OCR Text |
Show 49ers Face Cowboys;Raiders Battle Colts | Watts By JOE WATTS Staking a Claim On NationalTitle Staking a claim to a hot uranium mine would be easier than staking a claim to the national collegiate football championship this year. At the end of the regular season the Texas Longhorns had a pretty solid claim to the nationaltitle, but since losing to Notre Dame 2411 in the Cotton Bowl there have been moreclaim jumpers on the scene than a western film depicting the 1849 gold rush. Going into the bow] games the Longhorns were unbeaten in 30 straight games against major calibre opposition. UPI and AP upheld the Texas claim to the national title, as any reasonable court of justice would have done. But nowit’s a different matter. Which team is number one? Howdo you go about deciding? There are about seven teamsthat havefiled claim. to the title. Which team has the most legitimate claim? Take yourpick. Here are the facts about the seven teamsstaking a claim to thetitle. Here Are the Records NEBRASKAcompiledan11-0-1 record with its only blemish being a 21-21 tie against Southern Cal 6-4-1 in the second gameof the season. It’s 11 winswereasfollows with the opponents won-lost record in parentheses: 36-12 over Wake Forest (6-5), 28-0 over Army (1-9-1), 35-10 over Minnesota (3-6-1), 21-7 over Missouri (5-6), 41-20 over Kansas (5-6), 65-31 over Oklahoma State (4-7), 29-13 over Colorado (6-4), 54-29 over Iowa State (5-6), 51-13 over Kansas State (6-5), 28-21 over Oklahoma (7-4), and 17-12 over LSU (8-3) in the Orange Bowl. ARIZONA STATE compiled a perfect 11-0 record. Its triumphs were asfollows: 38-9 over ColoradoState (4-7), 35-15 over KansasState(65), 52-3 over Wyoming (1-9), 37-30 over Washington State (1-10), 27-3 over Brigham Young (3-8), 42-13 over UTEP (6-4), 46-10 over San Jose (2-9), 37-14 over Utah (6-4), 33-21 over New Mexico (7-3), 10-6 over Arizona (4-6), and 48-26 over North Carolina (8-4) in the Peach Bowl. TEXAS finished with a 10-1 record. The resulls were as follows: 56-15 over California (6-5), 35-13 over Texas Tech (8-3), 20-17 over UCLA (6-4), 41-9 over Oklahoma (7-4), 45-21 over Rice (5-5), 42-15 over SMU (5-6), 21-14 over Baylor (2-9), 58-0 over TCU (5-5), 52-14 over Texas A&M (2-9), 42-7 over Arkansas (9-2), and a 24-11 loss to Notre Dame (10-1) in the Cotton Bowl. NOTRE DAMEfinished with a 10-1 record. The results were as follows: 35-14 over Northwestern (6-4), 48-0 over Purdue (4-6), 29-0 over Michigan State (4-6), 51-10 over Army(1-9-1), 24- 7 over Missouri (5-6), 56-7 over Navy (2-9), 46-14 over Pittsburgh (5-5), 10-7 over Georgia Tech (83), 3-0 over LSU (8-3), a 38-28 loss to Southern Cal (6-4-1), and a 24-11 win over Texas (10-1) in the Cotton Bowl. TENNESSEE finished with a 10-1 record. Its onlyloss was to Auburn (9-2) by a 36-23 margin. The wins were as follows: 28-3 over SMU (5-6), 48-3 over Army (1-9-1), 17-6 over Georgia Tech (8-3), 24-0 over Alabama(6-5), 38-7 over Florida (7-4), 41-7 over Wake Forest (6-5), 20-18 over South Carolina (4-5-1), 45-0 over Kentucky (2-9), 24-6 over Vanderbilt (4-7), 28-17 over UCLA(6-4), and 34-13 over Air Force (9-3) in the Sugar Bowl. OHIO STATEfinished wiih a 9-1 record. Its only loss cameat the hands of Stanford (9-3) by a 27-17 margin in the Rose Bowl.Its = nine wins were as follows: 55-13 over Texas A&M(2-9), 34-10 over Duke (6-5), 29-0 over Michigan State (4-6), 28-8 over Minnesota (36-1), 48-29 over Illinois (4-6), 24-10 over Northwestern (6-4), 24-7 over Wisconsin, (4-5- 1), 10-7 over Purdue (4-6), and 20-9 over Michigan (9-1). TOLEDOfinished with a perfect 12-0 record. Its wins were 35-2 over East Carolina (no record available), 27-6 over Buffalo (2-9), 52-3 over Marshall (3-6), 42-7 over Ohio U. (4-5), 20-0 over Bowling Green (2-6-1), 20-0 over Western Michigan (7-3), 34-17 over Kent State (3-7), 14-13 over Miami, 0. (7-3), 45-7 over Northern Illinois (5-4-1), 24-14 over ColoradoState (4-7), and 40-12 over William and Mary (5-7) in the Tangarine Bowl. Take YourPick Of those seven teamslisted Texas seemed to play the most difficult schedule. Texas’ opponentstallied a 65-53 won-lost record during the season. The others in order were Tennessee 6763-2, Notre Dame 59-v6-2, Ohio State 51-51-2, Nebraska 62-65-3, Arizona State 48-69, and Toledo 45-64-2. Of course, difficulty