Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 15

ers come disguised as winner Namath misses curfew; doesnt start I By DAVE HOFF I T-A Sports Editor SAN DIEGO Amidst the typical, izarre circumstances that seem to ac-dmpany Monday night football, 52,446 nJSan Diego Stadium and 40 million TV lewers saw a most untypical performs by the Chargers. People getting married in the parking lot, others eating a 30-foot long sandwich, a smoke bomb, Howard Cpsell, banners of every size and variety, the Charger defense holding four downs from the one-yard line, total confusion at the games end, Joe Namath not starting. All this happened and more, including victory by the Chargers over the New York Jets. The same Chargers who opened the season with 11 straight losses now have won two in a row and certainly played much better than a 2-11 team on a chilly Monday evening. the Sunday night curfew of 11 p.m.

led to missing the starting drawback in the mind of the rookie from Jackson State. Woods is just an outstanding player. Hes not selfish and he told me Id get a chance to prove myself. I just had to wait. When youre the underdog, you play a little harder.

Youngs touchdown gave San Diego the 14-3 lead it was to have at halftime, but not without a surprising goal-line stand. Starting at his own 27 after a 10-yard penalty, Namath moved the Jets to the San Diego one with the help of a pass-interference penalty on Mike Fuller in the end zone. Namath wasnt the only bad boy on the Jets Running back Carl Garrett also did not start because he failed to show for a few practice sessions this week, but Shipp had his aces in there now. The Chargers, however, turned them into jokers. Goode stopped Garrett for no gain on Cont.

On Page A-16, Col. 1 Joe Willie with 9.31 left in the first half and San Diego on top, 7-3. Touchdown Tony Baker scored his first TD of the season to cap the opening drive, highlighted by a 20-yard Fouts run and a 23-yard Fouts-to-Gary Garrison pass (Garrisons 400th career reception), to give the Chargers a 7-0 lead with just 3-41 gone. The Jets began to move late in the first quarter and reached the Charger six early in the second period. They advanced to the two, where they faced a third-and-one, but fullback John Riggins was dropped for a one-yard loss by linebacker Don Goode and the visitors settled for a 20-yard field goal by Pat Leahy.

The Chargers were to complete only eight passes on the evening, but that was all they needed as rookie Ricky Young and fullback Bo Matthews supplied a bruising ground attack. It was Young who got the second TD on a two-yard spurt up the middle, climaxing a 76-yard drive that consumed nine plays, with 2.12 left in the first half. Young, at 22 the youngest player on the team, is playing only because of the injury to Don Woods and produced his second straight 100-yard performance, gaining 111 yards on 21 carries. Give most of the credit to the offensive line, said Young, who had to leave the game from time to time because of painful bruised ribs on his right side. It was just a matter of making the big plays.

Things just werent happening for us before and now they are. The team is getting themselves together. Playing the the shadow of Woods is no TIMES-ADVOCATEj nte ESCONDIDO. DEC. 16, 1975 A-15 LARRY LITTLEFIELD Namath hedges on future SAN DIEGO Just a couple of days ago, Joe Namath revealed that he was looking ahead to another season as quarterback for the New York Jets with enthusiasm.

Monday night, he wasnt so sure. I dont know whats going to happen, said a glum Namath after a 24-16 loss to the San Diego Chargers. If I did, Id tell you. This defeat weighed extra heavily on the most celebrated quarterback of the decade because he was forced to watch most of the first half from the sidelines. Injured? Oddly enough, not this time.

Joe Namath was being disciplined by a lame-duck coach for missing Sunday nights 11 p.m. curfew, and he offered no excuses. I knew what time I was supposed to be in, but I got caught up talking with some friends from back home in Beaver Falls (Pa.) and time just slipped me by. I just blew it. "I dont care to say exactly what the incident was, said Ken Shipp, serving as head coach on an interim basis.

We have an 11 p.m. curfew and by 11:25 Joe wasnt in. I dont know what time he got in. I think I got in about 11:30," said Namath, who also was fined, but it was cut and dried. It was not ones fault but my own.

The announcement that Namath would not start was greeted by resounding boos from the stadium crowd of 52,446, and he entered to a crescendo of cheers with 9:31 left in the first half and his side trailing, 7-3. He completed 10 of his first 14 passes and finished with 15 of 29 for 181 yards. He also threw his 27th and 28th interceptions of the year. Sitting amidst a mob of reporters with an ice pack on his right elbow and the usual mountains of bandages on his brittle knees, Namath was asked his reaction when informed he would not start, about two hours before game time. I was sick, he said.

I was damn near sick. I let myself down and I let everyone down, especially him (Shipp). This was a tough loss the whole situation was bad. It's going to be a long plane ride home. Its no fun at all.

Shipp, who took over for the fired Charley Winner three weeks ago, did not make the decision on his own. I did consult with Mr. (Phil) Iselin (club president), Shipp said. I am only an interim coach and I would have to consult with the president of the club. He was in favor of it.

