Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 14

14-POST-GAZETTE: Oct. 28. 1976 Tom Brzoza, of Course Is 67 for Panthers Who By MARINO PARASCENZO PoJt-Gztt Sport Writer When Tony Dorsett made that record-breaking 32-yard run against Navy last week, he was hit by only one guy. The films clearly show No. 67 rushing up to him, leaping, wrapping him up, and tumbling over with him.

It was No. 67 in white, however. A Pitt teammate. It was Tom Brzoza, junior offensive guard, not only out of place, but out of character. "You think Dorsett was high breaking the record?" Brzoza said.

"Man, I was even higher. It was really something." It was, among other things, out of character. Brzoza, 6-3, 235-pounder from Neshannock High School near New Castle, is not known for emotional outbursts. "I was never much for jumping around on the field," he said. "But it seems to be getting to me.

When we I "7. I VI 1 score a touchdown, I'm damned happy." No, thank you, he said, he did not miss his block on the Dorsett run. It was a "reach" block, a screening maneuver in which he kept his man at bay long enough to see Dorsett cutting downfield. "As soon as I finished my block, I was up and running to see what else I could do," he said. "But what else could I do? Hawk was already gone, so I kept on going.

We all knew he needed just four yards to break the record, so I kept on going, and that's when I got him." But wait a minute, he was asked given the faceless, unglorious anonimity of offensive linemen, aren't you just a bit jealous, a bit disturbed that a guy like Dorsett reaps the glory that you essentially ignite? Well, for one thing, it can't be that faceless. Someone noticed enough last year to name then only a sophomore, to honorable mention All-America, and he's playing the same caliber of ball this year, and should re- peat-or climb above the initials "HM." Moreoverpn the subject of jealousy, the film of Brzoza spontaneously leaping, swarming Dorsett, speaks for itself. But he elected to elaborate. "We're not really an obscure group," he said. "We know the kind of job we're doing.

And we have a tight-knit thing, a kind of association." What he describes is a team within a team-himself, center John Pelusi, the other guard, Matt Carroll, tackles Joe Stone, George Messich, John Hanhaus-er. Like the French Foreign an association of the damned. They don't even have a nickname to call their own. Not unless you go by the one the defensive line has given them. Sweat Hogs.

But of all the punishment Brzoza has to take from foes, of all he has to endure from his buddies on the defense, the worst comes from his closest companion and locker mate, center John Pelusi. Pelusi, for example, calls him "Hook," in honor of his nose, which is neither large nor hooked. "I don't pay attention to the Pelican, though" Brzoza said. "I auo call him And things along that line. "Pelican hurt his ankle before the Sun Bowl last year, you know.

He knew the cameras were on him, and he came running up the field, smiling, looking pretty for the people, and he tripped." "Over his nose," Pelusi offered, sounding like a bit actor in. Cyrano. Brzoza is tormented even in repose. It was during a recent Pitt junior varsity game, and he was basking in the sun in the stands, with other Pitt players. Pelusi was in the press box high above, and spotted him.

"Hey, Hook!" Pelusi shouted down. Brzoza looked up patiently, then rose and cupped his hands around his mouth, and yelled a riposte. "I can't hear you," Pelusi shouted. "Your nose is making too much noise." Ah, all in a day's travail. But in all the continuous ribbing in the Pitt locker room this week, the name Syracuse hasn't come up.

The Panthers risk a 7-0 record and a No. 2 ranking against Syracuse at Pitt Stadium Saturday (1:30 p.m.). "What do you mean, no Syracuse talk Brzoza said, turning serious: The rest was left unsaid, and it was back to the trenches, back to the Peiifiuin goalie Dune Wilson, later banished for fighting, seoops up loose puck to foif Craig Ramsay. From Sabres In 4-4 Tie Penguins Get the Point I SOUND OF MUSICK- Phil Musick SPORIS EDITOR My Fellow Some things I think I think: There's something comforting about Jimmy Carter's lack of iden-' tity with sport. Conceivably, presi-1 dents could find something more important to do than send football coaches plays Or even acquire football jerseys from popular running backs.

Using the premise that even sportswriters are human, you have to wonder if John Majors' ill-con-' ceived blast at the media may cost Tony Dorsett a few Heisman votes. JL Mary Hartman would not "schedule night World Series games. The raging intellects governing baseball are not as smart as Mary Hartman. i. A thought for new Pirate general manager Pete Peterson, who didn't offer Manny Sanguillen to Oakland for talking rights to Chuck Tanner and then did: Never try to hustle smart beat reporters.

