Thursday, November 4, 1976
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Page Nine
Thursday, November 4, 1976 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Nine
..........
Get
back ...stats
ie!
passion
Secondary teemis with
pigskin
By RICK BONINO
If Minnesota signal-caller Tony Dungy took the
Big Ten statistics at face value before facing
Michigan last, Saturday, he must've suffered quite
a shock.
There, as any quarterback could clearly read,
lagged the proud Michigan defense - dead last
in league pass prevention.
BUT STATISTICS OFTEN LIE, particularly Big
Ten stats. The conference bases its rankings on
total yardage, regardless of the number of passes
thrown against a team.
And the Wolverines have seen more than twice
as many passes (140 in six games) than four of
the top five pass defenses in the Big Ten rank-
ings.
"A lot of teams figure they can't run on us,
so they figure the best thing to do is mix in
some passes," explained cornerback Jim Pick-
ens.
Indeed, the conference's top two rushing de-
fenses -Michigan and Ohio State - are also
the two most passed on Big Ten teams. But the
strategy hasn't proved too successful.
"CAN YOU SEE ME THROWING 20 times with
two interceptions for only 85 yards?" Bo Schein-
bechler scoffed at Minnesota's showing. "That'll
be the day."
When one considers a more meaningful sta-
tistic - average yards per opponent pass - the
Wolverines move up to a solid third, trailing
only Ohio State and Iowa.
While the entire defense contributes to, suc-
cess against the pass, the defensive backfield,
with pass prevention as its prime responsibility,
deserves much of the credit. And it's getting
better all the time..
Except for a rather meaningless second-half
lapse against Northwestern, which Schembechler
called his team's worst performance, the =pass de-
fense has exhibited steady improvement in terms
of opponents' completion percentage and yards per
attempt.
"WE FACED PASSING TEAMS like Wisconsin
and Stanford early in the season, and we're a lit-
tle better for it," said Michigan defensive back-
field coach Jack Harbaugh, who also mentioned
experience as a main factor in the improvement.
"Our improvement has come with increased
confidence," offered wolf Jerry Zuver.. "Week aft-
er week, we're working harder on our drops,
watching the quarterback and anticipating where
he'll throw."
Junior safety Dwight Hicks credits increased
pressure on enemy quarterbacks for much of the
improvement, but also admits to better play in
the secondary.
"We're concentrating on breaking on the ball
now," Hicks agreed with Zuver. "That's anticipa-
tion, moving toward the ball while the quarter-
back's arm is in motion, not after he throws."
SUCH ANTICIPATION REMAINS CRUCIAL to
Michigan's zone style pass defense. The defenders
attempt to react to the ball, not the individual
receivers' moves.
So far, the reactions of what Harbaugh calls
his "five starters" - Pickens, Zuver, Hicks, Jim
Bolden and Derek Howard - have kept getting
better and better.
Interestingly, all but Hicks hail from Woody
Hayes' stomping ground, Ohio. And while Harbaugh
characterizes all of them as versatile athletes,
with experience both on offense and in other sports,
all those questioned preferred defense.
"I like defense because I like hitting," said
Pickens, a junior who played wingback as a fresh-
man- due to injuries. "I'd rather be a hitter than
a hittee."
"IN HIGH SCHOOL, offense was okay because
no one really hit you that hard," Hicks echoed.
"But up here, offensive backs really take a bruis-
ing."
Hicks has done some considerable bruising of
his own. The hard hitter and solid pass defender
sat out the Wolverines' middle four games after
hand tendon surgery and Schembechler credited
his return with greatly helping the overall de-
fense.
"Never underestimate Dwight," Schembechler
said. "I think he's the best safety around. He's
going to be something special."
Hicks (6-2, 180), the pass coverage signal caller
and key man in the secondary, compares favorably
with former Michigan safeties like Tom Curtis,
Thom Darden and his predecessor, Dave Brown,
according to Harbaugh.
MORE SURPRISING COMPARISONS have in-
volved last year's All-American wolf, Don Dufek,
and his successor, Zuver.
The education major studied the departed Dufek
the past few years and alternated with Howard
early in the season. But the 6-2, 195 senior has
come on strong since assuming a fulltime starting
role after Hicks' injury.
"I hadn't had a whole lot of experience, particu-
larly against first-string offenses," Zuver admitted.
"But playing behind Don and learning the wolf
position really helped. In Dufek, I had a super
teacher."
