The Week

With the spotters providing tips, with the defense forcing seven fumbles and recovering six, and with walk-on Kicker Jim Sturch tying a team mark with four field goals, the Falcons won the Battle of the Birds from the Eagles 18-7. Boston College, operating out of a veer installed by first-year Coach Ed Chlebek, was an 18-point favorite. But the veer drew more sneers than cheers from the fans. Falcon Linebacker Tom Foertsch provided the smears, taking part in 13 tackles.

Halfback Shawn Passman went over from one yard out in the final minute to give Villanova a 25-21 victory over Massachusetts, which had led 14-0 at the half.

Army fought off Lafayette 24-14 as Quarterback Earle Mulrane passed eight yards to Clennie Brundidge for one touchdown and ran one yard for another. Chuck Mullen of Holy Cross caught two touchdown passes from Peter Colombo during a 27-14 triumph over Colgate, which had a 10-0 regular-season record last year.

1. PENN STATE (3-0)
2. PITTSBURGH (1-0)
3. NAVY (1-0)

MIDWEST

Never the sort to take a backseat to anyone, Alabama Coach Bear Bryant wound up in the driver's seat, as usual: figuratively, after his team overhauled Missouri 38-20, and literally when he conducted a postgame press conference from the driver's seat of a bus rather than in the crowded dressing room. "If we didn't come back in the third quarter, they'd have remembered it the rest of their lives," Bryant said. He was alluding to Alabama's two touchdowns in the third period, which put it back in front. Early on, it was the Tide that had been ahead, leading 17-0 after less than 18 minutes. But during the next 4:43 the Tigers rallied, driving 72 yards for one touchdown, Quarterback Phil Bradley darting 69 yards for a second and Cornerback Russ Calabrese returning an interception 30 yards to put Missouri on top 20-17. What got Alabama untracked was a blocked kick by Defensive End E. J. Junior. The ball was scooped up by Linebacker Rickey Gilliland, who rambled 35 yards for the first of the Tide's third-period scores.

Other Big Eight teams fared better, although Iowa State barely downed San Diego State 14-13. The Aztecs outdid the Hawk-eyes in first downs 30 to 12, in rushing yardage 228 to 224, and in passing yardage 268 to 11, with San Diego State's Mark Halda completing 24 of 43 attempts. It was turnovers that destroyed the Aztecs. A blocked punt led to the Cyclones' first touchdown in the opening quarter and a midfield fumble recovery in the fourth quarter set up the second. With State trailing 13-6, Tailback Victor Mack scored on a four-yard run to make it 13-12. Then Quarterback Terry Rubley passed to Guy Preston for a two-point conversion and the victory.

Oklahoma, Nebraska and Colorado were more convincing winners. The Sooners whipped West Virginia 52-10. Even though he gained just eight yards in four tries, Halfback Jimmy Rogers, a former redshirt, scored the first three touchdowns of his five-year career. His first came when Quarterback Thomas Lott, heading for the end zone, looked back, spotted Rogers trailing him and lateraled to him at the two-yard line.

When asked how he could get his Nebraska team to be serious about facing Hawaii, Coach Tom Osborne said, "The last time Hawaii came to Lincoln, the Rainbows won and the Nebraska coach lost his job." That was in 1955 when Hawaii won 6-0. Osborne didn't have to worry about his job after this game, which the Huskers took 56-10.

Colorado defenders threw Miami (Fla.) backs for losses 10 times, gave up just 147 yards and backboned a 17-7 Buffalo victory.