Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 19

riiijiiiiiWj.in THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1987 LINCOLN, NE. JOURNAL 19 uscleman Lightner ignores innuendoes In the locker room after Oklahoma's 38-3 victory over UCLA last season, Sooner Coach Barry Switzer said the overmatched Bruins weren't like Nebraska because "they havent discovered steroids yet" Mike Babcock 'i 4 i Columnist Lm Jones Tom Banderas Switzer's comment circulated nationally after appearing in a "Sports Illustrated" college football notes column written by Douglas Looney. Switzer said later that the remark was made jokingly and wasnt meant to be on the record. But, he added, he knew some Cornhuskers had taken steroids just as surely as he knew some of his own posed to be here to play football and I'd like for people to think of me for a block I had, as a lineman." Lightner, a walk-on from a Hastings Adams Central football program that won only one game in his three seasons, is in a position to get the recognition for which he's worked so long and hard. He and the others in Nebraska's offensive line figure to play a significant role in Saturday's nationally televised game with UCLA at Memorial Stadium.

A key to the outcome will be whether the third-ranked Bruins can match the Cornhuskers' strength up front UCLA may have learned a lesson from its lopsided losses to Nebraska in 1983 (42-10) and 1984 (42-3). Louisiana State apparently learned it during a 30-15 loss to the Cornhuskers in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. The Tigers had championship-caliber athletes, but they were physically manhandled by Nebraska. As a result, Coach Mike Archer had his players do considerably more hitting in the spring and he emphasized weight training. Last season, only two LSU players could bench press 400 pounds or more.

Now 11 Tigers can but that doesn't mean they've discovered steroids. "We get tested more here at Nebraska than anyplace in the country, and I've never tested positive for anything. If I was taking something, I would have been caught by now," he said. The NCAA requires steroid testing prior to post-season bowl games. Oklahoma's Brian Bosworth, Louisiana State's Roland Barbay and Southern Cal's Jeff Bregel were among the most notable players who missed bowl games last season following the tests.

"A lot of guys tested positive," said Lightner. "But not me." Still, he hears the snide remarks. To some extent, Lightner has come by his strength naturally. His father Ken, an auctioneer, is a large man who's strong enough to lift a hide-a-bed by himself. "I can't do that," Lightner said.

His brother, Ken, weighed 270 pounds when he played football at Colorado. But mostly, Lightner's strength and speed :04.94 in the 40-yard dash can be traced to the weight room. Lightner has a vertical jump of 39 inches, remarkable given his size. He can easily dunk a bas-ketbalL "When people think of me, that's the first thing they think about," said Lightner. "But I'm sup Ktvtn Lightner from Hastings has heard his share.

"After I've knocked them down, opponents might call me 'steroid things like that People approach me and ask if I can get 'em stuff. They ask what I've been taking because they want to take it, too," he said. "I even hear things when I'm in the grocery store." It's upsetting. But what can he do? "Unless they watch me work out, they don't know what I do," said Lightner, who's bench pressed 485 pounds. "People see me on Saturdays or around town.

They dont see me spending 2 hours a day in Jhe weight room I've worked a lot of years to get as strong as I am," he said. "They want an easy way out" Drug testing should have eliminated the skepticism, according to Lightner. players had taken them. However injudicious his metaphor might have been, Switzer was saying that UCLA lacked the physical strength of a Nebraska or an Oklahoma. In the past, that's been true.

But steroids don't necessarily explain the disparity. Size and strength arent always the result of steroid use, eVen though the correlation is often made. Keven Lightner, one of Nebraska's biggest and strongest players, takes offense at such accusations. And the 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive tackle Banderas to play Lee Jones hurts ankle By Mike Babcock Journal Sports Writer The extent of damage caused by an ankle sprain to Lee Jones, Nebraska starting right defensive tackle, was still unknown as of Thursday morning, Cornhusker trainer George Sullivan said. "Lee got hit and then rolled on it at the end of practice," Sullivan said.

"We will check him out again today to determine his status for Saturday's game." Sullivan said the sprain was not bad enough to have Jones sent to the hospital for x-rays, but with sprains it's hard to tell how serious the injury is. "It'll be a thing that could heal up quickly, and then again could take some time. Well just have to wait and see," Sullivan said. Tight end Tom Banderas should be able to play for the Cornhuskers in Saturday's nationally televised football game with UCLA (ESPN, Cable Channel 23, 4 p.m.), Coach Tom Osborne said after practice Wednesday. Banderas, a senior who's listed No.

