Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Sept. 13, 1984, edition 1 / Page 21
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14 Football 1984September 13, 1984 Cavs looking for consecutive winning years By SCOTT CANTERBERRY , Staff Writer Last year's 6-5 record, only the third winning season since 1952 for Virginia football, had Charlottesville buzzing with talk of a possible bowl bid But third-year coach George Welsh will have to depend on an untested quarterback, four talented running backs, a questionable offensive line and an experienced defense to produce another winning season for the Cavalier faithful. For the Cavaliers to do as well as last year will mean that they must do better than in their season opener, in which Clemson annihilated them, 55-0, in Charlottesville. Welsh's first step to achieving consecutive winning seasons is to find a replacement for quarterback Wayne Schuchts, whose 1,881 yards passing and 1 1 touchdowns in 1983 set Virginia records. After a four-player battle during the spring and fall drills, versatile sophomore Kevin Ferguson (6-2, 208) won the starting job a week before the season opener with Clemson. Last year, Ferguson played seven games at flanker and returned kickoffs for the Cavaliers, but did not see duty as quarterback. Despite Ferguson's inexperience, Welsh has confidence in his young quarterback. "Ferguson is a much more mobile and faster quarterback (than Schuchts)," Welsh said. "He can scramble, and that adds another dimension to our offense." "He doesn't have the timing yet, but he's just a 19-year-old sophomore." To cover Ferguson's inexperience, Virgi nia will rely on a strong running attack early in the season to provide most of the offensive punch. "We plan to run the ball first and use the pass to keep the defense off-balance," Welsh said. "We won't ask Ferguson to do a lot of things. Hopefully our running backs can take some tf the burden off of him." Returning tailback Howard Petty, who rushed for 835 yards last season, and senior fullback Steve Morse (282 yards) will again be in the starting lineup this fall. Add to that tandem converted-fullback Antonio Rice, who had a sensational freshman season and started six games in 1983 before breaking his arm, and junior tailback Barry Word, and the Cavs will have a potent running game. Rice, ACC rookie of the year runner-up in 1982 at tailback, will be sitting on the bench in favor of Morse. "Morse is a good blocker and more experienced," Welsh said. The transition to fullback has been a slow one for Rice, Welsh added, "but he's been really coming around." Virginia will most likely run over the left side of the line behind first-team All-ACC tackle Jim Dombrowski and senior guard Bob Olderman. Dombrowski was a unanim ous choice to the preseason All-ACC team this fall. Junior Harold Garren returns to start at center, but that's the last sure thing for a line that has several question marks. Junior Steve Karriker was slated to start at right guard, but he suffered a hamstring pull in practice and was scheduled to miss at least the first game. Redshirt freshman Paul Sierocinski or junior Scott Chapin will fill the right tackle position. Bryan Hitchcock, a tackle in 83, will move down the line to start at tight end. "We're a little behind where I would like to be," Welsh said of his line. "Well have to see how our offensive line does against quality people." When Ferguson does pass the ball, it's a good bet that senior split end Nick Merrick (20 receptions for 308 yards) will be on the receiving end. The Cavalier defense could be the strongest point of this year's team. Returning from a defense that allowed 387 yards a game a "roller-coaster defense" said Welsh are nine starters, including All-ACC pick Lester Lyles at strong safety. Moving into the starting lineup in the fourth game last year, Lyles recorded 98 tackles (64 unassisted), intercepted three passes, forced a pair fumbles and blocked two kicks. Leading tackier Charles McDaniel (130 tackles) will man one linebacker spot and junior Russ Swan the other in the 5-2 set. All three starters from the interior trench return this year, making the Cavs very solid up the middle. Tackle Ron Mattes (6-6, 289) had a team-best six quarterback sacks and was selected as preseason All-ACC this fall. Tom Kilgannon and David Bond will again start at the two remaining spots. Two juniors, regulars John Muntz and Scott Hillman, will man the two defensive end positions. Joining Lyles in the secondary is holdover cornerback Ray Daly and three-time letter winners Bob Sweeney and William Frazier. Even with an experienced team, the Cavs still could have a hard time stopping opponents. "We need more consistency from the defense," Welsh said. ' This is a defense very similar to the one that held UNC to 14 points and then was ripped by a 48-point explosion at Virginia Tech the following week, last year. School record holder Kenny Stadlin will return to handle the place-kicking respon sibilities this fall. The multi-talented Ferguson will also punt for the team in the absence of regular punter Jeff Walker, whose academic problems have not been resolved. If Ferguson does not punt, then fullback Rice will get the call. How Ferguson adjusts to his role as quarterback, however, should be the deter mining factor if Virginia is to again finish VIRGINIA CAVALIERS 1983 record: 6-5 Coach: George Welsh Starters returning: Offense (6) LT Jim Dombrowski, LG Bob Olderman, C Harold Garren, SE Nick Merrick, FB Steve Morse, TB Howard Petty. Defense (9)- SS Lester Lyles, LB Charles McDaniel, LB Russ Swan, DT Ron Mattes, DT Tom Kilgannon, NG David Bond, CB Ray Daly, DE Scott Hillman, DE John Muntz. Forecast: Welsh's troops surprised people last year and if Ferguson matures quickly and the offensive line comes around, they have the potential to surprise a lot more. The defense should be an improved squad, but don't count on more than six wins for the Cavs. Prediction: Fourth in the ACC. with a winning record and to move up in the ACC standings. "We did well last year to win six games," said Welsh, who earned ACC Coach of the Year honors for his team's exploits, which included a 17-14 upset of UNC. "I think we're going to field a good football team, but well have to wait a couple of weeks to see how we react to the competition, and how our offensive line comes around." And with a tough early season schedule, Welsh hopes everything comes together soon. I I I I I I I I J SHAKES CONES SUNDAES & mm mm mm - FAST SERVICE p v era HOME OF THE DOG BUY ONE HOTDOG GET ONE FREE 7 am-10 pm 1506 E. 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Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Sept. 13, 1984, edition 1
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