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