Page 10 - The Michigan Daily -- Friday, September 12, 1986 w- - - - IW v The Mlichigatn'daily -Fiy SECONDARY EXPERIENCED, DEEP: Familiar names head defensive backfield Staying healthy the key to line si By MARK BOROWSKY If the names Hicks, Rivers, and Gant don't sound familiar, they should. Michigan defensive backs Ivan Hicks and Garland Rivers are starting their third straight year, Tony Gant his fourth. Such experience makes Michigan's defensive backfield strong and steady in 1986. Despite the loss of All-American Brad Cochran (departed for the likes of the Los Angeles Raiders), the secondary will not be a favorite of opposing quarterbacks. "THAT (the secondary) probably could be one of our strong points," said defensive coordinator Gary Moeller. "Except we're going to miss a guy like Brad Cochran PIZZA 995-0232 FREE DELIVERY who was very important to us. "Now we don't expect necessarily to have (cornerback Erik) Campbell or (cornerback) Dave Arnold to come in and replace him step for step but we expect Gant to be better, Hicks and (safety Doug) Mallory and Rivers to be better. "Now if they're better,-our secondary will be stronger." A STRONGER. Michigan secondary is a scary prospect indeed to the rest of the Big Ten. Last season, they helped keep quarterbacks such as Jim Everett, Jack Trudeau, and Chuck Long without a touchdown in the air or on the ground. This year, the backfield faces a more running-oriented Big Ten, but that doesn't make the task at hand - the Big Ten Championship - any easier. A pre-season All-American, Garland Rivers (6-1, 187 pounds) returns for his senior season at Michigan. He is experienced and tough (69 tackles, 2 interceptions in 1985), and hits as hard as anybody in the rcnferene. LIKE ANY good cornerback, Rivers does not lack confidence. "To be a defensive back, you have to be confident," the Canton, Oh. native said. "You have to have confidence, you have to be cocky. Because if you respect the receivers, they've already won." Mirroring Rivers at the other cornerback slot will be either junior Erik Campbell or sophomore David Arnold. An exceptional athlete, Campbell has played both corner and wide receiver, while also averaging 9.2 yards returning+ punts. Arnold, who was the only freshman last year to play every; game on defense, will challenge Campbell for the starting spot. Last year Arnold was a demon on special teams, blocking three punts. THE STARTING spots at the safety positions are in concrete with Hicks and Gant. After suffering a broken leg in '84, Gant returned to have an excellent season in '85, accounting for 52 tackles from his free safety spot. His goals are modest, but reflect a rare trace of sanity in a violent IS BACK WE DELIVERY TIL 4 A.M. Under New Ownership r --- ------ U ---- of--M--I of M Special Olityv Olityv I game. "I want to stay healthy, first of all," Gant says with a smile. "I just want to contribute so we can win it all." Hicks returns as the team leader in interceptions in '85 with six. The 6-2, 178-pound brother of former Wolverine and now NFL standout Dwight Hicks also. recovered three fumbles last season. Backing up Hicks at strong safety is Doug Mallory, who picked off three passes of his own. One of those interceptions cut short a Notre Dame drive in the waning moments of Michigan's 20-12 win last year. The names Hicks, Rivers, Gant, Campbell and Mallory aren't household names yet. But for Michigan football fans, they are names which will be heard often. ' 0P2? y By PHIL NUSSEL They're mean, tough, and obnoxious -- they're downright offensive. They're the Michigan offensive line. And nobody's going to mess around with them, at least not while they 're healthy., Sporting new brush cuts, Elliot Robbins, Moons set I Uzelac's line -- averaging a notable 275 pounds -- is healthy and ready for action, but may run into trouble if any of the front five falls into injury trouble like last year. 'WE'RE CONCERNED about that because you just don't know what is going to happen," Uzelac said. "We're a little bit better off than we were a year ago, but the depth is really inexperienced. Physically, they're good enough, but they don't have enough experience now. They need time." Up front, Mark Hammerstein (6-4, 285 pounds) returns at strong guard after recovering from knee surgery in '85. Before the injury, he emerged as the top lineman. Arnlio di...