Zuver has learned his lessons well. Physically
strong enough to handle the combination lineback-
er-defensive back duties of a iwolf, Zuver trails
only Calvin 0-Neal in passes broken 'up with six
and received Defensive Champion honors against
Wake Forest.
AT THE CORNERS, Pickens and Bolden form
a solid tandem assisted by the capable Howard
in reserve.
Pickens plays the short side, a position requir-
ing wolf-type physical skills as well as pass cov-
erage speed. Wolverine opponents have concentrated
on the short side this season and the 6-2, 188 busi-
ness major has responded by leading the secondary
in tackles.
Bolden's wide side slot mainly requires the speed
to defend against long passes. The 6-1, 177 high
school long jump champion, often the last defend-
er left on long runs and passes, leads Michigan
with four touchdown saves.
"Last year was the first year Bolden really
played and he had some problems," Harbaugh
said. "But so far this season, he ,hasn't played
a bad game. He's been very consistent."
HOWARD, A 6-2, 187 JUNIOR who should step
in for the graduating Zuver or Bolden next sea-
son, has played well in his more limited oppor-
tunities, including a Defensive Hustler award
against Navy.
The Wolverines may soon need all the pass
defense they can muster. This week's opponent,
Purdue's Mark Vitali, always offers a solid pass-
ing threat. Even Ohio State's passing game has
improved since senior Jim Pacenta replaced the
injured Ron Gerald.
Not that anyone's worrying about the Buck-
eyes-yet.,
"Ohio State's throwing more and they run a
lot of option football, so they'll be a good test
of our secondary," Harbaugh said. "But we're not
looking that far ahead."
"We've been trying to improve every game in
preparation for Ohio State," Pickens added. "But
right now, we're just worried about Purdue."
Daily Photo by KEN FINK
MICHIGAN DEFENSIVE BACK Dwight Hick s (17) and wolf Jerry Zuver (8) combine to
crunch Wisconsin's Larry Canada (30) in the Wolverines' 40-27 opening day triumph. Hicks,
a bruising tackler, is back from a hand injury whi::h sidelined him for four games.
_-- -- ,.E , _-
1--
NHL
Atlanta 7 ,1ahington 0
St. Louis 6, Toronto 2
Los Angeles 4, Cleveland 2
NBA
New York Nets 100, Buffalo 96
Washington 117, Milwaukee 105
Indiana 113, San Antonio 97
GENERAL MEETING
_ _
"
U of M SKI CL UB
r I
ALL SKIERS WELCOME
Visit to PEAK SKI SHOP after meeting
BEER ski on the ski deck-free passes
hU RS., NOV 4-7:00 p.m.
ra Floor M ~ichigan League
,,,
77
CLUBBERS SHMUSH ADRIAN
Booters boot another,
4-1
By ERIC OLSON
A fired-up Michigan soccer club drop-
ped a hard fought, 4-1 game to Oakland
University yesterday at Ferry Field.
The game was closer than the score
indicated as Oakland scored twice in
the last five minutes of the game, running
up the score.
OAKLAND'S RIGHT WINGER Joe
Wijden scored the first of his two goals
with just one minute remaining in the
first half, which left Michigan flat at the
start of the second half.
Wilden scored his second goal five
minutes into the second half giving bak-
land a 2-0 lead, but Michigan got back
into the game ten minutes later as Ihor
Fedorwycz scored his first goal of the
season on a pass from fullback Mike
Moritz.
After Fedorwycz's goal both teams play-
ed tight, defensive soccer for the remain-
der of the ,game.
Ken Whiteside and Tony Manning tal-
lied Oakland's last two with but five min-
utes remaining, on Michigan's second
string defense.
MICHIGAN FULLBACKS Ian Cath,
Mike Moritz, Bob Zack, and David Setter-
berg all played outstanding games as
they were under constant pressure from
Oakland's front line.
Michigan's biggest problem was clear-
ing the ball out of their own half of the
field to set up their offense because the
Oakland halfbacks and fullbacks con-
trolled midfield.
Thhe loss dropped thi club's record to
1-8-1 with only one game remaining
against Central Michigan Saturday at
FerryField.
Kohut, Darin tally thrice
In a warmup contest before this week-
end's state tournament at Adrian, Michi-
gan Women's field hockey team shut out
Delta College, 9-0, at the visitor's field.
