The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 13

P- Sscffii2 DECATUR SUNDAY HERALD AND REVIEW Decatur, Illinois, Sunday, September 3, 1978 poll Easterim romps Jfl it a bo By Bob Fallstrom Sunday Herald and Review Sports Editor Charleston. Such a stunning start. for the home game with Northern Iowa Sept. 16 is likely to reach record proportions. Central State 0 9 7 0-16 Eastern Illinois 7 7 7 20-41 Chris Cobb 2 run (Dan DiMartino kick) Safety, Eastern snapped ball into end zone on punt attempt Jim Warring 17 pass from Steve Turk (DiMartino kick) Larry Kelly 1 run (David Richardson kick) Cobb 12 run (DiMartino kick) Brian Green 54 pass from Jeff 'Postell (Richardson kick) Lonnie Denton 5 run (DiMartino kick) Denton 8 run Denton 2 run (DiMartino kick) ida State seniors compiled a 9-2 record last season and won the Tangerine Bowl.

Out of college coaching for two years after being fired at Florida State, Darrell Mudra has returned in triumphant glory. Using mainly the players who sat on the bench last season, Eastern led 14-9 at halftime, then buried Central State in the 85-degree heat The new pre style attack, with more passing, was highly effective. Eastern gained 207 yards on the ground and 171 yards in the air. The defense, so leaky last season, was vastly improved, too. Nobody expected Eastern to score 41 points.

Except Darrell Mudra. "If I had predicted the score, that's about what I would have guessed," he said. "Central State doesn't have much talent If we're going to have a good season we should have won by that much. "How good are we going to be? A lot better. All our kids will improve." "We're going to win 'em all," enthused defensive tackle Tom Seward.

"You know why? Becasue we've worked our (bleep) off since January. Central State got tired in the second half. We were in better condition. And we've got the best coaching staff in the nation." The players and assistant coaches and Dr. Daniel E.

Marvin Eastern's president, were deliriously happy. Darrell Mudra was the least excited. "In 25 years of coaching, sure I've won some games like that in the opener," he said nonchalantly. Although it turned out one-sided, Darrell Mudra must have had a worry or two in the first half. Eastern's pass defense was almost non-existant.

And Eastern suffered from 90 yards in penalties. Even so, Eastern was ahead all the way after Cobb scored from the two to climax a 50-yard first quarter drive. In the second half, Eastern's pass defense improved. Except for a 54-yard touchdown bomb from Jeff Postell to Brian Greene. There was concern at the time because Eastern's lead was sliced to 21-16.

Then Cobb and Denton ran Central State ragged in the fourth quarter, sparking touchdown drives to 62 yards, 76 yards and 43 yards. Cobb totaled 134 yards in 30 carries. The 5 foot 7 junior now has 21 touchdowns, equalling the school record. Denton, a junior college Ail-American last season, added 52 LONNIE DENTON Three touchdowns Jl ''tTTm Payton, Bears come to contract agreement Chicago (AP) Running back Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, who had wanted to be the highest paid player in the National Football League, came to contract terms Saturday on the eve of the. Bears' regular season opener.

A club spokesman said General Manager Jim Finks and Payton's Mississippi attorney, Bud Holmes, agreed by long distance telephone to a series of three, one-year contracts with no option year. Terms were not disclosed. A source said only that the agreed-upon salary fell somewhere between the estimated $390,000 the Bears initially offered for one year and the league high $733,000 which O.J. Simpson of San Francisco makes. Giants defeat Tampa Bay in National Football opener Eastern Illinois University's Darrell Mudra football era was launched in blazing fashion Saturday in a 41-16 walloping of Central State of Wilberforce, Ohio.

Chris "Poke" Cobb scored on runs of two yards and 12 yards, Lonnie Denton scored three times in the fourth quarter on runs of five yards, eight yards and two yards and Jim Warring caught at 17-yard touchdown pass from Steve Turk to make Darrell Mudra's first game as a coach a memorable occasion. Darrell Mudra specializes in turning a losing football team into a winner. They call him "Mr. Turnabout" and "Dr. Victory." Darrell Mudra was hired last December to replace John Konstantinos after Eastern suffered through a 1-10 record.

Just one Eastern team has finished above .500 since 1951. Eastern football has been a joke. Darrell Mudra in the past worked miracles at Adams, State, North Dakota State, Arizona and Western Illinois. Achieving success after inheriting a losing program. He failed at Florida State with a 4-18 record in two years.

Or did he? Darrell Mudra's Flor The club spokesman said it may be early next week before the agreement is formally signed. Payton and the Bears open the season today in Chicago against the St. Louis Cardinals. Payton, who came to the Bears out of Jackson State in 1975, led the league in rushing last year. Last Nov.

