The Michigan Daily - Kic
k Smith livens medi
z Tailback broke Hoosier freshman rush

By Darren Everson
Death and taxes are still the top two
things one can count on in life. However,
a mediocre Indiana team with a star run-
ning back and an easy non-conference
schedule is gaining fast.
In the tradition of Anthony Thomp-
son and Vaughn Dunbar, the Hoosiers
have another record-breaking tailback
in Alex Smith. As a freshman last sea-
son, Smith rushed for 1,475 yards -
the best-ever total for an Indiana
rookie and third-best among freshmen
in NCAA history.
Still, Indiana went 6-5, finished tied
for eighth in the Big Ten and missed a
bowl game. That was mainly because of
a defense that gave up 30 points per
game in conference play.
"It seemed like at times we would
self-destruct," coach Bill Mallory said.
"The glaring error in our defense is that
we allowed the big play. I think a lot of it
was inexperience."
That could still plague the Hoosiers,
at least at the linebacker positions. Indi-
ana will have to start anew there, now
that 1994 starters Alfonzo Thurman,
Derrick Terrell and Trevor Wilmot are

all gone.
"There's no reason why it
good solid linebacking corps
said. "We may turn to some yo
men coming in because we d
pretty good corps of backers.'
As optimistic as Mallory
still said that "the strength of o

team is our of-
fense." Leading
Indiana's I-for-
mation attack
will be junior
quarterback
Chris Dittoe. He
hasn't played
much in his ca-
reer, starting
only twice, but
he came off the
bench tothrow

mndi
F-
Oc
Bloor
1994:

four touchdowns against Pen

year.


At wide receiver, the Ho
a speed merchant in Eric Mat
dependable blocking back St
turns. Indiana's only offensiv
lie on the line, where two start
replaced.



MINNESOTA SPORTS INFORMATION
Minnesota will depend on the talents of Heisman candidate Chris Darkins.
Gophers hope for an
improved defense

By Darren Everson
Minnesota coach Jim Wacker said the
Big Ten's balance from top to bottom "will
make it tough for everyone." Life will be
tough for the Golden Gophers too, but per-
haps not as bad as last year's 1-7 confer-

ence showing.
According to the stand-
ings, Minnesota was the
weakest of the weak in '94. Minn
However, the scores of the
games say something differ-
ent. After getting crowned 56-
3 by Penn State, the Gophers
went on to lose much tighter
games to Indiana, Purdue, eli- Octot
nois and Michigan after lead- Ann
ing them all at halftime.
Minnesota's problem was
that its opponents moved the
ball at will; conference foes averaged 455
yards per game.
"We played much better on the defen-
sive side of the ball this spring," he said.
"We've really made a quantum leap there."
Besides its defense, Minnesota also

Ar

"We wanted to take a look at their fa-
cilities, and what they've done with their
programs," Wacker said.
Minnesota studied Kansas State, Ten-
nessee and Nebraska.
"It was very worthwhile. Our budget is
at the bottom of the Big Ten
for football while our other
sports are in the middle.
'sota 3Maybe we should do some-
thing to change that."
Apparently, Wacker &
Co. are willing to spend a
good portion of that budget to
run a "Chris Darkins for the
r 28 Heisman" campaign. The se-
krbor nior tailback set the single-
~' 3"$.. season rushing record at Min-
nesota last year with 1,443
yards and was a first-teamAll-

MINNESOTA SPORTS INFOKMAJIUN

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Big Ten pick last year.
But Darkins for the Heisman?
"He can run with anybody in the coun-
try," Wacker said.
He may have lead Minnesota alone,
too. Minnesota has a new quarterback
(sop mCora Saute r) adust rpace
' et ffe lins b Ie.of
its defensive line.

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looked at other schools doging *qff-ea-,
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