At best, you will hide your activities or indiscretions for only a little while; at worst, you may have to live a very long time with a guy who resents being conned. Another thought for Pete Peterson: If l'affaire Chuck Tanner y. fails, think about Rocky Bridges, who manages Phoenix of the Pacific Coast League with style and skill, is immensely liked by the media because he doesn't treat the uttered word with suspicion, and is as enthusiastic as Mark Fidrych. Autumn dies far too soon, like a young girl's beauty and your reflexes and the final note of a haunting song. I finally believed I was gettin old when I watched a seasone Fred Patek fire Kansas City's drive to beat New York in the playoffs.

Back when he was a kid and I was a rookie baseball writer, we'd sit in the clubhouse before games and play gin rummy and be nervous. Chuck Noll is workjng at cross-purposes when he criticizes officiating Sunday afternoons and tries to low-key nis remarks with I the writers on Monday afternoons. When a ttL oiiv does at least a creditable job for 25 years, he ought to get a gold watch instead of being canned by mail. Harold Netf, the Pitt wm public-adress announcer, is I- Lowell MacDonald still looking for a watch, but he did get canned by letter Pitt may win a national championship. But it won't be for class.

To be sure, Lowell MacDonald and Vic Hadfield have wretched knees, and young goalie Gordon Laxton doesn have tne proper sea- soning, and some of the defensemen creak when they lean over, but the Penguins have been turned into a collective sieve because the for-i wards are playing only one end of the ice. The end where you collect i your season bonuses. Jean Pronovost isn't one of them. Maybe it is because I am num- bered among the vast legion of umpteenth-string quarterbacks whose only satisfaction from play-u ing was the matchless feeling of i hot, soapy water cascading over jf; honorable bruises, but my hero is Tom Yewcic. Despite lavish praise from pro scouts, Tony Dorsett will probably not be among the first six or seven players selected in the draft, if the draft hasn't gone the way of nickel beer and respectable presidential campaigns.

Unquestionably, Dorsett is a runner of rare brilliance. So was Archie Griffin one year ago. Griffin presently is averaging 3.5 yards a pop, which makes him last among five Cincinnati Bengal running backs The immediate value to the pros of undersized running backs is usually in returning kicks and catching passes. Dorsett is inexperi-, enced in the former, suspect in the latter And with all of that said, packing a football on a college field, he's more exciting than girls. If Penn State flanker Jimmy Cefalo doesn't make it in the pros, Howard Cosell may be in trouble.

"People will remember that I've been here, but they won't quite know what I've been doing," says Cefalo. who aspires to a media ca- reer and has not quite lived up to the excessive billing inspired by a superb highschoo) career Even atheists pray for Indian summer Bettors giving San Diego and the 12 points against the Steelers remind me of that old saw about a fool and his gold. A key reason behind the Steeler resurgence has been special teams which weren't so special for the first month of the season The Steelers will make the playoffs If you think any of the forego-: ing means I am anti-Pitt, you are wrong THURSDAY RADIO 8 05 Penguini. vs Philadelphia KDKA 1 10201 j- St It is the role of offensive linemen, those woeful souls in the trenches, to labor in obscurity tackles, guards, center, a photograph with the faces painted out. But what was a guard doing, the first man downfield? That quick, that spirited, or did he miss his block? Dorsett had taken one joyous leap into the air, was all set to do some dance, when Brzoza mobbed him, just moments before the mob arrived.

Penguin Summary PENGUMS 4 Bultw. 2 First Perloo 1, Buffalo, Martin 4 (PerreauK, Breitenbach), :13. 2, Penguins. Kelly 1 (Kehoe, Ow-char), 3, Penguins, Anderson 1 (Pronovost), 2:11. 4, Penguins, Blanctiln 6 (Chapman, Schock), 2:52.

5, Buffalo, Korao 1 (Perreault, StanfleK)), 4:45. Penguins, Blanchln 7 (Chapman, SchocK), 12:16. Penaltles-Kelh, Pit, Spencer, But, S-vard. But, 15:10, StacKhouse, Pit, 15:59 Second Period 7, Buffalo, Robert 4 (Korab, Stanfleld), 10:21. Penalties Kellv, Pit, Anderson, Pit, Spencer, Buf, Larouche, Pit, :49.

Third Period 8, Buffalo, Robert 5 (Perreautt, Guevremontl, 10:31. Penalties Bianchin, Pit, Luce, But, Wilson Pit, maor, oame Gare, Buf, monor, maior, ID-mlnute ml- Shots on goat Penguins, 10-7-522. Buffalo, 16181650 Goalies Pengulnv Wilson, Laxton. Buffalo, Def lardlns. Smith.

