The Shreveport Journal from Shreveport, Louisiana • 29

A I I's! orts 0 torts rak SH REVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY LA WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2 1980 1 I I SH REVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY LA WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2 1980 1 ratt I SPORTS EDITOR t1 11) otin2a Riganalber a Crimson Tide Didn't 'Give It Away' in Sugar Bowl vc)(Algats JE11" BYRD 1-1 I LW VIT When Tide Turned 44 ''A By JERRY BYRD Journal Sports Editor or NEW ORLEANS It wasn't as exciting as the Rose Bowl or as one-sided as the Orange Bowl wasn't low! or Bowl but Alabama's 24-9 victAry over Arkansas in the 46th Sugar Bowl game (no the Crimson Tide has NOT played mall of them) at the Louisiana Superdome here Tuese day probably settled the argu I 100 4: 7 but we meshed together as a team this year" "We didn't have as many big names this year" agreed Shealy "But to me this team was a fighter all year Offensively we executed better today than we have all year We made some key drives and put things together No fumbles a good steady day That's what you gotta have" "I really can't comment about the polls because I can't vote" said Ogilvie It was a rough initiation for Bob Cope succeeding Monte Kiffin (who has been named head coach at North Carolina State) as Arkansas' defensive coordinator "Alabama like a good prizefighter keeps punching around until they find a soft spot" Cope said "And they keep hitting it They socked us in the jaw" "We had a couple of missed assignments and you can't have that" he added "We made a couple of mistakes at the most inopportune times A great team has a knack of attacking where you are messing up and that's what Alabama did" "We moved the ball between the 20s against what I thought was a great defense" Arkansas head coach Lou Holtz said citing the fact that no Alabama opponent had made more than 13 first downs or 249 yards total offense during the season Because the flogs didn't do much after they got to the 20s they suffered their most decisive defeat in his three years at the school and Bryant lay claim to his sixth national ment about America's best college football team this year "We were champions last year and we're champions this year" said Alabama defensive tackle David Hannah "It's the same way in boxing Somebody has to take it away from you You don't just give it away" The Crimson Tide wasn't about to give this one away After an inspired obviously well-prepared Arkansas team took advantage of Don McNeal's fumble on the opening kickoff to grap a quick 3-0 lead on an Ish Ordonez field goal Alabama took control of the game with a seven-play 82-yard drive capped by Major Ogilvie's 22- yard touchdown run and capitalized on the Razorbacks' only fumble eight plays later for another Ogilvie Those 14 first-quarter points were all Coach Paul (Bear) Bryant's Southeastern Conference champions needed but they removed all doubt with a 98- yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter Meanwhile Ogilvie's 50-yard punt return set up an Alan McElroy field goal in the final minute of the first half and Arkansas produced its only touchdown early in the third period when quarterback Kevin Scanlon's fourth-down pass to Robert Farrell from the three yard-line climaxed an 80-yard drive The statistics were closer than the game because Scanlon who threw only two passes in the first quarter had to go upstairs 37 times in the last three periods as Barna throttled the Hogs' ground attack Scanlon completed 22 passes for 245 yards giving Arkansas a 21-18 edge in first downs and keeping the losers within a dozen yards of Ala bama's 354-yard total But a large slice of that yardage came in the fourth quarter after all the points were on the scoreboard and the issue had been decided Ogilvie a 187-pound junior was selected the game's outstanding player but the honor could've easily gone to running mate Billy Jackson whose 120 yards were 23 more than Arkansas' team rushing total quarterback Steadman Shealy who operated the Barna Wishbone with the precision of a brain surgeon or any number of defensive standouts for the Crimson Tide Ogilvie not only chalked up 117 yards in rushing and the punt return but got off a 43-yard punt on the first kick of his high school or college career as Bryant reached back into the 1960s for an old weapon the quick kick when Arkansas pinned the Tide against its goal line twice In addition to Ogilvie's 43-yarder Joe Jones got off a 49-yard quick kick "That used to be