The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 24

6-C The Tampa Tribune Saturday, January 2, 1988 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Nebraska: Fiesta loss hurts the most Statistics Rmta St I 21 3 7-31 Nebraska 14 I 14 21 Ftrel QiuftM Neb K.Jones 3 run (Drennan kick), 5:29. Driw: 18 yards, 3 plays. Key play: Bell 27 punt return to FSU 18 Nbrtk 7. Florida St 8 Neb Bnnson 52 punt return (Drennan kick), 13:45 Nebntka 14. Florida St I.

Second Quarter FSU Gainer 10 pass from McManus (Schmidt kick). 4:30. Drive: 40 yards. 6 plays. Key play: Smith 16 run Nebntka 14.

Florida St 7 FSU Williams 4 run (Schmidt kick). 10:12. Drive: 75 yards, 6 plays. Key play: McManus 19 run, McManus 17 pass to Carter. Nebraska 14.

Florida St 14 FSU Gainer 25 pass from McManus (Schmidt kick), 14:16. Drive: 55 yards. 7 plays. Key plays: McManus 17 pass to Bennett McManus 18 pass to Lews. Florida St 21.

Nebraska 14. Third Quarter Neb Taylor 2 run (Drennan kick), 3:19. Drive: 77 yards, 7 plays. Key play: S. Taylor 48 pass to Banderas.

Nebraska 21. Florida St 21. FSU FG Schmidt 32. 7:11. Onve: 42 yards, 8 plays.

Key plays: McManus 15 and 17 pass to Carter Florida St 24. Nebraska 21. Neb Knox 4 run (Drennan kick), 14:20. Drive: 52 yards, 9 plays. Key play: S.Taylor 23 pass to.

Gregory Nebraska 28, Florida St 24. Fourth Quarter FSU Lewis 15 pass from McManus (Schmidt kick). 11:53. Drive: 97 yards, 11 plays: Key plays: McManus 21 pass to Anthony, McManus 43 pass to Carter Florida St 31, Nebraska 28. A 72.112.

tional champions." When asked to compare the Seminoles with the Sooners, who faced the Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl Friday night, the Nebraska players were split "FSU is a better team than Oklahoma," said wingback Richard Bell. "I think we (the Fiesta Bowl teams) were ranked one and two in the nation. They lost to Miami and probably should have won and we lost to Oklahoma and didn't play our game. We knew today's game wasn't for the national championship, but we thought it would be a high-scoring game." The Nebraska locker room was closed after the game and quarterback Steve Taylor didn't show up in the interview room. However, his teammates spoke for the junior signal-caller, who accounted for 217 of the Cornhuskers' 384 yards.

"We didn't pass a whole lot," Bell said. "They had the emotion and momentum most of the day. Steve pretty much kept his head. He was our leader all year long, and he led us today." ing penalty all afternoon. "We gave it a good job and did the best we could," said Smith, who had seven tackles against the Seminoles.

"I couldn't believe how the game was called today. They were holding all the time. There's nothing you can do if they don't call it" Tight end Tom Banderas, whose 48-yard reception on the third play of the second half was Nebraska's longest of the day, was the man who lined up illegally to cost his team a 55-yard completion to the FSU 2-yard line on the Cornhuskers' final series. "We were just dominated in the Oklahoma game," Banderas said. "This had a stunning effect.

We felt we should have won this game. When I went to the sideline (after the penalty), I didn't know what happened. I knew I was on the wrong side, but I thought I was an eligible receiver." Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said he thought Florida State "was the toughest bowl opponent we could face. Bobby Bow-den is a great coach and he has a great staff. They probably could have been na By NICK PUGLIESE Tribune Sports Writer TEMPE, Ariz.

You would think losing to Oklahoma for the right to play in the Orange Bowl for the national championship would have been the low point of Nebraska's 1987 season. Not so. According to several crushed Cornhuskers, the 31-28 loss to Florida State University in the Fiesta Bowl on the first day of 1988 will make for a long, cold winter on the plains. "This feels worst than Oklahoma," said junior cornerback Charles Fryar. "When we played Oklahoma (and lost 17-7), we just weren't there.

This was a well-played game. These two teams went back and forth. We were looking to wind up No. 2 in the nation. Now, we're going to fall out of the top five." Senior defensive tackle Neil Smith, who was voted the game's Most Valuable Defensive player, said big plays shucked the Cornhuskers, who finished with a 10-2 record.

