Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408260020
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: FB2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
1993 record: 9-3 overall, 5-2 Big East (second).
Coach: Dennis Erickson, sixth year (53-7 at Miami, 103-38-1 overall).
Top returnees: QB Frank Costa, QB Ryan Collins, FB James Stewart, SE Chris T. Jones, TB Jonathan Harris, G Tirrell Greene, K Dane Prewitt, DT Warren Sapp, LB Ray Lewis, LB Rohan Marley, S C.J. Richardson.
Major losses: TB Donnell Bennett, LB Robert Bass, DE Kevin Patrick, DE Darren Krein, FS Terris Harris, CB Dexter Seigler, CB Paul White.
Key newcomers: SE Yatil Green, TB Trent Jones, DE Denny Fortney, DE Kenard Lang, CB Dennis Scott, DE Rusty Medearis (senior returns from knee injury).
Strengths: The Hurricanes have two capable quarterbacks in Costa and Collins, though neither is yet a star. An experienced offensive line is led by guard Tirrell Greene; a talented defensive line leans on huge, quick tackle Warren Sapp. James Stewart averaged 5.8 yards per carry last year, and Chris T. Jones caught 45 passes.
Concerns: Three of Miami's top four defensive backs are gone, so a freshman and a sophomore may start in the secondary. The Hurricanes still are beating their chests, but last year's record and the 29-0 Fiesta Bowl loss to Arizona may have permanently shattered the dynasty mystique.
Projection: Despite defensive personnel losses and the lack of a marquee quarterback, Miami is picked to win the Big East and contend for a fifth national title. Two keys are the availability of Costa and Marley after off-season run-ins with the law. Just like last year, when West Virginia and Florida State did it, someone will have to end the 'Canes national and league title hopes on the field, not on paper. 10-1 overall, 7-0 Big East.
\ Boston College
1993 record: 9-3 overall, 5-2 Big East (second).
Coach: Dan Henning (first year).
Top returnees: TB David Green, TB Anthony Comer, TE Pete Mitchell, SE Clarence Cannon, K David Gordon, P Jeff Beckley, DE Mike Mamula, LB Stephen Boyd, CB Joe Kamara, CB Michael Reed, SS Eric Shorter.
Major losses: QB Glenn Foley, FB Darnell Campbell, WR Keith Miller, WR Ivan Boyd, C Tom Nalen, LB Brian Howlett.
Key newcomers: RB Omari Walker, G Adam Myers, C John Hostetler, LB Erik Stortz, RB Marlo Tillman, QB Scott Mutryn.
Strengths: Aside from unproven sophomore quarterback Mark Hartsell, BC has quality skill people - David Green averaged 5.4 yards per carry, Clarence Cannon averaged 18.2 yards per catch and Pete Mitchell is an All-America tight end. The defense, ranked 25th overall last year, suffered few major losses and is especially strong in the secondary.
Concerns: Replacing Glenn Foley is the key. The abrupt departure of coach Tom Coughlin shocked the BC community, but new coach Dan Henning has a reputation as an offensive wizard and has worked with Joe Theismann, Bob Griese, Doug Williams and Jim McMahon, among others. The offensive line will miss center Tom Nalen.
Projection: It all depends. Henning kept two of Coughlin's assistants, and if the transition has gone smoothly, BC could be a threat in the Big East. Defense will keep the Eagles in games, but it's important Hartsell produce; his backups are senior Jeff Ryan (11 passes thrown in two years) and redshirt freshman Matt Hasselbeck. A schedule that includes Michigan, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame among the first four games doesn't help. 7-4, 5-2
\ W. Virginia
1993 record: 11-1 overall, 7-0 Big East (first).
Coach: Don Nehlen, 15th year (156-91-8 overall, 103-56-4 at WVU).
Top returnees: TB Robert Walker, G Tom Robsock, P Todd Sauerbrun, DT Barry Hawkins, LB Matt Taffoni, LB Puppy Wright, SS David Mayfield, NT John Browning.
Major losses: QB Jake Kelchner, QB Darren Studstill, FB Rodney Woodard, WR Mike Baker, WR Jay Kearney, WR Ed Hill, T Rich Braham, LB Wes Richardson, LB Tim Brown, DB Mike Collins, DE Darrick Wiley.
Key newcomers: QB Chad Johnston, QB Eric Boykin (transfer from Michigan), FB Kantroy Barber (transfer from Colorado), DT Ryan Price, NT Henry Slay, TE Chad Wable, LB James Thomas, DB Eldridge Williams, WR Julian Butler, WR Jerrald Long.
Strengths: The Mountaineers have a core of returning stars, led by 1,200-yard rusher Robert Walker, around which to build. They also have a chip on their shoulder after being routed 41-7 in the Sugar Bowl by Florida. Todd Sauerbrun gives WVU a chance to win the kicking game every time out.
Concerns: WVU's '93 national title contenders, like the 1988 Mountaineer team that played for the national championship, was loaded with seniors (27). Quarterback is a major question mark, as are the receiving corps, the offensive line and linebacker.
Projection: It appears WVU has too many holes to make a serious run at the Big East title, but it's never wise to write off the Mountaineers. In 1989, WVU went 8-3-1 and played in the Gator Bowl after losing key players from the '88 club, and if Nehlen finds the right players to step up this year, he could have another solid team. 8-4, 4-3
\ Syracuse
1993 record: 6-4-1 overall, 3-4 Big East (fifth).
