The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • Page 11

THE LINCOLN STAR SDOrts Saturday, Page 11 ou has a Lott, too much for NU, 38-7 Neb Okla First 20 27 47-190 68-417 Passing yards 132 36 Return yards 11 4 11-23-3 3-6-0 Fumbles-lost 2-2 5-1 Penalties-yards 4-47 5-75 By Virgil Parker Sports Editor Norman. Okla. Oklahoma added another verse to the same old song here Friday. The Sooners loved the sound. Coach Barry gridders danced to a 38-7 victory over Nebraska at Owen Field, waltzing to the Big Eight Conference championship and a trip to Miami and the Orange Bowl in the process.

The music sounded more like a funeral dirge to Nebraska. The Buskers stepped on their toes and stumbled out of step most of the afternoon. Nebraska coach Tom Osborne suffered the worst defeat in his five seasons at the Busker helm. teams have only lost 13 of 60 games an enviable record and just four of the 13 have been lost by two touchdowns (14 points) or more. But right Those four were all to the Sooners 27-0 in 1973; 28-14 in 35-10 in and the biggest spread of all, 31 points, here Friday, You have to dig back in the records to the Sugar Bowl game against at the end of the 1966 season to find a team other than Oklahoma which has beaten Nebraska by more than 14 points And, it's been nearly two decades since a team other than the Scxiners has beaten a Cornhusker club by more than 31 points That came in the 1958 season when a Bili team was thumped by Syracuse, 38-0.

Nebraska had one chance to stay with awesome ground-oriented wishbone offense which ranked second in nation in rushing productivity. The Buskers, with the No. 3 rushing offense in the country going into the contest, would need time-consuming, ball control tactics to match the Sooners touchdown-for-touchdown. It happen. Though the first quarter was scoreless, the outcome could be foretold from experience the first three times the Buskers had the ball.

They were nailed with a 15-yard penalty on the first posses- Season Records OKLAHOMA (10-1) Vanderbilt 25-23 Utah 62-24 Ohio 29-28 Texas 6-13 Iowa Kansas Oklahoma 52-14 Nebraska 38-7 NEBRASKA (8-3) Washington St Alabama Baylor Indiana Kansas St Iowa Oklahoma Missouri Kansas Oklahoma 10-19 31-24 31-10 31-13 26- 9 21-24 33-15 31 14 21-10 52- 7 7 38 Sion of the game to stop that drive; saw OU defensive back Zac Henderson pick off a Tom Sorley pass to foil the second; and then had Curtis Craig fumble after gaining the 35 yard line on their next possession. The third error proved to be one too many. Oklahoma marched the necessary 65 yards to tally a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to take a lead it never lost. "We had to play error-free football to Osborne observed, "but we Oklahoma was outplaying us and that drove us out of our game plan what we wanted to do pretty early. Physically, they were controlling the line of The Busker head man said he knew his club would have to score "four or five times to but was unable to keep pace with the Sooner output because of its own errors.

"Their defense played Osborne noted needed to take advantage of some turnovers. But they have any and we Osborne said he still feels his Buskers are "a fine team, but right now Oklahoma is playing as good as any Oklahoma team ever seen. "Up front they may have been stronger when they had the Selmon brothers, but in the latter part of this season playing just great on offense. Besides the good ball carriers, their offensive line started to blow us off the line of scrimmage. They were making four or five yards on any Osborne said the Sooners used an eight-man front much of the time.

the past played us as a passing team This year they defensed against the run. We tried most everything we had. It just boiled down to people And Oklahoma had the best of the matchup The Sooners extended their margin to 14-0 midway through the second quarter, driving 80 yards to score after a 50-yard Billy Todd field goal attempt fell short for Nebraska. Turn to: Lcrtt, Page 12 Stafi pn by Haratd Dreimams Nebraska defensive tackle Bill Barnett nnakes an unsuccessful dive at the feet of Oklahonna quarterback Thomas Lott. NU unable to overcome errors FairBoardsends letter of protest pnotTby Randy Hampton A sad I.AA.

