By Al Browning
News Sports Editor
The Tuscaloosa News
September 3, 1978
BIRMINGHAM - If one picture indeed is worth a thousand words, E.J. Junior and Wayne Hamilton (Leesburg High School, Okahumpka Florida) told a Publitzer-Prize winning story here Saturday night at Legion Field.
It featured comradeship at its greatest moment, joy at one of its greatest heights.
Season opening football victories tend to strike happy nerves in young men, particularly when they are as crucial and convincing as the one the University of Alabama players produced before 77,023 appreciative fans and a national television audience.
The Crimson Tide smacked Nebraska 20-3 in the finest opening night display for Alabama since 1973 66-0 whipping of California.
In a superb's evening performance, defense was the order, evidenced by the happiness of Junior and Hamilton a pair of ends who turned Nebraska quarterback Tom Sorley into a bumbling mass of misdirection and confusion. They celebrated by clasping hands and pointing, skyward as the scoreboard clock tick towards death. The dynamic duo did not say anything. They let big grins tell the story.
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| E.J. Junior |
It was the most interesting story for Junior - beyond reasons simple victory. He put the wraps on Sorley frustrations early in the fourth quarter by intercepting a pitch out by the Nebraska quarterback. Only a slip kept him from converting a routine play into a Alabama touchdown.
"I had visions of the goal line, but my feet came from under me," said Junior 6-3, 215 pound sophomore. "But that's okay. We got the victory and the defense played well."
"In a way I am disappointed, because we wanted the shutout. I guess we will have to get one of those down the line."
The statement sounded greedy but it was probably accurate. Alabama has a outstanding defensive unit, one that can lead the Crimson Tide to the mythical national championship throne.
Statistics do not lie Nebraska gained a 110 yards rushing and 64 yards passing. Only that much with a backfield blessed with two All-American candidates I.M. Hipp and Rick Berns. Berns gained 42 yards on 12 carries Hipp 54 on 14.
Offensively Alabama is good at best. The Crimson Tide did put together one outstanding drive 99 yards for its first touchdown, but was erratic most of the night.
Senior running back Tony Nathan put the offensive effort in sound perspective.
"We have the potential to be a great team," Nathan said, but we have to cut down on the mistakes. We made too many mistakes tonight and they cost us some points."
"But if you will excuse the expression, I think we can have one helluva ball club."
Alabama had three main areas of concern entering the game - offensive line, defensive secondary and pass receiving. Two of those were put to rest. The Crimson Tide defense is solid front to back and there are pass receivers to throw to. The verdict remains on the blocking up front.
"All I can say is that our people fought'em" said Dee Powell, assistant coach in charge of offensive linemen. "They stood in there and fought a good Nebraska defense."
Individual Standouts:
-Jeff Rutledge a talented senior, was sharp directing the offense. He ran 16 times for 78 yards and completed 5-of-13 passes for 58 yards. He was named ABC-TV offensive player of the game.
Rutledge also set a school record, breaking the Steve Sloan mark for consecutive passes without a interception. Ironically, he threw his last interception as one of the five last season in a 31-24 loss at Nebraska.
"The game sure erased memories of last year." Rutledge said. "Before the game when I walk in front of their people, they were saying, throw five more, throw five more." "It was a good feeling getting that award."
-Split end Bruce Bolten made three crucial plays, despite missing much of preseason practice with a hurt knee. He caught two passes from Rutledge leading to touchdowns and made a crunching block to set up the third Alabama score.
"It feels great to be back contributing something," Bolton said. "It was a good opener for us, especially the defense, the knee feels fine." "Right now everything feels fine."
-Everybody who suited up on defense for Alabama deserved commendation, led by tackle Marty Lyons, linebacker Barry Krauss, Junior, Hamilton, halfback Ricky Tucker, and halfback Bobby Smith. Middle guard Curtis McGriff and Tackle Mike Sebastion performed admirably in his their first starts.
"I Thank God for being with us," said Lyons a 6-5, 245 pound Alabama defensive captain. "He helped us through this thing."
"I think what we did was just go out and play our kind of game. It was a good effort but there is always room for improvement. We let them score and that was not our goal.
"Was it a hard hitting game? It sure as hell was...start to finish."
Perhaps this is why there was so much joy on Alabama sidelines as the contest came to an end.
As offensive lineman Buddy Aydellete said, "We'll do some dancing in the dressing room tonight."
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