of schedule isn't a very good way of determininga national champion. It can only help in making some determinations. Which team is the best? On a given day any of the top teamscan beat the other top teams. At leastthat’s the way I see it fromthis corner, but that still doesn’t answer the question Therewill be lots of debate on the matter, but there probably won't be a convensusopinion. Dallas Defense By JOE £ ARGIS UPISpots Writer televised nationally except for the usual loeal area blackout, is ~ the first under the new NFL conference setup. The Oakland Raiders play the baltimore Colts earlier Sunday for the AFC crown with the winner = the other Super Bowl The Forty Niners went on to whipthe Minnesota Vikings, 1714, in the first round of the NFC playoffs last Sunday while the Cowboys wert upending the Detroit Lions, 5-0. The Forty Niners, coached by Dick Nolan,lost to Atlanta (2120), Detroit (28-7) and Los Angeles (30-13) and played a 2020 tie with New Orleans for the only blemishes on their record. The Cowboys, coached by Tom Landry, lost to St. Louis twice (20-7 and 38-0), to Minnesota (54-13) and the New York Giants (23-20). Sunday’s game, which will be Rozelle Expects Expansion championship Sundayin a game that may reheat the old arguments about which league oe -- the NFL or the Although the AFLdied in the 2 ence opponents this season. The AFCplayoff game between Gakland and Baltimore wili be televised on Channel Twoat noon, “Every Francisco defense to any degree, Dallas has a good chance to win. The Cowboys’ passing game never has been anything to glow about and it could be compounded Sunday because team from, the American Conference we : played this season was trying to do to us what the Jets did a couple ofyenrs seo,” Molaffor: ty said. “We're ‘the guys from the other ieague and, by : beating us, they could make : their season.” : The Colts were a dominant power in the NFL, just as the Raiders were in the AFL —or as NFLpeople used to sneer at it “the other league.” 4o JOHN BRODIE, Quarterback, San — But Oakland Coach John Maddensaid the league rivalry factor in this playoff is overrated —overrated, he said, because there is so much more at stake, JimTiese Trophy Like a spot in the Super Bowl, and $3,000 —the difference between the $8,500 winner's share and $5,500 loser’s share. __ 1970 Brodie Named M vp. By MURRAY OLDERMAN they can penetrate the San SAN FRANCISCO (UPI)— Commissioner Pete Rozelle said Saturday he expects the National Football League to add six more teams during the coming decade—bringing the league to 32 clubs. merger, Coach Don McCafferty of the Colts said Saturday his = teamstill felt like a stranger when it met American Confer- have the same look. In fact, eight of the 11 starters on the Dallas defensive unit were there when Nolan left three years ago to take over at San Francisco. On offense, the Cowboysstick to the ground about 70 per cent of the time. The Forty Niners go the other way with John Brodie, 1970 NFC Player of the Year, passing about as often as the Cowboysrun. Duane Thomas, a rookie who shoved 1969 Rookie of the Year Calvin Hill to the sidlines, and Walt Garrison are the men who mato the Cowboy attack go. Even though he missed the first five games rhis season, Thomas, a gifted runner who can find holes no one else can, rolied for 803 yards to finish fifth in the NFC. Garrison added 507 and Hill had 577. “If you have the runners it’s always better to stick to the ground,” Landry says in defense of his teats. one Dallas’ fortunes are wrapped : up aroundits three runners, If BALTIMORE (UPI) — The Oakland Raiders and the i Colts battle for the American football conference Utah—Page 9 SAN FRANCISCO (UPI)— The National Conference West Division champion San Francisco Forty Niners and the Eastern champion Dallas Cowboys meet Sunday for the title that will send the winner to mms weather outlook is for instantriches in Super Bowl V. cloudy skies and a possibility of rain. Kezar Stadium,site of the Francisco- Dallas title The Forty Niners, who took San the West with a 10-31 record clash, the first for both teams, that ended the Los Angeles is in relatively good shape = Rams’ reign, are anywhere although the field maybe a bit = from 3 1-2 to 4 1-2 point soggy. No game has been favorites over the