The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • Page 13

THE LINCOLN STAR sports Thursday Page 13 Huskers down Mankato Nebraska center Carl AAcPipe (54) reaches up and over forward Bernie Miller (25). By Mark Gordon Staff Sports Wrttsr Forget the score, for the moment. Forget the way the basketball team played. The real crux to 64-61 Wednesday night win over Mankato State is this why do the Huskers play better on the road than at home? a team with two explained NU coach Joe Cipriano. "We play together on the road and work hard.

Then we get home ami play very smart. We don't play with much organization. We play with much enthusiasm. Well, still trying to get acclimated to the new he continued. "We play as well as a team at home.

Maybe trying too hard to please the fans. We Despite winning its sixth game against four losses, Nebraska obviously did not perform at its best. But before dismissing the effort as sub- par, remember Mankato State won six of eight entering the game at the NU Sports Center and pressed Kansas before falling 87-74 last Friday night at Lawrence. Cipriano knows the one thing NU needs. "We really need some practice time to work on some he said.

got some free time now and we may work twice a day now. I know coachable." The Huskers compete next in the Big Eight Preseason Tournament at Kansas City, Mo, Tuesday night against Colorado. But it was obvious one Husker had something to prove to certain members of the turnout of 6,378 Bob Siegel. The former all-stater from Fairbury High School had been maligned by certain fans who booed him when he was introduced. He certainly deserve that The 6-7 forward had one of his better games grabbing a game-leading 17 rebounds mostly on desire and determination and tallied 19 points.

Siegel also hit two free throws with 37 seconds left for the winning points as NU took a 63-59 lead. kind of nice to hear cheers instead of he admitted. difficult getting used to that (booing). caught a lot of flack from some people at home. But I know got a lot of appreciative people and that game was for them.

"I was just glad to have a nice game at Siegel added. "We happy with the way we played We seem to play more relaxed, differently on the road. They (Mankato) have a fine ball club." Cipriano noted that booing is not'characteristic of the majority of Nebraska fans. think any reason for it (booing) in college athletics," he said. "It may be a carry-over from what they see at pro games." Allen Holder, who scored just five points, said teams usually win just one in 12 games when they play as poorly as Nebraska did.

"They (MSU) were ready to play," said the senior guard. "We were just fortunate to win. I just hope saving our good games for the Big Eight. "I don't know the reason why we play better on the he said. "But I know we Staff photo by Dave Kennedy Husker guard Allen Holder (with ball) is hemmed in by Mankato State center Roy ready to play.

Maybe we lack concentration at home. We sure didn't have the killer instinct tonight. We had them down by seven points and then they took the Maybe the Huskers were too critical. Mankato State, despite its image, had fine performances from several players nifty ball-handling guards Curt Clark (14 points) and Gene Glynn (10 assists), forwards Doug Probst (12 points) and Gil Williams (10 points) and 6-9 center Roy Groce (12 points). Statistically, Mankato State shot better than Nebraska.

Coach Butch Raymond's team hit 28 of 65 field goal tries for 43 per cent while NU connected on 26 of 65 for 40 per cent. Nebraska, however, hit 12 of 23 free throws compared to just five of eight for Mankato. Center Carl McPipe took New contract in future for Rodgers happy underdog Phoenix, Ari 2 (AP) Powerful Oklahoma is an overwhelming favorite to topple Wyoming in sixth annual Fiesta Bowl In neighboring Tempe, and Wyoming Coach Fred Akers is happy about it Akers' Cowboys seem to thrive on being told that they do well. Before the 1976 football season got underway, Wyoming, which went 2-9 the previous year, was picked to finish sixth or seventh in the Western Athletic Conference race. But, the Cowboys ground out a 6-1 league mark and an overall record of 8-3, tied Brigham Young for the WAC title, and in a post-season game for the first time in eight years.

Oklahoma's Sooners, ranked No. 8 nationally in the final regular season poll, are picked to beat Wyoming by up to 18 points in the nationally televised contest which begins at 1 p.m. MST. However, Akers says "never been much on point spreads, because I getting kind of use to being the underdog and I pay any attention to it one way or the other," he said Thursday. "I expect our young men to go on the field and compete like they've competed against opponent had this year, and all I can ask." Akers is most concerned speedy offensive backs.

