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Show Oklahoma, Michigan Top AP Poll; Cougars 18th Ii Horschcl Nivwnson Football Writer D fending national champion Oklahoma and runnerup Michigan will begin the 1986 season the way they ended 1985 as the teams in the Associated Ites college football poll A! - And if history is any barometer, Oklahoma stands a good chance of being No 1 when the final poll is taken on Jan 2 The Sooners have been No 1 six times m the preseason poll, on four of those occasions 1956, 1974, 1975 and 1985 they won national championships Oklahoma received 44 of 60 first-placvotes and 1,171 of a possible 1,200 points from a nationwide panel of sports writers and sportscasters in results announced Saturday. That put the Sooners well ahead of Michigan, which had six ballots and 1,016 - e first-plac- e points. I'm not surprised I thought we would be (No. 1), us being the defendir ; n tional chamSwitzer said. pions, Oklahoma Coach Ba. Switzer said the preseason No. 1 ranking would not create any added pressure. Oklahoma has been the preseason No. 1 choice four of the season were Tennessee in Michigan State in 1952 and Alabama in However, no team has remained No 1 through an entire season which included a preseason and-o- r postseason poll. Miami of Florida, which was in the title picture until a 35-- Sugar Bowl loss to Tennessee dropped the Hurricanes to ninth, is third vote in the preseason poll with one and 976 points. UCLA, w hich finished seventh a year ago, is votes and 972 fourth with three The Bruins season the open by visiting points. Oklahoma on Sept. 6. Alabama, which opens the season Wednesday night against Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic, is fifth with 911 points. The Crimson Tide finished 13th in 1985. Penn State, which ended the 1985 regular season No. 1 then slipped to third after losing in the Orange Bowl, starts to Oklahoma 1986 in sixth place. The Nittany Lions revotes and 892 points. ceived three first-plac- e 6 No. last Texas A&M, year, is seventh this vote and 871 points. time with one first-plac- e Then comes Nebraska, 11th last year, in 1951, 1978. According to Switzer, the Sooners have 7 looked good in the prtseason workouts but the defensive line is a problem area. first-plac- "We've got a chance to be a really good offensive team," he said. Our young people have improved and it looks like the offensive line might be better. first-plac- But on the defensive line were going to find out how much we miss nose guard) Tony Casillas. Did he make our other linemen look so good? Our ends, linebackers and the secondary are pretty good n but we're just an average college football team on the defensive line." The 1985 Sooners led the nation in total defense and pass defense and finished second in rushing and scoring defense. Since the AP preseason poll began in 1950, the only teams besides Oklahoma to win national championships after being ranked No. 1 Section D Sunday, August 25-1- 0 ribune 24, 1986 Page e e l Halt fake vote and 826 eighth place with one first-plac- e points. The other first place vote went to Put but the Panthers were not mentioned on any other ballot and the lone vote was not nearly enough to get them into the Top Twenty. Rounding out the preseason Top Ten are Ohio State and Tennessee. The Buckeyes, w ho finished 14th a year ago, are ninth with 673 points and Tennessee, the No. 4 team in 1985, is 10th with 578. A pair of Top Ten teams from 1985 No 5 Florida and No 10 Iowa had to settle for the preseason Second Ten while Air Force, No 8 m 1985, did not make the preseason Top Twenty. The preseason Second Ten consists of Florida State, Baylor, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Georgia and Washington tied for 16th, Brigham Young, Arkansas and Michigan State. It marks Michigan State's first appearance in the Top Twenty since 1979. The final 1985 Second Ten was composed of Nebraska, Arkansas, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, BYU, Baylor, Maryland, Geor- gia Tech and LSU. at the start times in Switzer's previous 13 seasons as head coach and won three national championships, Everybody gets ready to play us