Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 19

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26. 1988 LINCOLN, NE. JOURNAL 19 Tension builds E2 fjt 1 Roper, NU's Thomas continue rivalry opposing quarterback most often, according to Batiste. "I'd hate to be a quarterback against them," Batiste said. Roper has built a reputation on his flambouyant, and unpredictable, play.

"Sometimes, you think he isn't playing with a full deck," said Batiste. "John says stuff you normally wouldn't say. And he does stuff you normally wouldn't do." Like the time Roper left a game against Louisiana State with a large gash on the bridge of his nose. Batiste had written him off. But Roper's nose was stitched up, and he returned to action.

That's something most people normally wouldn't do. Roper is liable to say just about anything, according to Batiste. "John's the kind of person who says the first thing that comes to his mind," said Batiste. "That can be dangerous. But we don't care what he says or does.

We back him up. "I've been with him for five years. It doesn't shock me anymore. I didn't like him at all when I met him. He didn't like me.

Nobody liked him. John's got to grow on you." Apparently, "no comment" was the first thing that entered Roper's mind when he took the field Thursday. Nebraska's linebackers also had little to say in advance of Saturday night's game. Jeff Mills, the Cornhuskers' other starter on the outside, said, "We're not going to talk. Well wait until the game's over.

Then you can judge for yourself, See NEBRASKA on page 21 HARALD DREIMANISUNCOLN JOURNAL Husker football players work out Thursday at Giants Stadium in preparation for Saturday's Kickoff Classic game against Texas Probable Ml 1 roster i I I 4 NU roster OFFENSE NEBRASKA (0-0) John Roper Broderlck Thomas ranked Texas And, according to The Sporting News, it will feature the nation's best linebacking corps, Texas against a group of Cornhusker linebackers who haven't accepted that ranking as accurate. The key figures in each group, Roper and Thomas, refused to discuss a rivalry they've had since their high school days in Houston. But Dana Batiste, one of Texas linebackers, didn't refuse. Roper and Thomas "should have something going," he sail "This is for the rights (in Houston), and Roper's got to go home and talk about it "I know John's going to play, so Broderick's going to have to." Roper and Aaron Wallace, the Aggies' other outside linebacker from Dallas, have a contest to see who can get to the allows ted both parties. Cole is one of the strongest Aggies on what is considered one of the best defenses in college football He was a JUCO All-American and was an important factor in last year's successes.

"I love The campus is different than any other I've seen and the traditions there give me a sense of pride I found nowhere else," he said. Cole's second choice was Nebraska, Saturday's foe. "When I was in high school I followed Nebraska and told everybody that's where I wanted to go," he said. "But I wasn't recruited by Nebraska. The colleges that did recruit me found that I didn't have the grades.

So, I went to junior college. "I had to go somewhere to get out of East Orange and do something with myself," he said. Cole has accomplished that, Coach Jackie Sherrill said. "I think things have worked out well for us and No. Plover Ht.

Wt. Yr. Pos. No. Plover Ht.

Wt. Vr. 19 Morgan Gregory 64 185 Jr. SE 17 Rod Harris 5-11 183 Sr. 62 Bob Sledge 6-2 270 Sr.

LT 69 L.B.Moon 64 270 Sr. AndyKeeler 6-3 265 Sr. LG 56 Richmond Webb 6-7 280 Jr. 59 Jeff Anderson 6-4 270 Jr. 57 Mike Arthur 6-4 260 So.

76 John Nelson 6-1 260 Sr. RG 67 Jerry Fontenot 6 270 Sr. 70 DougGlaser 6-7 295 Jr. RT 77 MoftMcColl 6-7 295 So. 43 ToddMillikan 6-3 235 Sr.

TE 92 Wolly Hartley 6-5 240 Jr. 9 Steve Taylor 64 205 Sr. QB 7 Bucky Richardson 6-2 205 So. 32 Ken Clark 5-9 200 Jr. IBTB 25 Darren Lewis 5-11 210 So.