~~ started three. Going into camp, head coach Bo Schembechler said that Husar had the better chance of starting. Junior Michael Dames, the smallest of the front five (6-2, 258 pounds), will start at the other guard spot. Injuries have plagued him since he arrived at Michigan. The Miami, Fla. native played in six games last season. ce lit ce sa of Sc col bo in Py1 i Food Service Watch this fall for our New Pizza Salad Bar Buffet-all you can eat. 11 a.m. - 7p.m. $11.99 Large 3 Item Pizzo, 2 Greek salads, 2 Bags of Chips, 5 - 12 oz. Soft Drinks Pick-up or Delivery Please mention coupon when ordering. I I I I I I I -J S - fl - - - ------ - Rivers ...confident ru we £i.oacns, in a major position cange, Jonn 6 to boot M ' opponents Hammerstein rehabilitated Vitale (6-1, 289 pounds) will take pr completely. over at center after playing guard ga ByPHILNUSSEL "It's a great position to be in," John "Jumbo" Elliott (6-7, 300 since his junior year 'of high Watch out! Here comes another Moons said. "I hope there is (a pounds) is at strong tackle after school, but nobody is worried about in, unpredictable year of Michigan challenge from Gillette). You're missing just one start in '85. He the adjustment -- even Vitale. "I Off kicking and yes, the entire foot only as good as your competition. If moved over from quick tackle to like the spot a lot," he said. "I've fir crew is back from '85 including they push me hard, it'll only make take over Clay Miller's void, adapted to it quite well." punter Monte Robbins and place mebte. JERRY QUAERNA (6-7, 282 "i'LsEecelnt"Uelcg p me better. "HEs n ieHsa 63' 'LL BE excllent," Uzelac-a kickers Pat Moons, Rick If the unexpected prevails again pounds) and Mike Husar (6- s289 d Sutkiewicz, and Mike Gillette. in '86,Moons will uepetagainvbe ophroud)aeetlvatlnaortesidiYal(tsatogsoito oh Robbins now in his third bnch, butns clai he onthe other tackle spot. Husar started five learn), but John will be a better (6. bench, but he claims he wont be ncenter than he was a guard and I (6- season, set a Michigan record in supie hstm.gmsls erwieQarathink he will be one of the top pl. 1984 averaging 43.6 yards a kick. rthtis tme.iameslastyearwhil Quparn The mark broke Don Bracken's record set in 1981. But last season, his average fell to 40.4 yards a boot m mm - 3.2 yards off the previous year.bPASSPORT PHOTOS "I WOULD like to say I'm going 2 $4.99 BO ERS to get better, because I want to be optimistic about the whole thing," When you think c Robbins said. The Great Bend, Ann Arbor's Olde Kan. native worked out in Ann A U-M Preferred Arbor all summer. jchigan Union 994-0433 12/14 NICKELS ARCADE Robbins, though, is 994-6200/4 MICHIGAN UNIC unpredictable in other ways. 663-7575 Sometimes he might not punt at all. Mon - Fri 8:30 - 5:30 He will be remembered for his 4th- and-22 fake punt in the fourth quarter of the Illinois game, a fake nobody - including Bo D n e Te te Su i Schembechler -- knew about. ance Theatre Studio - Luckily, Robbins made it by less , -' than a yard. "It was kind of one of those spur of the moment type things," Robbins said. "It worked, but just Classes in ballet, barely. (Schembechler) said, 'If modern, jazz, tap, DON'T DESPAII you do it again, it better be on my and ballroom. order.' So I don't know if I'll ever- do that on my own again." The Michigan Theatre, Anr MOONS, NOW in his fifth year, historic performing arts and r is used to the unexpected. After his New Classes film theater, is currently close redshirt year, he was surprisingly beginning September 8 toration. But don't despair! beaten out by a walkon named Bob Bergeron, who went on to have a open very soon and fully restor successful two-year career, Last grandeur of the 1920's vaudevi year, Moons was again beaten out For current class movie palace. The changes by a newcomer -- Gillette. The schedulean being made are spectacular. B freshman made a record 16 of 23 isn't changing, of course, is field goal attempts and 30 of 32 more information PAT's. call995-4242. program of films and live even But unusuality prevailed when we re-open we're going to be Moons suddenly became the and golden . . . you'll have to starting kicker right before the believe it. Ohio State game. Gillette and Until then, we are contin Sutkiewicz broke training rules un-raisin e tf c and Schembechler suspended fund-raising efforts to fully c them. Moons finished the season as costs of the restoration. So, if the starter making four of five field any loose change, throw it goals and eight of eight PAT's. You'll be helping history to repe His job, though, is not secure going into this season. Gillette has a shot at getting t ejob back, but for JAZZ DANCE THEATRE IN RESIDENC THE MICHIGAN THE now, Moons is first'stringi 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, M1 48104 "MOONS WILL rikf'eto be 711 N.niversi (near State Street)a Ann Arbor (313)668-839 beaten out," Schembechler said. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 You can experience Ann Arbor's newest Night Club & Lounge in the new Holiday Inn West Happy Hour Monday-Friday 4pm -8 pm Live Entertainment Nightly featuring: NOUVEAUTE Proper Dress & ID Required (21 & older) 2900 JACKSON ROAD __ :..