SCHLICHTER AND CO. TO UGH TO BEAT Buckeye B By ALAN FANGER seventh in a nine-part series Editor's note: This is the seventh in a series of nine articles examining the 1980 Big Ten football season. The series was written by Daily Sports Editor Alan Fanger and Executive Sports Editor Mark Mihanovic. You pay a special price for being per- ceived as the best college football team : America. Beyond the sweat, the ervated legs and lungs, and hours upon hours of studying your playbook, there remains the task of answering the critics' claim that you can dispose of any opponent.. It wasn't that way at Ohio State a year ago. Woody Hayes' shadow loomed long and dark across the Columbus campus-Buckeye followers were also skeptical about the im- provement that could be fostered by hen-first-year coach Earle Bruce. ruce soon turned the skeptics into believers by cruising to an 11-0 record s prepar and a long-awaited trip to the Rose Bowl. While Bruce's squad sank to fourth in the polls after dropping a 17-16 hear- tbreaker to Southern California, the return of 15 starters from last year's squad only brightened the outlook for the 1980 campaign. The only drawback to being placed at the top of the heap, says Bruce, is staying there. "Last year'people made a lot of predictions about our football team, and luckily they were wrong," said the former Iowa State mentor. "This year to test Ten tackle Joe Lukens, the line need not be star-studded to break open the Buckeye attack. The much-heralded trio of Art Schlichter, Calvin Murray, and Doug Donley can accomplish that almost by themselves. Schlichter becomes more dangerous to opposition defenses with each passing game (no pun intended). Two years ago as a freshman he was prone to interception, but last year he was more accurate with his tosses and in- creased his touchdown passing num- bers from four to 14. rankig have come out and played, but they got cut," Donley said in an interview. "I sort of think that might have been due to the lack of a sophisticated passing at- tack." Schlichter's name and influence overshadow the potential acclaim that could be showered on the defense, which Bruce calls "the strength of our team." Eight returning starters, in- cluding all-conference defensive backs Todd Bell and Vince Skillings, make this a formidable unit. Outside linebacker Keith Ferguson, along with middle guard Tim Sawicki and taeikle Jerome Foster, form an im- pressive pass rush. The inside linebacking tandem of Marcus Harek and Alvin Washington is among the best in the country, and should provide a cushion against the short pass, which opponents may use to counteract the strength in the secondary. Punter Tom Orosz (41.5 avg. per punt last season) and Vlade Janakievski (18- 21 in field goal tries) are just two more weapons the Buckeyes have in their ar- senal. Indeed, one year has made quite a difference at Ohio State. Whereas the battle cry for 1979 was playing catch-up with a much-heralded Michigan team, Schlichter, Donley, and their mates are now the objects, rather than the leaders The Michigan Daily-Friday, September 12, 1980-Page 11 Women harriers open season By VALERI SAMARAS Michigan women's cross country coach Red Simmons has high expec- tations for the 1980 campaign as his squad takes to the road today in their season opener against rival Bowling Green. Simmons said he is optimistic about this season's prospects, as several women return from last year's squad which finished a disappointing seventh in the Big Ten. "WE HAVE A HARDCORE group returning from last year which has improved greatly," said Simmons. The veterans are headed by sophomore standout Melanie Weaver, who broke every Michigan women's cross country record as a freshman and finished second in the 5000 at the Big Ten Championships. Another key to the squad's success lies in sophomore Suzie Frederick, who placed second at the Big Ten Championships in the 880. Other returnees include senior Lynn Fudula, and sophomores Lisa Laren and Dawn Woodruff. Simmons said he believes his team has grown and along with four freshman recruits, has the potential for a successful year. The meet starting time is set for 4:30 at Pioneer High School. I 1 there are a lot of predictions going around, and I hope-to hell they're right. "Staying away from jealousies and other petty things, and keeping an eye on team success-that will be our challenge for this year. Other than that, the challenges facing the Buckeyes seem few and far bet- ween. They will play the two most im- portant conference games of their season-against Indiana and Michigan-at home, where they rarely lose. Purdue, which many consider to be Ohio State's most formidable pur- suant, does not even dot the schedule. And at almost every position, the defending champions are talented and deep. "If we have a weakness, it would be our offensive line," said Bruce at the Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon last month. Bruce added, however, that the conver- sion of defensive tackle Luther Henson to offensive tackle will help alleviate much of the inexperience on the line. 'Anchored by second team All-Big "He (Schlichter) is exceptionally tough both mentally and physically, said Bruce of his signal-caller, one of the leading Heisman trophy can- didates. Murray has been waiting for a chance to solidify the running game, and he took advantage of it last year by ram- bling for 872 yards in 173 carries, averaging only 16 carries a game. Bruce explained that "Murray hasn't been that physical in the past. We want him to get more physical, so he can carry the ball 20 to 30 times a game." Donley is on the verge of breaking most of the school's receiving records. A first team All-Big Ten selection last year, his reliable hands and blazing, speed (4.3 in the 40-yard dash) make him the ideal connection for Schlichter's passes. Donley has even convinced his followers that the Buckeyes can end a long dry spell by successfully launching a receiver in the professional ranks. "A lot of (Ohio State) wide receivers Southern Fried, Chicken Special $3.25 "THE OMELETTE SHOP" 1313 SOUTH UNIVERSITY OPEN: 8-5 Mon.-Sat. 9- 10 Sun. THIS SUNDAY- 4 p.m.-Close I Schlichter FA CE INDIANA STATE: 'M' spikers hopeful for victory By SUSAN SOLTERO There is much hope for Michigan's Women's Varsity olleyball team as they step into the 1980-81 season with a atch tonight against Indiana State. The game will be held at 7:00 in the CCRB. Coming out of a 24-13-5 season, coach Sandy Vong is op- timistic about the team's chances this year. "'The team is much taller," says Vong, "and we have more than adequate hitting power. But we can't depend on technique only. We have to work as a team." The team this year has also grown in number: there are five new freshmen, among them two Canadians, as opposed to two seniors who left the team last year. Two of those freshmen will be startina and another one will be rotating in. 6o i I . i Also starting on the team will be Carol Ratza and Alison Noble as setters. One player, Jackie Madison, will also be starting even though she is just recovering from a back in- jury. "I'd like to see the team in better condition. I would have also liked more time to get ready for the match today. But the game should be a good one to tune up in. We can only hope for the best," said Vong. As a side note, coach Vong is a firm believer in scholastics. "Iguess I'm old fashioned, butI believe school comesxjefore sports. Our freshmen this year have outstan- ding grade points and our overall G.P.A. last year was 3.12. So, besides having a talented team, they are very smart." These qualities will be put to a test tonight as they take on the Sycamores. Give the gift of music. of the chase. "It's a little different from last year," said Donley. "If we just stay on top and don't beat ourselves, we'll be all right." TUESDAY: Purdue MICHIGAN SCORES VS. American League Milwaukee at Minnesota, ppd. rain tET Baltimore 6,Torontoi National Football League Los Angeles 3, Tampa Bay 3, halftime Saturday 12:45 p.m. It's Play by Play with SEIICEIT TheBOB LUFER SRILCATZF TeVoice of Michigan Football For 36 Years at on dhj(;Out#4 WPAG 1050, 1140 South University 668-8411 A - . - 4;,g~S~O ,fit .4.. ,-- -{ . a r -I- $.954T~~E$O O ~ t* ! 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