20, he broke Simpson's single game rushing mark of 273 yards, by rambling for 275 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. At the age of 23, he became the youngest player ever to be named the National Football League's most valuable player. Payton finished the 1977 season with 1,852 yards third highest total in league history. The' Bucs' Neil O'Donoghue cut the lead to 16-13 with a 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but Danelo countered with a 23-yard field goal with 6:51 left in the game. The Giants took the lead in the game's first minute when rookie defensive back Terry Jackson intercepted a pass by Tampa Bay's starting quarterback Doug Williams at the Tampa 32 and ran it back for the touchdown.

Williams, a rookie from rambling, left the game with a sprained right shoulder midway through the first quarter. He completed only one of six passes. sharp victory Other Saturday scores: Rochelle 1, Aurora Safeway Electric 0 (Aurora eliminated) Indianapolis Willsey's 4, Indianapolis Mr. Liquor 0 (Mr. Liquor eliminated) Bloomington Ebach Realty 3, Hart County, Truckers 1 (Jack Burkhart pitched three-hitter, struck out 15) Aurora Home Savings and Loan 1, Marion, Ind.

0 (Dick Brubaker pitched two-hitter; Terry Muck drove in the run in the first inning) In a late Friday night game, Welding scored four runs in the seventh inning to beat Aurora Safeway Electric 5-2. Gary Deardorff slammed a two-run triple and Larry DeLuka and Buster Chumbley recorded run-scoring hits. The A's play Bloomington today- at 1:30 p.m., followed by Welding vs. Aurora Home Savings and Loan. Aurora is seeking a sixth straight championship.

If the A's and Perfect win, they will be opponents tonight at 9 o'clock. If the A's lose, they play at 7:30 tonight If Perfect loses, it plays at 6 o'clock. The tournament ends Monday. Areola overpowers Kentucky team Terre Haute, Ind. Areola Rigging thumped Per-ryville, Ky.

11-0 Saturday in the Amateur Softball Association Class A Midwest regional fast pitch tournament. Richard Tillitt and Steve Walk combined on a three-hitter. Areola plays Terre Haute Linsley's today at noon. yards in 13 carries. The running of Cobb and Denton was predictable.

Much more surprising was Turk's passing proficiency. And the catching skill of wide receiver James Warring and freshman Rob Mehalic. Turk, who edged Rod Sink of Mattoon for the starting job, completed 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards. Warring had five catches for 96 yards. Mehalic, the tight end, had four catches.

Cobb also had four catches. Cobb was among three holdovers on offense. The others were center Jack Lafferty and guard Stan Gunn. On defense, linebacker Ray Jeske was the only starter returning from the group which beat Evansville in the 1977 finale. Jeske, middle linebacker Alonzo Lee, a newcomer, and ends Tom Pettigrew and Pete Catan led the defense.

Lee was in on a high 17 tackles. The pass defense was strengthtned in the second half by Richard Brown's play. He had an interception and knocked down several passes. "Brown was the difference," Darrell Mudra praised. To the crowd of 7,000, everybody was a hero.

If Eastern beats Butler next Saturday at Indianapolis, the turnout Hambo winner Green Speed at Du Quoin. In the second heat, Speedy Somolli was nipped by Florida Pro, who incredibly equalled Speedy Sommoli's fresh world mark on the fast track. Florida Pro's victory in the second heat also forced the trotters to go to a third grueling mile. And it forced Beissinger to alter his strategy. In the first two heats, Beissinger had Somolli wear a "Kant-see-bak" bridle, which allows the horse to see horses beside him but not from behind.

But in the third heat, Beissinger said he felt Somolli needed more spark and put him in a blind bridle, which allows a horse to see only the horses in front of him at a slight angle, usually making the horse trot faster when others are chasing him. The strategy worked. Speedy Somolli won by two lengths over an onmshing Brisco Hanover, who broke stride near the finish. The victory gave the 55-yearold bespectacled Beissinger his third Hambletonian championship he won in 1971 with Speedy's Crown (Somolli's sire) and in 1969 with Lindy's Pride and the winner's share (120,640) of the $241,280 purse. Second-place money $60,320) went to Florida Pro and driver George Sholty, who, besides takmg the second heat, placed second in the first heat and third in the third.