our best play" Bryant recalled "I've been threatening to put it in all year and we finally put it in a few days ago We haven't done it more than five or six times in practice and I can't recall the last time we did it in a game "lie could've been an All-American if he hadn't been hurt" Bryant said of Ogilvie who has scored touchdowns in each of the last three Sugar Bowl games Asked about the polls McNeal def ensive star in the last two Sugar Bowls "I just hope those guys give us a fair shake We had a lot of stars last year -01 1 rPP I A 4' 1 -'Y 1" 4 snr kr---': i I 7'' A L-pvor '11: fS 4I! 101 11'4 ''''''ili 4iii74'" T'' 'd 4'''' 1' '1 Y' i 1''g I 1w 4 A 111 91o 7 rs 1 i 6 4 4 4e-1 I figt 7J ge74- I 1 A 7te --i 14' :4 10 tt4 I I 4': '4' 'ft HIsimmat0-76'' it I144: (AP 1aserphoto) Alabama LB Thomas Boyd Bear-bugs Hogs' Gary Aaderson Afe I '4ziiteaLa--t 1 NEW ORLEANS old man felt it slipping away Paul William Bryant college football's version of Mount Rushmore didn't know Arkansas had nearly doubled Alabama's total yardage in the second and third quarters 165 to 94 He wasn't aware of the Razorbacks' 13-7 advantage in first downs during the middle half of the game But he knew momentum was on the other side of the field He knew he hadn't given his starters enough rest And he didn't mind admitting that he was "frightened" "THE SAME THING happened at LSU" Bryant said after his Crimson Tide put yet another Sugar Bowl victory and national championship on ice with a 98-yard drive to the last seven points of a 24-9 triumph "I was afraid that if they got ahead we wouldn't have enough to come back If you don't give them some rest you're not going to win many in the fourth quarter" A fumbled snap and a busted assignment by an offensive lineman were critical mistakes for Arkansas which needed a near-perfect performance to upset Alabama in the Louisiana Superdome The fumble gave Hama an opportunity for a cheap touchdown in the first quarter and the Tide quickly cashed in for a 14-3 lead The busted assignment came when the Hogs faced third-and-five at Alabama's 33 yard-line early in the fourth quarter David Hannah last member of a father-son clan that has contributed to 134 Alabama football victories had a clear path to Razorback quarterback Kevin Scanlon and sacked him for a five-yard loss "We were stunting inside" Hannah explained later "The tackle probably misheard the call I wasn't touched It was just a mistake on their part" On the next play Arkansas' Bruce La hay punted to the Bama two yard-line Then the Tide offense that had been contained for most of the first three quarters suddenly exploded BILLY JACKSON FINALLY running full speed after a hamstring pull hampered him all season broke clear on an option pitch around right end for 35 yards On the very next play he ripped through the middle for 14 more yards Two plays later Steadman Shealy kept the football on the option for the first time picking up 22 yards In those four plays Alabama went from first down at its own 15 to first down at Arkansas' 11 It was time to call in the dogs and put out the fire Although Scanlon passed for 84 yards in the last 2Y2 minutes to bring the Razorbacks within 17 yards of another touchdown the hunt was over Later Bryant was asked the inevitable question: was a 15-point win over Arkansas enough to show the pollsters that Barna is Number "Tickled me to death" he said "Plenty for me One would've been enough for me" Hannah felt the same way "I think all we had to do was win" he said "Points points points we're 12-0 It seems like we're like the bump car in the Indianapolis 500 If they have anybody else to give it to they'll bump us" "Fortunately" Bryant said "we didn't have to win it in the fourth quarter We felt like we had to run straight at them They have great quic kness so we couldn't run East and West We didn't stop them from being quick but we blocked them some" The Tide also tackled them some limiting the Razorbacks to 17 yards rushing in the second half Bryant said the injuries that have plagued the Tide throughout the last half of the season were the reason he played his starters so much "After we played Tennessee I thought this would be the best team Alabama's ever had" said Bryant "Unfortunately we started getting hurt I didn't have a single substitute today I felt comfortable with in the offensive line It's no fault of theirs can't improve in the training room That is going to hurt us next year particularly early in the season" DESPITE TIM INJURIES he considers the 1979 Tide better than the