The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • Page 160

September 14, 1975, Lincoln, Sunday Journal and Star 5D Defensive Muscle Impresses Tiger Boss McClendon That Fultz (Mike) has got to be an all-American," McClen- aid of junior defensive tackle. seems like By Randy York McClendon was finiiihhig post-game interviews when 18-year-old Charles Alexander started his exit irom the LSU locker room Saturday. McClendon, the 14-year LSU head coach, interrupted the proceedings to get attention. "Charles," he said, "if wondering if this is what going to be like, let me assure it will not be the cate. You will not run up against a more physical defense the rest of die season." Hold Head High It was way of telling Alexander, a :O0.6 sprinter, to hold his head high deqiite a minus two yards rushing on eight carries at tailback.

"Nebraska is a physical football team. I know how we could possibly come up against a more physical defensive line," McClendon said. "They play soUd defense real, real solid he added. "They gave us every angle, stunt and slant you can think of and we were trying to piece it together ail afternoon. dcm said of junior every time I looked up, there was No.

72. He and that John Lee at middle guard are going to make it awfully tough for people to move the football. Fultz Slide "Fultz takes a slide along the line of scrimmage and can move to the other side and almost nothing you can do about it," according to McClendon. Sophomore offensive tackle Brad Kaiser, starting his fint game t(x LSU, knew he was in for a battte against Fultz. "The coaches said of the best play against," Kaiser acknowledged.

just so strong and g(i so much power when you hit him high." McClendon said, never pleased when you lose and not satisfied. But when as green as we are with more sophcmiOTes suited up than juniors and seniors combined then you be in mourning." The LSU boss pinpointed the defeat more on the kicking game than anything. "When two teams are so close in any game, the kicking is almost always the difference," McClendon observed. "I hate to be so prophetic, but there are so many hidden factors associated with the kicking game." One is field position. "We have any of that at all," he said.

"We even breathe the first half. Nebraska really produced clutch breaks with their punt coverage." conversation somehow kept drifitng back to defensive muscle. Excellent Linebackers "They controlled the line of scrimmage on us and those two linebackers (Clete Pillen and Jim Wightman) played an excellent football game. I can understand why linebackers get drafted so high by the pros." Tailback Terry Robiskie said "Everywhere we ran with the bail, there were two or three Nebraska guys on it. They did a great job and it was a matter of the best team beating us.

They were physically and mentally prepared. So were we." Preparation pleased McGendon as much as anything. "It was an experience for me to watch these young people get ready to play," he said. "I bet if I had asked them to name the day, they have told me. There was a lot of stage fright.

Oddsmakers Frustrated "Playing at Nebraska is a lot like going to Baton Rouge," he added. "I guess we screwed up the After today, I think going to have to be dealt with from anyone. not all that bad," McGendon told himself. "We ought to be I to be any stage fright against Texas at BaUm Rouge next starting offensive center. Jay Whitley, suffered knee cartilage damage early in the first quarter game against Nebraska, according to Tiger trainers.

Senior defensive end Ken Bordelon, who "played his best game ever for LSU," according to McClendon, missed the fourth quarter after suffering a shoulder injury. injury is not believed to be serious, McClendon said. LSU runners had all kinds of trouble coping with the physical prowess of Black Shirts. Above, Terry Robiskie (16), who topped Tiger rushers with 43 yards on 18 carries, absorbs the punishment of Mike Fultz (72) and Dave Redding (84). Below, Carl Otis Trimble (3) is stalked by linebacker Jim Wightman (59).

vm 4 Watches Step John (14) spins to avoid stepping out of bounds and encounters more problems in the form of Thielen Smith (49) and Jackie Casanova (33). Staff Photos By Bob Gorham Harald Dreimanis Web Ray Frank Varga Randy Hampton Dave Kennedy Dave Butterfield (34) hovers over an LSU fumble he is about to recover during action in the first quarter. Also giviDg chase are the Wonder Moods (26) and Bruce Hemphill (81). The fumble occurred when Monds jolted a Tiger ball carrier, Bobby IbomM (8) ocuaes all of his attention on an important piece of pigskin as he scores first touchdown of the 75 season. A new look for 1975 was unveiled Saturday as the Flag Corps enhanced the visual effect of the NU Marching Band.

The Husker team helped celebrate the debut vtth a 10-7 1.