European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 19, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 36 the stars and stripes sports Friday August 19,1994 in. File photos Wisconsin whose Rose bowl clinching Vic tory Celebration in Tokyo last december revolved around head coach Barry Alvarez left Phot will rely on the legs of 1,637 Yard rusher Brent Moss above to carry them to Back to Pasadena this season badgers still digging for respect Byarl Stapleton Madison wis. Apr although Wisconsin returns 16 starters from its first Rose bowl team in 31 years the badgers Don t feel they re getting the re Spect they deserve. At the annual big ten meetings Mich Igan was the overwhelming pick to win the league title. And Wolverine tailback Tyrone Wheatley was selected As the favorite for offensive player of the year Over Over Wisconsin s Brent Moss the nation s third leading rusher last year. It All comes Down to respect defensive tackle and co Captain Mike Thompson said. "1 see a lot of polls that pick us fourth and fifth in the conference. 1 really Don t understand it. Some people think it was a Fluke that we won last year that we got Lucky for one Moss sees the slight As an inspiration to prove that last year s team which went 10-1-1, tied Ohio state for the big ten title and beat Urcla in the Rose College football 94 bowl was no aberration. We take it As a Challenge something that motivates us and keeps us going he said. We re going to play until we get our coach Barry Alvarez who four years ago inherited a program that had won just nine games in four seasons dismisses the polls and preseason pundits with a smile. Michigan must have the Best players Alvarez said. It never bothered me when they picked us last and it does t bother me that we re not picked what May bother Alvarez is Wisconsin s schedule. The badgers play five of last year s bowl teams beginning with a sept. 17 contest at Colorado and have Back to Back Road games at Michigan and Ohio state late in the year. We did a lot last year but everybody is looking at the schedule said Moss who gained 1,637 Yards last season. All the key players return from last season s record breaking offensive unit except tackle Joe Panos and fullback Mark Montgomery. Darrell Bevell the nation s third Lead ing passer last season will work behind the league s finest line led by Center copy Raymer and left guard Joe Rudolph Lee Deramus is a game breaking receiver who set a school record with 920 Yards in receptions last season and . Dawkins is coming off a 36-catch season. Moss leads the badgers punishing ground game backed up by Terrell Fletcher who gained 996 Yards last year. The duo s total of 2,633 Yards last season was the most Ever by a pair of big ten teammates. The defense needs some retooling. The badgers lost the heart of their run defense with the graduation of nos guard Lamark Shackerford and tackle Carlos Fowler. They also lost leading Tacker Yusef Burgess and safeties Reggie Holt and Scott Nelson. Linebacker Chad Yocum missed most of last season and All offspring Ball with a Back injury and is a question Mark for the fall. Pressuring quarterbacks should t be problem for the badgers defense though. Thompson paced the big ten with 10 sacks last year and free safety Jeff messenger led the league with six interceptions. Alvarez who suffered through a 1-10record in his first season in 1990, knows expectations Are now very High in mad Ison. I be never been in this situation be fore he said. The race will be extremely difficult but i feel like we have a Chance every time we go out huskers Don t plan to miss again Apsite Nebraska a a Tommie Frazier. Running at National title by Tom Vint Lincoln neb. A Nebraska just missed winning the National championship last season. This year Many expect the Cor huskers to go All the Way. With quarterback Tommie Frazier re turning along with a Strong supporting cast the Cor huskers could be Good enough to repeat last year s perfect regu Lar season. I feel we re going to have a great year said Frazier a talented Junior who will direct Nebraska s option offence. The Cor huskers bid for the National title fell just Short last year when they lost to no. 1 Florida state 18-16 in the Orange bowl. Eleven starters return from that team which gave Nebraska its third straight big eight championship. Despite a challenging schedule that starts with games against West Virginia Texas tech and Qula Frazier thinks the Cor huskers should go 11-0 or 12-0this coach Tom Osborne won t go that far but he is optimistic. I think Well be pretty Good on Bot sides of the Ball he said. As usual one of Nebraska s strengths will be a powerful offensive line. We have a Good group of player there Osborne said. We re a Little thin at the tackle spots but i think with Zach Wiegert and Rob Zatechka behave two players with experience and Tal ent. As a pair they might be As Goodas we be Frazier is a tremendous runner who has worked hard to improve his has a Fleet of Quick soft handed receivers topped by Wingback Abdul Muhammad and converted tight end Eri Calford. He s got the ability to be As explosive tight end As Junior Miller Johnny Mitchell those kinds of people Osborne said. All big eight running Back Calvi Jones left Early for the nil but Corn huskers have talented replacements i freshmen Lawrence Phillips and Damon Banning and Sophomore Clinton Childs. On defense the biggest loss was but Kus award Winner Trev Albert showed or starting linebackers Eddie Stewart and Donta Jones return along with talented Sophomore Jared Tomich. I know you Haven t heard much about him but he had a tremendous Spring and he s an excellent player Osborne said. Nebraska lost its two starting safeties but the Cor huskers should have a Strong secondary led by cornerback Barro Miles. The Cor huskers open against West Virginia in the Kickoff classic on aug 28. -. Starting Early makes the season longer but we Don t consider that a great hardship Osborne said. Nebraska has been a Model of consist ency under Osborne winning at least nine games and going to a bowl every season during his first 21 years. We be had a Good work ethic we be had Good coaches and we be had great fan sup port Osborne explained. There s no pro football in Nebraska and we re the Only major institution. Expectations Are High and we try to live up to