Cowboys, played in the stadium, which who posted a 10-4-0 regular generaliy hosts 40 to 50 games ; season record while winning the a year, in nearly a month. The two teams precent % East. similar defenses but contrasting : offenses. Nolan played with Landry for The NFC playoff game between San Francisco and the New York Giants and later Dallas will be televised on coached for him at Dallas. Both are regarded defensive speciaChannel Five at 3 p.m. a and their respective teams SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — (NEA) At 5, the ultimate pay-off as a professional football player has come to John Brodie. More satisfying, en than the $827,000 he got not to create waves when the war between the leagues was settled (John had signed to jump to limes, most recently last fall when his arm went bad on him “EL compounded the mitted Brodie, source of the “by problems,” ad never finding “That stuff’s overrated," Maddensaid. ‘This could be a reason if you didn’t have any other reason but it doesn’t matter whatleague you were in : a year ago. “We've never mentioned it and I've never heard our = players talk about it. We feel % that everyone weplayis up for § us, too.” i the Both coachessaid their teams = werein top physical shape, and bad arm, although P con. : McCafferty said John Mackey, tinued to play. And yet, with a winter and spring of Craig Morton, the team’s No. 1 the Houston Oilers), More stimulating, rest, he came back to throw more com“We're not even thinking quarterback, is suffering with emotionally, than the close to six figures about expansion now,” Rozelle a_ sore throwing elbow. : he gets annually as the quarterback of pletions for more yards and more touch: downs (24) than any quarterback in the told a news conference on the When Morton does throw he the San Francisco 49ers NFL. So what about his aging arm? eve of the National Football goes long to Bob Hayes and The veteran signal caller, the leading Conference championship game short to tight end Pettis “Obviously,” he said, “it’s not as strong passer in the National Football Confer as when I was a kid. But the distance between San Francisco and Norman and his running backs. encethis year, was today named the win isn’t what you really need, It’s the syeed Dallas. Morton completed 102 of 207 ner of the 1970 Jim Thorpe Trophy as the passes for 1,819 yards and 15 with which you throw. And knowing where most valuable player in professional foot you nae it’s a logical assumption touchdowns. throw ing this decade we're By contrast, Brodie hit on 223 : ball “At the age of 35, you know more about one to pes} to 32 . In the of 378 for 2,941 yards and 24 Brodie was chosen by a vote of players what's going on.’ past decade, we went from 12 touchdowns. His chief targetis ; from the 26 teams in the National Football Brodie also knows, finally, acceptance League. The poll was conducted by NEA to 26,” he said. all-pro wide receiver Gene with the cooperation of the NEL Players: by a Kezar Stadium: audience which has Washington. been critical of his performance, chal “However, I don’t know when Ken Willard, one of the first = Association. lenged his dedication and sided with sevit will come. The clubs want to of the big backs and a man who : Brodie, in his 14th year with the 49er: eral challengers for his job over the years consolidate what they have now didn’t miss a single game has completed his most satisfying sea“TE never thought | wanted to quit,” he —and don’t want to destroy the during this past season alson, leading the team to its first divicompetitive balance.” sion Utle in history. Almost diffidently, mused. “T couldn't see where there was a though he was hobbled all year better way to go. I was never disenchanted : in being told he was honored byhis peers long, ran for 789 yards. Doug Rozelle said several cities Cunningham, who missed two : as the NFL's top performer in 1970, he with San Francisco. It’s where I come have, or will have, said, “No one guy can do that much. It’s from and it has always been home.” games at the end of the season, Another veteran quarterback across the population to support an a reflection of what we've had herethis id 443, aye 43, of the Oak. expansion season—by far the best team I've ever Vay—George Bla The Dallas defense, called land