w w w U, U V V U V U The Michigan Daily - Frid Page 4 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 13, 1985 October 5: Wisconsin Gant s return bolsters secondary COACH: Dave McClain, Wisconsin (1978-84) 50-3&33. LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 74-1, 5-3-1 Big Ten LAST YEAR VS MICH: Michigan 20, Wisconsin 14 SERIES LEADER: Michigan 35-4-1 OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 4 1984 OFFENSIVE RANKING: 5 DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 4 1984 DEFENSIVE RANKING: 2nd PLAYERS TO WATCH: Mike Howard (QB), Larry Emery (TB), Bob Landsee (OG), Craig Raddatz (OLB), Michael Boykins (NG). Despite losing seven starters on each the offense and defense, there is still a lot of optimism in the Wisconsin camp for the upcoming season. The Badgers return several talented players at key positions. One of these products is tailback Larry Emery, who could be the most underrated runningback in the Big Ten. Last season, the 5-9, 190 sensation had 675 yards on 109 attempts. His season was shor- tened because of an injury suf- fered against Indiana - he missed the last five games. THE BADGERS also return a top-notch quarterback in Mike Howard. The Springfield, Ill., senior passed for 2127 yards with 11 touchdowns. Howard, though, may have problems for two reasons: 1) He will have a new set of receivers which will have to replace the irreplaceable Al Toon; 2) Only one offensive lineman returning. Luckily for Wisconsin, this one returner is Bob Landsee, a 6-5, 250 All-Big Ten candidate. Bill Schick and Dave Gaatz have some experience and are expected to help solidify the line. The Badger defense lost one of the top Big Ten linebackers in Jim Melka, but do have four high- quality linebackers returning. In- side linebacker Craig Raddatz had 46 tackles last year along with five interceptions. By PHIL NUSSEL The good news is that the entire Michigan defensive secondary is back for the 1985 campaign. The better news is that this back- field will be further strengthened by the return of senior free safety Tony Gant, who had a doubtful status for the season because of a slow recovery from a traumatic leg break in the '84 Wisconsin game. GANT WAS given the green light to practice just before the team's opening day August 22. The decision came after months of speculation over whether or not the nerves in the Fremont, Oh. native's leg would be regenerated enough. "He's a great player," head coach Bo Schembechler said. "The only question now is if he can regain enough of his strength and speed to be the safety we thought he would be. I can't tell you if he's going to start the first game or not." A week into practice, defensive backfield coach Lloyd Carr could only be pleased with Gant's progress. "He's exceeded our expectations," he said. "He's playing very well. He's going to be in the thick of things (for a starting position)." GANT STARTED the first three games last season and performed well, especially in the Miami game when he had ten tackles earning him the Defensive Hustler Award for the game. He became a starter in the '83 season after the fifth game and kept the spot the rest of the year piling up 37 total tackles and two interceptions. Even if Gant fails to make a total recovery, the Wolverines still have two exceDtional safeties to pick up the slack - both were starters much of' last season. Ivan Hicks, brother of San Francisco 49er Dwight Hicks, played in every game in '84 with three starts. Doug Mallory, despite a bout with injuries, still started seven con- tests and finished the year with 41 tackles. The corners promise to be as strong as any in recent years with the return of consensus preseason All-America pick Brad Cochran, a third team All- American last year. On the other side is hard-hitting Garland Rivers. The former Canton McKinley star was third on the team with 70 tackles last year. "THE STRENGTH of that defense is the cornerbacks," Schembechler said. "Brad Cochran is one of the great corners we've had here and I'm ex- pecting him to have a tremendous year. Right in there is Garland Rivers. He is a typical Michigan short