Page Four A Quick Glance At Pro Football by Bob Hoffman Sports Writer Professional football is in its ninth week and divisional titles are definitely at stake. At least two teams of every division are in the heat of the battle. The American Football Con ference has many teams quite capable of representing them in the Super Bowl. In the Central division a bitter struggle is going on between the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4) and the Cleveland Browns (4-4). I feel this divisional title surprisingly depends on the outcome of quarterback Mike Phipps. After Cleveland's 26-9 loss to Pitt sburgh, Cleveland coach Nick Skorich stated that he will bench both Bill Nelson and Gary Coffins in favor of Mike Phipps and Frank Pitts. Phipps could be the inspiration they need. In the Eastern Division, the battle is between the Miami Dolphins (6-1-1) and the Baltimore Colts (5-2). Both teams have fine defenses but Miami has the better offense. In past games, good opposing teams have been able to run on Baltimore and with Jim Kiick and Larry Csonka running and Bob Griese, throwing Miami should win it. In the West, we see the Oakland Raiders (5-1-2) against the Kansas City Chiefs (5-2-1). In their last matchup the result was a 20-20 tie. In that game played in Oakland, George Blanda had to come .to the rescue and Kansas City was without star running back Ed Podolack. However, next time it might be different. The game will be played in Kansas City and Ed Podolack should be back. The National Conference also MARTIN RIELL'S MR SHOP Souvetedt ea ot.e4t9 7/teot'd Sevted Liberty Shopping Center has its great teams. In the Eastern Division it is between Washington and Dallas. Washington continues to look impressive both on offense and defense, but in last week's tie to Philadelphia, they commited a total of seven turnovers and if not for two Philadelphia missed field goals, Washington would have lost. Dallas on the other hand amazes me. With such great talent they should have a better record than (5-3). Coach Tom Landry is now using Roger Staubach as starting quarterback I and feel you can't count them out. A three way battle is going on in the Central division between the Minnesota Vikings (6-2), the Detroit Lions (5-2-1) and the Chicago Bears (5-3). Minnesota should come out on top but to go any higher than a divisional Championship they must improve offensively. In the Western Division the San Francisco 49ers appear to be heading for their second straight divisions title. The new Los Angeles Rams are putting up a good fight but don't appear to stand in the 49ers way. And don't forget the second place teams with the best record in each conference also has a spot in the play-off. In the football anything can ha ppen on any given day, the teams with the worst record can beat the teams with the best. This season is far from over. Chuck Crist Leads 1971 PSU Cagers Chuck Crist, senior forward from Salamanca, N.Y., has been elected captain of the Penn State basketball team. "Chuck has been given a mandate to lead," said Penn State basketball coach John Bach in announcing the team's selection. "The staff welcomed the team's decision. I'm sure Chuck will be a fine captain." A 6-2, 190 pounder, Crist was named the team's Most Valuable Player last year. Used sparingly early in the season, he became a Behrend Collegian North Carolina Vs. PSU Highlights All U Day Penn State's football team, the top scoring machine in the country, entertains North Carolina State on Saturday. A capacity crowd of 50,000 Penn State's fifth straight sellout this season is expected at Beaver Stadium for the 1:30 p.m. kickoff. It will be the final home game of the season for the Nittany Lions who have an 8-0 record so far this year and a 13-game winning streak. North Carolina State is 2-7 after its upset 13-7 win over Miami (Fla.) last week. The game is the highlight of All-University Day. Students from Penn State's • campuses around the state are invited to University Park for the game and other activities. Penn State moved to the top of the national scoring leaders after ifs 63-27 rout of Maryland last week. The Nittany Lions are averaging 44.1 points per game to 43.6 for Oklahoma and 42.1 for Michigan. "We were pleased with the offense," Paterno says, "and we were particularly pleased that Lydell Mitchell broke all of the rushing and, scoring records. Some of these runs were just unbelievable. He has been just tremendous and has to be a top candidate for the Heisman regular in the second half of the campaign. He wound up the season with 121 rebounds and an average of 10.4 points per game. An outstaring athlete in high school, he earned Lake Shore all star honors in football as a quarterback and in basketball. He was voted Athlete of the 'Year at Salamanca (N.Y.) High School in 1968. Bach has been pleased with the early practice showing of the Lions. "We appear to be much quicker that we have been," the Lion coach says. "We just have better athletes on the floor." Juniors Jim Dashield and Ed Chubb have been the most pleasant surprises for Bach. "Dashield adds quickness and scoring and could help us," Bach says, "and Chubb has been playing very well. If he can rebound effectively, he will challenge