Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 36

HUG HERO NOVEMBERS. 1987 SUNDAY JOURNAL-STAR i i.i ii i i I CBStdoes top-flight job 1 covering The Game Plugged in onj Sports I- 'V fit fans love it when the media glamorizes such team stuff, for a change. They correctly credited the penetration of the OU defensive line as a major fly in Nebraska's offensive ointment. Haden also made a colorful analogy between Oklahoma's sweep and a fast break in basketball "Once they get to the corner, it's 3-on-l or 2-on-l," Haden said after Anthony Stafford's TD run. Musburger and Haden didnt overdo it, though.

Often, they let the crowd noise and blaring bands set the mood. Dockery's coverage was helpful and proved prophetic several times. He caught an exchange of words between OU Coach Barry Switzer and NU defensive end Broderick Thomas along the sidelines following a scramble for a late third-quarter fumble. He couldn't have found a better way to illustrate how the nerves were tightening down the stretch. Before the second half began, he interviewed OU's Switzer, who said he was going to go to a second-string halfback at times, for some reason.

Later, second-string halfback John Green, who is 20 pounds heavier than the man he replaced, brought in the play and threw the crucial block on Patrick Collins' game-winning TD run. Musburger noticed it, and reported it Poise foreshadowed Before the game, Doekery reported that the most closely scrutinized figure in the contest, Oklahoma freshman quarterback Charles Thompson, the fill-in for the injured Jamelle Holieway, was "anxious, but not frightened." And over the next three hours, Thompson certainly didnt play as if he were frightened. Musburger played prophet, too, saying that the game was going just as OU Coach Barry Switzer wanted it to when NU led 7-0 early. Musburger also told fans in the early going to watch out for OU defensive back Dixon because he just might be the first of the talented Sooners picked in the NFL draft Sure enough, Dixon crippled the Cornhuskers with two big interceptions. When it was all over, I felt like I knew the twists and turns of the game intimately.

It's the CBS crew's job to leave that impression, and they did it wel By Dave Poole Everyone talked about the players getting up for Saturday's "Game of the Century II." But, just as importantly for millions of fans across the nation, CBS Sports' telecast crew was up for it, too. CBS was the TV viewer's friend throughout No. 2 Oklahoma's 17-7 victory over No. 1 Nebraska. The network's cameras captured important plays from the most revealing camera angle time after time.

Meanwhile, the announcing crew of Brent Musburger, Pat Haden and John Doekery clarified confusing plays and sprinkled the action with plenty of insightful statistics, facts and comments. There were only a few minor glitches losing the audio on Dockery's first sideline report, incorrectly spelling Nebraska N-e-b-r-a-k-s-a in the first-quarter" score line, and Musburger mispronouncing the name of NU linebacker LeRoy Etienne all day. It's actually pronounced AY-tee-enn, but Musburger called him Ay-TEE-un until really botch-irig it while announcing the junior as Ne-. bra'ska's player of the game. It came Out; Ay-TAY-nee.

Haden, by the way, got it right I bet fans in Miami never knew the difference, though. Appropriate ending Oh, there was one other awkward moment the closing vignette that focused exclusively on downcast Nebraska players and was backed by Neil Young's mournful song, "A Long Walk Home." Didn't that seem a little inappropriate? It struck me as if CBS had planned for Nebraska to win, which would have made it a long walk (or ride) home for Oklahoma. As it was, the host Cornhusk-fcra' had a very short, albeit mournful, walk back to their dorms from Memorial Stadium. I The closer also seemed to be a rueful Jray to sign off from what was, after all, a moderately exciting game, not a funeral. Hey, Oklahoma had just manufactured one of the biggest triumphs in its history.

A mixture of OU joy and NU sorrow might have worked better. Still, many of the nation's viewers probably had switched the channel or wandered away by then, and the actual game coverage was what mattered most There, CBS sparkled. Right angles The cameras were right on the money on big or controversial plays. For example, they showed: OU receiver Carl Cabbiness stepping out of bounds before making a catch downfield, therefore vindicating the officials' call of an incomplete pass. How the ball was knocked loose on OU fullback Rotnei Anderson's second fumble.

That NU defensive back Jeff Tom-jack clearly stepped out of bounds on an interception return. The ball sailing over the right goalpost upright on Oklahoma kicker R.D. Lashar's missed field-goal attempt in the second quarter. On the replay, Haden circled the ball and top of the upright, making them easier to see and showing just how close a call it was. Doekery quickly clarified the matter by radioing up a report that the ball appeared to be a foot wide to the right, and Musburger made a good point by noting that such incidences are why the National Football League has taller uprights.