We have a curfew and I expect everybody to be there. The lingering question, of course, was whether it made a difference in the game that a fellow named J.J. Jones was the quarterback instead of Joe Namath. I dont think it cost us the game, Shipp said. "The Chargers wanted the game more.

They were aggressive and played good football. Namaths reply to the same question: It could have. Evidently, somebody thought it made a difference. When the word was received in New York, the betting line changed the Jets from one-point favorites to five-point underdogs. Dave Hoff Different scene on Monday night Twas Monday night football.

And far from mundane. It seems national coverage. Makes fans go insane. Anonymous cl-. assignment for Namath, who was also fined by interim coach Ken Shipp.

If the Chargers had any extra incentive upon learning of Namaths status, they didnt admit it. But they seemed to show it. On its first possession, San Diego moved 68 yards in eight plays under the direction of Dan Fouts to take a 7-0 lead and neither J.J. Jones nor J.W. Namath could make up the deficit.

I didnt have any thoughts about Namath not starting, said Charger coach Tommy Prothro. Theyre a better team with Namath in there, but I think our team had the stimulus. Jones, a rookie from Fisk, got the call for Namath and simply couldnt fill the big shoes. He completed just one of five passes, had one intercepted, could not get his team in the end zone from the Charger two, and departed in favor of Then the press elevator, usually an express carrier, starts stopping at every floor and becomes as jammed as one in a department store at lunch hour. Once I reached the press box, I found the entrance jammed with a crowd that always seems to gather around Cosell, the funny-looking expert with big ears and a mouth to match.

Take off your ear muffs, Howard, suggested one sign. The press box is unusually crowded for this special event. So are the sidelines where New York photographers are shivering in the cold night air, lulled into light clothing by the day of sunshine in San Diego. If the TV coverage was the No. 1 attraction (or the local blackout caused by it), Joe Willie Namath, the gimpy-kneed quarterback of the New York Jets, was a close second.

Joe Willie was a bad boy in San Diego Sunday. He stayed out past curfew and had to pay the penalty. He was fined and told he would not start in the contest. This made Joe Willie sad. It also made those who paid $7.50 for a place to sit a little unhappy, too.

The announcement that told of Namaths plight met with a loud chorus of boos from the crowd, which was soon chanting We want Joe. Joe finally came into the game to replace J.J. Jones, whose name pretty well describes his ability. Who, outside of Jim Brown, can be a superstar with a common name? As one group paraded through the stands with a 30-foot sandwich, which was devoured before halftime, the Chargers were eating up the Jets in a manner foreign to teams with 1-11 records. It wasnt a bad show by Tommy Prothros young athletes.

The final score was 24-16, much to the anger of those bettors across the nation who had the Jets and seven points. Jubilant fans flocked onto the field, preventing the extra-point kick from taking place. It was a good game. If you dont believe me, ask the fan who staggered on to the field from the north end, then passed out near the Chargers 20-yard line. An empty gallon jug lay beside him.

I have an idea he, like the Chargers, wasnt cold at all on this mad Monday night. AT j0L MILESTONE FOR VETERAN San wide receiver Gary Garrison (27) around a 23-yard pass from Dan Staff Photo by Larry Littlefield Monday night's game against the New Garrison beat defensive back George the catch, his 400th of a 10-year career. Kentucky beaten in OT Indiana just escapes Point a gun at the average person and hell wither. Point a TV camera at the average person and hell do just the opposite. The San Diego Chargers, who have been even less than average, blossomed when ABC Television brought its army of TV cameras to San Diego Stadium for something called Monday Night Football.

And the fans went crazy. The insanity had to start a day or two in advance, when they began construction of the hundreds of signs that lined the stadium walls. Most of the signs were derogatory in nature. Some were clever and a few were even complimentary. All were made with the hope that a TV camera might focus in on it.

Were No. 26. Dont worry, McDonalds, said one. Once is not enough, said another. Most, however, centered around the unusual trio of ABC football commentators Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and Alex Karras.

Or, as one sign put it, Amiable Alex, Debonaire Frank and Sesquipedalian Howard. Ill save you a trip to the dictionary. Sesquipedalian means given to using long words. their sign blew apart early in the game, Escondido High School students got into the signmaking act. Escondido Cougars welcome the Giffer, Spanky and Jaws, it read.

Avocado League champs, 7-0. Pictured on the sign was a scorecard with the numbers 14-6 and the reminder, We beat Ocean-side. Marine Corps is looking for a few good men, read another. Sorry Howard. For 12 weeks, San Diego area football fans watch Monday Night Football from their living rooms, dens or whatever.