previous two editions "They're just all good kids" he said "They don't give me any trouble and play pretty well" Translation: a school record 21-game winning streak breaking a record set under Wallace Wade in 1924-28 Alabama has won 33 of its last 34 games losing only to the Southern California team that shared the national championship with the Tide last year Are his kids good enough to be national champions? "They have a lot of class and they showed that" said Bryant "They've been showing It over and over far as the 'Associated Press poll is concerned I'm going to see what you gentlemen do and then II grade you" 923 Total Yards But Color Rose Bowl White passes for 297 yards as the two gained only 20 yards on his first minutes remaining in the game complete passes on the nex teams combined for a record 923 eight carries of the Second half and had begun passing on what three plays to stall the drive yards of total offense He looked like he didn't want to appeared to be obvious running That wasn't a mistake the) That was little consolation for run that much" Ohio State downs would make on their next and Ohio state coach Earle Bruce freshman linebacker Marcus That had been the case on the final opportunity to win the who was so emotionally drained Marek said "He started to cr- Trojans' second possession of game "God Almighty I don't that he had little more to say inge a little bit" the fourth quarter when they know when I'll ever see another than "We're just another unsuc- As a result the Trojans didn't drove to the Ohio State 30 where player like Charlie White" Rob-No cessf ul Big 10 football team" gain a first down rushing until White ran for six yards on first inson said "I would have been a But even though it was the 10th there were less than eight down But they threw in- fool not to let him run" time in the last 11 years that the Big 10 representaive has lost the 777-7771 17 it 4 le Rose Bowl and the second Nkoa 4 IN t'- -'i 'f 4 straight time Ohio State has en- t'k 11' 11r61 i netl It' 41 tered the game ranked No 1 ir "Pfr 4 only to lose the Buckeyes 1r Vfii-l' 1 I i proved they are anything but hr 70 -4 just another team "It was an ii' s''s 7': 4 1 A 4 excellent football game for us 4 except for their last drive" 10--tlit eiN-4 0 0:::" Bruce said 4 0 A 0 1 l': r' 1 i $::4: The Trojans' last drive began at the Ohio State 17 with 5:21 1gM'fh' i 4'1 4 remaining Although they had 0 4 driven inside the Ohio State 25 on 4 4 $I' each of their previous three -k4t 4 4 4 s4ti possessions they had been -4 1 44 ot A 4 4 1'4- turned away each time and were Ifr still trailing 16-10 t' 4 ii AZ 44:4 kii But this is an experienced 45 1 A 1 team with a senior class that iielt4-: 2 1 "Or clr nto was playing in its third Rose 'Wi ik II )t Avoirr Bowl and is not easily shaken -tic': 4 1 "We knew this was it" All- 1 Cti4t America guard Brad Budde lorfer -1-''' 4 said "We were looking at each 17 ''''''''''''')- Qf 14r saying anything" 4 4 other in the huddle without 1 ii II -A-Nr4 :4:" 0 i 11 A 4 A 'V4 NINA 4i 1 're i The look in White's eyes said it pot 'yttZs'ri 4 tvo 4ipi244444 oLk-' ::44 i A all While he had carried 20 '4': 4 --4444 times for 123 yards during the L'tjk4': --'tr4)'4i('" ''44 1' ai first half he began to feel the Laserphoto effects of the flu at halftime and Close but no cigar for Ohio State OB Art Sehlichter after fourth-down nass fell ineomnlete complete passes on the next three plays to stall the drive That wasn't a mistake they would make on their next and final opportunity to win the game "God Almighty I dont know when I'll ever see another player like Charlie White" Robinson said "I would have been a fool not to let him run" Laserphoto Close but no cigar for Ohio State QB Art Sell kilter after fourth-down pass fell incomplete "v'z k' 7-77-7771774k 77777 4 4 k1' I' rd kmz i '''1 i ----lk 1' 14 t''''''''4 44 lei '1-''-- r'''''' -1-41 i '4 i kt 1 ptt 4 ir 4 ii A 1: 44:: 5 :12 i 14 t'''! 