0 0 a Friday. September 10, 193 Miller, Coleman look to right State's sin The Michigan State football team is undefeated, but don't expect it to last past Saturday. The Spartans have not won a season opener since 1987 and have only had three winning Sep- tembers during George Perles' 10-year reign as head coach. Although Michigan State fin- ished third at 5-3 in the Big Ten last season, a winless Sep- tember cost the team any post- season appear- ance. Further- more, season- opening losses to Central Michigan each of the last two seasons pulled the plug on any chance of a quick start. "For us to be successful, we need to get out of the blocks well," quarterback Jim Miller said. "We've been getting out slow. We're sitting at home at Christ- mas time watching teams. We think we should be there instead and it's frustrating." While Perles may have been disgusted then he's ready to at- tack the new season. "We're always positive here," Perles said. "I have reason to be optimistic - I've got eight back on offense and eight back on de- fense. I'm not going to come and make a soft landing in case things don't go well." Fifth-year senior Miller will head the effort to keep Perles from needing a soft landing. Over the past two seasons he has thrown for 2,768 yards on 409 attempts and stands second on the career list for completion per- centage at .614. Miller has an outstanding corps of targets to choose from. Mill "The Thrill" Coleman has become one of the Big Ten's pre- mier performers, averaging 15.8 yards a catch over 37 receptions last season. Speedster Napoleon Outlaw will be beginning his first season as full-time split end but already has a 107-yard game. Tailback Craig Thomas will be replacing 1,000-yard rusher Tico Duckett. After just 47 yards in his first two years, Thomas exploded for 887 yards last sea- son. Thomas also has a deep sup- porting cast beneath him includ- ing Steve Holman, Hickey Th- ompson and Duane Goulbourne. The past few seasons have seen the Spartans lose a number of extremely gifted offensive weapons. Perles will be looking to "The Thrill" to fill that role this season. "I think Mill is an excellent choice to do something like that. I think Mill is going to have an excellent year," Perles said. "He has got natural abilities -hands speed, and quickness. He's go determination." "Mill lives up to his nickname every weekend," Miller said. "He can run, block. He can do it all. After finishing eighth inpass ing yardage allowed in the Bij Our Price, WitinSho With these heavy-duty wastebaskets you won't Available in assorted colors. Sorry, be throwi basketball s a s- Q O C.' tr. S ; t.. ,.. ..h 0 TARG El RiGHT ON THE MONE FILE PHOTO Michigan State will need a healthy Jim Miller if its to have any shot at a bowl gameletalone the Big Ten title. - . Located at the intersection of 1-94 and Ann Arbor- I °: ye - - -",. ,. U U M e -. i. , . r . ? #mr : . _ . W a # E, " s r n ;Patae*a ac'r'yc*r ac E , a*a*1e tit it