Valley Morning Star from Harlingen, Texas • Page 20

'Pokes Set With Staubach, Rams Put Faith In Harris VAUSV SUP Sunday January 4, 1976- Texas Quarterbacks Could Hold The Key In NFC Title Game UPI Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (UPIi Is James Harris really ready to play? That question will be answered Sunday when the Los Angeles Rams, always a bridesmaid, take on the rejuvenated Dallas Cowboys in the National Football Conference championship game At stake is a trip to Miami for Super Bowl Harris is the one wiio did it for us during the season and the one we will go with said Rams' head Coach Chuck Knox Because of a defense that permitted only 135 points during the regular season, the have never been to a Super been installed as six-point favorites in the 1 05 p.m. (PSTt game at the Coliseum. M. The Cowboys, who failed to make the playoffs last season, are coming off a dramatic 17-14 NFL opening round victory at Minnesota last weekend Although he appears confident about his decision to go with Harris. Knox is taking a definite gamble Because of a bruised shoulder.

Harris hasn't seen any extensive action since a game at New Orleans Dec. 7. He started against Green Bay Dec 14. but Knox pulled him after just three plays when he threw an interception Strong-armed Ron Jaworski replaced him and directed the Rams to a regular season ending 10-3 victory over the Super Bowl IX champion Pittsburgh Steelers Jaworski was at the controls again last weekend in a 35-23 triumphoverthe St. Cardinals think Harris will be said Knox "Historically, other quarterbacks have come back and played well didn't worry about who the Ram quarterback was going to be this said Tom Landry.

Harris or make that much difference In the Ram offense, the quarterback just directs the system the defense that must worry Landry. Plus Lawrence McCutcheon McCutcheon carried the ball 37 times for a playoff record 202 yards against St Louis Meanwhile. the defense allowed the Cardinals only 95 yards rushing and intercepted Jim Hart three times "The front four is very similar to Minnesota's front said Landry. the two best lines we'll face this year The 135 regular season points Los Angeles permitted was just two shy of the NFL record set by the Minnesota Vikings in 1969 like a crowd of players around the said defensive coordinator Ray Malavasi want everybody converging so no chance a team can break a long run on us be the third Los Dallas meeting the season The Rams bombed the Cowboys 35-7 in an exhibition game in August but Dallas, with Toni Fritsch kicking four field goals, beat Los Angeles 18-7 in the season opener in September In the Ram loss. Harris completed just one pass, a five-yar- der in 19 attempts He gave way to Jaworski in the second half Dallas team is particularly hard to break into the open said the Rams Hprold JdCkson.

who caught a S6 yard touchdown bomb against St Louis. Cowboys have multiple defenses all kinds of zones and coverages Since all 91.038 Coliseum tickets have been sold, the game will shown locally on television The only TV sellout since the federal law was enacted three years ago was for their game with the Steelers two weeks ago I i it I Sir Bad Blood Between Raiders, Steels Began In Pittsburgh Three Years Ago jr PITTSBURGH (UPI The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, who play here today for the American Football Conference title and a berth in the Super Bowl, have developed into probably the most bitter rivals in IN? National Football League It all began here on a warm December night three years ago It was in 1972 that the Steelers. then the Cinderella team of pro football, ended nearly a 40-year drought by winning their first division title Long frustrated Pittsburgh fans, enjoying the first playoff in the club's history, decided to celebrate with a night pep rally in the tered directly in front, sending a number of the revelers rushing for cover With the crowd suddenly stampeding, a policeman standing on a nearby ledge was sent sprawling and several of his colleagues, thinking he was being assaulted, charged in and began forcibly dispersing the crowd It was here that the Raiders became involved Bob Moore, a substitute tight end. and reserve linebacker Greg Slough were returning from a movie when they noticed the commotion outside the hotel Fearing problems with the now unruly crowd if it was learned that they were Oakland players. Moore and Slough attempted to push their way through to the safety of the hotel Moore never made it He insists he was knocked down by police, dragged to a van and beaten and he has a lawsuit pending against the Pittsburgh Police Department which is expected to come to trail this spring Moore appeared at the game the next day with his head swathed in bandages and he could hardly put on his helmet But that was only the beginning The game itself was to add fuel to the fire Ken Stabler, then a reserve quarterback put Oakland ahead 7-6 late in the game with a long touchdown Friday Market Square trd Aft DALLAS COWBOYS' 08 ROGER STAUBACH Trigger in Cowboys' Shotgun Offense i steady stream of speakers ranging from athletes to local politicians sparked the crowd, it marched a few blocks to the hotei where the Raider? were staying.