even if we re not No. 1 just because of who we are, he said or Itcconleil Scores Sporl Information Cali l Call ocal 2A7-20- 2.I7-20- 0 2r 1 The AP Top Twenty The Top Twenty teams in the preseason Associated Press college football poll, with first place votes in parentheses, 1985 record, total points based on Ohio x Nichols, Byrum Take Over Lead By John Gutman Tribune Sports Writer - JEREMY RANCH The team of Bobby Nichols and Curt Byrum regained a one-shlead from Don January and Brian Claar Saturday in the third round of the Showdown Classic Senior PGA golf tournament. The leapfrogging began Thursday, with lead. getting off to a one-shJanuary, Claar came from out of the pack 60. Nichols and Friday with a Byrum combined for a 61 Saturday to give 187 total. Bob Goalby them a and Jay Haas are at 27 under. Harold Henning and Denis Watson moved into fourth place at with Miller Barber and Fred Couples following at This was Curt Byrum's day. The third-yea- r pro from Omda, S D scored a 64 on his own ball in the best-baevent. I'm surprised that we are leading the way I'm playing," said Nichols. Curt is just playing phenominal golf. Byrum carded seven birdies and two eagles in his round. His approach shots were landing close to the pin all day, including a driver ,one-iro- n combination to put him two feet from the hole for eagle at the 13th. Nichols contributed one birdie. Yesterday I felt a little impatient, said the Byrum. "I was rushing, hurrying all day. Today was just fantastic. January and Claar are one shot back at a 188 total. They got off to a good start as the leaders Saturday with birdies the first two holes. They then played four uneventful par holes. They made their move to regain the lead beginning at the 7th hole with a string of seven birdies, which tied them with NicholsByrum. But the first bogey of the tournament for them came at 15, dropping them a shot behind the leaders, where they remained the rest of the round. Senior Tour member January contributed holes. six of the teams eight sub-pa- r Every day one of the guys gets a little hotter than the other, said January. Yesterday was Brians day, and truthfully, he helped out a little more than I thought he would ot r, ll - ll 1. vote. first-plac- Sports CapsuleZZ Cleveland Baltimore National League Cincinnati Chicago 3 San Francisco Atlanta St. Louis 7, Houston 2 3 1 San Diego 4. Philadelphia 3 Montreal at Los Angeles, late Pioneer League Salt Lake at Idaho Falls, late Medicine Hat at Great Falls, late Helena at Billings, late Showdown Classic Leaders Third-Roun- d Nichols-Byru- January-Claa- r Goalby-Haa- s Henmng-Watso- rounds. Lionel Hebert and Leonard Thompson tied 59. The the course record with a 13 under-pa- r standard for the front nine was broken by a nine-undHarold Henning and Denis Watson par 27. Watson and Henning moved onto the leader board with that spectacular round. They are in fourth place at M. n Barber-Couple- Littler-Nort- h Player-Playe- r s Moody-Delsin- g er . Gray-Pat- e NFL Exhibition Washington 21, Tampa Bay 13 Cincinnati 34. Green Bay 12 New York Giants 20, New York Jets Miami 20, Philadelphia 15 er 190. Gary and Wayne Player stand at team was after three rounds. The father-soer n 16 Cleveland at Atlanta, late Detroit at Indianapolis, late Buffalo at Kansas City, late Bar-berFr- Hebert-Thompso- 4, Pittsburgh record-breakin- g Hebert and Thompson. After all, they had so they shot a 59 in Wednesdays pro-aknew it could be done. Too bad they cant count that first 59 instead of the 69 they shot in the second round Friday. That would put them in a lot better position than they are entering Sunday's final round, seven strokes behind the leading team of Bobby Nichols and Curt Byrum. n While the teams 59 was 7. New York 3, The weather cooperated throughout the day at the mountain course. Storm clouds bebut did nothgan to move in at ing but cool the air slightly for the gallery of several thousand. Showdown Classic Notes 4 Toronto at Minnesota, late Kansas City at Milwaukee, late 30-fo- ot keeping up with the leaders through 10 holes. Then they played five holes at par, and made bogey at 18. Holding onto fifth place was the Miller Couples team, which turned in a 64 Saturday. They are four shots off the pace. There are 11 teams within six shots of the leaders. Im surprised so many are so close," said Goalby. In the past, on Saturday and Sunday, most of the teams have backed off a bit. This year, more players are coming on Boston 5. 