25 Som Schmidt 6-1 230 Jr. FB 38 Matt Gur ley 64 205 Sr. 33 DanoBrinson 5-9 170 Sr. WBFL 40 Gary Oliver 6-2 185 So. 16 Chris Drennon 5-9 180 Jr.

3 Scott Slater 64 175 Sr. DEFENSE 89 Broderlck Thomas 6-3 235 Sr. LOLB 83 John Roper 6-2 225 Sr. 75 RayValladao 6-3 255 Jr. LTLE 74 Leon Cole 6-5 255 Sr.

74 Mike Murray 5-10 240 Jr. MG 71 Jeff Shanks 6-4 245 Jr. 95 Paul Brungardt 6-7 255 So. RTRE 88 Terry Price 6-4 250 Jr. 42 Jeff Mills 6-3 220 Jr.

ROLB 23 Aaron Wallace 6-4 225 Jr. 40 Pat Tyrance 6-2 230 So. LB 48 Dona Batiste 64 230 Sr. 47 LeRovEtienne 6-1 230 Sr. LB 24 Adam Bob 6-3 235 Sr.

8 Lorenzo Hicks 64 195 Sr. LCB 30 Alex Morris 6-2 190 Sr. 17 Reggie Cooper 6-3 200 So. SS 6 Gary Jones 6-2 200 Jr. 4 TimJockson 64 190 Sr.

FS 11 William Thomas 6-3 200 So. 10 Charles Fryar 5-10 175 Sr. RCB 1 Mickey Washington 5-11 180 Jr. 46 JohnKroeker 5-11 175 Sr. 16 Sean Wilson 64 205 So.

By Mike Babcock Journal Spofts Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ. John Roper was one of the last Texas football players to arrive for practice at Giants Stadium Thursday afternoon. The Aggies' All-American linebacker strode onto the artificial turf field, dismissing reporters with a shake of his head. "I aint talking to nobody," said Roper, who sat' down on the bench and stared straight ahead until the first drills began. Later in the day, Nebraska practiced in Giants Stadium for the first time, and Cornhusker outside linebacker Broder-ick Thomas was almost as reserved as Roper, though not quite.

When Nebraska plays Texas Saturday night in Kickoff Classic VI, ltll be "just a thrul for me, (Jeff) Mills, (Jon) Marco and (Pat) Tyrance to play against the best linebackers in America, as we've been told," Thomas said. There was sarcasm in his words. Tm not saying anything. But you all know me," said Thomas, ranked the nation's No. 1 collegiate outside linebacker by The Sporting News.

"Just tell everybody, 'Watch the The tension was building. Saturday night's 7 p.m. collegiate opener will match the nation's No. 2-ranked team, Nebraska, against 10th- Classic By Ken Hambleton Journal Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Wearing a Texas uniform, preparing to start at defensive tackle for the Aggies in Saturday's Kickoff Classic is the only way Leon Cole could come home.

Cole, a 6-5, 265-pound senior, grew up in East Orange, N.J., just minutes from the Giants Stadium. Since he left high school and went to Dixie Junior College in Salt Lake City and then on to Texas he's gained the ability to go home again. Had he returned to his old neighborhood before this, without a college football career, he might have never gotten out "If it wasn't for football and college, I'd be in jaiL Be selling drugs. Taking drugs. Be dead," Cole said.

"That's the way it is for so many guys in my old neighborhood." Cole found football and found Cole. The mutual discovery has benefit Johnny STILLWATER, Okla. Oklahoma State split end Hart Lee Dykes needs just 458 yards in receptions this fan to pass Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers for the Big Eight Conference career receiving tiUe. Johnny who? "I don't really know much about Johnny Rodgers," Dykes told those of us on the Skywriters Tour when we visited OSU Coach Pat Jones and the Cowboy players here Thursday. "I couldnt even tell you what NFL team he played for." Dykes, a 6-4, 220-pounder from Bay City, Texas, was six years old when Rodgers set the record in 1972.