Smith also was critical of the officiating as FSU was not called for one hold FSU Nebraska 20 14 26 6 19 1 29 104 22 82 375 51 28 1 80 457 5.7 112 2-1 2-20 1-3 4-118 29.5 2-12 4-97 31:07 9-17 0-0 Total first downs By Rushing By Passing By Penalty Rushing attempts Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Net yards rushing Net yards passing Passes attempted Passes completed Intercepted Total offensive plays Total net yards Avg. gain per play Return yards Fumbles-lost Penalties-yards Interceptions-yards Punts-Avg. Average per punt Punt returns-yards Kickoff returns-yards Possession time Third-down conversions Sacks-yards 0 54 249 7 242 142 14 7 1 68 384 5.6 192 4-2 9-59 1-35 4-142 35.5 3-89 3- 68 28:53 4- 11 1-7 FSU TAKES SERIES LEAD With their 31-28 victory in Friday's Fiesta Bowl, the Seminoles lead the series with the Cornhuskers 3-2. The four previous games had been played in 1 Lincoln, with FSU's victories coming in 1 980 (1 8-1 4) and 1 985 (1 7-1 3) and Nebraska's victories coming in 1981 (34-14) and 1986 (34-17). THEY LOVE THE NOLES HERE Some of the most exciting games in Sun Devil Stadium have come with the Seminoles on the field.

For instance, FSU played in the first Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 27, 1971 against Arizona State, and the Sun Devils came from behind to win 45-38. In a pair of regular-season games with ASU in 1983 and 1984, FSU took the former 28-26 on a touchdown with seven seconds remaining, then held on to win the latter 52-44 with the Sun Devils driving at the final gun for a possible tie. Friday's bowl game was no exception as the Seminoles and Cornhuskers traded the lead four times and piled up 841 yards of offense against two of the best defenses in the nation. PRE-GAME HOOPLA The Fiesta Bowl might not rank up there with the halftime shows of the Orange and Rose bowls, but it sure puts on a decent pre-game spread.

As the crowd of 72,1 1 2 looked on at Sun Devil Stadium, the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachuted onto the turf with the game ball, an American flag blanketed the entire field during the national anthem, and thousands of red, white and blue balloons were released as the Fuji Film blimp circled overhead. In case you were wondering, John 3:1 6 was at the game as were the Alaskan Nebraskans. There were even some Penn State fans watching the game. They kept holding up a sign that read "We'd rather be at the Citrus Bowl.

Penn State No. 1" until the score from Orlando flashed on the scoreboard: Clemson 35, Penn State 10. TOUGH TURF While the natural turf at Sun Devil Stadium normally is considered among the best in the country, a pair of U2 rock concerts Dec. 19-20 left the field mashed down with some bare spots here and there. Tom Sadler, athletic events coordinator at ASU, said the field was as bad as he's seen it in five years, and FSU team doctor Doug Henderson said the heavily painted end zones and midfield areas resembled "a Brillo pad." SAMMIE WHO? Danny McManus' 21 -yard scramble on FSU's opening series was his longest of the season, and the senior quarterback ended up as his team's second-leading rusher with 26 yards.

In the meantime, leading rusher Sammie Smith was held to 28 yards on nine carries, with his longest effort being a 1 6-yard run. "We didn't think we could stop Smith like we did," Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said. "We were pleased with that aspect, but their offense countered well. I didn't think they'd throw as much as they did." BRIGHT FUTURE RUSHING (Or V. mim 'Ht if nz Florida St No.

Yds. Lost Net TD Lg. S. Smith 9 33 5 28 0 16 McManus 5 40 14 26 0 21 Bennett 7 17 1 16 0 8 D.Williams 3 6 15 14 0 Carter 4 5 1 4 0 4 Butts 1 3 0 3 0 3 Totals 29 104 23 85 1 21 Nebraska No. Yds.

Lost Net TD Lg. Jones 15 80 0 80 1 17 S.Taylor 20 78 3 75 1 10 Knox 13 65 3 62 1 26 Bnnson 2 17 1 16 0 17 Heibel 3 7 0 7 0 5 Carpenter 1 2 0 2 0 2 Totals 54 249 7 242 3 26 PASSING Florida St. Atl Cmp. Inl Yds. TD Lg.

McManus 51 28 1 375 3 32 Totals 51 28 1 375 3 32 Nebraska Atl Cmp. Inl. Yds. TD Lg. S.