Hipp stares at the ground as Husker defensive captain Jeff Carpenter looks on late in the fourth quarter. By Dave Sittler Staff Sports Writer Okla. Liberty and death. football team was given a bitter taste of both here Friday thanks to a superb Oklahoma team and some crucial Cornhusker errors. In a morgue-like locker room, a subdued clan of Nebraska players quietly spoke of the overall excellence and their own mistakes while painstakingly reheashing the 38-7 Oklahoma win which killed Big Eight title and Orange Bowl hopes and sent the Buskers packing to Liberty Bowl.

"We had some unfortunate things happen to quarterback Tom Sorley said after spending several minutes alone in a corner of the dressing room with his head buried in his hands. we have been able to overcome the unfortunate Sorley continued, "but we today. We were too The deeds of misfortune that played a major role as dreams of spen- ding the holidays in died, included first quarter interception Curtis first quarter fumble Bipp third quarter fumble The three players, struggling with the realization of a-sixth straight loss to the Sooners, spoke of their trio of errors "I just lofted my first pass and led Curtis (Craig) too far, Sorley said of the pass which was picked off by safety Zac Henderson. Craig, whose fumble halted second possession of the afternoon, said, "the guy that hit me Daryl Bunt) just happened to be in the right place at the right time So was his helmet. It hit the ball and popped it loose A terse I.M Hipp, whose third quarter bobble put the skids to first possession in the second half, said the play was designed to have him pitch the ball back to Sorley who would then pass just took my eye off the ball too soon, Hipp said While the turnovers were indeed damaging, a lightning quick Oklahoma defense was also highly instrumental in shutting down vaunted rushing attack.

Hanked third in the nation (btdiind No. 2 Oklahoma) with a 313 8 per game rushing average, the Buskers were able to muster just 190 yards against the Sooners. To a man, the Busker offensive players pointed to ability to flow to the outside, shutting down bread-and-butter pitch plays fi were 1 i everybody guard, tackles, linebackers, Nebraska's all-Big Eight center Tom Davis said "And their no.se guard and tackles were playing in the scams, I instead of straight up) and would just take off to the outside on every plav. "We expected them to flow to the outside because they are sc quick. Davis continued "And we expected to cut back up under the flow, but we didn Bipp, who had gained a bundle of his 1,268 vards thi.s on piU plays to the outside, said "they were just flowing from sideline to suleline all Held to his lowest ru.shing output of the season, 33 yards on 15 carries.

Bipp was asked if he was tired after the phvMcai battle with the 2 ranked Sooners "Bell no not tired. Bipp said. just very disappointed. I was liMiking forward to going to the Orange Bowl very While talk of Oklahoma's defense was a major topic in the Nebraska quarters, the Busker defenders had praise for the high-powered ottiuise which rolled for 417 yards They just kicked the hell out of us what else can you say monster back Jim Pillen aid We felt confident we could them, but we missed some t.ickles and blew some asNignrnents added that he felt responsible for most of the mc ses I rn going to hate to Took at the film.s of this game, the junior from Monroe said I think I played the worst Turn to: Huskers, 12 Kiffin given eyeful watching Sooner offense By Randy York Staff Sports Writer Norman. Okla talk to Nebraska football coaches about an Oklahoma jinx, even when not Nebraska football coaches anvmore, A prominent Oklahoma City sportswriter dangled the bait in the press box here Friday, but Arkansas defensive coordinator Kiffin biting.

"Nobody's got a jinx on me. line up and play Oklahoma tomorrow, but the man in charge of trying to shut down the vaunted wishbone Jan. 2 when sixth-ranktHl Arkansas battles third-ranked OU in the Orange Bowl As defensive coordinator the previou.s four years. Kiffin was unable to accomplish the Sooner ambush. But it never gave him nearly the complex it gave Nebraska's general fandom.

"I btdieve Oklahoma beat.Nebraska the last five years, but I don't believe in Kiffin said. After clearing his press box appearance with both OU coach Barry Switzer and Nebraska coach Tom Osborne, Kiffin paid his own expenses and made the 44-hour drive from Fayetteville. Ark to Norman Friday with Arkansas offensive coordinator Larry Beightol. It was the first time since 1968 when he was a Nebraska graduate assistant coach that Kiffin had not been on the sidelines for a college football game. "This feels strange." he said after spending the first quarter in the veritable silence of the working press box He then moved to the photo deck where he could hear the crowd, which turned into a familiar chorus of "Boomer Only this time, as much as his heart was with Nebraska, Kiffin feel as sick listening to it not when Oklahoma is the third-rated team and Arkansas still believes it has a shot at the national championship.