Brisco Hanover, driven by Jim Miller, captured the thirdpdace money finishing 3-3-2. Doublemint, driven by Peter Haughton, received the fourth place earning placing 4-4-5. Long-shot Way to Gain, who had unofficial odds of 10-1 prior to the race, earned fifth place money ($12,064) for his driver John Simpson Jr. In the first heat, Speedy Somolli paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.80 Florida Pro paid $8.00, $2.80 and $2.40 in the second heat and Somolli paid $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10 in the final heat. Cora T.

won the $70,000 Hambletonian Filly stakes, also held Saturday, winning the first and the third heat in 1:58 and 2:02 respectively. Payton, who would have become a free agent at the end of this season if he did not sign, turned down the Bears' initial offer of an estimated $390,000 plus incentives in July. He said at the time that he felt if he made that amount of money it would have an adverse effect on other players on the club. Friends, including Holmes, however, reported that, in reality, salary was a matter of pride to Payton and that he wanted to be the highest paid player in the league, topping Simpson's salary. Had he played the 1978 season unsigned, his salary would have been $66,000.

Finks, Holmes and Payton were not immediately available for comment. Related story, page 20 The Bucs evened the score 7-7 on fullback Jimmy DuBose's 2-yard plunge, then went ahead 10-7 on O'Donoghue's 32-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Danelo kickeda 42-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the half to tie the game. Pisarcik replaced Golsteyn in the second quarter when Golsteyn suffered a bruised back while being sacked. The Giants had another touchdown called back with 6:18 left in the game.

Running back Willie Spencer dove over from the 1-yard line, but the touchdown was negated when rookie lineman Gordon King was called for illegal procedure. Then the Giants' were stopped when Pisarcik's 6-yard pass to Perkins was ruled incomplete, and on the next play, linebacker David Lewis batted away another pass. New York was held without a first down until Golsteyn completed a 9-yard pass to Perkins with 3:27 left in the second quarter. However, Golsteyn was injured on the next play when linemen Lee Roy Selmon and Dave Pear got through to throw him for a 7-yard loss. Gary Huff, who suffered a bruised shin, came off the bench to replace Williams five minutes into the game.

Huff completed 8 of 22 passes for 84 yards and threw two interceptions. The Bucs, who looked promising in a 3-1 preseason, drew the largest regular-season crowd ever in Tampa, 67,456. STATISTICS Central Eastern First downs Rushes-yards Passing yards Passes Punts Fumbles-lost Penaities-yards 12 25 37 90 57 207 114 171 9-26-2 16-27-1 8 40.4 4 28.7 2 2 4 3 10 98 8-110 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS RUSHING Central State, Cox 10-21, Johnson 14 39, Kelly 7-17; Eastern, Cobb 30 134, Denton 13-52, Reese 5-10, Forster 4-10 PASSING Central State, Postell, 9-26-r-114; Eastern, Turk 16-26, 171 16-26171; Sink 0-10 RECEIVING Central State, Coverson 3-22, Greene 3-71, Johnson 3-21; Eastern, Warring 5-96, Cobb 4-35, Mehalic 4-31 The second heat of the Filly stake was taken by Rosemary (in 1:57 3-5), who placed second in the first and third heats. Perhaps the most disappointing performance in the Hambo was registered by Count's Pride, driven by the legendary Bill Haughton, who had won the stake three of the past four years, including 1977, when he won with Green Speed. Haughton's colt placed fifth in the first heat, last of eight horses in the second and scratched in the third.

Beissinger, meanwhile, was savoring his victory with Speedy Somolli, who now has a chance to win harness racing's Triple Crown. Last week at Yonkers, N.Y., Beissinger won the first leg of the Triple Crown when he captured the $233,569 Younkers Trot He needs only a victory in the Kentucky Futurity Oct. 6 at Lexington for a sweep of harness racing's three major events. "I haven't even had time to think about it yet," Beissinger said with a chuckle. The Pompano Beach, native won the Triple Crown with Lindy's Pride in He reiterated Saturday that Speedy Somolli is more talented than was Lindy's Pride and his 1971 Hambo-win-ner, Speedy Crown.

"He's a different type horse," Beissinger said. "He's harder to manage and drive, but he has a big heart, a lot of speed and determination." Beissinger said he plans to rest Speedy Somolli next week before entering him in two other stakes, The Colonial and the Old Oaken Bucket prior to the Kentucky Futurity. Although Speedy Somolli's heat victories didn't pay an enormous sum to bettors, he left at least one of them cheerful. "I came here with $6 in my pocket" a smiling Gov. James Thompson said -while congratulating Beissinger in the winner's circle.