A 1633. the final minute as the Penguins pulled themselves out of a humiliating slump with a 4-4 tie. "In light of everything, I was sure happy to get the point," Schinkel said calmly. "You certainly couldn't fault Gordie. He came in cold and made several big saves right at the end.

But I thought we would have won the game if Dune had stayed in. He kept us in the game all night, just look at the shots. They ended up 50-22 for Buffalo, so I have to be happy we came up with a point. But I thought it was a bad call." Referee Ron Bogarth involved the new NHL anti-fighting rule, implemented this season to discourage hooliganism. The rule provides for the ejection of the player, who in the estimation of the referee, instigated the fight.

Wilson was the unwilling intimidator. "If the ref is going to call Gare for charging, then I say that makes him (Gare) the aggressor," Wilson said. "It took a lot of guts for Gare to take a run like that. I'll tell you what it is-it's a pretty bleep poor way of playing hockey." Schinkel defended his goalie. "It's a judgement call," he said.

"I think that's what had everyone worried about the new rule. Nobody knows how they will interpret who the aggressor is. How can you blame a guy for throwing a punch after he's just been crosschecked. I think the guy who throws the said, to come in for an interview." I have been with Dorsett at some dozen sports functions since then. He'd say, "I owe you a lunch one of these days." I don't know now.

After the Fords, the White House, the Heismans, bowls, pros-I don't know "SIDKI.IGHTS ON SWIKTS--- whether Tony will take a newspaperman to lunch. AV TV Boxing Reaction Either they didn't turn out in large numbers to see the TV movie re-run of the Muhammad Ali-Ken Norton title fight, or nobody gives a damn. I haveirt received one letter pro or con on the controversial decision that enabled Ali to maintain his crown. Only Billy Conn, who saw the action on the original TV broadcast, had something sav "First, I thought Norton won, Conn said, "then I realized how many jabs Ali landed while appearing not to be doing anything. He outscored Norton 4 to 1 with jabs that found their mark." Conn's statement must be taken with respect.

I rgmember, however, I Vl Abrams By BOB WHITLEY Pott-Gzette Sports Writer BUFFALO The lines in Ken Schinkel's forehead deepened. His jaw clenched. His eyes rolled. The Penguin coaches' reactions were not unlike those of goaltender Dune Wilson, who had turned in his finest performance. The Pens were clinging to a 4-3 lead in the final period against the fearsome Sabres at the Buffalo Auditorium, a snakepit as far as the Penguins are concered.

In seven seasons Pittsburgh has beaten the Sabres in Buffalo just once. Their last point, from a 2-2 tie, came way back in March of 1972. So there he was, Dune the reject regaining his respect right there in the face of the French Connection, Danny Gare, and more than 16,000 howling Sabres' fans. Two of Buffalo's scores had been while the Pens were shorthanded and the other at the start of the game, before the Penguin goaltender had warned to his task. Then it happened, like a cruel joke, only the Pens weren't laughing.

Wilson retreated behind the Penguin net to clear the puck. Gare drew a bead, then struck. Head down, the Sabres' right wing plowed into the Pittsburgh goalie. Gare was awarded two minutes for charging, which gave the Pens a power play. Both were given five minutes for lighting, which was okay, too.

But Wilson was tossed out of the game and Schinkel like to died. The Sabres went on to tie the game on Rene Robert's slap that squirted between backup goalie Gordon ton's pads and the dream of finally winning here after such frequent and utter failure vanished. Robert's shot, only the second against Laxton after the Sabres had rifled 40 at Wilson, appeared to spell doom for the Penguins. Laxton loosened up, however, and the rookie goaltender twice produced crucial saves against Rick Martin in MONROEVILLE MALL jr jj 1 -Associated Press Wlrephoto cross check should be the aggressor. "Heck, you could get a goaltender thrown out every game if they call 'em that way." Wilson, for the first time since taking the ice in a Penguin uniform, got excellent offensive support.

The Pens, with left wing Wayne Bianchin scoring twice, opened a 4-2 lead in the first period, scoring three times in the first 2 42 against Buffalo's Gerry Desjardins, the league's top goal-tender entering the game with a 1.20 goals-against average. Bob Kelly aided the attack with his first goal of the season and rookie de-fenseman Russ Anderson scored his first professional regular season goal to complete the Pittsburgh scoring. The Sabres nicked Wilson for a pair of power play goals, including Robert's first score of the on a fluke bounce off the boards behind the net. PENGUIN NOTES-Gerry Desjardins, who shut out the Pens in their last Buffalo appearance, has the best goals-against average in the NHL, 1.20. The Sabres defeated the Penguins four times last season, including a 7-6 victory in Pittsburgh after trailing, 6-2.

