The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • Page 17

fighting Irish Tradition Not Set Back By Loss DEFEAT ACCEPTED PHILOSOPHICALLY Tuesday, Jonuory 2, 1973 IJwfoln Star 17 By RANDY YORK Miami, Fla. It has been said that tradition never dies at Notre Dame. It even fade away. And. judging by the Fighting Irish locker room after their lopsided 40-6 loss to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl here Monday night, that statement must be true.

atmosphere could have been one of dejection. But most young Notre Dame players elected to analyze the philosoiphicaJly. a weird feeling to be that far admittwl Willie Townsend, the junior split end who was held without a pass reception for the first time this season. our team is a young said Townsend. with a young team, I think it makes any difference If you win or lose as long as you accept defeat and profit by it.

And believe me, we profited. We'll be ready to start next season with the spirit Notre Dame is accustomed Sophomore halfback Eric Penick, Notre leading rusher with 48 yards on eight carries despite not playing until late in the second quarter, with Tew send. hate to lo.se. It's wie of the worst things in the world, especially that he said. all of us in this room except for five or six guys are coming back next season.

And we can look at this game more as a lesson than a total bad experience. don't like to make excuses for our added Penick. if any to be made, it's we were just too young to compete with a team the caliber of Nebraska. But we'll be back. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame definitely will be Ara Parseghian, who suffered his worst loss in nine years as Notre Dame coach, also declared the Fighting Irish would be back.

His declaration, however, was stressed a little more heatedly. When a Florida writer asked if such a lopsided defeat would cause any re-evaluation of Notre infant bowl policy, Parseghian changed tones. could you possibly ask he said. Influence would this outcome have on our future? The opposite would be true. It will make Notre Dame want to come back more than ever to meet the challenge of more Although the Irish salvaged only a fourth quarter touchdown against reserve unit after the score had reached 40-0, Parseghian said it was not his most frustrating offensive performance at Notre Dame.

recall in 1965 that we finished with a minus 12 total yards against Michigan State (in a 12-3 lo.ss),” related Parseghian, who finished his first season at Notre Dame with more than two losses at 8-3. were victimized by execution more than anything added Parseghian, have nothing but praise and respect for the game they played. They are well coached, well conditioned and a fine group of athletes. "They surprised us with (Johnny) throwing the touchdown said Parseghian, seen it and obviously expect really important thing about he added, his versatility. They hesitate to use him I-back.

wingb'ack. split end, flanker you name it. He does Senior tight end Mike Crcaney said: awful hard to compare teams, but say this. pay to go see Nebraska and Southern Cal play, Nebraska was just super. They controlled the line of scrimmage on us all night.

Devaney Again Denies Reports Of Leaving NU Miami, Fla. Nebraska football coach Bob Devaney again denied reports that he would be leav'ing Nebra.ska to accept a contract with a professional football team, of right now. had no offers and have any plans to go into pro Devaney said, main goal right now is to build a new fieldhouse at Devaney also denied a specific report that he had been contacted by the Philadelphia Eagles. interested in me they sure informed me about Devaney said. even rather embarrassing because I think the guy from the Eagles is in Miami this week.

You would think he would have at least given me a call and said hello. think I have enough maturity for the pros. not interested in guys around ALL ALONE Husker Frosty Anderson is all alone in the end zone after receiving a touchdown pass from Johnny Rodgers in the second quarter. GET AWAY Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers makes move on Notre Dame's Tim Rudnick (7) during early first- quarter action in the 39th annual Orange Bowl classic. NO ROOM HERE Nebraska's John Dutton (90) closes in on Notre Dame's halfback Art Best (23) near the end of the second quarter.

Staff Photos By Randy Hampton Bob Gorham Web Ray STRATEGY SESSION Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney, right, watches as defensive line coach Monte Kiffin instructs linebacker Jim Branch (51). DEJECTION Notre Dame football coach Ara Parseghian ponders his next move as the Huskers roll along in their 40-6 triumph in the Orange Bowl. i i i I.