I SPORTS Saturday, September 6, 1980 The Michigan Daily Page 13 CLIFFORD LEADS RESURGENCE 1U plans serious challenge Service Satisfaction 3'09 S. State By AL FANGER , Second in a nine-part series $Cditor's note: This is the second i nine-part series examining the 4.86 Big Ten football season. The R rtes was written by Daily Sports ,Edior Alan Fanger and Executive I~frts Editor Mark Mihanovic. ,*.Tere's this All-American kid from # ral midwestern university, cham- ing the cause of a once-downridden . ball team that has returned to the s of respectability. He's also aware N.modesty is the safest way of en- ,ing he'll never cave in under that irrage of pressure associated with 4idern-day Big Ten football. NEverybody is trying to tell Tim Clif- "4rd that he controls the cards for In- Cana during the 1980 football season. ,I* Clifford is trying to tell everybody, Kht the Hoosiers have 94 other players ;.their squad who are equally capable enhancing their fortunes beyond an 8- season and a ,fourth-place conference fish. Who's right? If you say Clifford, then you adhere to the theory propounded by the Big Ten's most valuable player in 1979, who says, "I'm just out there directing them because it's the nature of my position. The offense happens to be suited for my style of play." Whatever the case may be, Clifford -and Hoosier coach Lee Corso are trying d convince the rest of the conference at their squad has ALL the ingredien- ts to win its first title since 1966. "Defensively, we're improved. We went from lousy to 'I don't know'," Joked Corso at last month's Big Ten. kickoff luncheon. "A lot of kids who played last year are coming back.". w'The Hoosiers are looking to yield omething less than the 252 points that :were scored on them through 12 games. Snd Corso figures that a year of ex- rience should do wonders for his nine returning starters on the defensive -ide. It inspires yet another in a series of original Corso quips: "It. (the defense) Js like your wife. You just have to polish Fer up and get ready to play." The line is anchored by defensive end rent Tisdale, a 6-4, 240 pound senior kFumenk who is the choice of many coaches to make the all-conference squad. While the rest of the forward wall is devoid of any standouts, some keen competition for starting jobs has made Indiana deeper there. The linebackers share a similar plight. Terry Tallen has been converted from his middle guard spot and Craig Walls, while leading the squad with 106 tackles, is not recognized as a "big, play" linebacker. But the secondary can truly be assessed as improved over last season. All-Big Ten selection Tim Wilbur, the hero of the Hoosiers' 38-37 Holiday Bowl victory over Brigham Young, is joined by three other returning star- ters-strong safety Chuck Alexander, cornerback Marc Longshore, and free safety Steve Mitchell. It's the same crew that pulled up lame as Michigan quarterback, John Wangler hit Anthony Carter with a last- second touchdown pass to beat the Hoosiers, 27-21, last October. Corso, however, sees them as improving off a successful spring practice. The defense is what is giving Corso headaches going into next Saturday's season opener against Iowa. While he hates to admit that his offensive unit is always operating smoothly behind the cool-headed Clifford, those particular eleven men bring a wall-to-wall grin to his face. "If the offensive line stays intact and blocks for the passer, Clifford will hve a great year," said Corso. Corso is actually a bit concerned with his interior line. While four of his five starters up front are seniors, only two-tackle Gerhard Ahting and center Lucky Wallace-have had substantial game experience. And it is Clifford, a quarterback who likes to maneuver in and out of the pocket. The backfield inay be able to com- pensate for at least some of the deficiencies on the line. Clifford has an outstanding pair of tailbacks-Mike Hardrader (824 yards in '79) and Lonnie Johnson (728 yards) -who offer Clifford a sound alternative to his sharp aerials. "This is the first Harkrader has been healthy since his first season," said Corso. "If he stays healthy, I can assure you he's going to have one super year." Corso added he is "ready to alternate" Harkrader and Johnson, possibly reserving each for certain We feature the most complete selec- tion of Adidas footwear and sportswear in the Ann Arbor area. WOULDN'T YOU RATHER BE IN OUR SHOES? situations. Bob Stephenson returns as the star- ting tight end, while Nate Lundy and Steve Corso (yes, he is the coach's son) add depth to the wide receiver spot. And then there's Clifford himself, good on 160 of 288 passes for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. "I think I made a good name out there," he said. "I knew when I came in here my freshman year we had a good sound club-we were just making a few mistakes. Next year we had injuries in a few key spots. "Then last year we put it all together. We just played like we were capable of playing. Now people are watching us and saying, 'Hey, these guys have to be reckoned with."' As long as the All-American boy, with his blond curls and honest smile, is out there performing magic, it is a safe bet that Indiana will continue to make "The Big Four" sound like a legitimate phrase. TOMORROW: Iowa R Selection ae-d ma. Style h. IL l BARGAINS GALORE! 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