Pokes Top Giants;Oilers Lose
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Page 12 THE BATTALION MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1979 Fro football scene Pokes top Giants;Oilers lose United Press International offs in the last 13 years. lips admitted he made an important had a 43-yard effort blocked by Cur IRVING, Texas — Drew Pearson, Dorsett picked up 108 yards on 29 mistake in preparing his club for the tis Weathers with 8:27 left in the first Vol.73 ^ playing in his 100th consecutive carries to boost his season total to game. “We ignored their running half. | Pages game, caught three touchdown pas 1,071. The only other player to pick game. We thought they would pass The Browns took the second-half ses from Roger Staubach and went up 1,000 in his first three NFL sea more,” he said, noting that the kickoff and, starting on their own 23, over 1,000 yards receiving for only sons was John Brockington of Green Browns’ fortunes this season have marched all the way to the Houston the second time in his career Sunday Bay, who accomplished that feat in usually rested on the arm of Sipe. 4. But Houston cornerback Greg -1 in helping the Dallas Cowboys end a 1971-72-73. But Cleveland overall rushed for Stemrick intercepted a Sipe pass in ^ TEV*S AIM three-game losing streak with a 28-7 When the Cowboys and Giants 198 yards on 40 carries while holding the end zone and returned it up the win over the New York Giants. met four weeks ago, it took 10 points Campbell and Houston to 121 yards sideline to the Oilers’ 49. The victory ensured the Cowboys by Dallas in the last 2Vz minutes to on 26 carries. The decisive score came early in would have a winning season for the pull out a victory. In the early part of the contest, it the final quarter, on a brilliant 16- 14th consecutive year and brought Since then, the Cowboys had not appeared both teams would put on a play, 80-yard drive engineered by Dallas to within one victory of mak won a game and had not come up high-scoring show despite the Sipe. The quarterback fired an appa ing the playoffs. with a turnover. The Cowboys en weather and muddy field. Pruitt rent 15-yard touchdown pass to wide The game was stalemated after a ded their 16-quarter turnover hooked up with Sipe on a first- receiver Reggie Rucker but was pen lethargic first half at 7-7, but after a drought Sunday with three of them quarter pass-run play that was good alized for throwing the ball just past penalty wiped out what had been an — two fumble recoveries and a pass for 42 yards and the first score of the the line of scrimmage. otherwise perfect onside kickoff re interception — but none of those game. Don Cockroft’s extra point On the next play, he scrambled 'a covery by the Giants to start the breaks led to points. made it 7-0 Cleveland. from the Houston 20 to the one-yard third quarter, Dallas began to The biggest break for Dallas was “I was blitzed and held back and line, setting up Pruitt’s one-yard dominate. New York’s foulup of the onside kick then saw Mike drift behind the lunge across the goal line. Cockroft’s Pearson, who had caught a seven to start the second half. The ball, secondary. He needed only one man kick was good and the Browns led scoring throw early in the second kicked by Joe Danelo, caught Dallas to elude for the touchdown,” Sipe 14-7 with 13:20 left in the game. quarter to tie the game, hauled in an by surprise and Danelo himself reco explained. “The line play was the key to the (T eight-yard touchdown pass at the Houston struck back on the next victory,” concluded Sipe, who com vered the ball 11 yards from the /Q*7<7 y / could HAve hslpbd' end of the Cowboys’ first possession point it was kicked. , series on the strength of two long pleted 13 of 26 passes for 172 yards. f BUT AT half T/HIF of the second half. THEY Took AWAY MY WHISTLE/, But the Giants’ Tom Mullady was runs by Campbell, who set up his “This might be the most significant When he caught the ball, Pearson detected offsides on the kickoff, wip own 11-yard touchdown dash with a game by our defense all year long. ” leaped high in the air, threw the ball ing out what would have been a key 23-yard run late in the first quarter. The Browns’ defense did indeed into the stands and sprained his ank play for the Giants. Toni Fritsch’s extra point was good rise to the occasion, holding Camp Lombardi candidates picki le when he landed. In Cleveland, Cleveland Browns to deadlock the game at 7. “The foot bell to 108 yards on 22 carries and Pearson returned to the game late ing wasn’t too bad,” Campbell com Pastorini to 133 yards passing on 16 United Press International Brad Budde and North Carolina another vote of the con coach Sam Rutigliano told fullback State center Jim Ritcher, also re Lombardi spokesman said. in the third quarter and despite Mike Pruitt that he owes all his mented. completions. HOUSTON — Pittsburgh’s Hugh favoring his left leg, ran past Giants Green, an All-America defensive ceived enough votes from a 100- Ritcher recently was offensive linemen a good steak The Browns used a double “The defensive game plan was to cornerback Ray Rhodes and caught a end as a sophomore last season, was member selection committee to an outstanding lineman wk dinner. fullback formation most of the game try to keep Campbell inside and stop 44-yarder from Staubach for his third with Pruitt and Cleo Miller, because play-action passes to Ken Bur- one of four collegians named as final make the final four. won the Outland Trophy. Pruitt, who turned in perhaps the ists for the Lombardi Trophy. The winner of the award, which Penn State defensive tac touchdown. best clutch performance of his career veteran running back Calvin Hill rough,” said Browns free safety Tony Dorsett, who became only was injured during the pre-game Thom Darden. Three seniors, Texas defensive annually goes to a top college line Clark won the LombardiTrt Sunday, wasn’t about to complain af end Steve McMichael, USC guard man, will be announced Jan. 17 after junior last season. the second player in NFL history to ter Cleveland’s critical 14-7 victory warmup. With the Pruitt-Miller But Cleveland’s defense had lots surpass 1,000 yards in his first three over the Houston Oilers. backfield, the Browns dominated of help. In the third period, for ex seasons, scored on a one-yard run The four-year veteran from Pur play, but the second and third quar ample, the Browns ran 26 plays to with less than five minutes to play to due scored both of Cleveland’s ters were scoreless, as Cleveland just four for the Oilers. end a 92-yard Cowboys drive. missed several scoring opportuni touchdowns — one on a 42-yard pass Houston tried two desperation LOST A BOOK New York’s only touchdown came ties. from quarterback Brian Sipe and the drives late in the game, but both Cockroft was wide to the left on a on the Giants’ first possession — an other on a one-yard plunge. He ended in turnovers. Darden came 36-yard field goal try with 11:23 left RIGHT BEFORE FINALS! impressive 79-yard march that con clearly was the key to Cleveland s up with a big interception of a Pas in the first half and short and to the sumed 10:16 and ended in a two- attack, rushing 25 times for 111 yards torini pass on the Cleveland five with left on a 41-yard kick with 41 seconds yard scoring run by Billy Taylor. and catching four passes for 67 yards. 9:59 left in the contest, and with 41 remaining in the half. Lou Will Loan You One ’til You New York’s only other major The loss dropped the Oilers, now seconds left Campbell fumbled. Houston’s Fritsch, meanwhile. threat, coming at the start of the final 10-4, out of a first-place tie with the Take Your Exam! And We’ll Buy quarter, resulted in a goal line stand Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Cen by the Cowboys. Dallas defensive tral Division. The victory was neces rel^tuorv«>Vup. linemen David Stalls and Harvey sary for the Browns to remain in con The Used Ones You Do Have. Martin trapped New York quarter tention for a wild-card playoff berth. back Phil Simms for a six-yard loss Cleveland, 9-5, trails Pittsburgh by LOU NEEDS when the Giants had fourth down at two games and Houston by one in the Dallas two. the Central Division. Dallas boosted its record to 9-5, a “Give the offensive line credit,” YOUR USED game back of the NFC East-leading said Pruitt, the second-leading Philadelphia Eagles. The outcome rusher in the ACF behind Houston’s BOOKS! set up a critical meeting between the Earl Campbell. “Now I’ve got to buy Hou^ Of Koee;? Eagles and the Cowboys next Satur them (the linemen) a steak dinner.” day in Philadelphia. The Giants fell The Oilers thought Cleveland to 6-8 with the setback. would come at them with finesse, SBLOUPOT'SOT Pearson ran his season yardage but the Browns used a physical, ball- total to 1,006 with his performance control offense to come up with the (free ) Sunday.