corner - he can cover the pass and he can knock your head off." Michigan's defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Gary Moeller said, "Cochran and Rivers have to play as well as any defensive corners in the league. They have to have that kind of year." The only "loss" the secondary has suffered is Erik Campbell. The sophomore has been converted to a wide receiver, although he was originally recruited as one. Dieter Heren stayed on defense, but is now an outside linebacker. ALLEN BISHOP and Greg Randall stand to be next in line for playing time at the corners. Randall, a senior, saw action in every game last year and Bishop, a junior, played in all but one. Sophomore Ken Mouton had a good spring and should see some ac- tion at safety. The secondary will have its work cut out for it this year with the Big Ten possessing some of the top quarterbacks in the nation. But Cochran still believes the defense's main task will be to stop the run. "Teams that pass a lot kill you with the run," he said. "It's like when Jack Trudeau (Illinois' record-setting quarterback) starts handing off to (Thomas) Rooks and they start to control the ball." Last season the backfield led the league in fewest passing touchdowns allowed with six. With stats like that and with such high quality returnees like Cochran, the Michigan secondary could very well make the Michigan defense as tough as it has ever been. October 12 : at COACH: George Perles, Michigan State (1983-54) 16-12-1 LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 6-6,54 Big Ten LAST YEAR VS MICHIGAN: Michigan State 19, Michigan 7 SERIES LEADER: Michigan, 50-22-5 OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9 1984 DEFENSIVE RANKING: 3rd DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6 1984 OFFENSIVE RANKING: 9th PLAYERS TO WATCH: Dave Yarema (QB). Bobby Morse (FB), Lorenzo White (TB), Phil Parker (FS), Anthony Bell (OLB), Kelly Quinn (DL). With all the talk about Illinois, Ohio State, and Iowa, a lot of people have forgotten that Michigan State returns nine Michigan State players on its offense. Of course that offense ranked ninth in the Big Ten, but with so many people back, it can only get better. Quarterback Dave Yarema, a senior out of Birmingham Brother Rice,. looks to be the offensive leader after throwing for 1477 yar- ds and 11 touchdowns last season. He will be handing off to a quickly=- improving tailback in Lorenzo White. FOUR MEATWAGONS return on the offensive line along with tight end Butch Rolle. Mark Ingram, who caught 12 passes for a whopping 500 yards, will be the main receiver. On defense, Kelly Quinn, Jim Rinella and Joe Curran all return to anchor the front line. Tony Bell will be the team's top linebacker. The secondary will need a little rebuilding but will have the luxury of having Phil Parker. The senior free safety will be shooting for his third straight All-Big Ten first team selection. Parker has led the Spartans in interceptions the last two years. He has been one of the top inter- ception returners in the nation averaging 29 yards a return in '83. He was MSU's MVP in the inaugural Cherry Bowl last year against Army piling up nine tackles and grabbing an intercep- tion. The MSU kicking game looks to be the biggest problem after the loss of record-breaking placekicker and punter Ralf Mojsiejenko. Coach George Perles noted that Chris Caudell and Greg Montgomery will be the placekicker and punter respec- tively. The Spartans open against Arizona State on Sept. 14. Emery ... healthy again Secondary depth chart CORNERBACK GARLAND RIVERS (Jr) Allen Bishop (Jr) FREE SAFETY DOUG MALLORY (Sr) Tony Gant Sr)- CORNERBACK BRAD COCHRAN (Sr) Greg Randall (Sr) STRONG SAFETY IVAN HICKS (Sr) Ken Mouton (So) October 19: at Iowa Gant ... back in action CAPS indicate returning starters DEPTH NO PROBLEM THIS SEASON: COACH: Hayden Fry, Iowa (1979-84) 42-28-1 LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 8-4-1, 5-3-1 Big Ten LAST YEAR VS MICHIGAN: Iowa 26, Michigan 0 SERIES LEADER: Michigan 27-6-3 OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8 1984 OFFENSIVE RANKING: 4th DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 4 1984 DEFENSIVE RANKING: 1st PLAYERS TO WATCH: Chuck Long (QB), Larry Station (LB), Ronnie Harmon (RB), Bill Happel (SE). No preseason college guide is complete without naming the Iowa Hawkeyes as a top-ten team and a Big Ten title contender. Head coach Hayden Fry believes that the main reason for this was because of his team's humiliating defeat of Texas in the Freedom Bowl, 55-17. But there are other reasons. One, for sure, is Chuck Long, con- sidered by many to be the top quarterback in the quarterback- rich Big Ten. The senior was rated as the top passer in the conference last season throwing for 2871 yards and 22 touchdowns. He relieved Hawkeye fans when he decided to return for a fifth season. LONG'S TOP receiver is back in Bill Happel, who grabbed 47 aerials for 632 yards. The big question mark in the Hawkeye offense is Ronnie Har- mon. The tailback broke his leg last season and has had a long rehabilitation process. At the summer luncheon, Fry did not know if Harmon would return. The injury was similar to the one suffered by Michigan's Tony Gant. Gant is now playing full strength, so it could be likely that Harmon Mallory returns to lead linebackers Long ... maybe the best By PHIL NUSSEL When Michigan linebackers are examined, the first subject has to be senior Mike Mallory. With him back this season, the Wolverine linebackers could become the strongest part of the defensive squad. Mallory is a 1984 All-Big Ten selec- tion and a consensus preseason All- America. The 6-2, 223 senior has led the Wolverines in tackling the last two seasons. Last year he had 148 tackles and three interceptions. "HE'S A REAL competitor," head coach Bo Schembechler said. "He's a tough kid." Gary Moeller, assistant head coach and defense coordinator, said even more is expected of the all-everything linebacker. "The key thing is that he improves just like everyone else. He's got to get a little better and we expect some good things from him." With Mallory at inside linebacker will most likely be Andy Moeller, a senior who has backed up Mallory for the last few years. However, if junior Andree McIntyre (6-1, 137), reaches the potential the coaches think he has, the starting job could be up for grabs. Todd Schulte should also figure into the picture and add to the depth of the position. ON THE OUTSIDE, fifth-year senior Jim Scarcelli and senior Jeff Akers should be the main actors. Scarcelli started every game last season and piled up 54 tackles. Akers Linebacker depth chart INSDE IUNEfACKEIR Andy Moeller ( Srl Todd Schulte (Jr) INSIDE LINEBACKER~ MIKE MALLORY f 8r) Andree MItyref(Jr) 0 m ----- -- ----m BUY YOUR NEXT BIKE FROM THE h . s : i _ _a" 1 i ff in! EXPERTS 50 Years Of Bicycle Experience " Specialized " Schwinn Bike Repairs " Trek Locks - Lites * Fuji Student's Friendly " Raleigh Family Store " Kuwahara Campus Bike &TOy 514 E. William St. ON CAMPUS -0035 OUTSIDE LINEB~ACKER JeffAkers fSr') Tim Schutt* (Jr) CAPS indicate returning starter, OIJTsDE LINEBACKER JIM SARCE LU (Sr) Deter Heren (Sr) was moved from the inside last spring and it should be a change for the bet- ter, according to Moeller. "He's going to be a little new there, but we think he's going to be a good player," Moeller said. Converted defensive back Dieter Heren and the other Schulte, Tim, also figure to play a lot on the outside. 'We have a lot of experience there, but not a ton of playing time," Moeller remarked. "We have a little competition and a little depth and that's a healthy situaton." THE FUTURE of the linebacking corps is looking even brighter, especially on the outside. Both Schembechler and linebacker coach Milan Vooletich were high on some of the new recruits. The freshmen, all over 200 pounds, all figure to get playing time within the next few season, possibly this season. "Let me put it this way," Vooletich said. "Of the young kids I'm working with, (Brent) White, (Keith) Cooper, (Chris) Simmons, and (Joe) Holland, they all possess good quality. They have a shot at being factors to vie for playing time, very definitely." Even Schembechler, who never comments on a player