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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 1982)
Battalion/Page 17 November 17, 1982 sports layers see ‘big play’ as key factor ony-Hog game could be a toss-up f ylor QB Mike Brannan ds SMU, Arkansas simi- ONlt s’ Lionel Wilson says 1U must stay with option United Press International DALLAS — The SMU Mus tangs and Arkansas Razorbacks have played six common oppo nents this year and left some lasting impressions on each of them. Here, compiled by the South west Conference office, are some of those impressions from linebackers concerning the SMU and Arkansas offenses and from quarterbacks discussing the opposing defenses: LINEBACKERS Geff Gandy, Baylor— “I think it’s going to be a defensive game — and both teams are good on defense. Arkansas might have a slight edge because they can run and pass. “Eric Dickerson and Craig James wear down defenses. Arkansas’ offensive strength is in its line — they’re big and quick. So is SMU’s line, but the two teams do different things because of the types of offenses they run. SMU runs the I- formation and they don’t zone block. They hit you straight up (and) Arkansas zone blocks. “After Arkansas lost to us I know coach (Lou) Holtz is going to have his team mentally and physically prepared. SMU hasn’t been beaten and it’s like mountains and valleys. You don’t appreciate the mountains so much until you’ve been in the valley. Arkansas was in a valley the weekend we played them and they’ll want to get back on the mountain.” Wayne Harpold, Rice — “Arkansas’ offensive front is real powerful, real strong, and they’re very capable blockers on the run. They’re not that im pressive on pass blocking, but that’s probably because they rely more on the run. Gary Ander son has real good moves and great second effort. “SMU’s line isn’t as physical. Arkansas is more of a cram-it- down-your-throat basic offense, but the SMU backs will sort of linger around in the backfield until they spot an opening and then, zoom, they hit the line run ning full speed. If I was coach ing the Arkansas defense I’d say, ‘Don’t let the big play hap pen, fellas.’ “I don’t see SMU winning by driving the ball down Arkansas’ throat, so Arkansas has to make sure of its tackles and go for the ball. I’d tell SMU to try to pene trate more, to mix it up as much as they can. I’d have them do more stunting, trying to get in Arkansas’ backfield.” YY u',*".- V'* r'TY" uv". •* CoCbxje. cStatLon i fine. UtaClan xeitawumt 696-7311 Wednesday: Compliment your $ 4 50 Lasagna lunch or dinner with a $ 4 50 bottle of Chianti. Lunch 11-2 Dinner 5-10 404 Shopping Center East University .'v» •( -y** • i - ^ —v*.* .I-o . i . -T** . SKI SWAP SUN. NOV. 81ST 13-5 P.M. Rm. 263 G. Rollie White Bring Your Equipment to be Sold Sat. Nov. 20th. 9 a.m.-12 or Sun. 11 a.m.-12 to Room 263 Sponsored by TAMU Ski Club Call 845-2843 for more info. Boots, Poles, Skis, Cross Country [Backpacking Equip., Ski Clothing. Jeff Fuller, Texas AScM — “They both have very quick offensive backfields. That’s the main similarity I see. Arkansas has a lot of quickness when Gary Anderson is in the backfield. It’s really hard to compare the offenses past that, because Arkansas has a more balanced attack.” Darrell Patterson, TCU—“I think it will be a defensive strug gle — who can shut down the other one’s offense. Arkansas’ line is strong and they have good speed and quickness. And they have experienced quarterbacks. Either of them can take off at any time. I’d hgve to say Arkan sas’ strength is in its offensive line and quarterbacks. “SMU’s strength has got to be in its offensive backfield. Craig James and Eric Dickerson are so explosive and (quarterback) Lance Mcllhenny is so versatile. You can’t just take away their running backs. You have to re spect them all. Eric can run away from you and Craig can run over you. “To defense SMU, I’d con centrate on containing Dicker- son and James and try to make them run up the middle. That wouldn’t stop them, but it might slow them down. “To defense Arkansas, I’d try to shut down their pitches and off-tackle plays. Against both, I’d use containment and try to force them to run up the