Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 91

be ifaftfori) Imiflint SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1979 Automotive Business Financial 1 1C Sims Leads Sooners to Sweet Revenge Over Nebraska NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Barry Switzer swears Oklahoma staged the greatest performance he has ever seen in beating Nebraska 17-14, in their Big Eight football championship showdown. "That was the greatest Oklahoma performance I've ever seen," exclaimed the coach of the eighth-ranked Sooners. "It was the best defensive performance ever. Nebraska was the best defensive team in America and we could have run against them all day." Oklahoma, with only a loss to Texas marring its season record, will meet fifth-ranked and undefeated Florida State in the Orange Bowl while Nebraska, 10-1, will play either Arkansas, Texas or Houston in the Cotton Bowl.

Sims, who had a 68-yard touchdown run nullified by a penalty in the first half, dashed 71 yards midway through the fourth period as the Sooners zipped 94 yards in only sev en plays to take a 17-7 lead. Sims, the 1978 Heisman Trophy winner, was pulled down at the nine. But with 7:55 left, quarterback J.C. Watts scored from the three on fourth down. Nebraska, which entered the game with a 35.2-point scoring average, roared back downfield and closed the gap to 17-14 on a trick play.

After quarterback Jeff Quinn was sacked for an eight-yard loss to give the Huskers a third-and-14 crisis from the 15, right guard Randy Schleusener picked up an intentional fumble at Quinn's feet and rambled into the end zone. The third-ranked Cornhuskers, at the top of the Big Eight in most offensive and defensive statistics, were consistently stymied by a big-play Oklahoma defense while 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims churned out 247 yards on 28 carries. "It was amazing to go in there with a team that is not quite as good talent-wise and play with that kind of intensity," said Switzer. "Billy Sims is without a doubt the greatest player in America." Sims, whose fumble at the three-yard line last year led to a Nebraska upset and knocked the Sooners out of a possible national championship, said that nightmare was very on his mind Saturday. BYU63, San Diego St 14 Page 4C USC 49, UCLA 14 Page 4C Boston College 41, UMass 3 Page 5C Texas '13, Baylor 0 Page 4C "Revenge was really sweet today," Sims said.

"I was just glad I didn't fumble. I was really looking out for that. Before the game the players told me they were dedicating it to me and that really spurred me, on." "Oklahoma just played better," said Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne, who is now 1-7 against Switzer. "We didn't think anyone could rush us like that, but they did." See Sims, Page 4C Hi- NordiquesTie Whalers Tardif Late Goal by A t4 i WW 11 By TERRY PRICE Staff Reporter SPRINGFIELD The Hartford Whalers snatched a tie from the jaws of victory Saturday night. With only 11 seconds remaining, Quebec's Marc Tardif tipped in the tying goal to give the Nordiques a 4-4 deadlock with the Whalers.

The goal climaxed a fine Quebec comeback that had seen the Whalers surge to a 3-0 first period lead. "It was like a victory for us," said Nordiques' coach Jacques Demers. "When you're down 3-0, you're supposed to be beat." "We sort of fell asleep," said Whalers' coach Don Blackburn. "We went along waiting for things to happen and they did the wrong way." With a chance to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season, the Whalers appeared on the way to a rout when Blaine Stoughton, Greg Carroll and Mike Rogers sent Hartford into the dressing room after 20 minutes with a 3-0 advantage. Even after the Whalers re 1 a Sip So Close, But '1 Hartford Whalers' Mike Rogers (17) flips a backhander just wide of the net as Quebec Nordiques goalie Goran Hogosta slides out of the net during the first period of Saturday night's National Hockey League game at the Springfield Civic Center.

The teams played to a 4-4 tie (Courant Photo by Stephen Dunn). 1 -1 i I Rowe Expected To Coach Olympians in the game in the second period. He made it 3-1 at 13:18 when he, split the Whalers' defense ol Rick Ley and Gor-die Roberts and 3-2 at 19:18 when his third attempt from right in front eluded Whalers' goalie John Garrett. The Whalers didn't play that well in the second period and their luck was even worse. Gordie Howe, Stoughton and Roberts all had excellent scoring opportunities but just couldn't finish off the play.

