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Friday, September 10, 1993
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12 Kickoff '93
.. --r" .
Replacing veterans
just isn't that easy-
Most agree that the biggest
challenge Gary Moeller had to
deal with in the offseason was to
replace a veteran offensive line
that helped Michigan gain over
268 yards a game on the ground.
Gone are Steve Everitt, Joe
Cocozzo, Doug Skene and Rob
Doherty to graduation. The ques-
tion remained, who would replace
these veterans?
Offensive
CHA
Despite having one game un-
der its belt, Michigan's questions
still remain to some extent. While
narrowing down the number of
qualified starters, Moeller de-
cided to go with a rotation interi-
orly of six players against Wash-
ington State in the 1993 opener,
some playing more than one po-
sition.
Fifth-year senior Marc Milia
starts in place of Everitt at cen-
ter. Next to him at right guard
and tackle are sophomores Joe
Marinaro and Mike Sullivan,
respectively. Moeller under-
stands it's a lot to ask Milia and
Marinaro to replace their prede-
cessors.
"Marc isn't going to be in a
position to give us everything
Steve Everitt had, and Marinaro
give us what Joe Cocozzo had,
with the very little playing expe-
rience (they possess)," Moeller
said. "It's going to be hard to do."
Milia, on the other hand, is
just happy to finally get the start-
ing job.
"There were times in the last
two years where I'd be on the
sidelines and I have to stay fo-
cused and it's tough," Milia said.
"Now I'm going to get a chance to
take over these reigns. It's great."
On the left side, Trezelle
Jenkins, the lone returning
starter from a ago, will again be
at tackle, with junior Shawn
Miller at guard. Both players
have also been practicing on the
right side and could very well see
playing time there.
See OF. LmE, Page 26
I
DOUI KANTEFVDaity
Senior captain Ricky Powers looks to return to form after an injury-plagued
1992 season. Powers' gained only 321 yards in his junior season.
Wheatley leads best
backs in Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference has
long been renowned for its ground
game. As the highest ranked Big
Ten team, Michigan has more
than enough leg to keep the tra-
dition alive.
However, the battle cry of
three yards and a cloud of dust is
ready to be changed. Twenty
yards and a puff of smoke -as in
a steam train -- might be more
appropriate. Four tailbacks, all
returning, combined for 24 runs
Running Backs
.A A
CHA
longer than 20 yards.
Even among the standout
tailbacks - each of which could
probably start for any other Big
Ten institution -- the Wolver-
ines have a standout. Junior
Tyrone Wheatley grabbed the
Big Ten Offensive Player-of-the-
Year award after leading the con-
ference in rushing, scoring and
all-purpose yardage.
Wheatley started the season
with his best effort to keep with
the long distance tradition. He
returned .the season-opening
kickoff 50 yards. He also dazzled
the crowd with a 59-yard touch-
down run and a 22-yard scamper
in the first half of Saturday's
game against Washington State.
Four-year regular and co-cap-
tain Ricky Powers checks in
right behind Wheatley. After his
rushing total slipped from 1,197
in his sophomore season to 748
yards last year, Powers thinks he
is ready to regain the form that
won him All-Big Ten honors two
years ago.
"I've done a lot to prepare for
this season," Powers said. "Last
season I came in at 230 pounds
and that was just ridiculous. I
think that's why I got hurt so
much. I'm down to 205 and I
think that should make a big
difference."
By voting him captain, appar-
ently his teammates believe in
his new-found commitment also.
Ed Davis starts this season
as the No. 3 tailback in coach
Gary Moeller's offense. Although
Davis made his debut on special
teams in last season's opener
against Notre Dame, he really
exploded two games later against
Houston. His 105 yards on 11
carries both still stand as per-
sonal records.
Although Jesse Johnson
continues his preparation, his
playing future is uncertain.
The fullback position will be-
come hotly contested between
Chd Foster and speedy new-
comer Jon Ritchie as the year
continues.
Foster started Saturday's con-
test. Ritchie madehis debutgain-
ing five yards on his first carry
but was stopped at the line on his
second.
Particularly from a blocking
perspective, the Wolverines will
miss the services of fullback
Burnie Leggette.
- Andy De Korte
Two TE
set new
for Blue
offense
Tony McGee is gone, but does
anyone know?
What with all the concern that
the departure of offensive line-
men Steve Everitt, Joe Cocozzo,
Doug Skene and Rob Doherty
means big trouble for the Michi-
gan offense, fans seem to have
forgotten that the All-Big Ten
tight end has moved on as well.
Coach Gary Moeller has re-
membered, however, stating,
"There is no Tony McGee this
year," at a recent press confer-
ence.
But while there is no Tony
McGee, there is Marc
Burkholder. Afifth-year senior,
Burkholderbacked up McGee last
season, appearing in all 12 games
Tight Ends
CHA
and catching a pair of passes. At
6-foot-3 and 244 pounds,
Burkholder is not short on size.
"He's going to be pretty good,"
Moeller said. "I think he's going
to have a good year."