Taylor 14 7 1 142 0 48 Totals 14 7 1 142 8 48 RECEIVING United Press International photograph Quarterback Danny McManus unloads a pass as Nebraska's charging Tim Roth-er gets tripped by Tony Yeomans. McManus, Seminoles outlast Cornhuskers in Fiesta, 31-28 From Page 1C Flag made Sanders9 afternoon By JIM HENRY Tribune Sports Writer TEMPE, Ariz. Deion Sanders wouldn't come out and say he was lucky, but he hinted as much. Florida State's Ail-American cornerback and finalist for the Thorpe Award, reflected on a decision that could have drastically changed the complexion of Friday's Fiesta Bowl. And tainted the coloring of FSU's stellar season that ended 11-1.

With the Seminoles protecting a 31-28 lead over Nebraska with less than three minutes left in the game, Sanders was thinking interception. When Nebraska quarterback Steve Taylor looked and fired to receiver Morgan Gregory on the sidelines, Sanders figured the opportunity looked ripe. He was a step late. Gregory took the pass to the FSU 2-yard line, but an illegal formation penalty nullified the play, saving Sanders and the Seminoles, who held on at Sun Devil Stadium for their first New Year's Day win, a lot of grief. "I went for the ball because I thought I had a chance at it," Sanders said.

"Though I didn't see a flag, I had this feeling that the play was going back. I don't know how, but I knew." FSU held Nebraska, ranked second in the nation in total offense (489 yards), to 384 yards, 112 in the first half. The Seminoles were thoroughly impressed with Taylor, who ran for 78 yards and threw for 142 yards, all coming in the second half. Tailback Keith Jones, who led the nation with 7.2 yards per carry, finished with 80 on 15 carries and a long of 17 yards. "Taylor is the main man; the best player in the country for what he does," Sanders said.

"You think you would have him contained, and he would make something out of nothing. He is a great athlete." FSU needed a fumble recovery from tackle Eric Hayes, a former King High standout, to set the stage for its winning drive, a 97-yard classic that ended with a Danny McManus 15-yard pass to Ronald Lewis on fourth-and-goal from the 15 with 3:51 remaining in the game. "I saw the ball on the ground and I didn't know if it was live or not," said Hayes. "So I grabbed it and went into my best fumble-re-covery dance." The dance continued for the No. 3 Seminoles when the final gun sounded.

"All the hard work has paid off," said FSU defensive back Eric Williams, a Countryside High grad. The future looks bright for FSU as just 12 of the Florida SL No. Yds. Lg. TD Gainer 5 89 32 2 Carter 5 54 17 0 D.Carter 4 89 43 0 R.

Lewis 4 59 18 1 Bennett 4 47 17 0 Anthony 2 29 21 0 Dawsey 1 17 17 0 S. Smith 1 5-5 0 D.Williams 1-7-7 0 Butts 1-7-7 0 Totals 28 375 43 3 Nebraksa No. Yds. Lg. TD Gregory 3 49 23 0 Millikan 2 32 20 0 Banderas 1 48 48 0 Heibel 1 13 13 0 Totals 7 142 48 8 PUNTING Florida SL No.

Yds. Avg. lg. Tuten 4 118 29.5 40 Totals 4 118 29.5 40 Nebraska No. Yds.

Avg. lg. Kreker 4 142 355 43 Totals 4 142 35.5 43 FIELD GOALS Florida SI Atl. Made Lg. Schmidt 2 1 32 Nebraska Atl.

Made Lg. None PUNT RETURNS Florida St No. Yds Lg. TD Sanders 2 12 10 0 Totals 2 12 10 0 Nebraska No. Yds Lg.

TD Cell 2 37 27 0 Bnnson 1 52 52 1 Totals 3 89 52 1 KICKOFF RETURNS Florida SL No! YdT Lg! TD Williams 19 9 0 Carter 2 57 52 0 Ross 1 31 31 0 Totals 4 102 52 8 Nebraska No. Yds. lg. TD Bnnson 3 68 27 0 Totals 3 68 27 0 INTERCEPTIONS Florida St. No! Yds! lg! TO Sanders 13 3 0 Totals 13 3 0 Nebraska No.

Yds. Lg. TO Washington 1 35 35 0 Totals 1 35 35 8 Nebraska jumped to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, but FSU scored on three consecutive possessions to go up 21-14 at the half. Statistics at that point were one-sided in FSU's favor despite the close game 17 first downs to 5, 119 passing yards to zero and 272 total yards to 112. The Seminoles could have easily led by a larger margin, but McManus was intercepted at the Nebraska 1, kicker Derek Schmidt was wide right on a 43-yard field goal attempt and receiver Herb Gainer muffed a touchdown pass.

