The Billings Gazette from Billings, Montana • 15

I Curry's not the star, but he's happy 'r Mr -a college route before transferring to Rocky. "I was looking for a small school," he said. "I got to visit up here and I really liked the atmosphere. It seemed just what I was looking for." And while he felt his contribution in a reserve role last year was important (Rocky captured second place in the Frontier Conference), he's looking forward to his starting role. "It's always nice to start," he conceded.

"I feel like I contribute more when I start, but I guess it's just a role to play just like coming off the bench. But it's a lot more fun being out there most of the time." Curry thinks the Bears should improve on last year's 12-17 record, though schedule is in January and February. "We're not pointing toward these early season games," he said. "I think we're ahead of where we were last year. Everybody's working harder and I think we'll be a better team." Maybe not national champions.

But there probably isn't room in the family for two of those. Sacramento, junior college. His sister, meanwhile, was starting at forward for UCLA and helping the Bruin women to their first AIAW national basketball championship. This year the 6-1 sophomore is being touted as an and Mike can take a little of the credit, at least. "We've always played one-on-one," said Curry during a break before Monday's practice, "ever since I can remember.

And we were always around Dad's practices. We're a basketball conscious family." That's largely the influence of Curry's father, Les, a Montana State graduate who coached for a number of years on the high school level in the Treasure State before moving to Davis, where he coaches today. Mike was born in Manhattan, where the elder Curry had his first high school job. He also coached at Fort Benton, Bozeman and Kalispell before heading to California where one of his star products was none other than Mike Curry. "I think it worked out fine I really enjoyed playing under him," said Mike.

"I think I got more of the criticism because he knew I could take it. In fact, he told me that if Tie ever stopped getting on me, that's when I should start to worry. "He's a fair man and a fair coach, so it worked out pretty well. He knew the other players would react well if they could see he treated us all fairly." That spread to his family, too, where Denise got the same chance as Mike to develop her basketball skills. Timing played an important part of that, though.

"She hit it just about right," said Curry. "They started the girls program at our high school her freshman year. She had always played basketball and wa rnnrriinatprt Hor mnvps wprp as good as a boy's. She just had the physical assets to go major college." She's still refining her skills, a task that took her to eastern Europe to play amateur basketball over the summer. According to her brother, she's pointing towards a berth on the U.S.

Olympic women's team and, of course, another national title. Mike, meanwhile, went the junior By JOHN BLANCHETTE Of The Gazette Staff You won't see Mike Curry's picture in Sports Illustrated this season, and you won't find his name in the all-American lists either. His sister, Denise, yes. But Mike, no. That doesn't seem to bother Mike much, though if his name and picture started popping up in the college basketball journals that litter the newsstands he probably wouldn't complain.

But Curry seems satisfied with one star in the family, and he'll be happy enough to simply make his contribution on the basketball floor at Rocky Mountain College and share in the Bears' successes. He hopes that success starts Tuesday night, when Rocky hosts 5-0 Mary College of Bismarck, N.D., in a 7:30 opener at Fortin Center. A junior varsity preliminary begins at 5:30. Curry will start at guard for the Bears as one of three seniors in a veteran lineup. Last year, he played a backup role after transferring from a Gazette photo by Larry Mayer Mike Curry's nailed down a starting job The Billings Gazette Tuesday Nov.

21,1978 No.T choke foil the Atlanta's orner in v-rrrJ school and college players to move immediately into the majors and go on to take the rookie prize. Horner's 23 homers tied Jeff Burroughs for the Atlanta club lead. His RBI total was third best on the club behind Burroughs' 77 and Dale Murphy's 79. He also drilled 17 doubles and one triple in 323 at bats and scored 50 runs. Those statistics gave him the rookie award over Smith, the slick fielding San Diego shortstop who batted .258 and stole 40 bases for the Padres, and Robinson, who logged a 14-6 record and 3.47 earned run average for Pittsburgh.