"I put down $5 on this horse (Speedy Somolli) in this heat (the third)," Thompson added. "And I'll go home a winner." AP Laserpnoio Speedy Somolli, with Howard Beissinger in the sulky, wins the deciding heat at the Ham bletonian. Speedy Somolli sets Hambletonian record Tampa, Fla. (AP) Joe Pisarcik, replacing injured starter Jerry Golsteyn, fired a 67-yard scoring bomb to Johnny Perkins to lead the New York Giants to a 19-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday in the National Football League's first 1978 regular season game. Pisarcik found Perkins down the right side on a third-and-13 play with 6:51 left in the third quarter to snap a 10-10 tie.

Placekicker Joe Danelo missed the ex-; tra point. A second-year quarterback from New Mexico State, Pisarcik completed nine of 15 passes for 156 yards in relief. Colglazier in A's 2-0 Bloomington Alan Colglazier pitched a two-hitter and struck out 11 as the Decatur A's beat Indianapolis Willsey's 2-0 Saturday in the Amateur Softball Association Class AA midwest regional fast pitch tournament Randy Molitoris and Mike Hopkins slammed run-scoring triples. Steve Williams scored both runs after reaching both times on singles. Molitoris is a regional addition from Springfield.

Truckers win 10-0 in national tournament Casey The Casey Truckers ripped Indianapolis Visa 10-0 Saturday in the Amateur Softball Association National Invitational Class A tournament The Truckers also played in a midnight game. Sadorus also advances with a 3-2 victory over Kansas City, Kan. Other scores: St. Louis Bombers 10, Auburn, Ky. 0 Niles, Mich.

4, Fulton 0 2 Fairview Heights 5, Wellsburg, Iowa 1 Eau Claire, Wis. 2, Mason City, Iowa 1 Sadorus 3, Kansas City, Kan. 2 Pleasant Grove, Utah 1, Kearney, Neb. 0 Terre Haute Snack's Cafe 7, Olath, Kan. 1 Memphis, Tenn.

4, Indianapolis Visa 0 Fulton 2, Palatine 1 Kansas City, Kan. 7, Prarie Village, Kan. 1 Kearney, Neb. 11, Indianapolis Miner's Shop 2 Auburn, Ky. 6, Yuma, Colo.

4 Memphis 6, Terre Haute. Ind. Snack's Cafe 4 Wellsburg, Iowa 2, Fulton 0 Mason City, Iowa 6, Kansas City 2 (Tourney resumes today at 10 a.m. with 14 games scheduled. Niles, Mich.

plays Fairview Heights in the opener). By Alan Fredman Lindsay-Schaub News Service If anyone doubts the trotting prowess of Speedy Somolli, he or she won't be able to convince Howard Beissinger. "There was never any doubt in my mind what type of colt he is," said an enthused Beissinger after he drove the lightning-quick 3-year-old to a world-record victory Saturday in the 53rd Hambletonian trotting classic before a crowd Du Quoin State Fair officials estimated at more than 15,000. Despite being the leading money winner prior to the Hambletonian, Speedy Somolli was criticized by many horse observers for breaking stride too frequently. But Saturday he was near perfect as he became the first third-generation winner of the prestigious Hambletonian.

He captured the first heat in the sunny afternoon in a world-record 1:55 minutes, breaking last year's 1:55 3-5 mile jaunt for 3-year-old trotters set by run by Rutledge with 2:17 remaining sealed the outcome after Alabama linebacker Rickey Gilliland recovered a fumble at the Nebraska 3. Meanwhile, a gang-tackling Alabama defense put the clamps on Nebraska's offense, which averaged 294.5 yards last season en route to a school rushing record. The triumph enabled Alabama to avenge its only setback of 1977, a 31-24 loss that cost it college football's national championship and saddled them with a second-place finish behind Notre Dame. Billy Todd's 48-yard field goal gave Nebraska a 3-0 lead at 6:46 of the opening period, but Alabama's superb defense, led by tackle Marty Lyons and nose guard Curtis McGriff, limited Nebraska to just two more first down during the rest of the first half. No.

1 Alabama downs Nebraska Birmingham, Ala. (AP) The running of Billy Jackson dug No. 1 Alabama out of a deep hole and Jeff Rutledge lobbed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Major Ogilvie to cap a methodical 99-yard drive in a 20-3 victory Saturday night over loth-rated Nebraska in the season football opener for both teams. With Alabama trailing 3-0 more than five minutes into the second period, Jackson bulled 14 yards on a third-and-8 play after Nebraska downed a punt on the Alabama 1. Jackson gained 29 yards and Tony Nathan added 36 on the 16-play drive that ate up almost seven minutes and gave Alabama a 7-3 halftime lead.

Nathan scored on a 2-yard run after a third-period interception by Don McNeal at the Alabama 39 and a 3-yard.