Raiders—was the only serious combeen on.” Seattle first and said other affectionately the ‘Doomsday petitor to Brodie in the voting possibilities are Phoenix, Port- Defense,” hasn’t allowed a Andin 1957, when he was a rookie out land, Tampa, Memphis, Bir- touchdown in the last five of Stanford, playing behind Y. A. Tittle The San Francisco quarterback will re mingham, a regional team games, all of which the the sparse-ha! slinger was on a team ceive the Jim Thorpe Trephy, donate around Winston-Salem, Honolu- Cowboys won. Besides beating : which camewithin a play-off victory of by the Seamless Company, at the annual lu and Mexico City. reaching the NFL championship game. It all-pro party hosted by CBS and NEA at Detroit last Saturday, the was the start of a generally frustratiny Television City on Jan. 21. The presenta: The commissioner also told Cowboys won by such scores as infrequently marred by injury tion will be taped and seen on a half-hour 45-21 over Washington, 16-3 over career, newsmen he expects often mired in defeat. The 49ers during television special over the CBS network 3 league's competition committee Green Bay, 340 over Washinghis tenure have finished in last place three preceding the Pro Bowl game on Jan. 24. § ton and 6-2 over Cleveland. to go “back to the old drawing Landry figures his Cowboys board” and add a couple more criteria for selection of the are the underdogs because the fourth “wild-card” competitor Forty Niners have one of the best quarterbacks in the for the conference playoffs. business in Brodie, a 14-year “We damn near got burned vet, and the fact Nolan knows and had to flip a coin this the Dallas personnel better year,” Rozelle said. than he knows the San But he said even if two more Francisco players. “T think they are the criteria were added, a coin flip favorites for those two rea—and not a playoff game— LOS ANGELES(UPI)—Tom- take on a post that has been football is bigger than college would still be the ultimate tie- sons,” said Landry, “plus the fact they will be playing in my Prothro became head coach subject to capricious whims of football.” breaker. Prothro was questioned about friendly surroundings.” of the Los Angeles Rams owner and president Daniel his ideas on a general manager “After ail, the fourth club Nolan discounts both points. Saturday under a long-term Reeves. gets a semi-free pass anyway,” “T don’t think either of us contract and said he expects to Questioned about the pros- of the Rams. Feeves holds that Rozelle said. “They didn't win should be the fovorite, said produce a winning football Lie of the team, Prothro portfolio but Jack Teele, who bears the title of assistant to their division.”” Nolan. “We're pretty even all team quickly. The commissioner also de- around. I think our defense Prothro, a 50-year-old South“If 1 thought this was a long the president, is the executive fended the television blackout improved enough at the eud of erner, leaves the head coaching range program for a winner I officer. Allen was said to have of regular season and playoff the year to be as good as job at UCLA where he spentsix wouldnot be interested. I'm too games in the cities where they their's and their strong running years and compiled a 4i-18-3 old for that. I want to have a wanted to run the club not only are played, saying weather for offsets our passing edge.” record. His team played twice good football team. 1 want to on the field but also in the front office. football is not ideal and that A sellout crowd of 60,000 will in the Rose Bowl, breaking have good foothall players.If 1 Prothro said he has no even ticket buyers have failed sit in on the game and even, thought it was not going to win to show up on bad days when regardless of the receipts, As head coach of the Rams, right away I would not be aspirations to become general manager but wants to devote the gameis televised locally. each winning player will Prothro replaced George Alien interested.” his talents to coaching and will “We i‘t want{o be a studio receive $8,500 and each losing who was fired Thursday after a Prothro said ine was motivatshow,”he said. one will receive $5,500. five-year tenure, during which ed at least partly by the have authority to make trades ‘The game, as always, will be his team won divisional titles