The last Atlanta player to win the rookie honor was catcher-first baseman Earl Williams in 1971. The only other Braves to take the award since its introduction in 1947 were shortstop Alvin Dark in 1948 and center fielder Sam Jethroe in 1950. NEW YORK (APi Past winners ol the National League Rookie of the Year award with year, player and teem: 1947 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers. 1948 Alvin Dark, Boston Braves. 1949 Don Newcombe.

Brooklyn Dodgers. 1950 Sam Jethroe, Boston Braves. 1951 WillieMays, New York Giants. 1952 Joe Black, Brooklyn Dodgers. 1953 Junior Gilliam, Brooklyn Dodgers.

1954 Wally Moon, St. Louis Cardinals. 1955 Bill Virdon, St. Louis Cardinals. 1956 Frank Robinson, Cincinnati Reds.

1957 Jack santord. Philadelphia Phillies. 1958 Orlando Cepeda. San Francisco Giants. 1959 Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants.

1960 Frenk Howard, Los Angeles Dodgers. 1961 -Billy Williams. Chicago Cubs. 1962 Ken Hubbs, Chicago Cubs. 1963 Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds.

1964 Rtchle Allen, Philadelphia Phillies. 1965 Jim Lefebvre, Los Angeles Dodgers. 1966 Tommy Helms, Cincinnati Reds. 1967 Tom Seaver, New York Mets. 1968 Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds.

1969 Ted Sliemore, St. Louis Cardinals. 1970 Carl Morton, Montreal Expos. 1971 Earl Williams, Atlanta Braves. 1972 Jon Matlack, New York Mets.

1973 Gary Matthews, San Francisco Giants. 1974 Bake McBrlde, St.Louis Cardinals. 1975 John Montefusco, San Francisco Giants. 1976 Pat Zachry, Cincinnati Reds and Butch Metiger, San Diego Padres. 1977 Andre Dawson, Montreal Expos.

NOTE One player was selected as Major League Rookie of the Year in 1947 and 1948. Selection of one player from each league began in 1949. I NEW YORK (AP) Slugging third baseman Bob Horner of the Atlanta Braves, the No. 1 choice in last June's free agent draft of amateur players, was named National League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America Monday. Horner, who played only a half season, received 12i votes from the 24-man BBWAA panel which consisted of two voters in each of the league's 12 franchise cities.

He beat out San Diego shortstop Ozzie Smith, who finished with 8V4 votes. Pitcher Don Robinson of the Pittsbugh Pirates was the only other player to receive any support, gaining the remaining three votes. "I think that's super," Horner said when he learned of the honor. "That caps off a year I'll probably never forget the rest of my life getting married, college player of the year and rookie of the year. What else can happen in a year? That's absolutely fantastic." Horner played his college ball at Arizona State which has produced a host of big leaguers including Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando and Rick Monday.

He is the first Arizona State product, however, to be named the Rookie of the Year. Horner earned the rookie award by hitting 23 home runs, driving in 63 runs and batting .266 in 89 games after joining the Braves on June 16. He signed with Atlanta right after Arizona State lost to Southern California in the College World Series final and became the first man since San Francisco's Willie Mc-Covey in 1959 to win the rookie award after joining his team in mid-season. He also became the first No. 1 selection in the free agent draft of graduating high -01 mum' wound up answering big-league questions Bob Horner started the season at Arizona State.

Reno gets playoff berth Campbell's super in 35-30 triumph it probably from the south (Florida Western Kentucky or South Carolina State) or west (coach Joe Salem's NAU Lumberjacks). The winners of the semifinal games will meet Dec. 16 in the Pioneer Bowl in Wichita Falls, Texas. Division I-AA By The Associated Press The Top Ten teams in the NCAA Division t-AA college football poll, with this year's records and total points. 1.

Nevada-Reno 11-0-0 4S 2. Jackson St. (Miss.) 10-1-0 42 3. Florida 8-1-0 39 4. Massachusetts 7-3-0 33 Western Kentucky 8-2-0 33 6.

S. Carolina St 8-2-1 32 7. Northern Arizona 8-2-0 3) 8. Eastern Kentucky 1-2-0 25 9. Lehigh 8-3-0 19 Rhode Island 7-3-0 19 Montana St.