"If Texas gets beat, we could be playing lor 1 in the Orange Bowl, Kiffin observed I ju.st glad Lou Holtz (Arkansas's head coach) convinced the Orange Howl people last week that we were going to beat Texas Tech lo Lublxick 1 bet they were squirming yesterday Arkan.sas struggled before scoring a 17-14 win over Tech to complete a 10-1 regular season, the only loss being 13-9 to top-ranked Texas "This year has been quite a feat since the Southwest Conference Skywriters picked us to finish sixth in the Kiffin said "Coach Holtz said they got it mixed up. They should have meant sixth in the nation, not in the conference Arkansas. 5-5-1 last year in Frank Broyles final year, was supposed to be a year away in Holtz return to the college ranks after leaving the York Jets head job We ll have 18 of 22 starters back next year and 38 of our top 44 Kiffin pointed out "But after watching Oklahoma today. I can be thinking about next season I've got enough to keep me busy this next Kit fin went to the OU locker room lo congratulate Sooner defensive coordinator Larry Lacewell after the game. Lacewell promptly coerced him into flying to Tulsa with him Sunday morning to appear on his live television program.

But I drove my Kiffin told Lacewell. When Beightol told Kiffin he'd drive his car back to Fayetteville, the problem appeared solved. "But how do I get from Tulsa to Kiffin interjected again. fly Lacewell replied "We re very dear friends." defensive coordinator said of Kiffin long contended the best defensive coach in the country. He still is.

And going to get a chance to prove It against added Lacewell with an impish smile. Hipp top newcomer Kansas City. Mo. (UPI) Earle Bruce of Iowa Slate and Terry Miller of Oklahoma State were repeat winners as UPI Coach and Player of the Year awards in the Big Eight while 1 Bipp was the near unanimous selection as newcomer ol the year. Bruce received 10 votes from I PCs 24-meinber selection panel, which consisted of three balloters trom each conference city.

Bruce nosed out Barry Switzer of Oklahoma who had eight voles and Tom ()sborne ot Nebraska who had six was a unanimous selection after rushing for a Big Eight single season record 1,680 yards and Bipp was one vote short of unanimous. The only other player named on a newcomer ballot was Oklahoma linebacker George Cumby. who was actually ineligible because he lettered as a freshman last season Bruce directed Iowa State to an 8-3 season and a Peach Bowl bid Be also posted the school's best ever conference record. 52, including a stunning 24-21 victory over Nebraska in Lincoln The 8-3 slate came despite the loss of starting quarterback, Mike Tryon, in the season opener. Hipp, a walk-on from Chapin.

S.C., who was thrust into the starting I-back spot the third game of the season when Hick Berns suffered a hip pointer, finished as the second leading rusher in the con- terence behind Southern Calif, defeats UCLA Los Angeles Frank Jordan kicked a 38-yard field goal with two seconds left Friday night to give the University of California a dramatic 29-27 victory over UCLA that knwked the Bruins out of the Hose Bowl and sent Washington to Pasadena for the first time in 14 years use was seemingly beaten by 27-26 on a 1-yard touchdown pass from ITLA sophomore quarterback Hick Bashore to tighten Don Pederson with 2 51 to go But the Trojans mar' hed from their own 27-yard line to the UCLA 21 where Jordan, a 5foot-9. 180-pound junior from Francisco, was summoned on the field with time running out on a fourth-and-eight situation. Jordan, who booted a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter, calmly booted the garnewinning three-pointer through the uprights for a win that sent the Trojans to the Bluebonnet Bowl again.st the lo.ser of Texas- Texas game The Houston game is on New Year's Eve. Washington finished as the Pacific 8 champion with a 6-1 record while UCLA. USC and Stanford wound up tied for second with 5-2 marks.