Pierre Larouche, who led the Pens with 111 points last season, has scored at least one point in seven straight games. A decision will be made by the end of the week, promises Coach Ken Schinkel, on the status of rookie center Greg Malone. A standout in the preseason, Malone has been used almost ly to kill penalties since the start of the season. In order to give the young forward more ice time, the Pens probably will send Malone to Hershey and recall center Ed Gilbert. Dune Wilson started his eighth consecutive game last night.

Schinkel admitted he would not be surprised to see former Penguin Gary Innes in goal tonight when the Pens travel to Philadelphia for their first appearance this season in the Spectrum. that a boxer always favors another boxer Ali could nave landed four punches to Norton's one I don't recall. I don't recall because there are jabs and there are jabs. Jabs with authority hurt. Jabs that land cleanly where they are intended.

A good boxer can win this way. Ali's jabs, according to my notes, missed repeatedly. Most of them had no sting whatever and those which landed were to Norton's shoulders and forearms. They appeared to have the force of a powderpuff. POTPOURRI It was only three years ago that Don Shula told Tim Mara: "You're getting one of the best coaches in football in Bill Arnsparger.

He'll be with your Giants a long time!" Arnsparger lasted three years In case you missed it in tne little notes columns used to save sports space, Mrs. Babe Rath died the other day Marlin (Pop) Wenrich, former lone time coach at Crafton High, died recently at Ft. Lauderdale. He was 84 Another sad note from Los Angeles: B. J.

Braheem, formerly of Jeannette High, died there Dr. R. Emory Brown believes Pete Rozelle should fine officials as well as players Pitt Gator Bowl sguad of '56 and all Panthers of 195459 era are planning a reunion Nov 12-13 From "The Fifth Down" -Lenny Dawson talking: "Bobby Layne thought I had a great future-because he taught me to eat raw oysters and drink scotch whiskey." nothing stands out in the.rain like TOM BRZOZA no-name faceless grind, to share only in the success of others. "When we lose," Brzoza said, in his best facts-of-life approach, "people blame the offensive line. When we win, they say-well, the line blocked." Bowl-Fighting Opens DALLAS (AP) Field Scovell, chairman of the Cotton Bowl selection committee, said yesterday he was "startled" that the Orange Bowl announced Pittsburgh was its No.

1 choice and that the Florida classic said it was going after the Panthers. Scovell said, are surprised that the Orange Bowl appears to be extending an informal invitation 26 days prior to what we thought was the invitation date. That's startling news, indeed." Scovell said the Cotton Bowl is interested in Pittsburgh, Maryland, UCLA, Southern Cal, Maryland, Notre Dame and the top available teams from the Big Ten, Pac-8, Southeastern Conference and the Big Eight. "If you polled our committee of some eight members you might find them making as many as six different selections," said Scovell. The Cotton Bowl will have representatives at the Minnesota-Michigan and the California-Southern California games this weekend.

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73.50 to $110 Rrtulir. short, lonfi B. Klein fflm MONROEVILLI MALL low Uv 373-2200 Shop Daily 10 to 9 30 A Short Cut to the Stars I wasn't going to tell this story about Tony Dorsett I thought it would embarrass him at the time and in his years at Pitt that were still to come. I will now. since T.

D. has become a national personality, palling around with President Ford, the Heismans, All-America football boards and the jet-set crowd. Which proves the old saying that the greatest way to reach for the stars and walk on clouds is to become a great athlete. Who knows but that Tony Dorsett will join the Muhammad Alis and the Joe Na-maths in the near future He has it in him. There was a time in early 1973 when Dorsett must have had his doubts And, that's how the story goes.

Tony was a highly heralded Pitt freshman from Hopewell, then. High school football people knew about him. Johnny Majors was itching to see what he could do. So were a few others. "How about having lunch with the kid? Dean Billick, Pitt's sports information dispenser, telephoned me one day could make a good column for you." I agreed.

It was set at Frank Gustineli dining emporium two days later. I was there on time. I waited a little over an hour Tony didn't show He stood me up Oh, well. It could have been worse-a beautiful, movie star or Johnny Bench The next day I received an apology from Billick. "Tony walked up and down in front of Gustine's several times.

He was too shy, he at both Henry McKEESPORT till fitthAv. 678 8863 Shop Daily to 30, Thurt til 9.