"But we were moving the ball and that was what we were looking for," said FSU tailback Dexter Carter. "Our confidence was up." Even so, Nebraska tied the game at 21-all early in the third quarter on a 2-yard sneak by quarterback Steve Taylor, capping a seven-play, 77-yard drive. Schmidt made it 24-21 on a 32-yard field goal four minutes later. The Cornhuskers went up 28-24 on a 4-yard Tyreese Knox run following a 5-yard punt from FSU kicker Rick Tuten. Nebraska appeared on its way to sealing the victory, but Knox fumbled at the FSU 3 with 6:58 left in the game after being sandwiched between Seminole linebackers Paul McGowan and David Palmer.

"We knew that we had to bear down and cause a turnover," said Hayes, who recovered his team-high fourth fumble. "I don't want to think about what would have happened if they had scored." Then McManus went to work, completing 7 of 9 passes for 113 yards, thanks to the penalty. Unlike FSU's lone loss to Miami McManus' two-point conversion attempt to win the game was badly underthrown the Seminoles and McManus prevailed, despite only rushing for season-low 104 yards. "Drives like that show the nation that you are a national championship contender," McGowan said. "The score says it all.

We are done proving ourselves." At least for this season. FSU has placed no higher than fifth in the final rankings (1980). "I will go to my grave believing that we are the best team in the country," said McManus, a fifth-year senior who was voted the game's Most Valuable Offensive Player. "I really couldn't dream up a better ending than this one." Nebraska could swear it was a nightmare. The Seminoles needed a fumble recovery from defensive tackle Eric Hayes, stopping a 71-yard Nebraska march at the FSU 3 and starting the final chapter to FSU's incredible finish.

McManus completed consecutive passes of 15, 21 and 43 yards to move the ball from the FSU 19 to the Nebraska 2. A 1-yard loss on a Dayne Williams dive, a personal foul on tailback Dexter Carter and a 3-yard McManus completion to tight end Pat Carter put the ball at the 18. Fourth down. "Danny came into the huddle, all calm like he always is, and told us the play would work if we all concentrated on our responsibilities," Lewis said. "I just knew I could get open." Lewis feigned outside and beat Husker cornerback Lorenzo Hicks across the middle.

The Seminoles' defense then held Nebraska on downs, though an illegal formation penalty wiped out a 55-yard completion to the FSU 2-yard line. The Cornhuskers, making their 19th straight bowl appearance, lost for the first time in seven consecutive New Year's Day games. Their 10-2 finish this season will surely be perceived as a major disappointment to Nebraskans, whose team was ranked first in the nation for one week prior to its loss to Oklahoma. "We felt that Florida State was the toughest bowl opponent we could face," said Nebraska coach Tom Osborne. "Offensively, they mixed it up well and did a good job.

You have to give them all the credit." first 24 players will be graduating. The Seminoles will lose for offensive starters and five on defense. Underclassmen looked at Friday's Fiesta Bowl against Nebraska as a stepping stone. "This game sets the tone for next year," said defensive tackle Eric Hayes, a sophomore from King High. "Now, everyone will want to work hard on the off-season.

I know I will. We've worked too hard to start slipping. We want a national championship for Tallahassee." SHORTTAKES Dana Brinson's 52-yard punt return for a Nebraska TD in the first quarter was the first against FSU this season. The Cornhuskers had 192 return yards while the Seminoles had 112. It was not a good afternoon for FSU punter Rick Tuten.

His first punt, a line-drive 35-yarder, was returned 27 yards to put Nebraska at the FSU 18 from where it scored three plays later. His second punt was returned for a TD, and his third punt was shanked and went 5 yards, eventually leading to another score. Linebacker LeRoy Etienne led Nebraska with 10 tackles while FSU linebacker Paul McGowan also had 10 tackles to top his team. The Seminoles' first penalty of the game came with 12:34 remaining in the fourth quarter when they were called for being off-sides. They finished with two penalties for 20 yards.

FSU coach Bobby Bowden's bowl record now stands at 6-2-1 while the Seminoles are 8-7-2 all-time in post-season play. Friday's victory also was a first for FSU in front of the NBC cameras where the Seminoles had been 0-3-1. Nebraska coach Tom Osborne has missed spending either Christmas or New Year's at home every year since 1977 because of his team's post-season dates. It was 49 degrees at kickoff. NICK PUGLIESE TACKLES-ASSISTS Florida Stale Carter 10, Carter 1-1.

Dodge 2-1. Freeman 1-0. Gabbaid 12. Giant 2-0. Haggins 3-4.