Then, when it to town, its like a national holiday. know its a special event when traffic to the stadium starts backing up five miles in every direction. Combine the usual rush-hour traffic with Mission Valley Christmas shoppers and 52,446 fans trying to get into the stadium parking lot and you have a monumental traffic jam. The Goodyear (or is it Goodrich? blimp overhead signaled a special event and leaking water cascading down the stadium walkway near Gate hinted that the unusual was to be expected. r' Diego Chargers' wrapped himself Fouts in the first bounced straight up off Benson's hand and dropped through for the tying basket with nine seconds left.

Knight nearly missed it in his anger over what he felt was goal tending on Abemethys shot. "I jumped up to protest and just saw the ball squ sh through, he said. Indiana took quick advantage of tiie reprieve, scoring eight straight points in Knight suit denied Page A-16 overtime for an insurmountable 72-64 lead. It was a measure of revenge for the Hoosiers who lost an unbeaten season and a chance at the national championship last March, when Kentucky beat them 92-90 in the Mideast Regional. But the Wildcats lost four UCLA ran its unbeaten string at home to 84 games Monday night by bombing the Aztecs 101-86.

Forward Richard Washington scored 28 points to equal his career best while 7-foot-l center Ralph Drollinger posted a career high 22 points. Richard Washington played a hell of a game, said Vezie. Hes quick, mobile and strong. He proved to us why hes All-American. The Aztecs, road-weary after six straight games away from home, had kept pace with the Bruins in the early going and knotted the score at 16-16 quarter of York Jets.

Hoey (49) for LOUISVILLE (AP) Coach Bobby Knight turned from the small group of well wishers outside the Indiana dressing room and started to gather his team for the trip back to Bloomington. Good luck, one fan said. Well take all we can get," Knight replied. The top-ranked Hoosiers just escaped with a 77-68 overtime victory against college basketball rival Kentucky, and it was perhaps a bit of luck that enabled them to do it. Officially, it was a tip-in by Indiana center Kent Benson that tied the score 64-64 and sent the game into overtime, but it was hardly that simple.

Kentucky had taken a 64-62 lead with 30 seconds to play on an in-close basket by Rick Robey. The Hoosiers hurried down the court and got the ball on the baseline to forward Tom Abemethy, but the shot was deflected. As Benson and Kentuckys James Lee went for the rebound, the ball Hungry thieves ripping off Superdome NEW ORLEANS (AP) Superdome thieves have walked off with 6160,000 worth of food, cash, eating utensils and restaurant furnishings, and the concessionaire plans to meet with stadium security forces today to talk about the problem. Frank Fry of Ogden Foods said Monday that he will have to hire his own security guards and charge the dome for their salaries, if things dont improve immediately. He said a weekend breakin netted burglars $2,000 worth of beer, steaks and seafood and $800 worth of eating utensils and lamps.

Its time to start squawking, Fry said. Fry said Ogdens margin of profit is so small we get less than a half cent off a hotdog sale. tion of guards. We have a team with five very, very talented guards, said Bartow. We can conceivably substitute the guards differently in each game depending on how the guards work in practice.

At that position Monday night, freshman sensation Brad Holland scored 10 points, senior Andre McCarter 5, Ray Townsend got 12, Roy Hamilton 3, while Jim Spillane was held scoreless. For San Diego State, now 2-4, center Will Connelly led the scoring with 28 points. starters from the team, and Indiana was favored heavily in the rematch. I believe we surprised a lot of people with the closeness that we played the No. 1 team in the nation, Kentucky Coach Joe Hall said.

I think they really meant to beat us badly. Knight, however, denied any suprise. It shows there are a lot of good teams around the country, and we played one tonight on their court. And we beat one away from home. It also showed, he said, weve got some things to work on.

He didnt elaborate, but the Hoosiers were outrebounded 47-40 and for the second straight game had trouble against a zone defense. They also hit just 13 of 33 free throws. Benson and All-American forward Scott May who both played the entire 45 minutes, carried the Indiana offense with 27 points each. Benson was the top rebounder with 14, followed by May with eight. midway through the first half.

But the defending national champions out-scored San Diego State 16-2 in the next five minutes and coasted to a 45-32 halftime margin. The Bruins, shooting 51.8 per cent from the field to the Aztecs 44.6 per cent, outscored San Diego State by only two points 56-54 in the second half. Were still not where I want us to be, said Bruin coach Gene Bartow. But were sure getting a lot closer. Bartow again emptied his bench, using all 13 players in the contest and frequently interchanged the combina UCLA cruises past Aztecs LOS ANGELES (UPI) -Although John Wooden is no longer there, the pennants proclaiming the UCLA Bruins national champions 10 out of the last 12 years still hang at Pauley Pavilion.

People said that playing in Pauley would be a new experience for us, said San Diego State basketball coach Tim Vezie. But we played in Mackey Arena at Purdue (where the Aztecs upset the Boilermakers 81-79) before 14,000, and Ill tell you that Pauley didnt beat us the Bruins did. i i.