288 Football Talk About Z Football Handicaps Cut Into Winning Plans From the start, the J980 version of the Bison football team was disadvantaged in every sense of the word. Playing the toughest schedule in many years was a beginning to the problems but carrying 37 freshmen and 13 sophomores out of 53 sq uadmen, seemed to pose the biggest threat against a winning year. Add to the lack of experience the fact that injuries placed seve ral key players on the sidelines or in {he hospital and one conceivably has a recipe for a winless record. Considering these obstacles, the Bisons record of 3-8 could be deemed a success. Opening the season at home, the Bisons played host to Lane Co llege from Jackson, Tennessee. Making his debut into college footba ll , former Bison basket ball player Bruce Baldwin ended the Dragon's first two drives with interceptions. Excluding an 82-yard bomb from Dragon quarterback Tyrus Suggs to wingback Michael Fain, the Bison defense delivered outstanding play as they established two records and tied another enroute to a 19-7 Bison win. The Dragons were held to 21 yards rushing and were intercepted seven times, two by 1. WT11Ia Mulerider on his back, light end Durwood Dry carries the pigskin for good yardage in the Homecoming game against SAU. 2. OFFENSWE LINEMEN John Reves and Roy Kirkland await the snap count from the quarterback. Baldwin and three by Ron Chase, who tied the record for intercept ions by an indi vidual in a game. "I'm proud of them," said Coach John Prock, "but we've got some work to do. Our freshmen just need to play and Saturday was good experience for them. I thought they stepped in and did a real fine iob." Playing at home for the second consecutive week the Bisons took their 1-0 record against NCAA Division II Southwest Missouri State. The Bears behind the play of their outstanding fullback John Gianini, quarterback Mike Royle, and kicker Mike Pallardy dropped a loss to the Bisons record as they took a 29-13 victory. Gianini, a 240 pound bruiser, bulled over the Bison defense for 211 yards while Royle connected with his receivers for three touchdowns. Pallardy took the biggest bite out of the Bison game plan as he hit three fieldgoals and was good on all three of his extra points. The Black and Gold had a chance to cut the lead late in the game but SMS linebacker Dennis O'Hagan picked off a pass from Scott Ragsdale and ended the Bisons last hope. - IJon HlJllund In a quirk of fate, the Bisons won their next contest. Playing Southeast Oklahoma State Univesity at Durant, Oklahoma, the Bisons and Sa.vages played through a constant downpour. A total of seventeen fumbles were committed, twelve by Southeast Oklahoma, and a blocked Savage punt plus two Harding interceptions were thrown into the muck. When the final gun sounded the Bisons came up with a 9-6 "Flood Bowl" victory and a 2-1 record. Hoping to lengthen the win column the Black and Gold took on Northeast Oklahoma State University at Alumni Field. The eventual runner-up in the national playoffs, the Redmen were ranked third in the country going into the contest and never relinquished that position as they blanked the Bisons 28-0. Prock acknowledged the awesomeness of the Redmen. "They're a complete football team," the Harding mentor said. "They've got speed, size, and the ability to move the football. They're one of the best teams we'll ever play. " -
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