1 on the depth chart, suffered a knee See NU on page 22 Agent Trope's claims in book not lost on Osborne Nebraska, "The School that Doesn't Cheat" anything at al "I don't much care about Trope one way or the other," said Osborne. "He's pretty much out of the (agent) business, which is what I wanted to see." According to notes on the book's cover, Trope "has been football's most visible and successful agent, his outspoken manner ana public feuds with players, coaches and agents have made him one of the most celebrated and prominent names in sports today." One of Trope's continuing feuds has been with Osborne, who called it a "personal vendetta." The book devotes an entire chapter to Osborne and By Mike Babcock Journal Sports Writer Tom Osborne hasn't read the book "Necessary Roughness." But "I'm sure there may be an attorney look at the book," the Nebraska football coach said Thursday morning. The recently published book was written by former player agent Mike Trope and co-author Steve Delsoha Osborne said he didn't plan to do anything regarding the book until after the season, if he did gram, Trope writes: "Yes, it was all against NCAA rules." Not so, Osborne said. The home belonged to Bill Wright formerly a Lincoln attorney who was the Lincoln parent of former Cornhusker quarterback Turner GilL Most of what is included in the book about Davis' experience at Wright's house wouldn't have been illegal under NCAA rules at the time. The rules have since been changed, causing the Lincoln Parent program to be discontinued.

See TROPE on page 22 Trope repeats charges of wrongdoing on Osborne's part in the recruitment of Booker Brown and Kenneth Davis, players who went to other schools, Brown to Southern Cal, Davis to Texas Christian. Trope formerly served as Davis' agent an association which has since been terminated. The book discusses Davis' recruiting visit to Nebraska, during which he went to the home of a man who "would become his 'Lincoln Parent' After a description of "the mansion" and the amenities it would afford under the "parent" pro Dill rolls 801 series under watchful eye 1 i By Ron Powell Journal Sports Writer When Lincoln's Jim Dill Jr. bowled his first 800 series Wednesday night he had 'some distinct company by his side. On Dill's team in the Hollywood Bowl Classic League was Rodger Florom, the previous best series of 740.

It was the firt 800 series in Lincoln since professional bowler Bill Straub rolled an 803 on April 3, 1986. Straub's 800 series also came in Classic League play. The high series in Lincoln during the 1986-87 season was a 789 by Marv Buys-man. Because Dill had never been close to an 800 series before, "I really wasn't thinking about it much," he said. "After the second game, I knew I had a shot at it" Dill said.

"All I wanted to do in the third game was keep myself close enough to give myself a chance." Dill, who has never had a 300 game, opened the first game with 10 strikes before leaving the 8-pin on his 11th shot That left him two strikes short of the 300 mark. Dill is the son of Jim Dill the pVo-prietor at Hollywood Bowl The elder Dill said it was only the fifth 800 game rolled in the 33-year history of Hollywood BowL senes record-holder in Lincoln with an 813. Florom's record still stands because Dill rolled an 801 with games of 287, 259 and 255. "He knew I was close (to his record), but he was encouraging me The whole time," DAN DULANEY; LINCOLN JOURNAL Jim Dill Jr. Tuh-duh! Dill said.

"If I would've had a strike in the right place, I would've had it (the record)." Dili who was named to the all-city team for the first time last season, had a Lincoln East gymnast Curtis Marti does the splits while gesturing good enough to beat out teammate Brad Bartek's winning total of skyward during his floor exercise routine in a dual meet Wednes- 8.85. Bartek was the top all-around gymnast as East won the meet, day night against Southeast. Marti received a score of 8.5 for his 133.35-95.8. In the girls' competition, Southeast won 135.45-90.35. efforts on the mat at Southeast's Prasch Center, but that wasn't Southeast's Kelly Hoppe was the girls' all-around winner.

uskers face rated teams in own invitational tourney matches. Penn State's leading hitter, Noelle Zientara, is one of three freshman starting for the Lions, 2-1 on the season. "I wouldn't be surprised if we lost all three matches," Rose said. "I'm just being realistic." Admission to Saturday's sessions will be $1 for those presenting ticket stubs from the NU-UCLA football game. Regular admission is $3 for adults, for students.

The tournament schedule: Friday: 5:30 p.m. Central Michigan vs. Penn State; 7:30 p.m. Nebraska vs. Minnesota.

