for Badger showdown By RICK GOSSELIN fullback reins to sophomores Arnold State News Sports Writer Morgado and Clarence Bullock. And last Saturday in the park. . . you'd think it weekend he found a running threat in Dave was the Fourth of July. Brown, who win again be at the other And after spending the past three halfback spot. The time bomb has been weekends against teams ranked in the ticking for the past five weeks of the nation's top ten, this Saturday in the MSU season and Daugherty would like no better park. . . you can expect a show equal to than for it to explode against Wisconsin. that of the Fourth of July. "The offense right now is where I would Wisconsin is no pushover, mind you, but have liked it to have been on the second it will be a lot more fun week of the season." Daugherty said. playing with Badgers than with Trojans and Wolverines. "We're a good football team and it's about MSU's coaching staff expects some time we started proving it" fireworks -- offensive fireworks - this The Spartans, weekend. After two consecutive shutouts, despite their 1-4 record, stand 1-1 in Big Ten competition with six the Spartan offensive unit is about due. games remaining. The Badgers are also 1-1. "We're about ready to get a few breaks," "We're not counting the Rose Bowl offensive backfield Coach Gordie Serr said out," Niesen s&id. "There is only one way earlier in the week. "We're doing a lot of to think in this game and that's win. You things right offensively and we've just got can't doubt yourself or else you will really to get a few breaks going with us rather be in trouble. We don't doubt ourselves. than against us to really get untracked." We consider ourselves still in the race." Duffy Daugherty has been slowly And so the time bomb ticks down. piecing a respectable offense together. First Whether the fuse will carry through the he moved Mark Niesen from defensive back 1:30 p.m. starting time and on through to quarterback. Then he shifted Jim Bond next week, only Niesen and Co. can tell for from fullback to halfback. He gave the sure. Friday. October 20, 1972 HOMECOMING 1972 The Spartans will attempt to break a four game losing streak in their 1972 Homecoming show Saturday and will need to rely on strong performances from key individuals such as running back James Bond (upper photo) and defensive tackle John Shinsky (lower photo). Bond, a Fond du Lac, Wis. native, scored his first career touchdown last season against his home state. Shinsky played one of his best games last week against U-M when he accumulated a total of 17 tackles. He is second on the team to Gail Clark in tackles for the season. The cartoon depicts the rush of a Wisconsin Badger against the invincible defense of the Spartan shield, but will the offensive weapon of the Spartan be enough to subdue the Badger? State News photo by Craig Porter Ferguson backbones potent Badger offense was last fall against Minnesota when he By RICK GOSSELIN State News Sports Writer bowled to 211 yards in an upset Minnesota victory. He scored 80 points on 13 Did you ever try catching a bowling touchdowns (another school record) and ball? That's what the MSU defense will be one two-point conversion. confronted with Saturday. Ferguson's running mates on the Badger Rufus Ferguson, alias the offense are capable performers. Fullback Roadrunner, will bring his one ring circus into Spartan Gary Lund is averaging four yards per carry for the other half of the ground game. Stadium Saturday afternoon and try to The Badgers do like to pass. They run take advantage of a 1-4 MSU team. from a pro set with Jeff Mack at flanker. Ferguson has carried his team thus far to a And Mack flies down the field. The 3-2 mark, posting impressive victories over Northern freshman wingback has caught 14 passes Illinois, Syracuse and for 272 yards, averaging 19 yards per Northwestern. The Badgers were thumped by LSU and last week by Indiana. reception. Tight end Jack Novak has six receptions and split end Rodney Rhodes In the five games, Ferguson has already has hauled in three of quarterback Rudy run up 642 yards on the ground, averaging Steiner's passes. 