Montreal (AP) Superstar slotback Johnny Rodgers apparently has been freed from his contract with Montreal Alouettes but is expected to sign a new and richer contract with the Canadian Football League team. Rodgers, a former Heisman Trophy winner from Nebraska, and representatives of the club met for 2Vk hours Wednesday after a 9Vs-hour session Tuesday. Owner Sam Berger read a statement saying: "The contractual arrangements between Johnny Rodgers and the Montreal Alouette Football Club Inc. have been terminated. Agreement in principle has been reacted on a new contractual arrangement which the parties believe will serve the best interests of Johnny Rodgers and the club.

It is hoped that finalization of these new contractual arrangements will be accomplished within 30days." Rodgers, appearing after the Wednesday session, said he "gave up a few things to get more money But I say more than that. not good to say what I gave up. It's not in the best interest of either of us to give any details." Before the meeting, Rodgers had a four years to an annual salary of more than 1140,000 a season. Berger admitted be happy at all" with conduct during the 1976 season. my hope we can correct the errors of the said Berger, who has turned operation of the club over to sons David and Robert.

Berger was asked if the final agreement with Rodgers represented a major departure from the club's initial course of action and responded; "You might say that. I guess we did have a change of Rodgers, accused by fans and teammates alike of ignoring his responsibilities to the team by missing practices and team meetings, said: intend to live up to all my obligations. I hope I be treated any different from anyone or positively." Head Coach Marv Levy, who left Montreal last week with Rodgers situation up in the air, may have felt the Alouettes were ready to dump the Rodgers. The Watchful Eyes Minnesota Viking coach Bud Grant (center) matches his squad intently they prepare for Sunday's NFC championship game against the Los Finley tells of disputes with Kuhn Chicago (AP)- Charles O. Finley testified Wednesday that he ted a "personal dispute" on at least two occasions with Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn before he attempted the 83.5 million sale of three star players.

The 18-year-old Oakland A owner, wearing a white suede sport jacket and black tie, alio testified he received at least six offers for Joe Rudi because otter owners "knew I was having a hard time financially." Earlier, the federal judge hearing the case suggested in a question that he is not concerned with the price Finley exacted for the three a development lawyer said could bolster the Oakland case. Finley made the "hard time" statement over the objection of attorneys for Kuhn, and hig answer was deleted from the official transcript by tee judge Finley sued Kuhn after the commissioner voided his sale of Vida Blue to the New York for 115 million and Rollie Fingers and Rudi to the Boston Red Sox for a million Kuhn called him less than an he announced the sales to the. iftemoon of June 18. He said the was at a Chicago White Sox game and told him "it was necessary for him to go back to New York and give this sale deeo consideration." Finley said he steed Kuhn to meet with him at a downtown Chicago hotel and they did less than an hour later, talking for three hours. "He started off by telling me that he was very concerned Finley testified, "I told him I didn't think it any of his business and I think be ted authority (to block the sate).

"The words were very heated for the first 10 minutes," Finley testified. Finley testified that be clashed with Kuhn in the spring of 1971 when Kuhn Mocked his moving Reggie Jackson to a farm club for 10 weeks, and again in 1973 when Kuhn intervened in attempts to sign Blue to a new contract. Finley said he told Kuhn one reason be made tee trade was because "six of my (unsigned) players are represented by one agent by the name of Jerry Kapstein and they're forming a group, putting a lot of pressure on me." Kuhn has not testified about his reasons for vc the sales but he is exoected to the stand next month. lawyers contend that he made the sales just before a June trading deadline so he would have cash in the fall to buy free agents Kuhn's attorneys have sought to have testimony to that effect kept out of court. In nearly an hour on the stand, Finley described a series of attempted deals with ball clubs at Boston, New York, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Houston and Los Angeles.

He said all tried to obtain Rudi for one or more players. Both Rudi and Rollie Fingers, sold by Finley along with Vida Blue, did not have contracts with Oakland during these negotiations, Finley testified. "When I began to realize teat I had a number of players who appeared to be playing out their options, even though they did not say teat, it dawned on me that if I was going to be smart, I ought to Mart trading these player for other players," he said. "1 could gather from conversations 1 had with them, particularly with Jackson, that it would cost me millions to sign them," Finley said. "They knew I was having a hard time financially," he said.

"It was obvious to all the clubs teat they had leverage on me Earlier, tea judge questioned whether he should take into consideration the 83 5 million price tag on Finley 's sates when he rules Judge Frank McGarr of District Court raised the money issue when lawyers tried to introduce the deposition of former Cincinnati Reds President William DeWitt concerning a 81 million sale. there any suggestion that the reasonableness of the price is relevant or has anything to do with this case?" McGarr asked Neil Papiano, lawyer Papiano said he understood that Kuhn's decision voiding the trades included the (ugh price as a reason. If that's his reason, it a good one," McGarr replied, sure he has more lawyers have spent much of the first five days of the trial trying to show that sale of Rudi, Fingers and Blue was comparable in price to other baseball deals. If comment means he will not consider the 83.5 million price in deciding the suit, it could radically alter the importance of testimony to date and bolster Finley's claims, Papiano later. Last week, McGarr said he considered the power of the baseball commissioner's office as central to the trial.