middle.” QUARTERBACKS Mike Brannan, Baylor—“Both have good speed on defense and they compare a Irtt up front. SMU may have a little better linebacking group. Gary Moten is really a good player. And SMU may have a better secon dary. Arkansas has to shutdown the hig plays by Dickerson and James. The big play is the SMU offense’s No. 1 asset. “We were able to hurt Arkan sas by going at them with basic blocking on their front people. Our running attack then opened things up for us to go deep against the Arkansas secondary.” Lionel Wilson, Houston — “Arkansas has a strong front line and I was impressed with their quickness, but I don’t think they’re strong enough to hold Dickerson and James down the whole game. There may not be any team that can do that. SMU has to run the option game out side and break down Arkansas’ ends and cornerbacks. It will be tougher for SMU to gain yar dage up the middle. “SMU should be able to throw the ball on Arkansas. Mcllhenny is tough running or throwing. I think it’ll be harder for Arkansas to break the big play on offense. “It’s going to be one of those ‘anything-can-happen’ games.” Doug Johnson, Rice — “I’d give quickness to Arkansas and the secondary to SMU. What’s going to make it such an in teresting game is that it will be SMU’s big ground game against Arkansas’ defense. It will be whoever plays better that day. “SMU’s defensive backs are some of the most talented athletes I’ve played against since I’ve been at Rice. The SMU de fensive line is big and strong, but it isn’t as quick as Arkansas and SMU’s pass rush isn’t as strong as Arkansas’. But then the SMU defensive backs have a better feel for where the ball is going to be. “Arkansas is so aggressive on the defensive line. Billy Ray Smith bent a couple of face masks for me. I’ve had three face masks bent and Billy Ray got two of them. Some SMU guy got the other one, but it was at the end of the game and he knocked me out so I never did know who he was.” John Elkins, Texas A&M — “Their defenses are both aggressive and very quick. I think one of the differences be tween their defenses is that big play.” Arkansas utilizes its front peo- Jim Hart, Texas Tech — “It’s pie, blitzing more, where SMU hard to compare them because uses its secondary more to make when we played Arkansas it was interceptions and to turn in the their first game in Fayetteville and they were fired up, and when we played SMU we were in Lubbock and we were up for; that game. And that makes such; a difference.” E2E GKITEAM- For Information Call Dirk-693-6637 Zane-775-6384 or (800) 325-0439 at Northgate Above Farmer’s Market We do all kinds of Typing! * Student Papers * Resumes * Letters ^Technical Reports ¥ Theses ¥ Dissertations ON THE DOUBLE 331 University 846-3755 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-IO p.m. Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. was never like this!! COME TO THE MAIN DRILL FIELD Nov. 22nd from 9-5 ELEPHANT RIDES & PICTURES Rides will be ‘l 00 and 5x7 Pic s 3 00 . Sponsored by Class of 83 Don't forget to get your Zip Shirt THIS WEEK in the MSC from 10-4 p.m. daily. \ \ \—— ” S \W —— COMPLETE PACKAGE INCLUDES: ■ ★ 5 Nights Deluxe Condo Lodging ★ 4 Days Lift Tickets ★ Mountain Picnic * Ski Races with Prizes »»— ■ * Ski Jamboree Party bz ■ ★ Optional Air and Motorcoach 1 Transportation OTHER 82/83 DESTINATIONS: — ■■ Aspen ★ Winter Park * Breckenridge " 1 1 Steamboat ★ Crested Butte * Vail L Aggies. Get the look you’re looking for at $3.00 off. Command Performance knows you want a special look that’s really you. That’s why we want to do something special for students. Just present your A&-M Student I.D. at our Post Oak Mall salon. You’ll receive $3 off the regular price of a consultation, shampoo, haircut and blowdry styling. Offer expires December 31, 1982. Not good with any other offer. Command Performance For the look you’re looking for. POST OAK MALL/NEAR SEARS 764-0404 FOOTBALL MUMS! courtesy of FIVE DIFFERENT STYLES AND PRICES FOUR BOUTINEER STYLES ON SALE EACH HOME GAME WEEK IN Sbisa Commons A P 0 MSC Tu-Fri. 9-4 Tu-Thurs. 11-1; 4-7 * FREE DELIVERY ON CAMPUS and at three off campus dist. centers Your National Service Fraternity A P 0