CONTENTS

Fantàstico, Guillermo! 12
In a tense, 3½-hour struggle, Vilas parried Jimmy Connors' best shots, then put him away to win his first U.S. Open
by Curry Kirkpatrick

Year of the Lively Bat 18
Forget the ball. The hottest thing around is George Foster's big black bat. With it, he may get 50 homers and 150 RBIs for the Reds
by Larry Keith

The Luck of the Irish 20
Notre Dame needed every break, including the fractured arm of Pittsburgh's star quarterback, to beat the Panthers
by John Underwood

Pro Football '77 30

According to a poll of NFL players, nice guys don't finish first. Which means that Oakland wins the Super Bowl again 30
by Dan Jenkins

Tony Dorsett was mistreated like every other rookie in camp, but now he's ready to give Cowboy fans a treat 38
by Joe Marshall

Scouting reports assess the strengths and weaknesses of all 28 teams. If there's one outfit Oakland should dread, it's New England 46

Gettin' Nowhere Fast 88
What counts, says Kenny Stabler, is getting there. And back home in Alabama, the Snake gets everywhere
by Robert F. Jones

The Departments

Scorecard 7
TV/Radio 68
Football's Week 70
Baseball's Week 76
Golf 82
For the Record 105
19th Hole 106

Credits on page 105

Cover photograph by Neil Leifer

Next Week

A bunch of boxing stalwarts (and not a few bums) square off in a flurry of fistic activity in widely scattered U.S. and foreign arenas, with seven titles on the line and a number of reputations at stake. Pat Putnam reports.

You'll come a-waltzing, Matilda, with me if Australia becomes the first challenger in 107 years to beat the U.S. in the America's Cup. Coles Phinizy is at Newport, R.I. for the duel of the 12-meters.