Wolverine star Dawn Kohut tallied
three times to increase her goal output
to 20 for the year. Dawn is a transfer from
Adrian College.
Lynn Darin also notched a hat trick
for the Wolverine clubbers.
MARY CALLAM ADDED two goals for
a season total of ten and Gray Gilfillan
registered the final marker.
The shutout was the squad's sixth this
year, en route to their 8-2 slate. The club's
only two losses were to Michigan state
and Central Michigan.
Backup goalie Robin Gelston recorded
her second shutout of the campaign. She
replaces injured starter Laura Pieri.
--DAILY SPORTS
II
Hayes heroics burn Bucks;
New Nets blitz Buffalol
By The Associated Press Kevin Restani led the Bucks a sprained left wrist, added 20
LANDOVER, Md. - ElvinI with a career high 22 points. points and 12 rebounds for the
Hayes poured in 31 points, * Nets, who snapped a three-
grabbed 14'rebounds and block- I game losing streak and dealt
ed six shots last night to lead Williamson high the Braves their fourth loss int
the Washington Bullets to a UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Guard a raw.
117-105 NBA victory over Mil- John Williamson scored a sea- The Nets broke the game
wankee. son-high 36 points last night to onen with an 18-5 burst to start 4
The Bullets took a 28-12 lead lead the New York Nets to a the second half. Bassett scored
late in the first quarter and 100-96 victory over the Buffalo seven points and grabbed three
Milwaukee never got closer Braves. rebounds.
than eight points as the Bullets Tim Bassett. starting at. for- Randy Smith topped thej
snapped a three-game losing ward in place of co-captain Braves with 21 points and John
streak and went over 100 Rich Jones, who is sidelined by Shumate added 15.
points for the first time in six
games.
Leonard Robinson scored 24
points and collected 14 rebounds
and Dave Bing added 23 points GE
for the Bullets, now 2-4.'
Elmore Smith of Milwaukee
sprained his left ankle in the _____________________________
second quarter and did not play
after that. 1. MICHIGAN at Purdue 20.DAILY LIBELS at
Art I:
"More, More, More"
AND
"Sherlick Holmes"
Art 11:
"Cherry Truckers"
j AND
"Bang, Bang
you got it"
Art Theaters
31 N. WASHINGTON
Ypsilanti 482-3300
Amity
SEMINARS
START NOV.12
FOR DEC.4 LSAT
12-Student Average
Class Size
5 Specialist Instructors
18 Class Hours
RUTH, LA E 0 J,-
SUNDAY, NOV. 7 IN RACKHA M A UDITORIUM AT 2:30
"Smashing, sensational, astonishing . ." wrote New York critics after Miss. Laredo's
appearance with Pierre Boulez and the New York Philharmonic two seasons ago. A
native Detroiter very definitely making her presence felt in today's concert world, she,
initiates this season's new Debut Recital Series.
HER PROGRAM THIS WEEKEND:
BEETHOVEN: Sonata in E-fiat, Op. 81a
SCRIABIN: Poemn, Sonata No. 9
RACHMANINOFF: Three Etudes-Op. 3 3, No. 2;
Op. 39, Ncs. 5 & 9
RAVEL: Valses nobles et sentimentales,
La Valse
TICKETS available at $3.50, 55, and $6.50;
Series tickets for Recital Series still available at s10, $15, $20; Other concerts in
Series: Soprano Elly Ameling, Nov. 16; Pianist Michael Ponti, Jan. 25; Cellist Janos
Starker, March 14.
oL./
BILL(M)AR1)
Women's Intercollegiate bas-
ketball tryouts will be held
during the week of November
1. Practice will be held from
6-8 p.m. Monday tbr u Friday
at Crisler Arena. For further
information contact Coach
Carmel Borders or Women's
Athletic Director GinnyM int
2. Indiana at Michigan State
3. Minnesota at Northwestern
4. Illinois at Ohio State
5. Iowa at Wisconsin
6. Colorado at Missouri
7. Oklahoma State at Nebraska
8. Boston College at
Miami, Fla.
9. LSU at Alabama
(Birmingham)
10. Navy at Syracuse
11. North Carolina State at
Penn State
New York Cosmos
Tonight is your night at
Bimbo's of Ann Arbor.
Come drink b e er at
reduced r a t e s, and
fraternize with y o u r
friends.
SI ~ ~ j-,, ~ ,r i fa
I