1 4 z- 11 :4 'k 4 41p :1431 4 4 A -'oi )- 441 7 ''''''4 4 ii 4 lk 1 'k -it '1''''' 4 :4111 1 0lik: Ir 4001i kit Its4w 4 4i 11 2 0 i 7 kteo' ''47) -'1 i "t1''-' r'' 'ii --(74t' 14' f-4- 1' 1111 '-''''''Y A r0 qi I il4ilotV-40410'4444 7'Z'''''' tt444r tvo '-sA''' '2 'iit A r-thrr (A --s' l' -e 41 4-ti: 1 By RANDY HARVEY (c) 1979 Chicago Sun-Times PASADENA quest of a national championship Ohio State had come to conquer a myth Although the Buckeyes were the No 1 ranked team in at least one national poll they felt scorned when the oddsmakers said the University of Southern California was more than a touchdown better So the Buckeyes rolled up their sleeves and for three quarters and 10 minutes of the fourth manhandled a team that professional scouts say may have the best collection of talent ever assembled at one university But when it came time to either win or lose it was the Trojans who were equal to the challenge and one point better than Ohio State USC won 17-16 but not before providing a crowd of 105526 with one of the more thrilling finishes in the 66-year history of the Rose Bowl "Before we start to overanalyze what happened we ought to say that this was one of the great games ever played" DSC coach John Robinson said "Damn it it was a great football game" USC Heisman Trophy winner Charles White set Rose Bowl records with 39 carries for 247 yards while Ohio State sophomore quarterback Art Schlichter completed 11 of 21 By RANDY HARVEY 1 1979 Chicago Sun-Times ASADENA quest national championship Ohio had come to conquer a though the Buckeyes were 1 ranked team in at least national poll they felt ned when the oddsmakers the University of Southern fornia was more than a hdown better i the Buckeyes rolled up sleeves and for three guar- and 10 minutes of the fourth thandled a team that pro- ional scouts say may have best collection of talent ever mbled at one university it when it came time to win or lose it was the ans who were equal to the lenge and one point better i Ohio State USC won 17-16 lot before providing a crowd )5526 with one of the more ling finishes in the 66-year iry of the Rose Bowl lefore we start to over- yze what happened we It to say that this was one of great games ever played" coach John Robinson said mn it it was a great football iC Reisman Trophy winner 11 les White set Rose Bowl rds with 39 carries for 247 ds while Ohio State lomore quarterback Art ichter completed 11 of 21 IMOMIIIIii011 Sooner Defense Dominates we did't play well" he said "When we took a 17-7 lead it took a lot of sting out of them but then -we started playing sloppy Our fumbles may have cost us 13 to 24 points" Sims was only mildly pleased with his performance in his final game as a Sooner He gained 164 yards and scored on a 34-yard touchdown run 44 ve -173'' r- ''''14 7 ''''l wa 4'' iy ziS' 1 '1-4 4 tp Vf' 'P Atk' $: 400 40 7 3 cf71 1 lc 1) '1' II 4 -1 -kJ '14: di 4 I 44911) 1 04! 4P tiet In' 4 01r: le '1 4161)0' iv''''' 1 OsorW'''' 4 1 :11 e0001 4ki 44 te5 ft my Jordan and Wally Woodham "I think they were less than what they would have liked to have been tonight" Hebert said "Their passes weren't too sharp A couple of them just floated" Switzer had so much confidence in Hebert and the rest of his defense he elected to kick off instead of receive to open the second half "We were making mistakes and I didn't want the football and I had so much faith in our defense" he said Watts the junior quarterback who was named the game's outstanding player ran for 127 yards including a 6I-yard touchdown run He said he didn't feel the Sooners went into the game overconfident despite their slow start "I didn't feel like we were losing when they went ahead but we were just kind of dead out 'there at first" he said We came into the game feeling Florida State could beat us if MIAMI (UPI) As Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden put it Oklahoma "was as fast as I was afraid they were" The Sooners after giving up an early touchdown raced to a 24-7 victory over the Seminoles In Bowl Tuesday night she strength-of-a-stingy defense led by reserve safety Bud Hebert and a quick-striking attack The offensive stars were quarterback JC Watts and halfback Billy Sims "Our defensive football team played outstanding in the last three quarters They dominated" said Oklahoma Coach Barry Switzer "Watts had a great day and Hebert had an outstanding day He probably should have been starting all along And Billy Sims had a fine game to close out a great career" Hebert a senior playing his last game intercepted three passes against Florida State's two vaunted quarterbacks Jim "I'm satisfied a little bit but I think a few times when I got into the open I should have broken it" he said In the Florida State locker room there was sadness but no tears following the Seminoles' loss in their first Orange Bowl game "You never want to go out losing but you can't take those 11 wins away" said Jordan of the 11-1 Seminoles The senior quarterback's 'teammates said Oklahoma was the quickest and best-executing team they had faced ---APLaserphoto OU's Richard Turner sacks Florida State QB Jimmy Jordan hMMIMild 1 '10.