Although UCLA would not have been able to win the conference championship outright, it would have gone to the Hose Bowl on the basis of their 20-12 win over the Huskies at Los Angi'ies i )rt 29 drive that led to its winning held goal had one controversial plav Un a thirdand- 10 Irom the50. Trojan rob Bertel threw a pa intended for Kevin Uilliams that was incomplete But a interference penal- tv w.ts ailed on Johnny Lvnn thut gave the Trojans a first down on the Brum 40, I i led 26-10 midway in the third (juarter following Jordan a- ond field goal of the gam. a 'Ihe rowii of 86.168 and a national television audience aw the Brums stage a stirring comeback. marched 80 yards in 16 tor a touchdown apped Frank Corral extra point kick that put the Brum: P. UCLA 18 74 48 140 U4C if.

r. -14- 3 46 2 1 7 41 10 0 7 10-27 0 17 The Nebraska State Fair Board has written a letter to Nebraska State Racing Commissioner Henry Farnham expressing displeasure with the commission latest ruling on dates. The State Fair letter has also requested an explanation of the reasoning behind the dates as well as a copy of the meeting minutes indicating each commissioner's vote on the date assignment. Originally the State Racing Commission had assigned the Fairgrounds a split season The State Fair Board then asked for and got an historic special meeting with the commission to review that decision. At that meeting, which was in Norfolk on Nov 17.

Fairgrounds manager Henry Brandt outlined his objections to the split season, mainly physical problems in getting the track set up and the extra cost involved. Alter the meeting, the State Hacmg Commission announced dates for the Fairgrounds which would run into the time the State Fair is in session In the letter to Farnham. the State Fair Board notes, Yiiur first schedule called for racing directly after the Fair a near impossibility a profitless venture- Your new set of dates calls for racing during the first days of the Fair a definite impo.ssibility! "On 17. response to your question concerning Lincoln laeing during the week of Aug 28. our manager that under no circumstances could that be accomplished and that the week immediately prior to the Fair was the busiest week of the entire year "Unless you question his honesty or sincerity, how can you issue dates fur those very days in good the State Fair Board letter to Farnham continue: "The Fair Board wants to race It wishes to have as many days as good judgment indicates It to operate the tinest new track in the nation for the enjoyment of the patron, to the benefit of the horsemen and for the advancement of the sport That is why the Board once again i hallenges- the dates it.

the letter adds The State Fair Board also points out that it has "on- strueted a new facility which opened fall and that it along with Ak-Sar-Bcn in umaha offered to take a five-day reduction trom its dates to make a better schedule But. the Fair Board continues, Fonner in Grand Island "declined to race out it- weeks or to start any rarlicr Fonner has been granted 54 days, some which it will not while Lincoln has been granted days. 6 of which it cannot Use The distinction is obvious and one should not endorse Fonner traditionally opened the lior-o racing season eai year in Nebraska followed by Ak the Fairgrounds, and Aiokad in South 510UX The Fair Board letter note- that Irorn the largest percentage gams made in daily a', -rage handle and in dailv average attendance at anv track were made bv the Fairground: before new tumplex was built Now with a new facihtv and an first tin de-' linc to grant te the tfdck in the stat'- capital and largest population enter, the date- It has for long, been If lu do not understand our pootion, de you at und'-r tand our frustration' iht Fair Board iKler The letter conclude- with several request; Board wishes an explanation in writing ot the specific rca-oning that determined this -ccond set ot Furthermore we request the Comrni sion written reaction to our aitornale propo-al and the Mr Bob Lee and Mr Warren Whisenand, members of thi Horsemen Benevjl'-nt and Lrotc uve Sim the Racing meeting'- are a matter pub.n rei ord we a copy ol the meeting indicating each commissioner' vote on the date assignment Harvey, Berns suffer injuries UCLA Cal 1 1 -rrci i2 i-A LO 2C pa-- O' 'I. HPMe. failed U54 ai 'i 40 from Heriel USC -Wi paii ffOte HcHei fa.ipa, J6 uc A 32 Basi-ce i.Corfai k.

A FG ifi-a 2C U'LA Peoei--1 Ba-' i.orrai US: FG Jordan 38 A -86 168 Norman, Ukla. came out of the Oklahoma game witfi twu injuries more serious than the normal bumps and bruises, NU trainer George Sullivan reports Deiensive back Ted Harvey who suffered a shoulder separation against Kansas, was able to play just briefly again.d the ScKiners. It looks like they may operate and I won't be able to play in the bowl game, the senior eornerback said Thi' other was a knee injury by I-back Hick Berns, Id be concerned if we had a game next Saturday, Sullivan Slid, but h(' should be okay by the time of the bowl.