Harp 1-4. Hayes 0-5. Maygew 3-1, McGowan 3-7. Moss 1-0. Newell 5 3.

Palmer 0-2, Sanders 2-1. Shivers 3-1. Thompson 2-1, A.Williams 2- 1. O'Malley 1-0. Williams 3-0.

Schuchts 1-0. Nebraska Anthony 1-1. Blank 2-1. Cheloha 1-0. Cooper 0-1.

Drennan 0-1. Etienne 8-2. Forch 7-0. Fryar 2-2. Gregory 1-0.

Jackson 3-2. Jamrog 3- 2 Jobman 1-0. Kelley 0-1. Murray 2-0. Neuburt 0-2.

Pete 0-2. Smith 5-2, Thomas 4-2, Tomiack 3 0. Washington 0-3. Wemiak 1-1. Standard 1-0.

Anderson 0-1. "The feeling is really hard to describe. We (seniors) wanted to help this team go down as the best in FSU history. I believe we accom plished what we set out to do. Hall to name Lions assistant as Gators9 defensive line coach Norris Bruce By TOM McEWEN Tribune Sports Editor TAMPA University of Florida football coach Galen Hall will name Rex Norris of the Detroit Lions his defensive line coach Monday to work under an unnamed defensive coordinator still being pursued.

Hall has been acting quickly to fill four vacancies created on his staff by resignations and or Invitations to leave. Norris, 47, a colleague of Hall during their University of Oklahoma days, apparently will fill the spot opened with the departure of Dan Coughlin. Already Lynn Amedee, offensive coordinator at Texas big winner over Notre Dame Friday in the Cotton Bowl, has been signed up to replace Zaven Yarallan. Yaralian had a falling out with Hall. no Beach.

"I would consider any job offer right now." Bruce, 56, was fired on Nov. 16 by Ohio State President Edward Jennings. Cooper, 50, who coached the Sun Devils for three seasons, was named Thursday to succeed Bruce. In the interview, Bruce was asked about his firing and whether It was good for college football. He said he thought It reflected poorly on college football.

"My problem was with the president (of the university), some people downtown," Bruce said. Later, he said, "I think that if you do everything you are supposed to do, a university should honor its contract and obligation. (but) I just can't look back any more. It's over." Bruce, who had been 35 points against Notre Dame in the Aggies' 35-10 Cotton Bowl win Friday. Amedee left Immediately after the Cotton Bowl and was not available to reporters in Dallas.

Bruce interested in ASU, SMU openings Former Ohio State University coach Earle Bruce said he would like to be considered for the coaching position at Arizona State a Job that became vacant when John Cooper accepted Brace's old Job. In an Interview broadcast by NBC during halftime of the Fiesta Bowl, Bruce said he would like to be considered for the Arizona State job as well as a vacancy at Southern Methodist University. "I'm unemployed, I'm looking for work," Bruce said from Pompa- Amedee apparently will pick his own wide receiver coach to succeed Mike Heimerdinger, who had been the quarterback coach and overseen wide receivers. He also called most of the plays during games. Ty Smith, outside linebacker coach, was the other Hall assistant to leave.

Apparently the man Hall has in mind for defensive coordinator will fill Smith's position on the coaching roster. Hall has said he will announce officially all of the changes Monday, except perhaps the name of the receiver coach. Wide receiver was a glaring weakness of Florida this season past at the season's start and at Its end In the Aloha Bowl. Norris left Oklahoma about the time Hall did after they had worked together for more than a decade. Norris was the defensive coordina- 1 tor and line coach, producing all three Selmons Lee Roy, Lucius and Dewey.

Norris was with the Sooners from 1972 to 1983 when he joined Darryl Rogers at Arizona State, leaving then with Rogers for the Lions. As a player, he llnebacked at East Texas State. His coaching experience Includes high schools in Texas, and Texas in addition to Oklahoma, Arizona State and the Lions. "I have known and admired Rex Norris for years, during all of our time at Oklahoma," said Hall, who was the offensive coordinator while Norris was the defensive coordinator. "If he joins as I expect he will, I consider it a big plus.

I know we will work together well." Hall said it also Impressed him that Amedee coached Texas to i viewed earlier in the day, was not asked his opinion of Cooper, who has said he plans to meet with Bruce in the near future. Jennings said Bruce's 81-26-1 overall record at Ohio State was not the reason for the coach's dismissal. Bruce filed a $7.4 million lawsuit against Jennings and Ohio State, alleging breach of contract He later dropped the suit In return for a settlement of 1471,000. Information from Tribune wires was used In this report.