Page 8 - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 18, 1986 Nort hington AN ALL-AMERICAN BEAVER? boosts Oregon State's 'D' By MARK BOROWSKY Call Oregon State's Lavance Northington an optimist. Or call him crazy. "We have a good chance (to beat Michigan)," the All-America candidate said of his team's chances this weekend to beat the third-ranked Wolverines. "(But) we can compete with them." SUCH OPTIMISM sounds brash from a man whose team lost 27-0 to Fresno State last week, whose team went 3-8 last year, and is a 40 (that's correct, 40) point underdog to Michigan. Optimism, however, is the quality that has carried the 6-0, 185 pound senior cornerback through his college career. Oregon State compiled an abysmal record of 7-25-1 in Northington's first three seasons. His play at cornerback has been a football dream in years where losses of 63-0 and 41-0 (to USC and UCLA last year) are a reality. The fact that Northington is the Beaver's only bona fide star has not been lost on the Oregon State media, either. Lavance is on the cover of the media guide, and1 page is a Northington profile, mention the pictures throughout. the first not to FOR GOOD reason, too. His PAC 10 conference-high seven interceptions last year was the bright spot for the Beavers, a team that has not won more than than three games in a season since 1971. That fact didn't stop Northington from choosing Oregon State. Although an outstanding high school athlete (he long- jumped 23-3), he was only an all- conference football player who never really hit his potential. "I wanted to play PAC football," said Northington, who went to high school in San Jose, California. "Oregon State and Washington State were the only schools that recruited me in the PAC." WASHINGTON, USC, and UCLA may be regretting that scouting decision. Last season as a junior Northington was a second team All-Pac 10, and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. In addition, he has never missed a game due to injury. "I've just been blessed" hef says. Not bad for someone who wasn'tt recruited heavily out of high school. Northington's freshman season was spent at wide receiver. That had the1 disadvantage of playing behind startert Reggie Bynum. The Beaver coaching staff decided that Northington was too talented to split time, so when he returned to school his sophomore year, he found him- self at the top of the depth chart at cornerback. "I was very upset at first," Northington said about the unexpected switch. "I thought that I could become a pretty good receiver. I came back (in the fall), and I'm at defensive back...it was a great shock." PERHAPS Northington was upset, but not as much as Oregon State's opponents. His sophomore season he had three interceptions; last year that figure jumped to seven. It included an incredible, string of six straight games in which he picked off a pass. Northington's great speed and intuitive feel for the ball have made him such a defensive force. "I THINK that Lavance's biggest strength is that he can cover people one-on- one and that is what it boils down to as far as the real quality cornerback," said Oregon State head coach Dave Kragthorpe. "Certainly Lavance has proven that he can do that pretty well." He will have to do just that-cover one- on-one-to fare well against the likes of John Kolesar and Paul Jokisch Saturday, not to mention Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh has not thrown an interception in his last 73 attempts. "Every week we're playing a better quarterback," Northington said. "He is not inclined to make mistakes." But, as Northington admits, Harbaugh and his teammates will have to make mistakes galore for Oregon State to win. "They're going to have to have an of day for us to beat them, although we can compete with them," Northington admits. "Were not going to be able to play an average game to beat them." Even the biggest optimist has to be realistic. .:> Northington ... optimistic Y sT/0 ' fall STUDENT PHONATHON CALLERS WANTED Part Time Employment Evenings and Sundays Wolverines in SI From staff reports Michigan's victory over Notre Dame last Saturday made the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, usually delivered today or tomorrow. The cover reads "A Real Hum-Dinger-Michigan 24 Notre Dame 23," and in the story Sports Illustrated writer Rick Telander chronicles Michigan's win and the lackluster Michigan defense. He quotes middle guard Billy Harris as saying in the offseason, "I don't want to sound cocky, but we're like the Chicago Bears. We're ready to make videos." GRIDDE PICKS School of Education Staff will interview students by phone to call alumni nationwide for alumni fundraising phonathon. * Phonathon held Sunday through Thursday evenings October 5 through November 20 * Callers will be expected to work two calling sessions each week with some opportunity for additional hours " $4.25 per hour, nightly incentives & bonus opportunities Call for an interview between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 through Friday, Sept. 19 CALL 747-0633 The University of Michigan is a Non-Discriminatory, Affirmative Action Employer WASHINGTON - President Reagan today presented some new legislation in his and Mrs. Reagan's fight against drugs. Included were harsh punishments for drug users and sellers, ranging from fines and small jail sentences to the death penalty and, amazingly, the prohibition of playing Griddes. "I just don't think that these people who are responsible for the corruption of children and society as a whole should be allowed the chance to win a small pizza from Bob's," said the constipated and perturbed First Lady. "I agree wholeheartedly," the Gipper added. Griddes, the game where people pick the winners of 20 football games and the number of points scored in this week's Michigan Oregon State matchup, has long been a favorite of drug-related persons. If you are clean and want to play, just drop your picks off, along with your name and phone number, to 420 Maynard by midnight Friday. 1. Oregon State at MICHIGAN (pick total points) 2. Nebraska at Illinois 3. Navy at Indiana 4. Notre Dame at Michigan State 5. Minnesota at Oklahoma 6. Army at Northwestern 7. Colorado at Ohio State 8. Pitt at Purdue 9. Wisconsin at UNLV 10. Iowa at Northern Illinois 11. Penn State at Boston College 12. North Carolina at Florid State 13. Alabama at Florida 14. BYU at Washington 15. Clemson at Georgia 16. USC at Baylor 17. SMU at Arizona State 18. Maryland at West Virginia 19. Hope at DePauw 20. Jerry Mathers at DAILY LIBELS____ __ WEEKEND MAGAZINE Fridays in The Daily 763-0379 First, assume the recruiters at the Boston Consulting Group won't be impressed by alB"in Corporate Finance. Second, assume a "B-Grade" calculator won't ,, be good enough to help you make the grade in - "B-School." We suggest you get a calculatorthat has °