Big East Football Preview
Aug. 16, 1999
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
AP Football Writer
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Corey Moore’s carefully chosen words made him sound more like a coach thanVirginia Tech’s ferocious All-American defensive end.
Yes, he said calmly, the Hokies will be a team to reckon with, but no, theyare not the most talented team in the Big East Conference.
“Miami is and deserves to be,” Moore said, even though Virginia Tech has afour-game winning streak against the Hurricanes. “Who’s going to have moretalent than Miami in the Big East? Who’s going to out-recruit them? Let’s behonest. And, they’re on the way back to being a Top 10 team every year.”
Miami, which won four national titles from 1983-92, is poised to bounce backfrom the painful days of NCAA probation. During that time, the Hurricanes hadfewer than 60 scholarship players and found it tough to compete even in theirown conference.
This season, with 17 starters returning from last year’s 9-3 team, Miami isthe preseason pick to win the Big East.
“The last few years haven’t been easy,” said coach Butch Davis, enteringhis fifth season. “A lot of kids chose to come to Miami knowing there wasgoing to be adversity. This year’s senior class was the class we signed leadinginto probation. Maybe there will be some rewards for their perseverance.”
Davis’ enthusiasm, though, is tempered every time he looks at the schedule.Who wouldn’t flinch with non-conference games against Ohio State, Penn Stateand Florida State in the first half of the season?
“An athletic director’s schedule,” Davis said, joking and adding that heagreed to play the Buckeyes in the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 29. “But Miami hasbuilt its reputation on playing high-profile teams. Kids that come here cuttheir teeth watching Miami play a Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Florida and FloridaState.”
For starters, the Hurricanes have a new backfield.
Sophomore Kenny Kelly, also in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays farm system, stepsin at quarterback for Scott Covington, while James Jackson – with help fromNajeh Davenport – tries to fill the void left by tailback Edgerrin James, whoran for a school record 1,416 yards in ’98. Mondriel Fulcher, 6-4, 250, movesfrom tight end to fullback.
Last year, Miami averaged 36.5 points and 451.5 yards per game. Watch forthe 5-foot-11, 210-pound Jackson to have a breakout season – he had 1,140 yardsin just 163 carries in the past two years.
The receiving corps could be among the nation’s best, led by Santana Moss,the Big East indoor champion at 60 meters who averaged 21 yards per catch in’98. The tight end is 6-6, 260-pound Bubba Franks, a solid All-Americancontender. The offensive line returns four starters, and all of their backups.
Defensively, the front line could use some improvement, but linebackers DanMorgan, Nate Webster and Michael Smith form an intimidating trio. The secondaryremains suspect after allowing school records for yards passing (2,622) and TDpasses (20).
Miami isn’t the only Big East team with a new quarterback. Syracuse replacesfour-year starter Donovan McNabb, and it looks as if sophomore Madei Williamsgets the first shot. Virginia Tech is ready for redshirt freshman Michael Vickto become a star as he moves in for Al Clark.
“Everything is in place for Michael Vick to have a great future,” VirginiaTech coach Frank Beamer said. “He’s got great release, a strong arm, and allthe athletic ability you could want.”
With the nation’s top special teams and one of the best defenses, the Hokieswill be Top 10 material if Vick comes through. The schedule helps because Miamitravels to Blacksburg, Va., for the Nov. 13 showdown.
The Hokies, however, must end a bad habit of losing to teams they aresupposed to beat. Last season, it was Temple, two years ago it was Miami ofOhio.
Moore and fellow end John Engelberger combined for 22 sacks – Moore had 13 1/2- on a defense that allowed 12.9 points per game in ’98, fifth best in thenation. Special teams blocked 12 kicks last season.
The Orangemen, who averaged 42.5 points per game in ’98, will behard-pressed to break the school scoring record a fourth straight year. Inaddition to McNabb’s departure, coach Paul Pasqualoni needs replacements forwide receiver/return specialist Kevin Johnson and fullback Rob Konrad. QuintonSpotwood, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, is back at wideoutand punt returner.
“The real issue,” Pasqualoni said, “is what kind of chance the team isgoing to give the quarterback, because the guy going in there, believe me,he’ll know what to do.”
West Virginia needs everything but a quarterback as coach Don Nehlen loses13 starters from last year’s 8-4 team.
Marc Bulger, who holds nearly every WVU passing and total offense record,returns but running back Amos Zereoue, wideouts David Saunders and ShawnForeman and the offensive line are gone. Look for freshman Avon Cobourne toopen at tailback.
Nehlen’s assessment: “The quarterback is back and we know he can throw thefootball,”
After back-to-back 4-7 seasons, Boston College is hoping for a bowl gameunder third-year coach Tom O’Brien. Tim Hasselbeck is set to start atquarterback and freshman sensation William Green could end up as thereplacement for All-American running back Mike Cloud.
“He looks like he will be a complete package,” O’Brien said. “He hasbreakaway speed, he has size, he has strength.”
There’s optimism at Rutgers, too. The Scarlet Knights won five games undercoach Terry Shea.
Mike McMahon returns at quarterback and Jacki Crooks tries to becomeRutgers’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 1994. The defense has to improvedrastically – it ranked 110th of 112 Division I-A teams in ’98.
Pittsburgh and Temple, each 2-9 in ’98, will find the going tough onceagain.