The Nordiques drew even with the Whalers just 55 seconds into the final period. Michel Goulet went around Ley and then beat Garrett with a soft shot from the left faceoff circle to the far corner. Rogers put Hartford ahead 4-3 when he scored his second breakaway goal of the night Mark Howe hit him with a rink-wide pass and Rogers See Nordiques, Page 17C It is expected to be announced shortly that Dee Rowe, former University of Connecticut basketball coach will be the assistant coach for the United States Olympic basketball team in -Moscow at the 1980 Summer Olympics. Rowe, who is presently the associate athletic director for development at UConn, compiled a 120-88 record during eight years of coaching at the University. Rowe will be assistant to head coach Dave Ga-vitt, who is presentlv di-' I ti iff .111 fMSiSSM i III 'mffiSSX gained the lead at 4-3, 2:23 into the final period on ers' second goal of the game and fifth in the last five, it seemed like they would win the hockey game.

However, the Nordiques, who have tied three games this season by pulling their goalie in the final minute, refused to say die. With goal-tender Goran Hogosta pulled in favor of an extra attacker, Robbie Ftorek made a perfect centering pass to an unmarked Tardif who easily deflected in the tying score. "I thought Ftorek made the perfect play," said Demers. "You don't leave Marc Tardif uncovered in front of the net." Playing before another Springfield Civic Center sellout crowd of 7,627, the Whalers didn't have any excuses for failing to get the two points over a Quebec team that played without five regulars, including cen-termen Serge Bernier and Bob Fitchner. "We did the same thing against Buffalo after leading 2-0," said Rogers.

"I don't know what it is. I guess we just lack the killer instinct It was a mental breakdown. "Against a team like Quebec, we should be able to put them away after leading, 3-0." Richie Leduc singlehand-edly got the Nordiques back at rector oi atnietics Providence College. At one time, Gavitt was DEE ROWE Rowe was unavailable for comment late Saturday night. at Rowe's assistant Worcester Academy.

Not High Enough Safety Jamie Thompkins of the University of Con- point was good, helping the Crusaders to a 28-12 victory in necticut leaps high to try and block an extra point attempt the season finale for both teams. Holy Cross players toby Holy Saturday at Ston. Like much of the UConn elude Joe DeSisto (62) and Terry Waters (15) (Courant season, the effort was close, but not quite enough. The Photo by Judy Griesedief k). Holy Cross 'Sends Huskies 12 Out With a Whimper, 28- Around the NFL Page2C Canfield on State Football Page 3C College, Scholastic Notes Page 15C Nadia, Russians Favored Page 11C v.

By WOODY ANDERSON STORRS The University of Connecticut football program sidestepped mediocrity and plopped headlong into obscurity Saturday. In a 28-12 loss to Holy Cross, UConn fell apart trying to defend against the pass, strengthened the notion that it still does not have a quarterback nor much of an offense and finished another bad season by raising even more questions than before the season began. UConn finishes with a 3-6-2 record. This is the 15th time in the last 19 years that the Huskies have not had a winning season. And if Saturday is any indication of things to come 16 starters are expected to return next year then it is easy to see that a winning season is something that will happen to the other guy.

Said puzzled UConn coach Walt Nadzak after the were lined up wrong in the secondary about 30 percent of the time. We knew we'd miss Wilson (starting safety Darrell Wilson who was hurt last week and didn't play Saturday). He makes our defensive calls." Holy Cross, only a 5-5 team, looked devastating. Quarterback Neil Solomon was able to complete 14 of 23 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. On each touchdown pass the receiver was alone in the end zone.

Halfback John Ahem caught seven passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. Said tuess I was kinda in the rignt place all day. A couple of times I was just wide open. We did a lot of crossing and they seemed to run into each other or something. We should have scored a few more times." Aheroalso made 54 yards rushing, including a 4-yard touchdown.

UConn sophomore Alan Arison started at quarterback but was replaced in the second quarter by freshman Luis Diaz, the fourth quarterback to see action this year. Diaz managed a 41-yard, up-for-grabs touchdown pass to Reggie Eccleston. Arison finished the game by throwing a 44-yard touchdown pass to Keith Hugger in the last minute. A Holy Cross defender fell down on the play. Said Arison, who was intercepted three times, "I didn't get the job done so coach took me out He made a good move.

I'm going to shake this game off and come back with a better year next year. The quarterback job is up for grabs, I assume. That's what spring ball is all about" UConn is still unsettled on offense. In his three years, Nadzak has. used eight quarterbacks.

UConn finished the season with a freshman tailback, a freshman fullback and a freshman at split end a completely new backfield than the one that began the season. The Huskies made 490 rushes this year and only scored a touchdown by rushing twice, both by quarterbacks. Rusty Umberger set a school record for number of punts in a season 78. "This is as bad as we played all year," said Nadzak, who is 8-23-2 at UConn. "We have to try to play worse.

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