Saturday: 11 a.m. Penn State vs. Minnesota; 1 P.m. Nebraska vs. Central Michigan; 5:30 p.m.

Minnesota vs. Central Michigan; 7:30 p.m. Nebraska vs. Penn State. "It was a wrenching match," recalled Petit of the 7-15, 15-4, 16-14, 16-18, 15-9 spikefest.

Coaching Penn State is Russ Rose, an assistant under Pettit 10 years ago at Nebraska. Rose said he is excited about returning to Nebraska, but not particularly happy about his team's chances. Hitter Elizabeth Ramirez is sidelined by mononucleosis and preseason Ail-American Lisa Leap has played "horrible" so far, he said. "Well have a nice team later in the year, but right now, we're under-gunned." Rose said. "If Terry's worried about us, he's worrying about the wrong team." Ramirez was last year's region rookie-of-the-year, but isn't expected back until October.

Leap had 28 kills in last fall's NU-Penn State match, but since moving from the right- to the left-out-side hitter position, she hasn't had a kill in three Senior hitter Kathi DeBoer hammered 41 kills in the two matches at Iowa, earning her tournament Most Valuable Player and Big Eight Player of the Week honors. i Teammates Lori Endicott, a setter, and hitter Virginia Stahr also earned all-tournament honors. Pettit said Carla Baker and Barbie Young also showed improvement and Linda Barsness played in a reserve role. Nebraska will need improved play to capture the Husker Invitational. Minnesota, the Big 10 runner-up last year, is 7-0 in matches this year.

It lost its first games of the season Wednesday in beating Iowa State 3-2 Four of Minnesota's six starters jump serve. Pettit said it will be the first time he has faced a team with more than one jump server. "It takes a lot of energy. I don't know what their thinking is, but it should be interesting," he said. Leading the Gophers is junior hitter Andrea Gonzalez, an Argentinian who gained pre-sea-son All-America mention.

Central Michigan, third last year in the MidAmerican Conference, opened its season Wednesday by beating Auburn 15-13, 11-15, 15-13, 9-15 and 15-12. Saturday's match will be the first NU-CMU meeting. Penn State again Nebraska and Penn State, however, are familiar foes. The Huskers have won three straight matches in NCAA play with the Nittany Lions, including a five-game, 2-hour, 40-minute marathon last year at the Devaney Sports Center. By Paul Hammel Journal Sports Writer Nebraska's rebuilding volleyball team faces its toughest test of the season at this weekend's Hus-kerMizuno Invitational at the NU Coliseum.

Nebraska, 3-0 and rated seventh by the "American Volleyball Coaches' Association, plays No. 20 Minnesota Friday night at 7:30. On Saturday, the uskers meet Central Michigan at 1 p.m. and No. 19-ranked Penn State at 7:30 p.m.

NU Coach Terry Pettit said his staff had "altered our Uunkiiig" about this year's Nebraska team after its victory last weekend in the University of Iowa Carousel Classic. "We're thinking this could be a very good team," Pettit said. "We just looked like a better ballclub. That improvement could continue for a longtime." Damaging Links Northeast football team has a habit of doing it Gymnast dies from injuries By Journal Writers and News Wires A 17-year-old high school senior died from injuries he suffered in a fall during a gymnastics workout last week, school officials said Wednesday. Grand Island Principal Gene Armstrong said Thomas McKenzie Jr.

died Tuesday afternoon at Lincoln General Hospital. He had been transferred there from St Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. McKenzie suffered a head injury after falling off the parallel bars during a workout with his coach, Dennis Mason. The Grand Island Independent reported Friday that the accident occurred around 7:30 am and was serious enough to admit McKenzie to the hospital. The school gymnastics team was to have traveled to Lincoln Northeast Tuesday night for a triangular meet with Beatrice, but did not go, Armstrong said.

However, the team intends to continue its season with a meet at Lincoln High on Sept 24. "Our plans are not to do away with the season at all," Armstrong told The Associated Press. Lincoln East gymnastics Coach Dave Eppert said repercussions of McKen- See DEATH on page 21 Weekend watch Friday Lincoln High (l-O) vs. Lincoln Northeast (1-0), at Seecresl Field, 7:30 p.m. The sixth-ranked Links displayed an explosive offense last week, rushing for 336 yards.