prestige of the professional job. for players he needs or wants. Rozelle also said that a oneAllen was a coach who sought minute commercial spot for played under sudden death failed to get to the “All of us in athletics show this year's Super Bowl had sold rules in the event the score is Superbowl. our maturity by seeking pres- experienced players and broke for up to $200,000; that 13 tied at the end of regulation Prothro would not say how tige positions,”’ he said. ‘When in few rookies during his time games would go telecast again time with the first team scoring much moneyhe is getting from I was at Corvalis coaching with the Rams. On the next season on Mondaynights; declared the winner. In the the Rams and would not specify Oregon State football college, questions of youth versus and that the ban on cigarette event of tie, the referee will the length of the contract, ‘ut football wasCay the experience Prothro said: “First of all, I believe in commercials wouldn’t make a toss a coin with the visiting he said “J. is not a short term biggest thing there. “major difference” to pro team (Dallas) captain given the contract,’ “T think you gentlemen of the ability, I also believe in football because their portion of choice ofcall. A three minute It was learned, however, that news media me make experience, It would be great fo television time had been intermission will follow and the contract is for five years. my decision. The media create Fr both, I want to get the best declining steadily in the past then play will resume with 15 Prothro held a news confer- public opinion andreflect public football players. 1 want to get four or five years —from 2 per minute periods with a two ence and fielded a variety of opinion. I've been back at who I think can do the job, I centof the spots to “‘considera- minute est until one side questions on his reasons for UCLA for six years and now don’t care whether anyone is $3 bly under 10 per cent.” scores by any method. leaving hi- solid job at UCI.A to T’ve been convinced that pro @ 13, if he can do the job.” team, He listed D8 s Cookin (3-7), 31-7 over Dayton NFL-AFL Argument Renewed Brodie Against Tommy Prothro Gets Head Coaching Job With Rams : his injured tight end, would be ready to start. McCafferty praised Oakland’s “well-balanced offense” and said the Raiders’ many close games this season weren't an indicavion of their strength. “We had some close games tos,’ he pointed out. Most of the close games played by doth teams were lecided by the work of their middle - aged super heroes, George Blanda and Johnny Unitas. The gameis rated a toss-up and,ultimately, it probably will be the 43-year-old Blanda or the 37-year-old Unitas who decides which of the teams gets to the Super Bow!for the second time. Blanda was the AFC’s Player of the Year this season for rescuing the Raiders five successive weeks, turning defeats into victories or ties with his passing and placekicking. Unitas, despite his poorest pass completion average in a decade, directed the Colts to the conference scoring championship and his reputation in big games is legend. The Memorial Stadium field was in good shape Saturday after Thursday’s seven-inch snowfall was removed. The weather forecast for Sunday’s 2 p.m. EST kickoff called for temperaiwes in the 40s with little chance ofrain. Oakland, in a championship game for the fourth straight season—the Raiders were the only one of the original AFL teams to qualify for the playoffs—reached the Super Bowl following the 1947 season but lost to Green Bay. The Colts got to the Super Bow! the following year bul were ambushed by the New York Jets in the first of two straight big upsets in the big game. Aithoughit might appear the game is a match of the Oakland offense, best in the conference, against the veteran Baltimore defense, the Colts actually outscored the Raiders, 321-300, during the season. The ‘Raiders, however, averaged 344.9 yards a game in total offense to Baltimore's’ 295.3. It was the Baltimore defense that set up a lot of the scoring for Unitas, intercepting 2 passes—three for touchdowns— recovering nine opponent fumbles and dumping quarterbacks for losses 41 times. Oakland, on thy other hand, protected quarterback Daryle Lamonica well—he was dumped ° led passing, ee = 2,516 yards and 22 |