The crowd, still orderly, was ehammg and singing in an area in front of the hotel when a drinking glass dropped from the hotei shat- AFC Showdown Matches NFL's Hottest Rivalry I PI Sports Writer PITTSBURGH rivalry is the most bitter in the National Football League, a throwback to the old Brooklyn Dodger New York Giant bean ball wars The fact that a Super Bowl berth goes to the winner only lends to the passion (Rel, Story, The inevitable collision comes today like two mighty locomotives steaming toward each other on the same track Flayers from both clubs have been anticipating it since training camp last July and today the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers attempt to land their second straight Super Bowl berth against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium It seems that no playoff is complete without these two doing battle The game, begin nmg at 1 EST today, marks the fourth straight season the Steelers and Raiders are meeting in the playoffs Pittsburgh has won two of those games, including a stunning 24 13 upset last December for the AFC title. and last anuary went on to defeat Minnesota in he Super Bowl Pittsburgh the AFC Central champion at 12-2, is a 64-point favorite today over Oakland, which won the Western title with an 11 -3 mark Oakland, meanwhile, has been the hard luck team of pro football Each year the Raiders seem to be rolling toward their elusive Super Bowl goal and each year they manage to foul it up They have never won a playoff game on the road in five tries but they hope things will be different today Steelers owe us," said Oakland quarterback Ken Sta bier last Sunday after the Raiders held off Cincinnati 31-28 to enter the title game They ve picked our pockets a couple of times and kept us away from the Super Bowl Stabler was referring to the now famous catch of a deflected pass by Franco Harris the 1972 playoffs Hams scored with five seconds left on the con troversial catch and the Raiders to this day contend it was illegal 'Some off the field incidents and dirty tactics charges have fueled the rivalry during the past three years and it is as intense as any in pro sports Stabler is the key as far as offense is concerned He has played most of the year with a sore knee and he'll need ail the agility tee can manage against Pittsburgh awesome Curtain defense The Steelers held Oakland to only 29 yards rushing in their title vie torv last season should be able to rush a lot better this time if we just execute, said Gene Upshaw the Raiders' standout guard damned easy to figure out what happened last year They executed We So now they the world champs and if we want to be then have to beat them Tern Bradshaw, the Steeier quarterback, also has knee problems He had to be helped from the field at halftimeof Pittsburgh's 28-10 victory over Baltimore in last weeks opening round and his leg was sore most of the week feels good said Bradshaw should be no problem I'm looking forward to playing It's going to be a great game You've got the two best teams playing You'll have a lot of hitting The team that can control the ball is going to win Joe Greene. Pittsburgh's star defensive tackle, has missed six weeks with a sore shoulder and isn't expected to play Steve Furness has been outstanding as a replacement End Dwight White has had perhaps the best season among the Steeier front four and the Ham, Jack Lambert and Andy were named to All Conference team Corner back Mel Blount led the NFL with 11 interceptions and set up the go-ahead score against Baltimore with a theft Offensively, Franco Hams ranks as one of the premier run ners in the game and Bradshaw completed the best season his six-year pro career Lynn Swann, in only his second year, has become ont1 of the most feared receivers in the game Oakland defense is anchored by tackles Otis Sistrunk and Art Thoms and the Raiders feature a bevy of outstanding defensive backs The big question mark is the condition of end Tony Cline, who suffered a knee injury and missed last game There is some hope that he can return Ted Hendncks, working as a fourth linebacker replaced Cline and was awesome against Cincinnati On offense. Stabler is the key and if he's given time to work with standout receivers Cliff Branch, Fred Biletmkoff and Mike Siani. then title hopes could be trouble The top back is Marv Hubbard, but been bothered by injuries all season There will be several key chups All Star tackle Art Shell of Oakland working against White and Branch agamst Blount.

Swann going against former college teammate Alonzo Thomas and Hams against linebackers Hendricks and Phil Villapiano Our rivalry with Oakland is a fun thing something that is good to have" said Steeier Coach Chuck Noll with a slight trace a sarcasm Our players look forward to these games and like them We enjoy playing the Raiders and I imagine they feel the same way about us looking forward to said Raider Coach John Mad den won the Super Bow last year and a lot of our guys felt like it should have been us They're a solid football team. looked for weaknesses and I find any Sewn of their starters on defense are in the Pro Bowl last year they came out here, played like hell and beat us. I think that's what we need to win OU Receives The McArthur NEW YORK i UPI The University of Oklahoma, proclaimed Friday as tht1 No 1 college football team in the country in the United Press International final coaches ratings. Saturday was awarded the National Football Founda tion and Hall of Mac Ar thur Bowl for 1975 Vincent de Paul Draddy, chairman of tht1 board erf the Foundation mack1 the announ cement and said trophy, symbolic of the most outstanding college football team of tht1 will be presented on the Norman, Okla campus at a later date Oklahoma finished the season at 11-1, losing only to Kansas, and was a 14-6 winner over Michigan in the Orange Bowl Other teams reviving consideration were Arizona State, Alabama and Ohio State The Buckeyes were the leading con tender before their Rase Bowl loss to UCLA The were unbeaten and untied last year but. beca use they were on probation.

