarhoraa World Ctiempionahip 30 15 JSpMdWMk 7:30 BOO (TwrtNng 8:00 fJjColtege Football Sppners From News Wires The main attraction for Oklahoma fans was the debut of the Sooners' new offense, but it was the young Oklahoma defense which drew the most praise from Coach Barry Switzer. "The defense pretty much controlled the football game," Switzer said after his Sooners beat Stanford, 19-7, in the college football opener for both teams bllt sunk Kansas State 26-14. In a night game, it was Oklahoma State at Arizona State.

At Norman, Okla, Paye completed four of five passes and drove the Cardinal 71 yards for a touchdown on the first drive of the game, but the Oklahoma defense adjusted and held the talented sophomore in check thereafter. The Sooners used five and six defen sive backs at times and Switzer said "I thought we should have had a couple of touchdowns with the field position we We had great field position in the second half because the defense really played well" Stanford Coach Jack Elway agreed. "They have a helluva defense," said who was making his coaching debut at Stanford. "It made us feel inept Fryar to retiirn to thick of NFL wars NEW YORK (UPI) Martina Navratilova, the most efficient winning machine in sports, captured her second successive U.S. Open championship Saturday while John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl both came from behind to set up a showdown for the men's final Navratilova, setting a record virtually every time she plays, showed another side of her game when she also had to struggle from behind to beat Chris Evert Lloyd 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Because of an extraordinary long day of tennis, the final match was played under the lights with McEnroe ending Connors' two-year run as Open champion 64, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Much earlier in the day, Lendl fought off one match point and then won a tension-filled fifth set tie-break to defeat Pat Cash, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-4). 10-9 edge McEnroe, seeking his fourth U.S. Open title, holds a 10-9 career advantage -over Lendl, who will be appearing in his third consecutive.Open final on Sunday. McEnroe racked up his eighth consecutive victory over Connors and stretched his match record for 1984 to 66-2, but it took him a nervous three hours and 45 minutes to do it The top seed opened in fine form, sweeping the first three games en route to taking the opening seL But Connors won the second set, then fought back to take the fourth with breaks in the first and seventh games.

McEnroe came out strong in the deciding set, winning the first three games with the loss of a single point Connors had break point in the seventh game but McEnroe held with his 19th ace of the match and ended the match in the ninth game with a service "It was a tough match and I feel tired right now, but I'm sure Lendl's tired also," McEnroe said. "We both want to win it and I'm sure well bounce back because this is the final of the U.S. Open. "Jimmy won this two years in a row -and I won it three years in a.row earlier. I had a feeling that the only way to stop him was for me to beat him tonight" 13 straight Although dropping only her seventh set of the year in 60 matches, Navratilova defeated her closest rival for the 13th consecutive time as she captured her 11th Grand Slam crown.

"I've beaten her 13 times in a row and See OPEN on page j2D rr i "jjgeMMejejj. Saturday. "(John) Paye is an excellent quarter- -back and they have fine receivers, but our defense did a real good job." In other Big Eight Conference games, Nebraska walloped Wyoming 42-7, Illinois nipped Missouri 30-24, Iowa throttled Iowa State 59-21, Michigan State edged Colorado 24-21, Kansas clipped Wichita State 31-7 and Vander-' Huskers in the NFL Active (22) Player, ftom Pos. George Andrews, Poms LB Bill Barnett. Dolphins Kelvin Clark, Saints Roger Craig, 49ers John Dutton, Cowboys DE or FB DT Vlrtte Ferrogamo, Rams OB Andra Franklin, Dolphins FB Irving Fryar, Patriots WR Russell Gary, Saints DB Mitch Krenk, Bears TE Rodney Lewis, Saints DB Bruce Mathlson, ChargersOB Junior Miller, Saints TE Bob Nelson, Raiders LB Dave Riming ton.

Bengals Tim Smith, Oilers WR Dean Steinkunler, Oilers OT Henry Woeehter, Coirs Stan Woldemore, Jets Jamie Wllllamv Oilers Jimmy Williams, Lions Toby Wllllamv Patriots DE OG TE LB i -2 DE 6-3 Inlured reserve (3) Doug Herrmnn, Redskins DE 4-3 Nate Mason, Cowboys DB 6-1 Derrle Nelson, Chargers LB 6-1 anymore. But the pain is," Fryar- said. "If I get hit on the same spot, it'll set me back for awhile. But 111 just put a pad on it like I did last week. It's good enough to go." Last week, Fryar played eight plays it 234 2 Wf.

Vr. 4 20 3 -3 273 4- 0 222 2 6-7 274 11 6-3' 212 7 5- 10 225 4 6-0 220 5- 11 4 6- 2 225 5-11 184 2 4-3 210 2 4-4 244 5 4-3 288 2.1 4-2 204 5 4-3 273 6-6 278 .2 4-4 26 7 4-4 244 2 245 2 I I 1 1 I i I I I i i XNT I By Randy York Assistant Sports Editor For Irving Fryar, it's time to pack his lunch pail and put on a hard hat He goes-back to work full time "If you dont work, you dont eat, That's the way I feel," said Fryar, Nebraska's 1983 All-America and No. 1 overall selection in the 1984 National -Football League drift, Fryar, still nursing a sore rib, will not start for the New England Patriots Sunday at Miami But he is expected to play just as much as Stephan Starring and Cedric Jones, the two wide receivers who will start TH play. You can definitely count on that," Fryar said. "I've got to play.

Pve got to get this Orange Bowl jinx over with once and for alL" uick return Last month, it was feared that Fryar might be sidelined until mid-season after fracturing, a rib in an exhibition game against Washington. But the injury turned out to be a slight hairline crack on the backside of his lowest right rib. "I dont thinhthe crack's even there thisweek." Was a starter Until his rib injury, Fryar thought he was Iqoking at a starting spot. His pass-catching and blocking had received good ratings. He will be the Pats' No.

1 punt returner Sunday. According to the National Football League Office in New York, Fryar is one of 22 ex-Comhuskers on current NFL rosters. Thirteen of those 22 are scheduled to start this weekend. They include: George Andrews, in his fifth year as a storting outside right linebacker for the -los Angeles Rams. Andrews was the team's Defensive Plover of the Gome after causing a fumble, recovering a fumble and getting a sock against the Cowboys Monday night.

Kelvin Clark, who will start today at offensive left tackle for the New Orleans Soints ogainst Tompa Bay in the Super-dome. The former Denver Bronco first-round droit choice had been splitting time with ex-Oklahoma standout Louis Oubre at right guard. A season-ending broken ankle suffered by Dave Lafarv against Atlanta last week moved (piork Into the starting lineup. Roger Craig, In his second year as the San Francisco 49ers starting fullback. In See NFL on page 3D I -Iwim rninrirr' mtm i vrt Irrins Fryar in the Patriots' 21-17 win at Buffalo.

"IH play a lot more than that Sunday," he said. "It's going to be real hot and real humid. And we're going to go right at Miami We were underdogs last week and we're even bigger underdogs.