Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Sept. 2, 1995, edition 1 / Page 4
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4 September 2, 199! 1. Florida State 1994 record: 10-1-1 (8-0 in the ACC) Head coach: Bobby Bowden (249-79-4,176-47-4 at FSU) Home field: Doak S. Campbell Stadium (77,500) Series record vs. UNC: FSU leads, 5-0-1 Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense Key returnees: Danny Kanell, Sr., QB; Warrick Dunn, Jr., TB; Clay Shiver, Sr., C; Todd Rebol, Sr., OLB Key losses: Kez McCorvey, WR; Derrick Alexander, DE; Derrick Brooks, OLB; Clifton Abraham, CB Strengths: Too many for its ACC foes to keep up with. The offense is one of the most powerful in the country, amassing 483 yards per game in 1994. Weaknesses: Not many, but the inexperience of the defense could be a liability. Keys to season: If the offense continues on the pace it has set over the previous two seasons, it will more than make up for the young defense. Quote: "We know people who get preseason No. 1 and don't win it. We also know the last time people picked us No. 1, we won it. So it doesn't really make any difference." Bobby Bowden. COMPILED BY AARON BEARD 4. N.C. State 1994 record: 9-3 (6-2 in the ACC) Head coach: Mike O'Cain (16-8) Home field: Carter-Finley Stadium (59,000) Series record vs. UNC: UNC leads, 54-24-6 Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense Key returnees: Terry Harvey, Sr., QB; Tremayne Stephens, So., TB; Steve Keim, Sr., G; Ricky Bell, Jr., CB; Rod Brown, Jr., FB Key losses: Eddie Goines, FL; Damien Covington, ILB; Steve Videtich, PK Strengths: The offensive and defensive backfields, despite the loss of Goines. Weaknesses: Dealing with the controversy caused by the players arrests has been tough for O'Cain and distracting for the Wolfpack as it prepares for the '95 season. Keys to season: NCSU must regain its momentum from its Peach Bowl win and regroup from its off-the-field setbacks. Quote: "Offensively, we feel very confident about where we are ... We need to have some receivers step to the front so we can become a consistent threat throwing the ball." Mike O'Cain. COMPILED BY ERIN PARRISH 7. Maryland 1994 record: 4-7 (2-6 in the ACC) Head coach: Mark Duffner (69-29-1,9-24 at Maryland) Home field: Byrd Stadium (48,000) Series record vs. UNC: UNC leads, 31-25-12 Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense Key returnees: Scott Milanovich, Sr., QB; Geroy Simon, Jr., WR; Jermaine Lewis, Sr., WR; Ratcliff Thomas, Jr„ LB Key losses: Steve Ingram, OT; Russ Weaver, WR; Allen Williams, RB Strengths: The passing game, once Milanovich returns from a four-game gambling suspension. You can bet on it. Weaknesses: Defense, defense, defense. Did we mention defense? Against N.C. State last year, Maryland scored 45 points and lost. Keys to season: The defense has to find a way to stop something. And quarterback Brian Cummings has to at least keep the team in the first four games, so that the Terps haven't given up by the time their leader returns. Quote: "There's a real determination to play defense at a proper level here, and that starts with their attitude." Mark Duffner. COMPILED BY ADAM DAVIS ACC Predictions & 2. Virginia 1994 record: 9-3 (5-3 in the ACC) Head coach: George Welsh (144-105-4 overall, 89-60-3 at Virginia) Home field: Scott Stadium (40,000) Series record vs. UNC: UNC leads, 43-52-4 Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense Key returnees: Mike Groh, Sr., QB; Tiki Barber, Jr., RB; Ronde Barber, Jr., DB; Jamie Sharper, Jr., LB; James Farrior, Jr., LB; Rafael Garcia, Jr., PK Key losses: Tyrone Davis, WR; Charles Way, FB; Mike Frederick, DE; Randy Neal, LB; Ryan Kuehl, DT; Mark Krichbaum, DT. Strengths: Defense. Virginia led the nation with 27 intercep tions and allowed an average of 63.6 yards rushing per game. Weaknesses: Lack of depth at several positions but particu larly at linebacker, where Welsh expects to use two true freshmen as backups. Keys to season: Being able to win on the road. Cavs hit the road for Texas, Clemson, N.C. State and UNC. Quote: "A lot will depend on staying healthy because we do not have many experienced backups." George Welsh. COMPILED BY LISA ZARANEK & T 5. Clemson 1994 record: 5-6 (4-4 in the ACC) Head coach: Tommy West (10-13 overall, 6-6 at Clemson) Home field: Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,473) Series record vs. UNC: Clemson leads, 28-14-1 Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense Key returnees: Nealon Greene, So., QB; Brian Dawkins, Sr., SS; Antwuan Wyatt, Jr., WR; Marvin Cross, Sr., DE Key losses: Tim Jones, ILB; Wardell Rouse, OLB; Nelson Welch, P-PK Strengths: The Tigers boast 10 returning starters on offense, including the entire offensive line. Weaknesses: The defense will suffer from the graduation