before pads have been put on, said that "it's con- ceivable" that these freshmen will see some playing time. October 26: Indiana COACH: Bill Mallory, Indiana (1984-84) 0-11 LAST YEAR's RECORD: 0-11, 0-9 Big Ten LAST YEAR VS MICH: Michigan 14, In- diana 6 SERIES LEADER: Michigan 33-8 OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7 1984 OFFENSIVE RANKING: 8th DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 5 1984 DEFENSIVE RANKING: 8th PLAYERS TO WATCH: Steve Bradley (QB), Bobby Howard (TB), Leonard Bell (FS), Ernie Jones (WR). Every team likes to win their homecoming game, and for Michigan this year, that should be no problem when they square off against the Indiana Hoosiers with the alumni looking on. Never a powerhouse in recent years, the Hoosiers slipped- even further last year when they went 0-11 and plummeted to the Big Ten cellar. This year will most cer- tainly brighter for second-year head coach Bill Mallory. but TTT fans will probably still be left saying, "When can we get basket- ball tickets?" long before the season's over. INDIANA'S strength will be on offense. Seven starters return, in- cluding quarterback Steve Bradley, who holds nearly all IU season and career passing recor- ds. Bradley threw for 2,544 yards last year and is also an option threat. Wide receiver Ernie Jones and tight end Dave Lilja will be his favorite targets. After rushing for only 876 yards last season, it's almost ridiculous to say the Hoosiers will have their top ground gainer back, but that's the case with senior tailback Bob- by Howard. Junior college tran- sfers Damon Sweazy and Spud Washington should help in the backfield. The offensive line will be young, returning only senior tackle Bob Riley. On defense, the improvement breaks down. Three starters return to the line, but it's a line that finished dead last in the con- ference against the run last season. More importantly, last season's two leading tacklers, linebackers Joe Fitzgerald and Mark Weiler are gone. November 2: at Illinois f'ne u. Mll.%%I* 11. isila _RS1:1d21_ .__ . rM- ---._.,_-- - - --- - ..-. GRAND OPENING I ' Fine South American Imports I 330 S. STATE ST. Qower level Bivouac) I I I COTTON CLOTHING Contemporary and Traditional Styles fromEcuador HANDKNIT SWEATERS Alpaca, u ool &Cotton - Unique Colors & Textures TAPESTRIES & RUGS, BLANKETS & PONCHOS GENUINE PANAMA HATS, BASKETS, JEWELRY & FOLK ART 15% OFF ANY PURCHASE ------ --.. .. .. .. .. COACH: Mike White, Illinois (19730-M5) 4-Z LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 74,6-3 Big Ten LAST YEAR VS MICH: Michigan 26, Illinois 18 SERIES LEADER: Michigan 51-19 OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7 1984 OFFENSIVE RANKING: 2nd DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8 1984 DEFENSIVE RANKING: 3rd PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jack Trudeau (QB). Thomas Rooks (FB), David Willians (SE), Jim Juriga (LG), Cap Boso (TE).{ Last year, a 26-18 win over Illinois was one of the highlights of a generally bleak season. This year, the road to victory over the Fighting Illini will be much rougher, mainly due to the return of quarterback Jack Trudeau, split end David Williams, and fullback Thomas Rooks. The senior trio gives coach Mike White what is probably the most explosive offense in the Big Ten. Trudeau, a legitimate Heisman candidate, completed over 60 per- cent of his passes while racking up more than 2700 yards passing last season, over 1200 of that to All- American Williams. The flashy receiver out of Los Angeles caught 101 passes, second highest total in major college history, and is in position to break the all-time career reception record. MEANWHILE, while teams fall all over themselves trying to stop Trudeau and Williams, Rooks will break runs deep from the back- field. The 225-pounder rushed for 1,056 yards a year ago and keeps defenses from keying on the pass. All-America candidate Jim Juriga moves from tackle to guard and will anchor an offensive line short on experience but long on talent. "Obviously the story at Illinois is offense," understated White. l l l 'Trudeau .. , Heis man candidate