Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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^ rrom page 8 VIRGINIA A, OCT. ,7 HOME Desnite the loss of some ton-erade talent. Virginia Coach Dick Bestwick looks for improvement from 1960's 4-7 squad. "We should be a better football team this fall if we can get our offense to rebound from what was a sub-par performance a year ago," Bestwick says. "There is no question we will be a very strong on defense." The offense will be anchored by five returning starters, including quarterback Todd Kirtley. Kirtley, a senior, is Virginia's No. 2 all-time passer. Good depth in the receiving ranks will enable the Cavaliers to go to the air with confidence. Last season's top rusher is gone, but there is enough _i il. i i.: nni t~: J !- 41 uepui ui replace nun. me uig uueiisive utttuaciiv is uie uifensive line, where only right tackle Dave Sullivan returns. 9 Virginia's defense should be a strong point, but any defensive losses could be tragic due to thin replacements. "Potentially, this group could be the best I've had on defense at Virginia," Bestwick says. "We have so much front line talent. If the intensity remains at the level they performed at this spring, they will be a formidable group." NORTH r AROI IMA s bbs v>' ^# m Oct. 24 AiJP AWAY North Carolina, coming off an 11-1 record and a top ten finish in 1980, is the team to beat this year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Seven starters return to the Tar Heel team that led the ACC in total defense, rushing offense and scoring last season. Tailback Kelvin Bryant and quarterback Rod Elkins head the list of offensive returnees. Bryant, who did not play last season due to injury, had an exceptional sophomore season, while Elkins tied for the ACC passing lead in 1980. All-American guard Ron Wooten and All-ACC center Rick Donnailey headline a strong, experienced line. With many returning receivers and Elkins' arm, UNC is planning to go airborn more frequently this season. All but one of last year's linemen gone, including AilAmerican Lawrence Taylor, making the defensive from the lar Heels chief worry. But strong players at linebacker and A a dependable secondary should cover for the line until it can gain solidity. N.C. STATE OCT. 31 j?s unuE UNIVERSITY North Carolina State Coach Monte Kiffin. who fashioned a decent 6-5 season in his debut last year, is optimistic on the destiny of his 1961 team. "I think we have a shot a being a conference contender," Kiffin says. "We have a number of starters back and that's certainly an asset. The key will be how we develop quality depth all around." A talented runner and passer, quarterback Tol Avery, teamed with a strong offensive line, should be productive. A X_ inM MiWo K..t nvciy a lup uiign ui i<wu, s|iiii ciiu mine yuiva, 19 lwla, uui flanker Curtis Rein has graduated. The Wolfpack also lost its top rushers. The offensive line, however, is solid. On defense, the secondary is the strongest area, with all four starters returning. Ail-American candidate Robert Abraham will be a key player at his linebacker post, and four of last season's from line is back. PACIFIC JV NOV. 7 HOME Pacific Coach Bob Toledo feels that his team is ready to move up. "The last two years, the lack of depth prevented us from having the opportunity to see our players in more game-like situations. With the added people on our roster, our main emphasis will be on becoming more physical," Toledo says. The Tigers will have nine starters returning on both offense and defense, and Toledo expects the latter to be especially improved. Offensively, Pacific will return wide receiver Rainey Mexzaros as well as quarterback Grayson Rogers. Meszaros was the nation's top receiver with 68 catches for 1,062 yards. Rogers threw for 1,881 yards and nine TDs in nine games last season. Toledo also plans to improve the Tiger ground game. CLEMSON A M. NOV- 21 Without a single loss in the starting offense of a year ago, Clemson is earning high preseason praise. The Tigers are forecasted as North Carolina's chief competition in the ACC and have crept into many preseason polls. Homer Jordan will return as Clemson quarterback, and has greatly improved as a passer during the off-season. His top target will be Perry Tut tie, the Tiger wide receiver who will break nearly every receiving record of former Clemson star Jerry Butler. A deep running corps, headed by Chuck McSwain, and an experienced line will round out the offense. The defense returns six starters, including last season's top tackier, linebacker Jeff Davis. The line will be composed of off-and-on starters of 1980, and 10 lettermen will constitute thesecondary. A big loss trom last year's squad will be that of Obed Ariri, iiihn ovpoIIoH qc npmcnn nlnppkirkpr "I think we can go back to being the team that we are capable of," says Danny Ford. "We have a sound nucleus back, especially on offense. So many players saw action for the first time last year, but they are now a year older and wiser and this experience level means they should play with more confidence." HAWAII DEC. 5 \WSf AWAY ^53 Not to be taken lightly, Hawaii has posted three consecutive winning seasons and should make it four in 1981. Fifteen starters return from last season's 8-3 squad ? Hawaii's best record since turning Division I in 1974 ? to constitute a balanced club. The strength of the Rainbow Warriors is at running back and receiver where Hawaii is both deep and talented. The school's career rushing leader, Gary Allen, who racked up 884 yards in 1980, leads the ground attack. A three-time, AilAmerican honorable mention, Allen is also a fine receiver. He will join the top eight receivers from last year's team. The Warriors will have to reolace the raurtfrtwrk aiv) center, but they have plenty of talent to choose from. Mike Stennis, a good percentage passer who played in six games last season, is expected to start at quarterback. Defensively, Hawaii's main concern is building a solid secondary. The hackfield will no doubt be young but will include Dana McLernore, one of the nation's top punt returners. A lone tackle slot has to be filled on the line, and the Warrior's linebackers are strong and seasoned.