were ineligible for consideration ST fVI BARTKOWSKI (L), Quarterback Of T) A Howto com And Houston Oiler Linebacker Have Been Named The Offensive And Defensive Rookies Of The Tear By The Newspaper Enterprise Association. They Hold The Trophies They Received. Muncie Showcased Record Crowd West Surprise run But with just seconds left, the Steelers engineered what has become one of the most controversial plays in NFL history Trapped on his own 40. Terry Bradshaw darted to his right, desperately searching for a receiver He saw Frenchv Fuqua downfield and fired The ball. Fuqua and Raider safety Jack Tatum arrived simultaneously and it careened upfield Steeier fullback Franco Harris, trailing the play, plucked the ball off his shoetops and outran Jimmy Warren to the end zone for the deciding score A1 Davis, the a i managing general partner who was seated in the press box.

swarmed all over league officials, insisting the play was illegal since two offensive players had touched it After a long discussion with game officials on the field, the score was ruled valid and Oakland was eliminated The stunned Davis could be found long after the game, still in his press box seat, his head buried in his hands The Raiders took some measure of vindication at home in the playoffs the following season as manbaniled the Steelers 33-14 But there was controversy after Steeier defensive linemen charged Raider offensive linemen ith using lubricants on their uniform shirts to make pass rushing difficult Pitt sburgh players also charged that bails sent out for them to use were not properly inflated and one even had obscenities scrawled on it The league office ruled the Steeier charged groundless There was also some skullduggery off the field Earlier. Steeier scouts had used newsmen's credentials in order to secure extra press box seats for evaluating the Raiders All it got them was a lot of embarrassment and a healthy fine from NFL headquarters Texas Netter Becomes First Aussie Champ fas LOS ANGELES RAMS' JAMES HARRIS Off Shoulder Injury To lead Roms Patera Named Seattle Coach SEATTLE (UPI. Jack Patera 42. a Minnesota Viking defensive coach for seven years with experience on the Los Angeles Ram and New York Giant staffs. Saturday was named head coach of the expan sion Seattle Seahawks "Jack has had a hand in developing two of the finest defensive lines in pro football history John Thompson, gen era! manager of the Seahawks.

said He was responsible for the Fearsome Foursome at Angeles, and has developed the fine front four at Minnesota as well Bud Grant, head coach of the Vikings, saluted Patera as a great organizer, well respected, and well-liked 'I can't think of anvbodv who is as ready as Jack to be a head coach in the NFL. He's in tune with players and I'm tickled to death to see him get a chance Patera is a native of Oregon and played football at Oregon under Len Casanova from 1951 to 1954 Pan Am Extends No. 9 Las Vegas Before Tumbling Of 75,000 Sees East By 21-14 STANFORD, Calif, (UPI) Herb Lusk of Beach State, a last-minute pick after Tony Galbreath of Missouri pulled out, scored twice mi two-yard Bowls At A Glance The Associated Press Wednesday, Dec Peach At Atlanta West Virginia 13, North Carolina St 10 Sugar At New Orleans A la bama 13 Penn State 6 Thursday, Jan 1 Cotton At Dallas Arkansas3I, Georgia 10 Rose At Pasadena, CaUf UCLA 23, Ohio State 10 Orange At Miami Oklahoma 14, Michigan 6 Saturday, Jan 3 East West Shrine, Stanford, Calif Saturday.Jan II Hula Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii All-American Bowl, Tampa, Fla Sunday, Jan 11 Senior Bowl at Mobile. Ala Staday.Jan 18 Bowl All -Stars, Tok yo runs and Larry Gaines of Wyoming bolted five yards for a third score Saturday in helping the West snap a three-game losing streak with a 21-14 victory in the 51st Shrine East West classic A record crowd of more than 75.000 at Stanford Stadium also saw local liero Chuck Muncie of California run for more than 100 yards and Craig Penrose erf San Diego State put on a brilliant passing performance as the West won for the 25th time in the long series A fumble recovery by Geb Church of Stanford put the West in business at the East 33 to start the third quarts ve plays later Lusk wt 'wn the two to give the We-, lead, and after Gary Feneik of Yale grabbed a runeyard pass from Jeff Grant! of South Carolina to get the East back into the game, Lusk put it out of reach with his second TD run Grantz, who played most of the game at quarterback for the East scored his team second touchdown on a one-yard run at the start of the fourth quarter after Mike Green of Ohio University recovered a fumble by James Hunter of Grambling at the West 31 Gaines scored with 1 18 left in the first ha If to break a scoreless tie as the West went 65 yards 15 plays for the tally David Hill of Texas Ail alight three fist-down passes from Steve Myer of New Mexico to highlight the long drive Muncie, expected to be the first player picked the Natonai Football League draft later this month, was named the game's offensive player while defensive honors went to Kim Bokamper of San Jose State Bokamper had two quarterback sacks and at least a half doaen solo tackles The previous attendance re cord for the game that benefits Shrine crippled children hospitals was 73.000 in 1969 This year's crowd was even more encouraging after the game seemed to be mi its way out following three seasons in which it failed to attract more than 35 000 fans Yardstick 22 STANFORD, (UPU Statist, at tm Stirine football East 13 Sushas-yardi 38 lit 144 yards 18 Pams 12 PmU 17.0 2 2 31 Eatt wan Wyoming ford, Stanford, Kick) Beach St 1 run (lanotord tuck) East Fantik, Yale from Granfi So Carolina Illinois kick) run iuanfltord Oranti 1 run (Perrin kick) A 75,000 Wait 26 46 190 249 3 9 1 il 9 0 7 7-14 0 7 14 ron (Lana MELBOURNE, Australia (UPI) A Texas student threatened with suspension from high school for playing out of state Sunday became the first American tc win the Marlboro Open singles title, the top Australian junior championship Jai Dilouie of North Dallas, beat Bjom Wahlstrom. 18 of Sweden, on the center court of Kooyong stadium where the was a seanng 124 degrees A crow of 11,000 watched the mat ch, a preliminary to the Australian Open singles final Dilouie's victory, and with it also the Victorian Bov's open title, puts his name on the cup alongside such greats as John Newcombe and Rod leaver Dilouie is trained in Dallas by top Australian tennis coach Warren Jacques Wake Forest Wins Big 4 GREENSBORO.