8-2-0 19 Others receiving votes, in alphabetical order: Alcorn Austin Peay, Boise Boston New Hampshire and Northeastern. MISSION, Kan. (AP) Top-ranked Nevada-Reno will play host to No. 4 Massachusetts in the first round of the initial NCAA Division I-AA football championship Dec. 9.

No. 2 Jackson, State will be host to an at-large team that will be selected Dec. 3, the NCAA an-noounced Monday. Nevada-Reno, 11-0, represents the West region while Jackson State, 10-1, represents the South and Massachusetts, 7-3, the East. ABC-TV will regionally televise the first-round games while the championship battle will be televised nationally.

UNR is the division's only unbeaten team. The rest of the top 10 included Florida in third, Western Kentucky (tied for fourth), South Carolina State, Northern Arizona, Eastern Kentucky and Lehigh, Montana State and Rhode Island, all tied for ninth. It will be Reno's first appearance in the post-season playoffs, having been passed over last year in the Division II ranks. The independent school, which joins the Big Sky Conference next season, was the top team in the west, while Jackson State was chosen out of the south and Massachusetts from the east. The at-large berth could come out of any of those three regions JOE SALEM still waiting at NAU 1 ance in four games until Oct.

23 when they beat Pittsburgh 24-17, appeared headed for a loser's role again when Dolphins' defensive tackle A.J. Dune tackled Houston quarterback Dan Pastorini for a safety with 12:20 left in the game. Pastorini, who last week rallied the Oilers from a 23-0 deficit to a 26-23 victory over New England, went right back to work and swept Houston 80 yards for the winning touchdown following the safety that put Miami ahead 23-21. A key play in the drive included a 24-yard pass play from Pastorini to wide receiver Ken Burrough to the Miami 44. Campbell ran 11 yards, then Pastorini hit Rich Caster for 7 yards to the Miami 26.

Miami 7 7 7 Hourton 7 7 7 14 Mia Moore 10 pass from Grlese (Yepr. 1 emian kick) i Mou-Campbell 1 run (Frltsch kick) Hou Barber 15 pass from Pastorini (Frltsch kick) Mia Williams 1 run (Yepremlen kick) Hou Campbell A run (Frltsch kick) Mia L. Harris 1 run (Yepremlan kick) Mia Safety Pastorini tackled in and zone Hou Campbell 12 run (Frltsch kick) Hou Campbell 80 run (Frltsch kick) Mia Cefalo 11 pass from Griesa (Yepr- emian kick) Who's No. It's Alabama HOUSTON (AP) Houston rookie Earl Campbell, ignoring the fact that many Heisman Trophy winners have had problems in their first seasons in the pros, erupted for four touchdowns Monday night as the Oilers upstaged the Miami Dolphins 35-30 in an important National Football League game. Campbell scored the go-ahead touchdown with 4:46 left in the game on a 12-yard run, then three minutes later broke loose for a brilliant 80-yard TD dash that gave him 199 yards on 28 carries for the game and a season's total of 1,143 yards tops in the NFL.

"All those guys in the line are great," said Campbell, the 1977 Heisman Trophy winner as college football's outstanding player while at the University of Texas. "I'm going to get them all together and find out when they can go out for a steak dinner, because man they deserve it. I didn't know how many yards or how many touchdowns I had, but I knew the guys were counting on me and I didn't want to let them down." A proud Houston Coach Bum Phillips said, "They (the Oilers) have the ability to come through in the clutch and when their feet are dragging a little. They played extremely hard, especially in the fourth quarter." It was another strong second-half performance for the returned the Tigers to the Top Twenty after a three-week absence while Iowa State, which had been unranked for five weeks, made it back by defeating Colorado 20-16. LSU dropped out by losing to Mississippi State 16-14 while Georgia Tech's loss to Notre Dame eliminated the Yellow Jackets teams in The Associated Press ith first-place voles in peren- The Top Twenty college football poll, theses, season records with 880 points, followed by ing national champion Notre Dame, which defeated Georgia Tech 38-21 and received (1), a Cotton Bowl bid and (2), 797 points.