"I didn't watch much Big Eight football in Texas," Dykes said. "It was always the Southwest Conference. I wasn't even aware that he won the Heisman Trophy before I got here." Did it all Dykes asked the Skywriters what position Rodgers played. "I heard he was a wingback," he said before anyone could answer the question. "Did be run the ball too? Huh.

He did it all, I guess." Dykes admitted he'd like to break the record. "If it's been standing since 1972, it's time for it to fall," he said. "I hope mine Kickoff 7:09 p.m., Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. Television: Channels 3, 10, 11 Radio: Nebraska Football Network (Omaha KFAB, Lincoln KFOR). Co No Nome Pos Ht wt Yr 1 Mickey Washington OB 5-11 ISO Jr.

2 Dion Snow CB 6-1 185 Jr. 3 Scott Slater 64 175 Sr. 4 Lavne Talbot 5-11 175 So. 5 Lafayette Turner DB 6-2 200 Jr. 6 Gory Jones DB 6-2 200 Jr.

7 Bucky Richardson QB 6-2 205 So. 8 Ramsey Bradberry DB 6-1 180 Fr. 9 Steve Lofton DB 5-10 190 So. 10 Chris Osgood QB 6-1 185 Jr. 11 William Thomas DB 6-3 200 So.

12 Lance Pavlas QB 62 185 So. 13 Bryan Edwards WR 6-3 190 So. 14 Cornelius Patterson WR 5-8 150 So. 16 Sean Wilson 64 205 So. 17 Rod Harris WR 5-11 183 Sr.

18 Felton Ronsby WR 6-2 185 Jr. 19 Kory Vincent WR 64 170 So. 20 Tony Jones DB 64 185 Sr. 22 Derrick Ridley DB 5-11 170 Jr. 23 Aaron Wolloce LB 6-4 225, Jr.

24 Adam Bab LB 6-3 235 Sr. 25 Darren Lewis RB 5-11 210 So. 27 John Cooper DB 6-3 200 Jr. 28 Chris Crooms DB 6-2 190 Fr. 30 Alex Morris 4.

DB. 6-2. 190 Sr. 31 Eric Moore DB 5-11 180 Fr. 32 Robert Wilson FB 6-1 235 Fr.

33 Randy Simmons RB 6-2 225 Fr. 34 Keith McAfee RB 64 205 Fr. 35 Brent Smith DB 6-2 200 Sr. 37 OtlsNealy LB 6-2 210 Fr. 38 Matt Gurley FB 64 205 Sr.

39 Larry Horton RB 64 185 So. 40 Gary Oliver WR 6-2 185 So. 41 Seth Dockery LB 6-3 215 Fr. 43 Derrick Frazier DB 64 170 Fr. 44 QuentinCoryatt LB 6-2 225 Fr.

45 Trent Lewis LB 6-3 230 Fr. 46 Kevin Smith DB 6-1 165 Fr. 48 Dana Batiste LB 64 230 Sr. 50 Craig Jeffries OL 6-9 300 Fr. 52 Mike Arthur OL 6-4 260 So.

53 Basil Jackson LB 6-1 225 Sr. 54 O'Neill Gilbert DL 6-3 265 Sr. 56 Richmond Webb OL 6-7 280 -Jr. 58 Bill Cavanaugh OL 6-4 260 Jr. 59GreoLakin OL 6-4 270 Fr.

60 John Martin OL 6-4 240 Fr. 62 Jeff Huff DL 6-4 265 So. 64 Chris Work OL 6-3 255 So. 65 James Webb DL 6-4 215 Fr. 66 Keith Alex OL 64 280 Fr.

