AWL ,y.. i irc w ... mri 6rrti or in n - WL- _ - A 'Aa a = , w w p. - BIG TEN a i nursaay, beptteiIeutI, ±yu-- MCK~ui 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 ANN ARBOR Best Michigan Items to Pasadena last season, can he lead Nittany Lions look to tailback for leadership Deli and Vegetarian Sand% fHe4m ad P Soups a.0.f," S * Sie nCe195 --" a great Ann Arbor and 4ichigan tradition! r Best Wishes to Everyone for a Great Fall! Students, faculty & staff...and to our football, cross country, field hockey, & volleyball Wolverines New This Fall in our Backroom Expansion The Authentic 4 Michigan Team Sports Collection From: " Authentic &tReplica Football Jerseys " Practice T-Shirts, Shorts & Fleece " Coaches Caps & Polos " Jackets 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 THE HEALT ALTERNATI 662-4700 Fax: 662-5224 715 Hours: 7:00 am-7:00 pm M-Th 7:00 am-5:00 pm Fri 8:00 am-5:00 pm Sat 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Sun1 HY VE CroisantsK N. University F I DI Find out why is the Best in Ann Arbor! 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