Texas remained No. 9 with 794 points for a 41-0 rout of Texas Christian and Clemson, which turned back Maryland 28-24 and captured the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, rounded out the Top Ten with 749 points. The Second Ten consisted of Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan State, Pitt, Ohio State, UCLA, Purdue, Missouri and Iowa State. Last week's Second Ten included Maryland, Clemson, Arkansas, UCLA, Purdue, Michigan State, Louisiana State, Pitt, Ohio State and Georgia Tech. BOB GRIESE big night, but no win Oilers, who had outscored the opposition 127-74 in the last two periods this year before meeting the Dolphins.

Miami running back Del-vin Williams, who lost his NFL rushing lead to Campbell during the game, praised the rookie's talent. "He's been their whole catalyst," Williams said. "Their defense has always been good, but now the Oilers are a great football team." Dolphins Coach Don Shula called it a frustrating loss. "We had a chance to win it in the fourth quarter," he said. The Oilers, who never had won a Monday night appear By The Associated Press Alabama moved into second place in The Associated Press college football poll Monday, setting up a possible national championship showdown with No.

1-ranked Penn State in the Sugar Bowl. Both Penn State and Alabama were idle last weekend. The Nittany Lions remained No. 1 for the second week in a row, receiving 59 first-place votes and 1,306 of a possible 1,320 points from a nationwide panel of 66 sports writers and broadcasters. Alabama, No.

3 a week ago, received three first-place votes and 1,213 points and took over second place from Nebraska, which lost to Missouri 35-31 and dropped to seventh. Last week, Penn State's margin over runnerup Nebraska was Penn State, which accepted a Sugar Bowl invitation, winds up its regular season Friday against No. 15 Pittsburgh. Alabama must defeat Auburn in its Dec. 2 finale to become the Southeastern Conference's representative in the Sugar Bowl.

Southern California, which clinched a Rose Bowl berth with a 17-10 triumph over UCLA, climbed into third place with two first-place ballots and 1,152 points. Right on the Trojans' heels was Orange Bowl-bound Oklahoma, which crushed Oklahoma State 62-7 and held onto fourth place with the other two No. 1 votes and 1,150 points. Houston, idle last week, moved up from sixth to fifth with 1,025 points and Michigan, a 24-6 winner over Purdue, rose from seventh to sixth with 1,015 points. Then came Nebraska, Oklahoma's Orange Bowl opponent, and total pomts Points based I2-1I-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1: on 20-19-18-17-16-15-14-13- Mia Host 27 23 32-127 42-265 320 141 34 29 23-33-1 10-16-1 First downs Rushes-yards Passing yards Return yards Passes Punts Fumbles-lost Penalties-yards 5-46 2-1 9-96 t-58 I.

Penn State (59) 2 Alabama 13) 3. Southern Cal (2) 4. Oklahoma (2) 5. Houston 6. Michigan 7.

Nebraska 8. Notre Dame 9. Texas 10. Clemson II. Arkansas 17.

Georgia 13 Maryland 14. Michigan Slate 15. Pittsburgh 16. Ohio State 17 UCLA 18 Purdue 19. Missouri 20.

towa State 10-04 1.306 9-1-0 1,213 9-1-0 1.152 10-1-0 1,150 8- 1-0 1.025 9- 1-0 1.015 9-2-0 880 8- 2-0 797 7- 2-0 794 9- 1-0 749 7 2-0 619 8- 1-1 609 9- 2-0 411 7-3-0 403 I 24 377 7- 2-1 344 8- 34 309 7-21 179 7-4-0 140 8-3-0 82 INDIVIDUAL LIADCM RUSHING Miami, Williams 18-73, L. Harris 12-51. Houston. Campbell 28-199, T. Wilson 10-35 PASSING Miami, Griest 23-33-1, 349 Houston, Pastorini 10-16-1.

RECEIVING Miami. L.Harris 5-25, D. Harris 4-79, Bulalctt 4-46. Moore 3-84, Tillman 3-45. Houston, Barber 3-56, Bur-rough 2-37, Caster 2-31, Renfro 2-24.

Missouri upset of Nebraska 4.