67 Jerry Fontenot OL 6-4 270 Sr. 68 Patrick Henry DL 6-1 265 Fr. 69 L.B.Moon OL 6-6 270 Sr. 70 Tarn Campbell OL 6-5 250 Jr. 71 Jeff Shanks DL 6-4 245 Jr.

72 Jayson Black DL 6-3 255 So. 73 Darren Grudt OL 6-4 295 Jr. 74 Leon Cole DE 6-5 255 Sr. 75 Scott Maham OL 6-4 270 Sr. 76 Scott Lark OL 6 3 240 Sr.

77 MattMcCall OL 6-7 295 So. 78 Mark Barry OL 6-7 290 Fr. 79 Pat Cunningham OL 64 285 Jr. 80 Shone Garrett WR 5-11 180 So. 81 Percy Waddle WR 6-2 185 Jr.

82 Mike Jones TE 6-3 240 Jr. 83 John Roper LB 6-2 225 Sr. 84GoryCostar TE 6-4 240 Sr. 86 Brian Ross TE 6-5 235 Jr. 88 Terry Price DE 6-4 250 Jr.

89 Patrick Overshown WR 6-1 175 So. 90 Kevin Tucker DE 6-5 245 Fr. 91 KevlnLove DL 6-1 310 Fr. 92 Wally Hartley TE 6-5 250 Jr. 95 Albert Jones OL 6-5 255 So.

97 Jeroy Robinson LB 6-2 235 Jr. 99 Joe Johnson LB 6-2 210 Sr. No Name Pos Ht Wt Yr 2 Mickey Joseph QB 5-10 170 Fr. 3 Leodls Flowers IB 5-11 195 Fr. 4 TimJockson 64 190 Sr.

5 Tohaun Lewis' CB 5-11 170 So. 6 Brad Devall WB 5-9 170 So. 7 TomJonky 5-11 180 So. 8 Lorenzo Hicks CB 64 195 Sr. 9 Steve Taylor QB 64 205 Sr.

10 Charles Fryar CB 5-10 175 Sr. 11 Freeman White SS 6-1 200 So. 12 Jerry Dunlap QB 5-11 190 So. 13 Junior Monorret MG 6-1 270 Jr. 14 Gerry Gdowskl QB 6-1 195 Jr.

It Chris Drennon 5-9 180 Jr. 17 Reggie Cooper SS 6-3 200 So. 18 Lance Lewis FB 64 200 Fr. 19 Morgan Gregory SE 64 185 Jr. 20 Terry Rodgers IB 5-7 170 So.

21 Richard Bell WB 64 195 So. 22 Nate Turner WB 6-1 220 Fr. 23MarkBlazek 6-2 200 Sr. 24 Brian Harchelroad FB 6-2 205 Jr. 25 Sam Schmidt FB 6-1 230 Jr.

26 Marvin Sanders CB 64 185 So. 27 Corller Wolker CB 5-10 175 Sr. 28 John Custard CB 5-9 165 Sr. 29 Bryan Carpenter FB 5-10 200 Sr. 31 Jamie Worden WB 5-10 175 Sr.

32 Ken Clark IB 5-9 200 Jr. 33 Dono Brinson WB 5-9 170 Sr. 34 TvreeseKnox FB 5-10 215 Sr. 38 Bruce Pickens CB 5-11 185 Jr. 39MarkHagge LB 5-11 230 Jr.

40 Pat Tyrance LB 6-2 230 So. 41 Scott Vampcla SS 5-11 185 Jr. 42 Jeff Mills OLB 6-3 220 Jr. 43 ToddMillikan TE 6-3 235 Sr. 44 Greg Barrios 54 180 So.

45 JonCrippen CB 5-10 165 So. 46 John Kroeker 5-11 175 Sr. 47 LeRovEtienne LB 6-1 230 Sr. 48 Scott Beckler 64 185 Jr. 49 Chris Coliendo LB 6-3 240 Jr.