Regardless, the graduation of
McGee - a second-round pick of
the Cincinnati Bengals - is a
sizable loss for the Wolverines.
Last season, McGee was
Michigan's second-leading re-
ceiver, catching 38 passes for 467
yards and six touchdowns. Two
of his scores came in Michigan's
38-31 Rose Bowl win, including
the game-winner.
Tight end coach Mike DeBord
isn't sure Burkholder will be as
successful, saying it will be op-
posing defenses that Michigan
will use to determine who does
the pass-catching for Wolverines.
Still, coaches like him just the
same.
"He's a very good run blocker
who gives a great effort," DeBord
said of Burkholder.
It will be important for
Burkholder to stay healthy, be-
cause behind him on the depth
chart is only more inexperience.
"We'reyoung," DeBord admitted.
Nevertheless, true freshman
Pierre Cooper saw a good deal
of playing time last Saturday
against Washington State. Coo-
per was used in a two tight end
See TIGIrr ENDs, Page 27
FILE PHOTO
Purdue running back Mike Alstott will carry much of the load for the
Boilermakers in 1993.
OSU looking to
rega in elite status
With Penn State's appearance Redshirt freshman Mark
in the Big Ten, Ohio State may Christopher is the heir apparent
have the most to lose. Ohio State to Tovar, and could leave a simi-
has always been half of the "Big lar legacy ifhe plays to his poten-
Two," albeit less successfully as tial. He will be flanked by speedy
of late. The Buckeyes could usu- returning outside linebackers
ally focus on the Wolverines, and Mark Williams and Craig Powell.
if Michigan fal- T - H - E "Ohio State was the toughest
tered, the Buck- defense I faced," Michigan quar-
eyes were ready. 00 terback Todd Collins said. "They
Now, Penn C ~ L were always in my face."
State has pushed 3J1 ILIn the secondary, the Buck-
its way between UN1VERS[Y eyes return Chico Nelson and
the two old rivals, Tim Walton. However, because
ranked 14th to OSU's 16th. those players had extensive game
If the Buckeyes want to re- experience last season, the
main the No. 2 team in the Big backup secondary is suspect.
Ten or ascend to the top spot, Regardless of how good his
they will need to replace their defense is, Cooper said he knows
leading rusher (Robert Smith - it cannot win games by itself.
819 yards), passer (Kirk "We have to play as strong a
Herbstreit - 1,904 yards) and defense as we did. And I think to
receiver (Brian Stablein- 643, get over the hump and beat
yards). (Michigan), wehave to have some
The defense ranked in the Top big plays," Cooper said. "We have
20 in most statistical categories to throw the ball up in the air and
last season, finishing fourth in go for it.
the nation in points allowed, av- Bob Hoying is the man Coo-
eraging 13.2 points, 1.1 points BbHyn stemnCo
betterthanMichigan.All-BigTen per wants to throw that ball. Al-
defensive first-teamers Greg though he has a strong arm, the
Smith, Steve Tovar and Roger redshirt freshman has a lot to
Harper are gone, but defense is prove. Split end Joey Galloway
likely to be the Buckeyes' biggest returns after starting six games
asset. last season; however, his season
"Jason Simmons (senior de- finished with a knee injury. He
fensive end) only needs four sacks has the breakaway speed that
to become our all-time leader," Hoying will trying to hook up
Ohio State coach John Cooper with deep. Gallowaywillbejoined
said. "Dan Wilkinson (sophomore by Chris Sanders in the flanker
defensive tackle) is a bigger, position.
stronger guy." The Buckeyes return four
Randall Brown will be the players on the offensive line, in-
other end filling out the front line cluding Big Ten rookie-of-the-
of a predominantly 4-3 defense. year Korey Stringer.
The nose tackle position is un- In Ohio State's opening game
settled, but, having seen action last weekend,they defeated the
in all 12 games last season, Matt Rice Owls, 34-7.
Bonhaus would appear to have -Andy De Korte
the inside track.
After posting matching 4-7
records (3-5, Big Ten) in his first
two seasons, Purdue coach Jim
Colletto is looking to turn the
proverbial corner.
However, losing one of the
school's most prolific quarter-
backs in Eric
Hunter will
nothelp. Even
with Hunter,
the offense
finished last
in first downs
per game and third down effi-
ciency last season.
The defense, eighth in the Big
Ten in scoring allowed (24.1
points per game), lost Big Ten
defensive player-of-the-year Jeff
Zgonina, as well as the Big Ten's
Boilers seek impro
leading tackler, linebacker Eric
Beatty.
Although Colletto is well-
versed in rhetoric meant to give
students and fans some hope in
the future, reality still comes
through.
"Our game against Michigan
(a 24-17 loss) on ESPN last year
probably did as much good for us,
both for our confidence and our
recruiting as anything could,"
Colletto said.
Purdue took a 10-point lead
into the half before the Wolver-
ines scored 17 unanswered points
in the third quarter to put the
game away.
Despite being destined to fin-
ish in the bottom half of the Big
Ten, the Boilermakers are not
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