Groce and guard Terry Seeman (21) as the Indians pressed the Huskers. game-scoring honors with 20 points and had 11 rebounds Now it's back to practicing for Nebraska for the week-long stay in Kansas City and three games in Kemper Arena. MANKATO STATE (ill P-OftM Miami Crore Gtynn 6 if 5-14 4 14 7 7 13 3-4 0-0 0-0 0-? 4 4 0-0 I 7 0-0 00 0 0 pf tp S'Mf VcP Moirtpi- Coard NEBRASKA fq ft Ifa 1.7 MS 10-7? 5 13 I 00 GO 7 5 0 3 pl IP 0 3 3 3 0 1 0 0 Taam fPbOundS 3 i atan I Ban 7, Turnoveri IS Assets Team Totals 76-45 Dead ban 14 assists Manitato Matp Nebraska Attendance 6 OH'C a Pen Ma 17 71 45 11 Turnovers 30-61 77 64 Atkinson hits cheap shots Oakland (AP) "These things are just going too far." the Oakland George Atkinson said Wednesday, angry about a newspaper picture with a gunsight superimposed on his helmet. going to talk to my lawyer and sure as hell going to do something about this," the defensive back added. Tuesday's San Jose Mercury carried the picture which Atkinson called "the most coldblooded thing I ve ever seen." He added, "That's all that's needed for some half-tanked weirdo to take a pot shot at me." The picture was over a story in which several Pittsburgh Steelers, who play the Raiders here Sunday for the American Football Conference championship, criticized Atkinson for rough play.

Joe Greene has said, "If Atkinson pulls that stuff, 111 come off the bench and get him myself." In the season-opening victory over Pittsburgh here, Atkinson decked Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann who suffered a concussion and missed several games National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle fined Atkinson a reported 81,500 for the incident. Injuries slow NU workouts Angeles Rams. Chuck Foreman (44) is about to receive a handoff from quarterback Bob Berry. By Virgil Parker Sports Editor Questioning Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne after his Huskers finished workout was about like the reporter years ago who asked, "Other than that. Mrs Lincoln, how did you like the play?" Quarterback Vince Ferragamo had missed practice for the second day in a row, all-American tackle Mike Fultz limped by after suffering a knee strain; I-back Monte Anthony had undergone surgery the day before, and Dave Gillespie, another I-back who was being counted on for Blue bonnet Bowl duty against Texas Tech.

was among the missing after reinjuring a chronic hamstring pull But, things weren't as gloomy as they might appear on the surface. "I'm feeling a lot better," Ferragamo said of the groin muscle pull he suffered Monday limp was slight. "His was a minor strain," Osborne said of his big tackle's injury. "They could both practice Thursday But, since we have Friday off, well give them each the extra day of rest and then be ready to go when we resume practice in Houston Saturday Gillespie was a different story "He hasn't been around since hurting his leg again," Osborne said "Dave obviously knows be is in no shape to make tee trip As a result, we called Tim Wurth (freshman Iback from Omaha) this morning. He came to practice will take Dave's spot on the travel roster With Anthony and Gillespie out, that gives the Huskers Richard Berns, Byron Stewart, Dale Zabrocki and Wurth to man the I-back position against the Red Raiders "We had a good practice." Osborne said of Wednesday's workout "It was warm enough that we were able to accomplish quite a few things We've had a couple of days where it was all we could do to survive We just went through the motions." Nebraska will stage one more workout in Lincoln Thursday morning then rest Friday before flying to Houston Christmas morning The Huskers will work out in the AstroDome that afternoon as they begin final preparations for the New Year's Eve game In Lubbock Texas Tech coach Steve Sloan said the Red Raiders conducted a "sharp" practice Wednesday in preparation for the bowl, the last before the squad disbands for Christmas Sloan said there was a lot of enthusiasm in the preparation for the bowl matchup with Nebraska went through out assignments today and the players looked real sharp, and practiced with a lot ol Sloan said "Thursday morning we will just review our assignment! and then let the players home for Christmas Sloan said the team wil arrive in Houston Monday an have their first workout in tb Astrodome the same day..