Paul Neumayer for the center job." THE ERIE BOOK STORE 717 FRENCH STREET 452-3354 Soon S of America - When Only the Best Will Do We've GUITARS D. ARMSTRONG C.F. MARTIN G . nom GGIRBESTOsNc H MIHARM ONY CAO- MICRO-FRETS )14ia l dizans -- • Attention Behrend Students This coupon entitles you to a courtesy discount on musical item. I • - (Without a -trade Lin.) 1 25 WEST 11th STREET ERIE, PA. Trophy. I don't see how there can be a better all-around back in the country." Mitchell, the Lions' 200-pound senior halfback, broke six school records in just over three quarters of play against Maryland. He now holds the Penn State marks for rushing yardage in a season (1,174) and career (2,541), scoring in a season (126) and career (198) and touchdoWns in a season (21) and career (33). The Salem, N.J. native gained 209 yards•and scored five touch downs in only 24 carries against the Terps. He is averaging 6.6 yards per carry this season with his 1,174 yards in 179 attempts. He also is second on the team in receiving with 10 catches for 119 yards. The nation's individual scoring leader, Mitchell needs only four touchdowns in the Lions' three remaining games to break the NCAA record of 24 TDs set by Art Luppino of Arizona in 1953. "The offensive line has been great and we have so many other good backs that the defense can't gang up on me" Mitchell says. Mitchell's point is a good one. Quarterback John Hufnagel is having an outstanding season. The Lion junior has completed 62.5 per cent of his passes (55 of 88) for 778 yards and six touch down. He has been intercepted only twice. Fullback Franco Harris, who is fourth on Penn State's all-time rushing list, missed last week's game with a minor leg injury and has been bothered by a suc cession of minor injuries all season. He still has managed to gain 462 yards in 89 carries. In addition to his passing prowess, Hufnagel gives Penn Lydell Mitchell: Making History Lydell Mitchell tried to play it cool, but the feeling of pride was obvious. His teammates on the Penn State football team gave him the game ball after last week's 63-27 rout -of Maryland. They should have given him the school record book. He had practically rewritten it. Mitchell, a 200-pound senior from Salem, N.J., carried 24 times for 209 yards and five touchdowns against the Terps, breaking six Penn State records in the process. "I knew how many yards I needed to break the records. I was thinking about it, " Mitchell said. "Then when it happened, I was elated. I tried not to show it, but deep down inside I congratulated myself. I feel like I've accomplished something." Mitchell now holds- the Penn State records for rushing yar dage in a season (1,174) and a career (2,541), touchdownS in a season (21) and career (33), points in a season (126) and November 11, 1971 State another running threat. He has carried the ball 54 times for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Tom Donchez filled in for Harris last week and gained 80 yards- in nine carries. Donchez has been running in the same backfield with Mitchell and Harris when the Lions are in their Power-I formation. The Lion running backs have been running behind in offensive line led by_ tackle Davey Joyner, the team's offensive captain and another All-American candidate. Penn State is averaging 470.1 yards per game total offense, including 317.5 yards per contest on the ground. The defense, led by linebackers John Skorppan and Charlies Zapiec and defensive end Bruce Bannon has allowed just under 10 points per game. The 27 points scored by Maryland were the the most given up by the Lions this season. North Carolina State has been hampered by a rash_of injuries to key players this year, but came up with its best game of the season to beat Miami last week. The Wolfpack is led by a pair of sophomores—quarterback Bruce Shaw and halfback • Willie Bur den. Shaw has passed effectively in the last several games. Burden is the team rushing leader with 739 yards and is a threat as a receiver. The N.C. State defense is led by middle guard George Smith and defensive back Van Walker, who had a 71-yard interception return against the Lions two years ago. Penn State holds a 7-0 edge in the series against North Carolina State. The Lions are against Atlantic Coast Conference op position. career (198) and rushing at tempts in one game (29 against lowa ). "The records are nice and what other players and coaches say about you is nice to hear, but something else really pleased me, " Mitchell says, "Joe (Paterno) is very careful with superlatives and when I read what he said about me it made me feel great. That's something I'll remember all my life." Asked after the game about Mitchell's chance of winning the Heisman Trophy Paterno responded: "That comes up every week. I don't want to get into com parisons, but he's got to be as fine a back as there is in the country. I don't know how there could be a better runner; receiver, blocker and he's been a great leader. He's just a great all-around player. Breaking Lenny Moore's records, he's got to go down as one of the great backs in college football history." C.J. DUSCKAS FUNERAL HOME 2607 Buffalo Rd. 899-2812 emcee 1946"
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers