Bowled Over by a Mouthful
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
After running a pattern that left him virtually alone in the end zone, Biletnikoff fields the pass that put Florida State ahead for good. BOWLED OVER BY A MOUTHFUL A polysyllabic pair-Tensi to Biletnikoff-and some unlucky surprises combine to defeat the Sooners If 1965 continues at the same un- for Cheer detergent) . Fred Biletnikoff, of the post-season game ritual. There happy pace for OU football, it might the All-America flanker back, caught were visits to the dog races and a be wise to put a roof on Owen Field a touchdown pass for every syllable in hocky game, a private screening of a and make it a classroom. The first sun- his tongue-twister of a name and bad yet-to-be-released motion picture and rise of the new year brought to light 13 catches for 192 yards all day. after the bowl a deep-sea fishing ex- the fact that four Sooner players had Except for the football game and pedition (final : no fish caught, sever- signed professional football contracts the unpleasantness about professional al sea-sick) and a trip to Marineland . before their college eligibility had ex- contracts, the Gator Bowl was an un- Sooner fans began pouring in, which pired . The reverberations from this qualified success for Oklahoma . Which is an accurate expression, on New disclosure have been felt across the is a way of saying that the food, the Year's Eve. The biggest problem fac- country, and in all likelihood will lead weather and the scenery were just ing most was whether to order lobster, to a new relationship between the col- dandy. shrimp or crabs for dinner that night. leges and the pros. Coach Gomer Jones Jacksonville is a city of just over The next day there was something drew praise and admiration from all 200,000 situated in northern Florida else to worry about. By midmorning corners for his prompt and forthright 15 miles from the Atlantic . America's the OU supporters were busy con- action in immediately dismissing the oldest city, St. Augustine, is 30 miles vincing each other that clouds really four from the team and sending them to the south, palm trees grow along do have silver linings and at the home. main thoroughfares, the temperature Sooner breakfast on the day of the January 2 was no better . The Gator stays generally in the 70's during early game, spirit was typically high. Bowl became a snakepit as a mouthful January and the sea food is abundant And to those not emotionally in- of a passing combination (Tensi to and delicious. volved with the Sooners, the game was Biletnikoff,-the poor announcer had First on the scene were the team, exciting and highly entertaining . One to say it 13 times) was more than a coaches, athletic department officials, of the best analyses of the bowl was handful for the Sooners. The splendid players' wives and the press, who flew given by Norman Transcript sports Steve Tensi (23 for 36 for 303 yards) to Jacksonville Dec . 26 . Between editor Jim Weeks. Jim's examination never hit the turf. For all the Sooner practices and strategy meetings, Gator of OU's rocky 1965 start follows : fans know, his uniform may not have Bowl hosts provided the customary Perhaps the reason for Florida State's had to be cleaned all season (bad news jaunts and diversions which are part victory was best summed up by the Sooner 22 player who said, "It was just a pro offense on every "name" college football player in against a college defense ." Anytime the out- the country . come of a game is summed up in one state- It was obvious that the OU ground at- ment, it's being oversimplified . But that tack which was to be relied on so heavily remark comes as close as any to describing suffered with one of the team's best block- what happened. The Florida team amassed ing linemen and two top running backs out .303 yards passing, more than the Sooners of the game . The Sooners made only five gained rushing (71) and passing (209) first downs and 71 yards rushing . They had combined. a net loss of eight yards rushing in the sec- Some statistics that coaches normally ond half. To keep the ball away from Flor- think mean something in analyzing a game ida State, OU had to establish a time-con- were amazingly even. Each team got the suming running attack . It did on its first ball 13 times with the opportunity to start touchdown drive in the first quarter but was an offensive series. However, Florida State unable to make the ground game go after turned one of these into a one-play touch- that. In fact, the Sooners had to abandon the down when defensive back Howard Elder running attack in the second half to move returned a pass interception 69 yards for the the ball at all . It's also unrealistic to think first score of the game . Including punts, the the ineligible players would have made a Seminoles had the ball 73 plays from scrim- difference in the final outcome, but perhaps mage and the Sooners 70-no significant dif- the game would have been closer . The sign- ference . ing incident merely brings an unfortunate Florida State discovered what it needed situation to the public's attention . to know when it marched 90 yards in 12 There's nothing wrong with a professional plays to go ahead to stay, 12-7, in the second football career or the benefits of a good job quarter . It was the first drive of any length after the playing career has ended. However, that the Seminoles had and it gave them a these things must be kept in the proper per- spective by both the professional teams and chance to analyze the OU defense . They Warm weather and palm trees lend proper learned that the Sooners were going to play the college players . atmosphere as Sooners leave for practice . a coverage-type defense instead of a strong The four Sooner players admitted before rush against the Seminoles' primary weapon, leaving Jacksonville that what they had The point is that these four players had the passing attack . This meant that the done was wrong. Actually they probably lost their sense of values . Whether realizing Sooners were using seven players-the three did no more than some other players in other it or not they put their personal gain above deep backs, two ends and both linebackers bowl games. It's unlikely that among all the everything else. -to cover potential receivers and rushing players being sought by the pros, that only Perhaps guard Ed McQuarters, who did the passer with only four linemen . The four on one team would sign before com- not have an outstanding season and was Seminoles changed their passing strategy to peting in their final college game . They not highly sought but was drafted by St. take advantage of this defense on the next simply got caught. Louis, gave the only answer that will remedy two series. The change worked. They scored "It was our own stupidity," said Rentzel the situation . When asked why he hadn't two more touchdowns and had a 24-7 half- but it was not the Sooners' "stupidity" or signed, McQuarters answered with a ques- time lead that the Sooners were never able the fact that they got caught or that OU lost tion : "Do you think I would do that to to overcome. the football game that is the real point. Gomer Jones after all he's done for me?" They fortified their protection for Tensi by sending only three receivers downfield, Gator Bowl hosts provided the Sooners with a visit to the dog races, Ben Hart (left) leaving five linemen and two other backs and Ron Fletcher (center), who later teamed on a 95-yard score, watch with Eugene Ross . to fight off the four outmanned Sooner rushers . They sent the tight end, Bill Daw- son, only about five yards across the middle to hold the OU linebackers and safety in position and gave flankerback Biletnikoff and split ends Don Floyd and Doug Blank- enship a chance to maneuver in the territory guarded by the OU ends and halfbacks on either side. Since Tensi was assured more time to throw, the potential receivers also had more time to get in the clear. Tensi faded to pass 36 times. He never was forced to run with the ball or hang on to it and accept a loss. Florida State proved that if he had enough time, a receiver can get into the clear even when he is guarded by more than one defender . Only an ostrich with his head stuck in the ground could believe that the loss of three veteran senior players on the offensive team didn't hurt OU's chances of winning the game . When tackle Ralph Neely, fullback Jim Grisham, halfback Lance Rentzel and reserve end Wes Skidgel signed those un- dated professional contracts nearly a month ago they gambled on the integrity of men who broke the rules to enlist them. Unfor- tunately, they also gambled with something that wasn't theirs alone to risk. They risked their own reputations but worst of all their bonus checks cost their teammates and loyal fans a higher price. Their actions reflected 2 3 Mrs. Larry Shields (left) and Mrs. Vernon BurkettVernon An ii excursiontoournation I nation's oldest citycity, Burkett are equipped with the correct tour- only 30 miles from Jacksonville, provides ist paraphernelia as they record their visit players' wives with an entertaining day of to the ancient city of St .