Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Sept. 9, 1982, edition 1 / Page 16
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6 The Daily Jar Heel 'Football 82-83 o By MICHAEL PERSINGER Staff Writer The town of Clemson, SC lives for foot ball. All other activities are merely a way to pass the time between game days for the orange-clad Tiger faithful. The most recent New Year's Day was an especially productive one for the Tigers, as they took home their first national cham pionship by defeating the Comhuskers of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The victory capped a 12-0 campaign that also included wins over Georgia and UNC. Clemson head coach Danny Ford had nothing but praise for the 1981 team, but emphasized that last year is a part of history now, and that this year's team must start it all again. "Last season's team was a great team. They proved it in every way and deserved everything they got," Ford said. "This team, will be fighting to find an identity, especially early in the season." Ford's mam concern in 1982 will be re- placing the excellent players who occupied his offensive line in 1981. Cone are Ail American tackle Lee Nanney, AII-ACC center Tony Berryhill, tackle Brian Fisher and guard Brian Clark. The only returning starter is AII ACC candidate James Farr, a guard. Spot starter Bob Mayberry also returns at tackle. Losing 80 percent of the offensive line is not enough to empty the Tiger's stables, though. Alex Hudson, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior, should join Mayberry at tackle, with 6-foot-5, 235-pound Brian Butcher, a con verted tight end, at guard and 231 -pound ju nior Cary Massaro at the center position. "We have talent in the line, but it's not ex perienced talent," Ford said. Running behind this inexperienced line is a talented group of running backs with more than a few carries under their collective belt. All told, 99 percent of the rushing yardage from last year's team returns-for 1982. Leading the way among these veterans is 6-foot, 190-pound Cliff Austin, who ravaged opposing defenses for 824 yards in 1981. When Austin steps out for a breather, the man who steps in takes up where Austin left off. Chuck McSwain hurled his Ofoot-2, 190-pound body for an additional 629 yards and seven touchdowns from the tailback spot last fall. Jeff McCall returns to seek his fourth var sity letter at fullback this fall after contribut ing 457 yards in 1981 . Kevin Mack will resume his role as the reserve fullback after gaining 287 yards last fall. The glue that holds the offense together is senior quarterback Homer Jordan. The Ath ens, Ga., product who snubbed the home town Georgia Bulldogs to go to Clemson, re turns after a fine season in which he gained 1630 yards passing and an additional 486 on the ground. The All-America candidate con nected on 54.6 percent of his passes last year. Jordan will work with a depleted receiving corps in 1982. Gone is Perry Tuttle, the top receiver in Clemson history and a first round NFL draft choice, as well as starter Jerry Gaillard. Three letter winners do return to catch Jordan's aerials, however. Frank Magwood, the top receiver in terms of yards per catch with 20.3, is back, as are Jeff Stockstill and Kendall Alley. AH will be expected to contri bute early. WW A Yv- iv I a 1 -v- jLJ f. - t '. 4 - X - v;'.:v r, V"'-v kj ft ." ' ' tfti ' . y ; ;;: i I ii 7 . A 4 J 1 " v 1 X X : ( k - " V I 1 I "-"iminrirrr-MiBHiiiiiiiiiiiiriiirnTriiiT rrti frrnrnn ilf ' lnmx.a , ms nainni ftmmijl Clemson's Jeff McCall is stacked up by UNC . . .The Tiger's fullback gained 457 yards last season. DTHScott Sharp The tight end situation is anything but clear cut Bubba Diggs returns as the incum bent but he will be pressured by Jeff Wells, who sat out last season with an illness, Jim Wurst and K.D. Dunn. "We have receivers with good hands, but we need more speed," Ford said. "We need a (Perry) Tuttle who can outrun people and give you the big play." Seven starters return from a defense that allowed only 8.8 points per game last year. The front five in Clemson's 5-2 set up may be the heart of the defense. Senior Dan Benish, a 6-foot, 242-pounder, may be the strong est of the strong. Joining Benish at tackle will be either Jim Scott a 6-foot-5, 240 pound junior, or James Robinson, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior who sat out last season af ter knee surgery. The nose guard position will be held down by a pair of giants known to the Clemson faithful as the "Bruise Brothers." Sophomore William Perry and junior William Devane combined for 80 tackles while alternating at nose guard last year. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Perry, known to his teammates as "G.E." and "Fridge," runs a 4.9-second 40-yard dash and can dunk a basketball. Devane, 6-foot-2 and 250, averaged 35 plays a game last year. At defensive end the Tigers return Andy Headen, a converted quarterback, Mark Richardson, Joe Glenn and Edgar Pickett. One of the last three must replace last year's starter Bill Smith. At linebacker, the Tigers must replace ACC Player of the Year and team leader Jeff Davis. Ford is looking to 6-foot-4, 224-pound Danny Triplett to assume Davis' leadership role. v - . "Danny Triplett is getting better and bet ter for us," Ford said. Senior Johnny Rembert will probably see time in Davis' middle line backer spot V Ford feels that the weakest part of the de fense is at the cornerbacks, vacated by last year's starters Hollis HaJI and Anthony Rose. Rod McSwain, Chuck's younger brother, is the only cornerback with any experience. "As shallow as we are at the comers, we are that deep at safety," Ford said. "Terry Ki nard may be the finest defensive player in the country." Playing alongside the 1981 All-American Kinard will be Tim Childers, who also started last year. . Clemson has one of the finest kicking games in the country thanks to sophomores Dale Hatcher and Donald Igwebuike. Hat cher led the ACC in punting last year, but was left off the all-conference team. Igwe buike will once again handle the kickoffs and field goals, while Bob Paulling will kick extra points. - ; The Clemson schedule is as big a push- over as any in the ACC. Clemson fans should expect no less than a 9-2 mark from the 1982 edition. They may not repeat as national champions, but they should remain a Top 20, if not a Top 10 team. Non-ACC foes From Staff Reports s . Vanderbilt Steady improvement marked by a wide open passing game, has characterized the Commodores the last two years. Vanderbilt broke 30 school records and tied two others while throwing for 3,036 yards last season. The Commodores also doubled their victory total (four) for the second straight time. With experienced players .returning at the skill posi tions, there's no telling what they can achieve this season. Foremost of the senior leaders will be quar terback Whit Taylor, who led the SEC in total offense despite missing two games and parts of two others with a stress fracture in his foot. The starting flanker is Phil Roach. Split end will be between Cino Wynert and Frank Sulli van. Allama Matthews caught 50 passes for 704 yards at tight end last season. Ernie Coolskby is back at fullback, where he caught 42 passes. Norman Jordan, who had 49 catches last year, will start at tailback. The line must be rebuilt Only center Karl Jordan and tackle Rob Monaco are back. Linebacker will still be among the team's strengths with the likes of Time Bryant and Joe Staley back. Both defensive ends Steve Bearden and John Clemens are back along with top reserves Bob O'Connor and Glenn Watson. Jim Arnold, a preseason All-America on some teams, returns for his fourth tour as punter. A consensus All-SEC the past two years, he tied the school record with a 79-yard punt at Ole Miss last season. Ricky Anderson will place-kick. , . Army Head coach Ed Cavanaugh hopes to straight en out the Long Gray Line with 13 returnees and deliver West Point its first winner since 1977. "We have some big holes to plug," confides t - 1 Li a u I a i i i i i i e E University jfniw, mm. 967-4810 Mall . DUBEY'S PET. WORLD Professional Dog Grooming "CHAPEL HILL'S ONLY FULL LINE PET CENTER" Present This Coupon For One FREE ET GOLDFIS Offer Good Through Sept 19 e i a i i i i i i i i ' . - i i'-k ... i-. .-i . j t K r.i t4t ti, .! r-: - ?S& r.W i'M
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Sept. 9, 1982, edition 1
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