Crew on the money Musburger and Haden were perceptive, informative and fair. They quickly corrected Haden's first impression that NU receiver Rod Smith had been held illegally on an Oklahoma interception of a tipped Steve Taylor pass. Defensive backs actually are taught to react that way when the ball is tipped, in accordance with the rules, they remembered. Haden figured out before the replay that Cabbiness had stepped out of bounds before making bis disallowed catch. Musburger and Haden were quick to applaud the many fine blocks being thrown.

Players, ex-players and serious Nebraska defensive end Jon Marco (93) displays his prize after he recovered an Oklahoma fumble by Rotnei Anderson at the NU 25 in the second quarter. Parker- -From page ID Play of the game NU's Kroeker a thunderfoot in the clutch 'yCM 1 6 Thompson I 13 Green -O 33 Collins By Paul Hammel The irony of having his best day as a Cornhusker, in a losing effort, didn't escape Nebraska punter John Kroeker. "It was a weird feeling. I was glad to have a good game for myself, but I'd trade it all away for winning," he said "I'd rather have sand in my toes and oranges." Kroeker, a junior from Henderson, punted nine times for a 46.2-yard average, and averaged 45 yards a kick into a south wind clocked at 23 mph at game time. He entered the game with a 37.1 average and a feeling he would be punting more against the Sooners.

"I was really psyched up and ready to go," Kroeker said "I felt like I was in control, like everything was in slow motion," he said. "For some reason, I got rid of the jitters. Maybe I prayed a lot I was really asking for peace of mind." Kroeker said he'd been up-tight in earlier games, but focused Saturday on doing well, not on being technically perfect The wind was a factor, but Kroeker said it helped him concentrate. He said he waited longer a couple times on into-the-wind kicks, telling Husker snapper Jeff Anderson to wait until he called for the balL In high school, Kroeker had a 46.8 punting average the nation's best prep average and the title of Nebraska high school athlete of the year. He averaged 39 yards a kick last year, but was pressed for his starting job in spring practice by Dante Wiley.

"Sometimes it's kind of like, 'He Kroeker said. "Sure, I'd like to have a better career, but I've got to go with what I've done so far and leave the past behind me. "That's kind of what I did with this game, too. I realized I hadn't had a good season, but it didn't matter. Each game is a new game." latest meeting, which attracted the largest contingent of media in Memorial Stadium history, the game certainly did-fl't live up to its Game-of-the-Century-II label.

Certainly not, at least, from a Nebraska standpoint iThe game was marred by four pass interceptions three by the Sooners and eight fumbles (three lost), all by Oklahoma. 1 But the OU miscues only kept Barry Switzer's troops from making the score more lopsided. The three lost fumbles and the pass interception came deep in Nebraska territory. 2 only advantage that gave Nebraska was a chance to choke off another Oklahoma scoring threat, while at the same time failing to give the Husk-firs any advantage in field positioa and defense were the "keys" to the Sooner victory. Most often, after a Nebraska tackier made first contact, the Oklahoma ball carrier slithered for an extra three to four yards.

On the other hand, when an Oklahoma tickler first made contact, the Huskers were stuffed on the spot 'Nebraska, No. 1 in the nation in total effense, managed less than 200 yards on (he ground. Meanwhile, Oklahoma tipped the NU defense for more than 400 yards rushing. Although Nebraska had even fewer yards on the ground against UCLA early the season, Taylor threw five touch-flown passes to gain that victory. This time, Taylor managed just six completions in 18 tries while having three intercepted.

biggest chore facing Nebraska right now is avoiding a complete collapse. Next Saturday, the Huskers must play in Colorado's "bowl game." A few seasons ago, the Buffs designated Nebraska as their biggest rivalry game each year. Colorado made that pay off last fall The Buffs would love to duplicate that effort, while Nebraska has a score to settle. But, in order to do so, the Huskers have to put Saturday's disappointment behind them. lAfter that comes Florida State in the Fiesta BowL That is less than a pleasant thought Nebraska has lost its only two appearances in that New Year's Day classic, and the Seminoles may be playing the best football in the country right flow- Wishbone pitch I Oklahoma right halfback Patrick Collins (33) put the Sooners' ahead to stay late in the third quarter with a 65-yard touchdown run after taking a pitchout from quarterback Charles Thompson (6).