4. California 2 Oakland 2. New York 1 Detroit 14. Seattle 0 Texas 3. Chicago 1 at Houston, late at Chicago, late New Orleans St. Louis Over The Air Where did our game go? Chi Chi Rodriguez seems to be thinking, as he and partner Bill Krazert got off to quick start Saturday, then faded. Carolinas Thompson (61!) Owns Jeremy For a Day By Lex Hemphill Tribune Sports Writer The round of the day JEREMY RANCH Saturday at the Showdown Classic belonged North Carolina native Leonard to Thompson Lionel Thompson, teamed with Hebert, shot a 61 on his own ball and provided the impetus for his team to finish with a starrecord tling 59, tying the course's best-ba(Don January and Mike Sullivan shot a 59 in the first round last year). Well, the 59 wasnt actually too startling for Navy 1, South Carolina e Pitt received one 1. American League Two shots from the lead for the third day in a row is the GoalbyHaas duo at 189. They started the day tied with Nichols- Byrum and Gary and Wayne Player, who faltered to four shots back with a 66. Jay played about as fine a round as Ive ever seen anyone play, said Goalby. Haas shot 64 on his own ball Saturday. If I could have done my share today though you cant wed be in help a guy much who shoots 64 better shape. Haas had eight birdies for the round. He sunk putts of 18 and 20 feet at holes 2 and 5, respectively. Goalby added one birdie, a putt at the 6th hole. We got off to a good start today, said Haas, 32. We were five under after six holes to keep pace with everyone. Bob didnt have his best day. He was a little down out there. But that's the advantage of team play. It was a day for State Others receiving votes: Oklahoma 131, Arizona 129, Notre Dame 99, Arizona State 86, Clemson 85, Texas 83, Iowa 75, Maryland 75, Air Force 46, Southern Califor20, Colorado 19, nia 40, Syracuse 27, Georgia tech 19, Fresno State 13, Minnesota 9, West Virginia 8, Utah 3, Army 2, Miami of worth noting, it was Thompsons solo 61 that drew raves afterwards. The current course record at Jeremy is a 64, so, even though Thompsons round wont count because it came in a best-ba- ll event, that still gives an idea of the kind of round he had. It was one of the greatest rounds of golf Ive ever seen, credited Hebert. There aren't two or three people in golf that have ever had a round like this, said Thompson. Its like pitching a perfect game. The amazing thing is, it could have been better. Thompson had a chance for a 60 or better before he hit a shot out of bounds on the par-- 5 11 a.m. Tennis, Norstar Bank Hamlet Challenge finals (tiNil Tsl 11:35 a.m. Major League Braves at Pirates d) Noon 3 Noon ( USA ' ) Noon Finals Tennis, ATP Champion-shi- p 12:15 p.m. Major League Reds at Cubs GD 2 p.m. 3 p.m. Swim-min- g Major League Baseball, As at Yankees 16th and took a bogey, his only one of the round. He balanced that with 10 birdies and an eagle. Thompson, who shot a 62 at the Canadian Open five years ago, missed the cut at his last two stops on the PGA Tour this month, the PGA Championship and the International. But before that he tied for fifth at the Western Open, one of two top 10 finishes for him this tie at year (the other was a third-plac- e See D-Column 5 Sports Sunday, World and Diving Championshps Base-bal- l, - Base-bal- l, Golf, World Series of Golf Golf, Showdown Classic at Jeremy Ranch ( fSPN ) 10 Quarter-Hors- e p.m. Racing, Derby 6, Beros Switch to Fullback Could Pay Big Dividends For Utes . That old cliche "They came to play could apply to Bruce Hardy of the Miami Dolphins and Bryan Bero of the University of Utah. Remember Hardy, the e quarterback from all-stat- was switched to tight end after Bingham he reported State? I remember Canton, Ohio, Football Hall who to Arizona , tight end at Arizona State, and the special team berth with the Dolphins he wanted to play. Bero, like Hardy, was quarterback" in high school, and he