Jerry scored 31 points, including 18 in the second half, to lead Wake Forest to a 93 78 championship victory over eighth ranked North Carolina State in the Big Four basketball Tournament Saturday rught The win virtually assured the Deacons, now 10-0 of a spot in the national rankings Wake Forest upset third ranked North Carolina Friday night Wake Forest held a 46 38 half time lead and led by as many as 10 before the Wolfpack went ahead S3 52 on a basket by Ken ny Carr with 14 56 remaining LAS VEGAS, NEVADA A brilliant team effort by Pan American University fell five points short Saturday night after the Broncs threw a heavy scare into undefeated Nevada-Las Vegas before bowing in a 100-95 thriller Marshall Rogers pumped 29 points for Pan Am before fouling out with 1 45 to go and the score 87-87 That proved the turning point as the Rebels used free throws to clinch their 13th straight win and 31st in a row at home before a roaring crowd of 6 257 that packed the Las Vegas Convention Center Jesus i Chuy) Guerra pumped 22 points and handed out nine assists as the Broncs forced Nevada-Las Vegas out of its full court press and even made the 25-pomt favorites stall at the finish The Rebels dominated the boards 5743 although Johh McDowell and Gilbert King each contributed 13 rebounds for Pan Am Nevada wore down Pan Am with relays of subs Billy Bolts, starting center for Pan Am, also fouled out for the Broncs late the going Jerry Williamson's first basket of the year gave Pan Am an 87 lead with 5 05 remaining but the weary Broncs, victims of several disputed calls, stem the tide after Bolts and Rogers fouled out Our kids played a smart game sa-d Coach Abe Lemons of Pan American could have won it 1 thought the team played well If Marshall foul out we re in Tony Harris began to play tonight he anted to play I knew we were going to throw the bomb on continued lemons King tossed several full-court passes for easy baskets that broke tht1 press This was one of better ball games Lemons added little rascal I don't know what I'm going to do when he goes Nevada has blown out everybody but tonight they had to stall before the home crowd Three calls that should have been made were the difference When they scored the winning basket they just climbed all over back Rogers made 10 of 25 shots and nine of 10 free throws as his national No 1 scoring average dipped to 34 3 The Broncs sank 38 of 77 overall with King making 11 of 19 shots and Guerra nine of 16 They shot 49 4 percent to 46 5 Pan American comes home with a 6-3 record, 4-2 on the road Seven of the next eight games will be at home for Pan Am, starting against Lamar Wednesday night and then Hardin Simmons next Saturday Box Score Pan Amcncan at Navada 100 PA (95) King 23, 13, 4 Guerra 22, Rogers W.Hiam*on 2, NLV (100) 4, Brown Gon 16, 9 14, Smith 16 Smith 28.