The play started with fullback Damon Stell (27) going in motion to the left. Left halfback John Green (3) was the lead taking on NU cornerback Brian Washington (5) just after the pitch was made. Collins cut inside that block and outside of NU left line-' backer LeRoy Etlennewho had primary responsibility for the quarterback ThompsonrNU safety Mark Blazek (23) was caught-up inside as Collins broke for the sideline. Stell sealed off NU safety Charles Fryar (10), the last defender with a chance of catch-; ing Collins. "We strung the play out well enough," NU coordinator Charlie McBride said, "but we didn't get support from the secondary quickly enough to force the play.

That gave the quarterback too much time. He finally pitched it in the crease (between Washington and Etienne) and that was it." mMMmmmMimtmimmi in i i i One of nine punts by NU's John Kroeker. Scoring How scored Time left NU-OU 7-0 FIRST QUARTER 1:28 7-7 12:48 Yds. 21 Ave." 37.8 Yds.1 18 7, '5; 24 k. jonei 25 run Drive: 84 yards In 10 plays.

Hlohllghted by Taylor 11 pass to Taylor 16, 11 runs, Jones runs of 16, 7, 7. Conversion: Drennan kick. THIRD QUARTER Stafford 11 run Drive: 13 yards In two plays after R. Dixon Interception of Taylor pass and 24-yard return. Conversion Lashar kick.

Collins 5 run Drive: 80 yards In five plays. Conversion Lashar kick, i FOURTH QUARTER Lashar 27 field goal Drive: 41 yards In six plays. Highlighted by four Anderson runs for 37 yards. Statistics Defense Tackles UT AT TT Etienne 13 2 15 Thomas 6 4 10 Pete 7 3 10 N. Smith 4 5 9 Fryar 6 2 8 Washington 2 6 8 Blazek 5 3 8 Forch 4 2 6 Murray 3 2 5 Jamrog 4 0 4 Jackson 2 2 4 Rother 1 2 3 Hicks 2 1 3 Marco 1 1 2 Valladao 1 1 2 L.

Jones 2 0 2 Welnlak 1 0 1 Tomlack 10 1 14-7 1:39 17-7 7:40 Nebraska Offense Rushing No. Yds. Ave. K.Jones 15 94 6.3 Taylor 18 54 3.0 Bell 3 21 7.0 Helbel 2 5 2.5 Brinson 2 2 1.0 Carpenter 1 1 1.0 Passing No. Co.

Yds PI Taylor 18 6 58 3 Receiving No. Yds. Bell 2 18 Milllkan 1 17 Hawkins 1 9 Smith 1 8 Brinson 1 6 Punting No. Yds. Ave.

Kroeker 9 416 46.2 Punt returns No. Yds. Brinson 2 10 R. Smith 1 5 Kickoff returns No. Yds.

Brinson 1 10 Interception return No. Yds. Tomlack 1 3 Receiving No. Stafford 1 Jackson i Punting No. Yds.

Thomson 5 189 Punt returns Dixon i Collins i Interception returns Dlxon 2 Jones i Defense i Tackles UT AT Jones io 2 Reed 7 2 Finch 3 4 Kaspar 4 2 Vlckers 4 0 C. Williams 2 2 Kllpatrlck 3 1 Johnson 3 R.Dixon 3 1 D. 3 0 G. Dlxon 0 2 White 0 2 Woods 0 1 McMichel 1 0 Thompson 1 0 Four Cornhuskers placed on academic team TT 12 COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) Nebraska's Micah HeibeL Jake Young, Jeff Jamrog and Mark Blazek have been named to the College Sports Information Direc-fcrs of America's District 7 all-academic valuable reserve.

The district is composed of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Other players named were: er, Kansas State, Anders Larsson, Montana State, K. Defense: Chad Hennings, Air Force, Patrick Sullivan, Montana, Ronald Hanson, Montana State, LB; Vince Keil Missouri, LB; Eric McCarty, Colorado, LB; Mike HilL Wyoming, DB; Robert KimbalL Mark Paffhausen, Montana State, DB. Oklahoma Rushing Offense No. Yds.

Ave. Collins 13 131 10.0 Thompson 21 126 6.0 Anderson 24 119 4.9 Stafford 12 43 3.6 Passing No. Co. Yds PI Thompson 9 2 25 0 Offense: Chuck Hartlieb. Iowa.

QB: unense: uiuck Hanueo, lowa, yB; football team. fopioauieam. tl IrTo be eUdbleTolayers were required j0hn Huestis. Montana. RB: JoseDh to-have cumulative grade-point aver- Brookhart, Todd TyrelL Colorado State, ag'es of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale, be at WR; Robert Fulton, Montana State, least a sophomore, and be a starter or Patrick Arndt, Wyoming, Mtt Garv-.