5.8 yards per carry. Ferguson would be Steiner is only hitting at a .373 clip, equally as strong a receiver if quarterback completing only 27 of 73 pass attempts. Rudy Steiner could see him. Ferguson But Steiner throws the bomb well and has stands a generous 5-6 but weighs provided Mack with a 77-yard touchdown 190 pounds. And when he hits the line, it pass - run play while short changing Novak explodes. It's just like a bowling ball on only a 73 - yard touchdown pass-run making contact with the pins, except that play. there are 11 pins instead of 10. The Badgers are a second half team, The Roadrunner already holds the scoring 56 of their 97 seasonal points after all-time school rushing record. His best day halftime, 28 points in each quarter. /V/ese/7 By RICK GOSSELIN small to ever get into the offense. All we need is one hopes State News Sports Writer starting line - up as a break . . . just one break." quarterback for the Detroit Niesen is only 3 for 19 in Every kid who has ever Lions. picked up a football on passing. Statistically that's Until three weeks ago, not too good. As a matter the sandiots has dreamed of Niesen had been a starter in of fact, that's terrible. But one day playing the MSU defensive backfield Niesen isn't that bad of a quarterback. and doing a helluva job. He In the adolescent years, passer. He knows it, the started at safety last season coaches know it and most the quarterback post was and led the team in the key to one day getting important, the team knows interceptions. He had it. He has confidence in your name splashed across the top of the sports page in already chalked up an himself and that confidence interception this season. engulfs the team. big print. In high school, the Then destiny called; or "We went into the quarterback dream was rather the MSU offensive refined so as to provide a Michigan game and unit. executed means of getting a date with up to our Niesen was installed as expectations," Niesen said. the homecoming queen or the starting quarterback the foxy cheerleader. In "Naturally you are going to with the instmctions of be disappointed when you college, the quarterback position is supposed to act getting the much maligned lose. We had them beat. We MSU wishbone offense a had two touchdowns that as a stepping stone for a Joe Namath package deal of wishboning. In his two we never scored. weeks at the helm, MSU "When I scored that one $250,000. What the hell, didn't score a point. the touchdown on the penalty college quarterback "I don't feel that we are it was the greatest feeling in would even stoop so low as to any worse than our the world. Scoring. We were sign in the area of defense," Niesen explained all in the end zone loving $200,000 as Notre Dame's John Huarte did. Monday. "We have the every minute of it. When material. We just have to they said it didn't count I Then there is Mark put it together. We haven't wasn't really disappointed Niesen, who at 5 - 11 is too got a break this season on because I knew we were moving the ball on them and I knew we'd come right back. My interception two plays later really hurt us," Niesen explained. Niesen, an all - America quarterback at Manistee Catholic Central, has brought over to the offense a coolness and poise that gives the unit a sense of security. "I know we're going to Mark Niesen, the man who stepped into the explode one of these weekends," Niesen stated. quarterbacking spot two weeks ago and who has "If we start getting a few performed well in his two starts, hopes that a few breaks, we're really going to breaks will be coming the Spartans' way. be tough." State News photo by B. H. Remington Don't be left out ! You won't want to miss the exciting 50's activities planned for this weekend. Tonight - West, Bruce, & Laing. ASMSU Pop Entertainment — 8:00 P.M. — Aud. Tonight - at the Brewery, 50's Night with "Dr. Bop & the Headliners." Sat — the Game against Wisconsin — pre - game crowning of the Queen — the Banner Competition & the "COLLECTION COLOR' 1952 Alumni Band to entertain We call our diamonds of finest color, you. "Collection Color," Now these rare Sat night — All University diamonds are available in a variety "Rock Around the Clock, Sock of sizes, one of which will surely Hop," a real hep. Hop, meet your budget. If you want value with John Sebastian, WJIM plus quality, these are the diamonds D.J., A jitterbug contest, and now is the time. phonebooth stuffing, trivia questions, 8e a costume award. MORGAN'S Fine Jewelers Since 1876 see you there! Meridian Mall * Okemos 121 S. Washington * Lansing Flashback 50's 3 Hours Free Parking In City Ramps With Any Purchase 1972 Homecoming K«»u ||v