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Buckeyes follow up bad, terrific 1995
In most respects, 1995 was a terrific
season for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
They won 11 games for the first
time since 1979. They had three first-
team All-Americans in Terry Glenn,
Orlando Pace" and Heisman Trophy
winner Eddie " George. And the
Buckeyes sixth-place finish in The
Associated Press poll was their best
showing since 1986.
But despite these successes, few were
hootin' and hollerin' in Columbus as
last year drew to a close. Indeed, many
Buckeye fans saw 1995 as a failure.
Especially those who think they control
a noose that slowly tightens around
coach John Cooper's neck. For many
diehards, Ohio State was actually 0-2
last season. Because in the end, the
Buckeyes did not beat Michigan and
did not get to the Rose Bowl.
Cooper is 65-28-4 in eight years at
Ohio State. But he is 1-6-1 against the
Wolverines and has yet to lead the
Buckeyes to Pasadena. For the record,
Ohio State last went to the Rose Bowl
in 1986 and last won the Granddaddy of
them all in 1974.
Despite these Rose Bowl dry spells,
the Buckeyes (as always) figure to factor
in the Big Ten race this season. They are
picked to finish either first or second in
the league in most preseason polls.
"We expect to have another very
good football team," Cooper said. "Our
strengths will be a veteran defense and
an experienced offensive line. This is a
senior-dominated team and our players
know what it takes to get the job done."
Ohio State returns 18 starters - 10
on defense, six on offense, and two
kickers - from last season's 11-2
squad.
The list includes both the 1995 Big
Ten offensive and defensive linemen of
the year, in Pace and senior defensive
end Mike Vrabel, respectively. The
departed tailback George ran his way to
the Heisman Trophy behind the lead of
the junior Pace, who is arguably the best
offensive tackle in the land. Vrabel gar-
nered defensive honors a year ago after
setting school records for sacks in a sin-
gle season (13) and tackles-for-loss
(26). Senior Matt Finkes, a 1994 All-
Big Ten performer, joins Vrabel in the
defensive backfield.
In the secondary, the Buckeyes will
depend on junior cornerback Shawn
Springs, a preseason All-American can-
didate.
Offensively, however, Ohio State has
craters to fill. Gone are George (1,927
rushing yards and 25 touchdowns), the
Biletnikoff Award recipient Glenn (64
receptions, 17 touchdowns and 1,411
yards) and quarterback Bobby Hoying
(29 touchdown passes and 3,269 yards
throwing). Statistically, the three rank
as the most productive players at their
respective positions in Buckeye history.
Stanley Jackson is Ohio State's start-
ing quarterback - for now. He recently
won a six-month battle with Mark
Garcia and Joe Germaine. While Ohio
State could be primed for a quarterback
controversy, there is no question at tail-
back, where junior Pepe Pearson is
George's replacement.
"Pepe has separated himself from the
other tailback candidates," Cooper said.
"I expect great things from him this
year. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't
rush for 1,500 yards."
How is that for expectations?
Ohio State was impressive in pound-
ing Rice, 70-7, last weekend.
But Rice is Rice.
The Big Ten is the Big Ten.
It is evident that the Buckeyes have
the horses to be there at the end, but a
nagging question looms. t
If Cooper couldn't take the Buckeyes m
E Oar Ead
BEST OF
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Nittany Lions look to
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A lot of things have changed since
Joe Paterno took over the Penn State
football program. For example, the for-
ward pass was invented and the country
has fully rebuilt from the ruins of the
Civil War.
And though one would expect
Paterno to be set in his ways, he said
that's not the case.
"You have to be willing to change,"
said Paterno, who is beginning his 31st
season as head coach of the Nittany
Lions. "You have to understand kids are
changing. Kids are living in a world
today that's very different from 25 years
ago, 35 years ago."
While the college football world is
different, filled with media pressures,
big money shoe deals and agents lurk-
ing in the bushes, one thing has
remained the same thing at Penn State
- winning.
Paternohas had just two seasons
with a .500 record or lower during his
career, and those are offset by five per-
fect seasons, the last coming in 1994.
Things shouldn't be much different
for Penn State this season as it is picked
by the media to win its second Big Ten
title in three years.
The Nittany Lions opened the season
against USC at the Kickoff Classic on
Aug. 25.
What was supposed to be a top-notch
matchup turned into a top-notch
blowout as Penn State topped the
Trojans, 24 - 7.
The big story for the Nittany Lions
wasn't the win, however. It was the
emergance of tailback Curtis Enis,
who rushed for 241 yards and three
touchdowns.
Still, most feel that the offense will
go only as far as senior quarterback
Wally Richardson takes them.
"He's a real leader, a very bright kid'"
Paterno said. "Early (last) year, we had
a little too much for him, but by the end
of the year - the last three or four
games - he was very good. I think
that will continue."
On defense, the Nittany Lions return
eight starters from a unit that was rated
second in the conference last year.
There is one unexpected loss, though.
Defensive lineman Brad Scioli tore
his anterior cruciate ligament in his
right knee during spring drills and will
most likely miss the entire season.
"I think we will play well defensive-
ly," Paterno said. "We will hustle. We
have kids who will hit on every play.
They will get knocked down, but they
will get up and say 'nice job.'
"We will be tough, but I don't know
whether we will be dominating."
- Ryan White
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