Coach: Paul Pasqualoni, fourth year (60-25-1 overall, 26-8-1 at Syracuse).
Top returnees: QB Kevin Mason, TB Kirby Dar Dar, WR Marvin Harrison, TE Eric Chenoweth, T Melvin Tuten, DT Wilky Bazile, LB Nate Hemsley, FS Tony Jones, CB Bryce Bevill.
Major losses: QB Marvin Graves, RB Terry Richardson, WR Shelby Hill, K-P Pat O'Neill, NT Kevin Mitchell, CB Dwayne Joseph, SS Bob Grosvenor, FB Al Wooten.
Key newcomers: QB Larry Tyger, TB Tebucky Jones, TE Roland Williams, LB Dan Conley (returns after knee surgery), S Donovan Darius, K-P Olindo Marc, OL Dan Olivis.
Strengths: Kirby Dar Dar is a versatile runner/kick-returner, and Marvin Harrison provides a pass-catching threat. Two starters return in the secondary.
Concerns: Kevin Mason threw only 17 passes last year and missed spring practice with a broken hand. The loss of Pat O'Neill will hurt. The core of the defense is gone.
Projection: Syracuse missed a great chance to be a Top 10 team last year, falling well short of expectations. Now, the Orangemen will try to rebound using a host of unproven players. On the bright side, four of the first six games are at home, and one road game (Temple) is no stiff challenge. 6-5, 3-4
\ Rutgers
1993 record: 4-7 overall, 1-6 Big East (seventh).
Coach: Doug Graber, fifth year (26-29 overall, 20-24 at Rutgers).
Top returnees: QB Ray Lucas, TB Terrell Willis, TB Bruce Presley, TE Marco Battaglia, T Ken Dammann, DT Keif Bryant, DE Bob Sneathen, LB Brian Sheridan, LB Rusty Swartz, DB Michael Roberts.
Major losses: QB Bryan Fortay, WR Chris Brantley, WR Mario Henry, WR Lance Evina, K John Benestad, DB Jay Bellamy, DB Malik Jackson, LB Jamil Jackson, LB George Stewart.
Key newcomers: WR Jonathan Gibbs, WR Steve Harper, WR Chris Hutton, LB Rashaan Giddings, OG Matt Brown, DE Rudy Smith (transfer from Maryland), DB Kevin Williams, K Joe Donato.
Strengths: Ray Lucas (58 percent completion percentage), Terrell Willis (1,261 rushing yards) and Bruce Presley (741 rushing yards) form a dynamite backfield. The linebackers return as a group.
Concerns: An injury-riddled defense performed poorly in '93 and was gouged by graduation; five of the top six per-game tacklers are gone, and the one who returns, Rusty Swartz, played only four games before suffering an injury.
Projection: Like last year, Rutgers has scheduled three winnable non-conference games. This season, it hopes to avoid injuries and be competitive within the Big East. Rutgers has the offensive talent to compete. 6-5, 3-4
\ Pittsburgh
1993 record: 3-8 overall, 2-5 Big East (sixth).
Coach: Johnny Majors, sixth year (176-113-10 overall, 36-21-1 at Pitt).
Top returnees: QB John Ryan, TB Curtis Martin, FB Chad Dukes, WR Dietrich Jells, WR Billy Davis, T Reuben Brown, C Lawson Mollica, DE Tom Barndt, LB Tom Tumulty, CB Maurice Williams.
Major losses: WR Junior Green, FS Doug Whaley.
Key newcomers: G Reggie Thomas, DT Tyler Young (transfer from Notre Dame), HB Vital Joseph, TE John Jones.
Strengths: Eighteen starters return, including 10 on offense. John Ryan has serious competition at quarterback from Los Angeles Valley College transfer Sean Fitzgerald. Curtis Martin is one of the runner-rich Big East's best and has a veteran line in front of him.
Concerns: The quarterback, be it Ryan or Fitzgerald, must be more effective. Statistically, the defense was atrocious last year, ranking 103rd nationally in total defense and 100th in scoring defense.
Projection: Pitt should be better, which means the Panthers probably won't give up 126 points in back-to-back games as they did last year (Virginia Tech and Ohio State). There is offensive potential, but unless the defense improves dramatically, Pitt will be stuck near the Big East's bottom again. 3-8, 1-6
\ Temple
1993 record: 1-10 overall, 0-7 Big East (eighth).
Coach: Ron Dickerson, second year (1-10 overall and at Temple).
Top returnees: QB Henry Burris, QB Phil Lang, FB Ralphiel Mack, C John Summerday, LB Lance Johnstone, LB Alshermond Singleton, DE Tim Terry, CB Robert McWilliams.
Major losses: T Tre Johnson, WR Ramondo Davidson, DE James Spears, LB Jason Thompson, FS Tony Angelo, CB Kyle Glasper.
Key newcomers: TB Ramod Lee, L Robert Kelly, FB Brent Johnstone, WR Tom Indio, WR Kenyatta Carter, DB Allan Jackson.
Strengths: Mack, moved from tailback to fullback, averaged 5.3 yards per carry for a team that set the school record for fewest total yards (2,591).
Concerns: The Owls are a year older but still young, penciling in seven freshmen and 20 sophomores on the two-deep roster. Neither Burris nor Lang has proven capable at quarterback.
Projection: Temple opens with three games in which it should be competitive - Akron, East Carolina and Army. After that, Penn State may begin another long Owls losing streak. 2-9, 0-7
by CNB