Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 32

wmmmmm wTXaarar I IV Osborne Credited Willi Poise, Stability iVl Transition Impresses Crowder In citing improved overall have done an exceptional defen- defensive play in the Big Eight, sive coaching job," added Crowder observed that Osborne Crowder. "Their defense is so isn't blessed "with a Johnny quick and so tough to throw Kodgers, giving Nebraska his 7 against. By Randy York Deviating from the usual post-game locker room recapitula- -tion, Eddie Crowder Saturday chose to dwell on Nebraska's eminent football tradition. The Colorado football coach was especially emphatic in praising Nebraska's coaching transition after the Cornhuskers' 28-15 Big Eight Conference win over the Buffs. "I know many Nebraska fans have shown some concern about their team this fall," offered to 10 points a game and the way he primed the pump for the rest of the team.

There's also no way to estimate that little extra something that Rich Glover gave Nebraska last year." Crowder pointed out that However, the Buffs do have the distinction of the only touchdown pass thrown against Nebraska's nationally top-ranked secondary. That came On a 73-yard strike Osborne has made the coaching transition remarkably well. 'I admire the poise, the consistency and the stability that Tom Osborne has given Nebraska football after following a guy like Bob Devaney, whom I consider to be one of the great statesman of intercollegiate football," Crowder said. "The mere transition of a new coach is a significant factor," added Crowder. "But it's an even greater factor when you're following a Bob Devaney, who had a great image impact in addition to his on-the-field success." I I from freshman tailback Billy Nebraska's entire coaching staff has been a little bit under the Waddy to quarterback David gun" in following Devaney.

Williams, wno was also tne center on the "swinging gate" "I really think Monte Kiffin, formation without a huddle. Warren Powers and Rick Duval think Tom Crowder. "But I "Our players came up with that play in practice last week," related Crowder. "Our third team tight end, Pat Kohlman, suggested it Tuesday or Wednesday when I asked what type of special play they wanted for Nebraska. "Greg Horton, our offensive left tackle starter, suggested we do it back across the formation and it wprked," said Crowder.

"When you're down like we were (28-9), you gotta make some lightning strike." CU freshman quarterback starter Clyde Crutchmer pulled a hamstring muscle when he was tackled late in the first quarter and never returned to action. i "Mistakes just killed us that first half. You don't drive on a team like Nebraska and fumble twice and get a punt blocked," CU's Horton said. "John Dutton is the best defensive tackle I've played against all season," added Horton, a 3-year offensive tackle starter. The question of whether to go for a field goal or a touchdown on a close fourth down situation keeps presenting itself to head coach Tom Osborne.

Saturday Osborne grouped several of his offensive players to fill them in on the decision to go for six points. Among those listening are Frosty Anderson (89), Dave Humm (12), Brent Longwell (86) and Ritch Bahe (24). The strategy resulted in a Tony Davis touchdown. mm' 0A4; ferw fCv0j' 1C3 -i Colorado quarterback Clyde Crutchmer (13) has trouble enough gaining control of a loose football but there's more trouble looming in the person of 6-7, 250-pound John Dutton (90) who's got a wary eye out for any other Buffaloes. Huskers Overpower Colorado Continued From Page 1C Osborne sent kicker Rich "I like 'to talk it up," he Sanger and holder Terry Luck in explained.

"Some times, it gets for a fieJdf goal which Sanger pretty dead and you can just say converted for a 24-3 lead anything to break the deadness. was Sldes; "I think we really pulled givmg the Huskers the choice of toeether as a team todav. When sewing iw uic Bu trying for six points from the 18- The victory moved Nebraska from fifth in the Big Eight standings into a tie for third with Kansas at 2-1-1, trailing only Missouri at 3-1 and Oklahoma at VS. Missouri, a 34-7 winner Saturday over Kansas State, and Oklahoma, a 34-17 victor over Iowa State, will meet this Saturday at with the Big Eight lead at stake. Anderson figures the victory could serve as a turning point in the Husker effort to capture the Big Eight title with games remaining against Iowa State, Kansas State and Oklahoma.

"We've got time left to get some momentum going to play three more games and hopefully four (the fourth would be a bowl game)," he points out. And Osborne sees it the same way. "If we can get by the next two," he believes, "We can go into the Oklahoma game with a decent chance to win it." you do things as a team, there's the chance for the individual to shine because of it and when the defense gave us the opportunity to score, we showed them we could score." While the 28-16 victory was the first time since the Minnesota game that the Huskers have beaten the point spread (it was 11), Osborne might have given the second guessers something to discuss Monday morning, but the NU offensive line and I-back Tony Davis cheated them out of that luxury. Leading by 21-3 with 55 seconds left in the first half, the Huskers faced a fourth and goal from the one, having driven from their own 29 after Pruitt's fumble recovery. inch mark.

Osborne chose the latter and Davis dived over the pileup at the goal line with 52 seconds left in the half. "If we're at the one or farther out, we'll try the field goal," Osborne explained, "If we're inside the one, we figure we can score the touchdown, so we tried it. "It was almost. the same play we used at Oklahoma State last week except that last week we had a breakdown in the blocking and Tony was hit before he had the chance to dive. "If you can just get a stalemate at the line, you're going to be able to dive over." And that's what Davis did.

Dave Humm (12) as Ralph Powell (41) and others open up some running room. The wingback counter play to Fremont's Ritch Bahe (24) has been a favorite weapon in the Huskers' offensive attack. Against Colorado, Bahe takes the handoff from Welcome Back, Frosty! Frosty Anderson (89) celebrated his return to playing status with this over the shoulder reception for the Cornhuskers' third touchdown. For Anderson, who was injured early in the Missouri game, it was TD catch No. 7 for the season.

(I Jt if I -e ft-Thornton, j-fUrfj ffS ft, Interception Nebraska Touchdown7 i Jf jN-Andersoiyri 1 SI I Jv jtaJ ki mm nr II II I i Photos By Bob Gorham Web Ray Randy Hampton Frank Varga Willis Van Sickle Harald Dreimanis John BeU (66), who plays right in the middle where the action is hot and heavy, is helped to the Cornhusker sidelines after suffering a knee injury. So far this season he leads in number of tackles with 78. With Tom Pate (68) leading the way, Husker safety Bob Thornton (17) heads upfield after intercepting one of the two Colorado passes that he picked off in the victory over the Buffaloes 1.