Northeast had 175 yards rushing and 137 passing (312 total) and passing may be a key LHS completed no passes. Edge to Lincoln High. 1 Lincoln Southeast (0-1) at Grand Island (1-0) Southeast demonstrated an ability to run the ball, but the Knights were shocked by Omaha Central's speed. Gl cant match that speed, but quarterback Craig Geren put on a display as Gl shut out Fremont. Stadium next to school, 2124 North Lafayette.

Edge to Grand Island. 1 Lincoln PhisX (14)) at Omaha Roncalll (1-0) Both teams had good offensive performances last week, Pius scoring 34 points and Roncalli 41. The 'Bolts had 215 yards rushing and 380 total yards. Al Steele (113 passing yards) and Gary Harper (1 rushing TO, 1 TD reception) were bright spots for Pius X. Stadium next to school, 6401 Redlick Ave.

Edge to Plus X. 1 Clay Center (l-O) at Harvard (1-0) This is a replay of the 1986 Class C-2 championship game, which Clay Center won 13-7. Bob Wilkerson rushed for 111 yards for the.defendlng champions and kicked a 28-yard field goal. A Twin Valley Conference rivalry. Edge to Clay Center.

1 Stromaburg (1-4) at David City (1-0) David City, fifth in Class C-1, knocked off a rated C-2 team last week and the Scouts are anxious tb break Kurt Schaecher loose. Stromsburg, No. 2 In C-2, was led by Kevin Peterson who rushed for 132 yards and two TDs, threw for another and had 10 tackles. Edga to David City. Saturday Beatrice (0-1) at Lincoln East (0-1), at Seacrest Field, noon East experienced the run part of Omaha North's run-and-shoot offense, but the Spartans' Chris Eubanks passed for 142 yards and may capitalize through the air.

The Orangomen are on the road for the second straight weak. Edge to East like we were in good shape running the ball" Defensively, a concern of Simpson's is containing LNE quarterback John Var-ratl Against Hastings, Varrati threw for 137 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "Their quarterback is very mobile," Simpson said. "They always seem to have some quick quarterbacks." Varrati has some mobile receivers to throw to Rodney Bradley, Tom Kor-tus, Troy Plumb and Brian Rank. Bradley and Kortus each had touchdown receptions against Hastings.

"Well throw the ball and work hard at it," Reed said. "We feel we have four quality receivers and that they're game breakers." Eric Lowe was Northeast's biggest producer on the ground, rushing for 95 of the team's 175 yards and scoring a touchdown. But that was last week, and "this is a new test" Reed said. "We look forward to the intracity rivalries. If you beat everybody in your district you've got a good chance of making the playoffs." By Curt McKeever Journal Sports Writer Bruce Reed probably chuckles when he thinks about playing Lincoln High.

He probably does, but he'd never admit it Still, in the past 10 years, the Rocket football team has beaten the Links nine times. And Reed has to love the timing of this Friday's matchup. "Lincoln High is ranked and nobody's saying too much about what we have and that's fine," Reed said. "We're still trying to find out how good a team we are." Reed's team beat Hastings 21-12 in last Friday's season-opener, while the No. 6 Links beat North Platte 13-6.

Both squads featured big-play offenses, but neither coach expects a repeat against each other. "From the first week to the second, everybody improves so much that you eliminate a lot of those big plays," Reed sail "I expect it to be a tough, typical intracity rival game where the team that makes the fewest mistakes is going to be the team that wins." Apparentlywthe Rockets have been the team that has done that of late. "Apparently, they do a little better job of preparing their kids 'for this game than we do ours," said LHS Coach Harold Simpson with a chuckle. But more seriously, he said, "we don't always play very well against Northeast and we'd like to get it turned around" The Links probably will try to do that with their ground attack. Sophomore I-back Shawn Smith and seniors David Edwards and Darby Cain helped Lincoln High rush for 336 yards against North Platte.

Smith came off the bench to rush for 135 yards on just 11 carries. He also scored both LHS touchdowns, including a 30-yarder the first time he carried the balL Edwards added 67 yards on 10 carries, while Cain gained 126 on just five. Smith, however, turned an ankle in practice on Tuesday and was listed as questionable for Friday's game. "We've been a good rushing team. We're trying to work on our passing game," said Simpson, noting that the Links failed to complete a pass at North Platte.

"We neyer had to throw. I felt taMMft'MltllKAaVkaa1lbJ.