51 Brad Ferguson LB 6-1 215 Jr. 52 Roger Fltzke 64 225 Jr. 53 MarkAntonietti OG 6-2 265 Sr. 54 Chris O'Gora 6-5 245 Jr. 55 Randall Jobman LB 6-3 230 Jr.

56 Joe Sims OT 6-4 265 So. 57 Kenny Walker LB 6-4 230 So. 58 David Edeal 6-3 255 So. 59 Jeff Anderson 6-4 270 Jr. 62 Bob Sledge OT 6-2 270 Sr.

63 Brian Edgren MG 6-1 260 So. 64 John Roschal OG 6-3 260 Jr. 65 Andy Keeler OG 6-3 265 Sr. 68JokeYoung 6-5 260 Jr. 69 Bill Bobbora OG 6-3 260 Jr.

70 DougGlaser OT 6-7 295 Jr. 72 Brad Rother OT 6-3 240 Jr. 73 Steve Engstrom OT 6-3 285 So. 74 Mike Murray MG 5-10 240 Jr. 75 RayValladao DT 6-3 255 Jo.

76 John Nelson OG 6-1 260 Sr. 77 Terry Eyman OT 6-6 265 Jr. 78 Tom Punt OT 6-8 270 So. 50 Chris Garrett TE 6-3 225 Fr. 81 KurtBroer OLB 6-1 220 Sr.

82 Chip Bane SE 5-10 175 Jr. 83 Tim McCoy SE 6-1 170 Jr. 84 Willie Griffin DT 6-3 275 Sr. 85 Monte Kratzensteln TE 6-4 225 Jr. 87DanSvehla OLB 64 215 So.

SBMIkeCroel OLB 6-3 215 So. 89 Broderlck Thomas OLB 6-3 235 Sr. 91 Kent Wells DT 6-5 285 Jr. 92JlmWanek MG 64 240 So. 93 Jon Marco OLB 6-1 220 Sr.

94 Corey Grobe TE 6-4 225 Sr. 95 Paul Brungardt DT 6-7 255 So. leto go A Ml starters TEXAS (M) home Gurley spent fifth grade through ninth grade in Omaha. His older brother, Mark, was a standout running back for the UNO Mavericks, while Matt spent his Little League playing days with Joel Sealer and Brian Nemecek. Sealer and Nemecek helped Millard South to two straight state basketball Class A titles and Sealer eventually played basketball and baseball for Nebraska.

"If I had lived in Omaha, I might have been a part of all that," Gurley said. "All those guys from Nebraska, I got brainwashed of the Big Red. I went to a game or two in Lincoln and saw a big track meet at the Devaney Sports Center. It was awesome. But since I was kind of a newcomer, I only told people I liked Big Red because it helped keep things quiet" Gurley's father moved to Arlington, Texas, and Matt found his high school stardom there.

Texas among other Southwest See TEXAS on page 21 record hard pops. Despite being so small, he still gets the job done. Dykes said he was surprised that Oklahoma State wasn't in the pre-season top twenty polls after winning 10 games last season. Coach Jones wondered the same thing. "But it doesn't bother me to be left out" Jones insisted.

"That way, if we make it up there, I can claim it was because of a good coaching job. I don't think we were ranked in 1984 going into the season. But we got as high as No. 1" Attention! Jones admits he pays attention to the last poll of the season, however. "And, if the last one comes out and we're not there, it will be hard for me to believe." The reason, he said, "is that in some areas this could be the best team I've everhad." Like Dykes, Jones would also like to beat Nebraska and Oklahoma.

The Cowboy coach, who was a heavy smoker for years, hasnt had a cigarette since ApriL "I'd rather have a win against OU or Nebraska than a smoke," he sail "I haven't had one of those in 10 years. And I don't think a win would be injurious to my health." Leon," he said. Now, the only problem for Cole is finding tickets for family and friends in the area. "I need 150 or 200 tickets and they give us four," he said. "I've done some trading and given the phone numbers of the ticket office here to get people to the game.