of linebackers Jones, Rouse, Mike Barber and Darnell Stephens, all of whom have NFL prospects. Keys to season: If the Tigers can balance their rushing game with the pass, they could improve over last season's below-par performance. Quote: "We are excited about this year because, with the exception of linebacker, we have a football team that has a year of experience in our system and our schemes." Tommy West. COMPILED BY KIMBERLY MCCUDDEN 8. Georgia Tech 1994 record: 1-10 (0-8 in the ACC) Head coach: George O'Leary (0-3) Home field: Bobby Dodd Stadium (46,000) Series record vs. UNC: UNC leads, 14-13-3 Returning starters: 7 offense, 3 defense Key returnees: C.J. Williams, So., TB; Derrick Steagall, Jr., WR/KR Key losses: Tommy Luginbill, QB; Jason Bender, P/WR; Jamal Cox, LB Strengths: Good fundamental coaching. An experienced offensive line. Watch for big-play threats Williams and Steagall to do most of the scoring. Weaknesses: Tech's defense has more holes than a flute. No depth in key areas, such as linebackers and quarterbacks. Keys to season: The Jackets must stay healthy to be competi tive, and they have to capitalize on their team speed on offense. If Tech falls prey to injury, it could be another long year in Atlanta. Quote: "We had the talent last year, but we just didn't utilize it and take advantage of the opportunities we had. This year we're going to turn that around,” Michael Cheever, Sr., C. COMPILED BY KURT TONDORF DTH Sport Saturday Ct 3. North Carolina 1994 record: 8-4 (5-3 in the ACC) Head coach: Mack Brown (59-66-1,42-38-1 at UNC) Home field: Kenan Stadium (52,000) Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense Key returnees: Mike Thomas, Sr., QB/P; Leon Johnson, Jr., RB; Marcus Wall, Sr., WR; Octavus Barnes, So., WR; Marcus Jones, Sr., DT; Sean Boyd, Sr„ FS Key losses: Jason Stanicek, QB; Curtis Johnson, RB; Greg DeLong, TE; Mike Morton, LB; Jimmy Hitchcock, DB Strengths: Lighting up the scoreboard. UNC's collection of skill players might be the best in school history, and four starting offensive linemen return. Weaknesses: Inexperience, particularly on defense. There are six new starters in the front seven. Keys to season: Mike Thomas and Leon Johnson must stay healthy. The kids on 'D' must grow up fast. The secondary must be solid if UNC is serious about increasing its blitzes. Quote: "We're being positive, having a good attitude, carrying our self well in public and being an all around good person but at the same time going out on the field and kicking butt." —Jones. COMPILED BY ADAM DAVIS B T 5. Duke 1994 record: 8-4 (5-3 in the ACC) Head coach: Fred Goldsmith (33-42-1, 8-4 at Duke) Home field: Wallace Wade Stadium (33,941) Series record vs. UNC: UNC leads, 42-35-4 Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense Key Returnees: Spence Fischer, Sr., QB; John Zuanich, Sr., LB; Ray Farmer, Sr., FS; Bill Khayat, Sr., TE Key losses; Robert Baldwin, RB; Matt Williams, OT; Zaid Abdul-Aleem, SS Strengths: The passing game. Fischer is an experienced leader with a good arm, and he has able targets in Khayat and Corey Thomas. Duke's special teams also make big plays. Weaknesses: Lack of experience in the running game, where three sophomores will try to replace Baldwin. The run defense was poor at the end of last season. Keys to Season: To play consistently. The Devils went on a good run last season, but inconsistent defensive play could hurt them. Quote: "We realized our potential last year. We should be able to come back this year and do something special." linebacker James Kirkland. COMPILED BY HEIDI SCHMITT 9. Wake Forest 1994 record: 3-8 (1-7 in the ACC) Head coach: Jim Caldwell (5-17) Home field: Groves Stadium (31,500) Series record vs. UNC: UNC leads, 60-29-2 Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense Key returnees: Elton Ndoma-Ogar, Sr., LT; Rusty Laßue, Sr., QB; Herman Lewis, So., RB; Dan Ballou, Jr., WR; Tucker Grace, Sr., LB; Brent Morehead, Sr., CB; Marlon Estes, Sr., WR. Key losses: Adam Dolder, WR; Eddie McKeel, C; Jeremiah Williams, RB; Kevin Giles, LB; Richard Goodpasture, LB; Mike Neubeiser, LB; Jimmy Quander, E Strengths: Almost the entire offensive line returns intact and Caldwell has two experienced QBs in Laßue and Brian Kuklick. Weaknesses: You name it, and Wake's probably not exactly stellar in it. The Deacs finished last in the conference in virtually every category last season. Keys to season: Get off to a good start before hitting the road for UVa., FSU, UNC and Duke. Quote: "I do think that we improved last season, and we improved with a much younger team. But we're a long way from where we'd like to be." Jim Caldwell. COMPILED BY JONATHAN KOLLAR
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Sept. 2, 1995, edition 1
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