The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition - Thursday, September 5, 1991 - Page 5 MOELLER ENTERS SECOND SEASON WITH STRENGTH UPFRONT Bottom line: Solid in trenches Wolverine Jon Vaughn ran away from the Notre Dame defense last year and then ran away from the Michigan program in the off-season. M' offense Powers-full by Matt Rennie Daily Football Writer Michigan coach Gary Moeller and his tailback Ricky Powers have a similar goal this season: they are both hoping to avoid the sophomore jinx. If each accomplishes this task, Powers and his Wolverine team- mates may be accompanying Moeller to Pasadena for the winter holidays. Moeller starts his second season as head coach of the Wolverines with a share of the conference title under his belt and an excellent corps of returning players on both offense and defense. Last season, the new coach quickly asserted that this was his team by opening up the offense. Moeller caught nearly everybody off balance when he introduced a no- huddle offense in the season opener at Notre Dame. Although the Wolverines lost yet another heart- breaker to the Irish, quarterback Elvis Grbac proved efficient enough. with the new attack that the Wolverines employed it effectively throughout the season. However, Moeller's reckless style did not always pay dividends. Against Michigan State, he decided go for it on fourth-and-goal early in the contest, only to have running back Jon Vaughn stopped at the goal line. The Wolverine lost, 28-27. In the following game, against Iowa, the rookie coach called for an ill- fated two-point conversion attempt, and Michigan fell again, 24-23. Moeller did not become timid, though, much to the appreciation of his electrifying receiving tandem of Derrick Alexander and Desmond "Magic" Howard. The Wolverines continued to showcase their high- powered offense, closing the season with a six-game winning streak, which culminated in a 35-3 romp over Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl. Grbac enters his third season of varsity action ranked second on the Michigan career passing percentage list at .597. Grbac ranks second with a 136.8 yards per game average and is fourth in career completions (228) and touchdown passes (29). He set a school record with 21 touchdown passes in 1990, throwing 1I to high school teammate Howard. The strength of the Wolverine seasons. Injuries took their toll on the Wolverines this spring, especially on the defensive line, where Chris Hutchinson missed all of spring practice. "Right now, I'm only pleased with Mike Evans' play at tackle," Moeller said this spring. "With Hutchinson, I think you're talking about a guy who could be here today and gone tomorrow." The defensive backfield will have a new look in 1991, as Lance Dottin is the only returning starter. However, late-season injuries al- lowed Otis Williams and Corwin Brown to get valuable playing time, replacing three-year starters Tripp Welborne and Vada Murray. Special teams played a major role for the 1990 Wolverines, and the 1991 specialty squad will have a great deal of experience. Placekicker J.D. Carlson returns, as do a pair of punters, Eddie Azcona and Chris Stapleton. Moeller hopes for more consistency in both areas this season. Howard will again return kicks after finishing second in the country in kickoff return yardage (29.5 yard average) last year. As always, Michigan faces a bru- tal schedule, but some late changes may work to the Wolverines' ad- vantage. The Sept. 7 opener at Boston College was originally slotted two weeks later, but was moved up for television purposes. The new schedule benefits the Wolverines in two ways: (1) it gives them a warm-up game before its traditional clash with Notre Dame, and (2) it gives them a week off before facing national power- house Florida State. Life does not get any easier for Moeller and Co. when the Big Ten season opens. Michigan begins con- ference play with consecutive road games against Iowa and Michigan State, both of whom beat the Wolverines last year. Although the Wolverines must overcome difficult circumstances during the early part of the sched- ule, if everything comes together, their season could turn into a bed of roses. - Staff reports contributed to this story. *despite loss 4 by Matt Rennie Daily Football Writer There are three certainties in this world: death, taxes, and great Michigan tailbacks. The Wolverines will test that rule again this fall, when they try to cope with the loss of last year's starter, Jon Vaughn. Vaughn decided to forego his final two years of eli- gibility to enter the professional draft. The New England Patriots made Vaughn the first pick in the fifth round. Vaughn began last season in a Heisman-like manner, rushing for 201 yards in the Wolverines' season opener against Notre Dame and fol- lowing that performance with a 288-yard day against UCLA. For the season, he rushed for 1,364 yards and scored nine touchdowns. After suffering an ankle injury midway through the season, Vaughn's carries fluctuated, and his production decreased significantly. He regained his early season form ofVaughn with a 128-yard day in Michigan's Gator Bowl victory. Vaughn's departure came amid rumors of disputes between him and Michigan coach Gary Moeller. Regardless of Vaughn's reasons for leaving, Michigan will have to compensate for the lost offensive production, and the majority of that burden should fall on the shoulders of sophomore Ricky Powers. Powers' playing time increased steadily last year, and he closed the season with four straight 100-yard games. He set the Wolverine record for first-year runners with 748 yards. While Powers contributed heav- ily as a rookie last season, another newcomer may step to the forefront this season. Prize recruit Tyrone Wheatley, from Dearborn Heights Robichaud, combines impressive strength with track-and-field speed. Many experts anticipate Wheatley will see significant playing time this season. KENNETH SMOLLERIUaiy Mike Evans makes Purdue quarterback Eric Hunter feel like the hunted. in the Wolverines' game against the Boilermakers last season. offense traditionally has been the line, and this year should be no ex- ception as all-American tackle Greg Skrepenak returns with center Steve Everitt and guards Matt Elliot and Joe Cocozzo. Skrepenak, Everitt and Elliot shared MVP honors with de- parted Dean Dingman and Tom Dohring in the Wolverines' Gator be a good line," Moeller said this spring. "It has the potential to be as good as last year. We've just got to get some enthusiasm and. things like that." Erick Anderson, an all-American candidate at inside linebacker, leads the Michigan defense. Anderson recorded 112 tackles in 1990 to be- come the first Wolverine to lead the team in tackles for three straight Bowl victory. "If everyone's healthy, it should _ III k X p ' F, 4 b ac ',, d 1. v { . ...'n.. ,, Q WE WELCO E BACK HAVE THE MICHIGAN STYLES FOR 101,000 PLUS Cha mpion e"Russell - Gear " Woolrich 1 - ixT r $ f Cltgg ', i~r ,I /, /. AJ "Authentic J+ ' ! .4t -o ICIg / Michigan s erseys, Helmets, Sideline Clothing tvles in the latest fashion colors--plaids are in! (