I think I've gotten to 85 tickets, so I've got some scrambling to do." fullback Matt Gurley is another Aggie who is getting closer to home this weekend. Like almost any boy growing up in Nebraska, Gurley dreamed about the day he might play for the Cornhuskers. "It crossed my mind. It's kind of weird, but I suppose I might have been recruited by Nebraska," said Gurley. "I suppose if I had stayed in Omaha I'd be wearing a little lighter shade of red on Saturday," he said.

Gurley, a 6-0, 210-pound senior, is preparing for his second year as a starter for the Aggies. ffit Big Eight who? Dykes eyes Virgil Parker Skywriter's view -few Location: Stillwater, Bio Eight: 5-2-0, third. Play Nebraska; Oct.lSot Memorial Non-conference foes: Miami of Ohio, Texas Tulsa, Texas Tech lit Tokyo. Coach: Pat Jones. Background: Begins Ms fifth year at OSU with a 34-13 record.

Played linebacker and nose guard at both Arkansas Tech (1965) and Arkansas (1966-68). Assistant coach at Arkansas (1974-75), southern Methodist (1976-77), Pittsburgh (1978) and Oklahoma State. Was OSU offensive coor dinator In 1982 and defensive coordinator In 1983. Major losses from 1987: Alt-America RB Thurman Thomas, FU Ronnie Williams, TE Brlen Keith, OG Doug Meachom, LB Robert Nunn. Returning starters: 8 on offense, 5 on defense.

Top returners: QB Mike Gundv, SE Hart Lee Dykes, four starters In the offensive tine, RB Garrett Limbrlck, All-America kick returner Barry Sanders, NG Marcus Jones, DBS Meivln Gilliam and Rod Smith. Strengths: Gundy set Big Eight Conference freshman and sophomore yardage records and Is 14th on the conference all-time chart with 3,631 passing yards going Into his lunlor season. Dykes enters the year with 1,983 career receiving yards and Is lust 368 yards shy of passing Nebraska; Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers In the league record book. Question marks: Defense. Six starters from last season ore Stadium, Oklahoma State was to beat OU or Nebraska.

I feel my senior season will be a success if we beat one of them." Besides being a great athlete, Dykes has also proven to be controversial After Dykes told NCAA investigators that he was offered illegal inducements while being recruited by Oklahoma, an investigation of the Sooner program began. "A lot of things have been written that I didn't say," Dykes claimed. "I dont remember making that comment But I don't let the media distract me. Any story can change people's opinion of me. The things I do on the field is what matters.

If I go out and perform well, all this other stuff won't even be thought of." Dykes doesn't care Will the Oklahoma fans forget? "I haven't heard from them and I don't care to hear from them," Dykes said. "I dont want anyone to hate me, but I can't control that I'm not going to lose any sleep over it" Asked to name the defensive back who is the most difficult to work against, Dykes said Nebraska's "Irving" Fryar was No. Ion his list "That's not his name. What is It? Yeah, Charles," Dykes corrected. "Any-, way, he stands out He's given me some will stand that long." Considering Dykes had 64 receptions for 1,050 yards and eight touchdowns last season, he understandably feels the record will be his.

"If I accomplish that feat" he said, "then I'd have to be regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers who ever played in the Big Eight And that's what I want" Passing goal Dykes said his goal for this fall is to catch 75 passes for more than 1,000 yards. Oklahoma State climaxed a 10-2 season last year with a Sun Bowl victory. The only two losses were to Nebraska and Oklahoma. "To have this season be considered a success, we need to do better than we did last year," Dykes said. "The main goal of every guy who has played at v.

Jones feels he has same excellent young players, "but we may be a year away on defense from a maturity standpoint." Next Skywriters' sto: Oklohoma. f. 0 norm rr mir r- n-J.