Friday, October 11; 1968
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
13
Gritty Nebraska defense in KU path
By BOB KEARNEY Assistant Sports Editor
Nebraska has twice survived heart-fluttering football episodes
And with a monumental defensive struggle with KU's Jayhawks in the offing tomorrow, the Cornhuskers may receive a third cardiac test.
For Kansas, however, the Big Eight opener looms as a "first" in an important respect—the first confrontation with an accomplished defense.
Long noted for its defensive
brutality, Nebraska was the nation's leader in total defense last year. 'Husker linemen, once characterized as the ponderous mastadons of the Midlands, are just that. Nebraska's defensive line averages 232 pounds, and up front on offense, NU averages 225.
How well can KU's high-powered offense, leading the nation with a stratospheric 51 points-per-game average, operate against size and talent? And a backfield that logs 330 yards rushing per game, spearheaded by Don Shanklin's 284 yards in a mere 17 carries?
Those answers, of course, will only come tomorrow in Lincoln. But a glance at the 'Huskers on paper—and some common sense—assures a fall for such lofty figures.
Defensive end Sherwin Jarmon, a 201-pound junior who has made a successful switch from offense, has made key fumble recoveries in all of Nebraska's three victories as well as a game-turning pass interception against Minnesota. Jarmon and imposing 6-foot-5, 242-pound Mike Wynn will be tested in containing KU's outside attack.
The interior line, with tackles Tom Linstroth (238) and Bob Liggett (271) and middle guard Dan Kobza (209), has selfishly permitted only 91 yards rushing per game. Sophomore Jerry Murtaugh (201) and Ken Geddes (212) provide a solid linebacking duo. Murtaugh leads the team with 10 tackles and 13 assists.
Nebraska's pass defense features a trio of juniors-Al Larson, Randy Reeves, and Dana Stephenson-plus senior co-captain Jim Hawkins. Noting that the 'Huskers led the nation in pass defense a year ago with almost the same foursome... it should be a keen challenge to KU's quarterback Bob Douglass and his receiving corps.
The attack is being directed by another sophomore. Ernie Sigler, a 5-foot-11, 170-pounder, inherited the quarterbacking duties when Frank Patrick-Big Eight passing leader of a year past—failed to match his press clippings.
The air-minded Sigler has completed 23 of 38 passes for 362 yards and three touchdowns—all of those to 6-foot-5, 223-pound tight end Jim McFarland. Another favorite target, Larry Frost, has 10 snares for 119 yards.
Autry ponders year ahead with quarterbacking wish
By DICK HVALE
Kansan Sports Writer
The running game is buoyed by All-Big Eight fullback Diek Davis (179 yards on 53 trips) and speedster Joe Orduna (109 yards on 38 attempts).
Don Autry, KU's injured tailback, would like to give quarterbacking another whirl next fall.
"I would prefer to play quarterback than tailback," the Pasedena, Calif., athlete said yesterday.
Autry, sidelined for the remainder of the season with a broken leg suffered in the Indiana game, is recuperating now—and thinking ahead. Since his injury came before the opening of conference play, the sophomore back will still have three years' eligibility when he returns to the gridiron next fall.
"The scouting report scores me every time I hear it, so I'm turning the game over the the assistant coaches," Devaney joked earlier this week.
Autry had once planned to catch baseballs rather than throw footballs for Kansas next spring. Now he has changed his mind and will probably not seek a spot on KU's baseball team.
"If I was going to try for quarterback, I would bypass baseball this spring," he says.
When the KU frosh battled Kansas State, he completed 5 of 12 passes for 55 yards in a 3-0 Kansas victory.
Autry quarterbacked for Blair High School in Pasadena and was one of four freshmen signal-callers for the Javhawks last fall.
Autry, sent in to direct the frosh in the second half, scampered 15 yards for the touchdown that defeated Oklahoma, 12-7. For the season, he was the No. 2 rusher by gaining 222 yards on 62 carries.
Autry scored KU's first touchdown of the 1968 campaign when he caught a 44-yard TD toss from Bobby Douglass against Illinois.
In the fourth quarter of the home opener against the Hoosiers, Autry was lined-up in the backfield to block for KU punter Bill Bell.
"I made my block and was going downfield when the Indiana defensive end came up from behind and hit me." Autry recalled. "The first time he hit me, the ref didn't throw the flag. He broke my leg when he hit me the second time."
And in a more serious vein: "We expect a lot of trouble from them."
The Indiana player, Clarence Price, did not say anything to Autry immediately after play and has not contacted him since the game, Autry said.
Autry called it a "very unnecessary block."
Autry also claims that other Indiana players were guilty of illegal meneuvers.
"It started out as a clean game, but as we started to pile on the points, they got shook and started to use some unnecessary techniques. It was the dirtiest game I have played in my football career."
"I was some 30 yards from the play," he said.
Coach Bob Devaney's offense has had uphill struggles to date, coming from a 10-0 deficit against Wyoming and a 14-0 margin against Minnesota. The clincher in both games came from the accurate toe of sophomore Paul Rogers, whose 51-yard field goal stunned Wyoming and whose 19-yarder topped the Gophers.
Autry stayed in Watkins Hospital until the Tuesday after the game. He was transferred to the University of Kansas Medical Center that morning so that Dr. Leonard F. Peltier could re-set his leg. Last Saturday he stopped back at Watkins to pick up some crutches, and then returned to Joseph R. Pearson Hall.
Most of the football players visited Autry while he was at Watkins. "I really appreciated this," he said.
Autry said that he now feels pretty good. "Occasionally I feel a little pain. I get around pretty well but I have to get used to the heavy cast."
"I have also been receiving a lot of mail from KU alumni and coaches' wives. I feel very grateful and I want to thank each and everyone for everything they have done for me."
He said that he does not know how long he will have to wear the cast. "I am supposed to go back to the Medical Center in three weeks for an X-ray check."
And for Coach Pepper Rodgers and the Jayhawks, the feeling is mutual.
Now you CAN ENJOY it in ENGLISH
ANNOUNCING THE LAST SHORT TRACK MOTORCYCLE RACE
OF THE SEASON
This AMA-sanctioned race will be Saturday, October 12
at the Lawrence Speedway, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Features include:
500 cc. Exhibition Race
Kids with Mini-Bikes
Kids with Go-Carts
Register for the YAMAHA 125cc. to be given away Saturday night. Entry blanks are available at Ern's Cycle Shop in North Lawrence and the Tempo Store in the Malls.
— AND —
ATTEND THE DRAG RACE SUNDAY
The gates will open at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Lawrence Dragway, with elimination at 2 p.m. There will be a guaranteed purse of $250 and trophies.
DON'T MISS EITHER OF THESE THRILLING RACES!
Sponsored by the Wheelsport Club of Lawrence