started Utah's opening game a year ago as the quarterback. But Larry Egger came on strong and Bero, recruited for Coach Chuck Stobarts option quarterback offense, found himself as the back-uin a new offense of offensive coordinator Jack Reilly. It was my decision, he explained Saturday as the Utes dressed out for picture day. The coaches wanted me to red shirt this fall and then I could have had two years as the quarterback after Larry completed his eligibility. But the fullback spot appeared open and I volunteered to make the switch. I had a lot to learn in the spring drills, he laughed. All during my high school career and two years as quarterback at Utah, teammates had been blocking to protect me or give me running room. "Now I was the blocker and either hitting or getting hit on every play. But there's one Coach Reilly likes thing about the change the pass and he hasn't forgotten he'll have two passers In the backfield so I can keep my arm six-fo- p the game at for the Pro of Fame the year Utahs Larry ' L Wilson was honored Hardy was ryan ero one of the rookies trying to stick with the Dolphins who had several veteran tight ends ahead of him. Ill play anywhere," I remember Hardy saying as we walked to the dressing room. "I know I can play in the NFL and if it means making the squad a", a member of the special teams, that's when I'll play Hardy paid his dues on the Dolphin special teams and eventually became one of the more solid tight ends in I he league Bero, a Junior this fall, made the switch from quarterback to fullback In the spring for the same reason llardv accepted the switch to stay away from the weight training program in the gym run by Bob Rice and Ken Melby, under penalty of dismissal from the squad. Bero can bench press in excess of 360 pounds and he carries 225 pounds on his frame. "I cant picture football without the weight program, Bryan explained. He has the potential to give Utah the first big, punishing fullback the team has had, almost back to the days of Allen Jacobs. in shape. Bero's arms are in good shape. He reported on the practice field with his sleeves rolled up, and someone kidded him about trying to imitate the linemen. "Im just being myself, Bryan countered. I was sold on the weight program by my high school coach, who convinced me if I built myself up Id have less chance of being injured." Sold on Weights Coach Wayne McQuivey, who coaches the offensive backs, added, "We never have to worry about Bryan doing his work on the weights. When I was an assistant at Utah before (1973-76- ) the coaches felt weights would make a quarterback muscle bound. Even earlier, when Jack Curtice was head coach, he ordered all bis football players to i Utah has had quick, elusive and finesse fullbacks in recent years, most have been small," McQuivey remin Like last year our fullbacks weighed 174 165 or like Sam Baldwin or Mike Mos when I was here before. "Every year, the staff expected someone to beat out Mike, but he always came out on top. Now, If Byran comes through like he did in the spring, well have that power back you e need for the plunges, plus the fact Bero's honest 4 6 speed makes him a threat to go all the way." short-yardag- r There is a new dimension in the Utah attack, which unveiled several new wrinkles in Coach Jim Fassels first season a year ago. The prospect of a good passer at the fullback slot can make the defense worry on those goal line situations where the fullback starts a plunge and raises up and pops a short pass into the end zone. The old Chicago Bears, with Bronko Na gurski as the feared plunger at fullback, even in those prehistoric days of pro football, sometimes had Bronko pass off the obvious plunge. And then there was the Pogo Pass a few years later, off the same variation. Bryan has the physical and mental potential to make things happen, McQuivey smiled. The Utes made things happen last year in a season, but with a new dimensurprising sion in the attack, it might get even better this 8-- 4 fall. Bryan Bero was willing to gamble on It. Observation Ward I let my front lawn get so run-dow- n summer, even the neighborhood dogs quit ing It m a comfort station. A thin us- |
