The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 24

D4 THURSDAY. AUGUST 15. 1996 SPORTS THE SALINA JOURNAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: ACC quick Conference's top nine rushers from last season return, led by FSU's Dunn in rushing strong ACC By DAVID DROSCHAK Tlie Associated Press ALEIGH, N.C. There shouldn't be many complaints about the duration of games in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season. The ACC will hit the ground running in 1996, with its top nine rushers returning a year after seven teams were ranked among the top 44 in passing.

The talented group includes Florida State's Warrick Dunn, Virginia's Tiki Barber, Clemson's Raymond Priester and Georgia Tech's C.J. Williams. "I don't know that I ever remember this league with this many running backs who are nationally competitive," said Clemson coach Tommy West. "You've got some people in place to take the pressure off of the young quarterbacks." Clemson's Nealon Greene is the ACC's only returning starter at quarterback, meaning key yardage in early games may have to come from the running backs. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NEBRASKA Gone are the likes of Duke's Spence Fischer, Maryland's Scott Milanovich, Florida State's Danny Kanell, North Carolina State's Terry Harvey and Wake Forest's Rusty LaRue, all of whom finished in the top 20 in ACC history for career passing yardage.

Thad Busby, 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, replaces Kanell for Florida State, ranked third in the preseason poll. While coach Bobby Bowden figures Busby is ready to roll, Dunn may get his share of carries, at least early on. "We use redshirt juniors. That means they're ready," Bowden said. "The thing Busby hasn't done is he hasn't been under pressure.

He hasn't carried a team on his shoulders. If he handles that OK, I feel like his tools are there. "I don't know if a runner can carry our club. It's just not our style. The guy who has to carry our club is the quarterback.

But I know this Dunn will play a big role in whether or not we win it all. He'll have to pitch in some pretty good stuff." Florida State favored The Seminoles, ACC co-champs with Virginia, are 31-1 in four ACC seasons. Last season, they averaged an ACC- record 48.4 points after leading the league in defense the three previous seasons. Most coaches agree that Florida State, which has won 10 or more games nine straight seasons, may well go undefeated in the ACC for the fourth time. "They are still the best team in the conference overall," said Virginia coach George Welsh, whose club last year snapped Florida State's 29-game conference winning streak.

"They have most of last year's team back. If you look at some of the scores, I don't think the gap has closed." It doesn't help league balance that both Maryland and Wake Forest sold their 1996 homes games with Florida State. The FSU-Maryland game will be played at Miami's Joe Robbie Stadium, and the FSU- Wake Forest game in Orlando. Virginia heads challengers Welsh, who begins his 15th season at Virginia, has Barber back along with a strong defense. Barber's 1,397 yards in 1995 ranked as the third-best single-sea- son rushing performance in ACC history.

The Cavaliers, nine-game winners in each of the last two seasons, must replenish the offensive line, and Welsh said he may wait until late August before his team's Sept. 7 opener against Central Michigan before deciding between Aaron Brooks or Tim Sherman at quarterback. "If we had a big, strong offensive line, I would say we are going to run Barber 30 times a game and play good defense and win that way, but I don't know if we can do that," Welsh said. "I'm not going to run him 30 times a game if he's getting hit and is averaging 3 yards a carry." Virginia linebackers James Farrior and Jamie Sharper are two of the best in the ACC. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers return All-ACC punter Will Brice and AU- ACC kicker Rafael Garcia, who had a school-record 20 field goals in 1995.

Clemson was picked to finish third in the league, but enters 1996 after a troubled offseason. Leading return man Antwuan Wyatt and reserve tailback Anthony Downs were charged with intent to distribute marijuana and were kicked off the team. Meanwhile, authorities recently decided to drop a sexual assault cage against seven Clemson players, and Priester entered a pretrial intervention program after allegedly making long-distance phone calls and charging them to a woman's number without her consent. "I really feel a sense of disappointment, and I think that's a good sign," West said of his team's mental attitude. With Priester leading the way with 1,286 yards, the Tigers gained the most yards on the ground in the ACC since averaging 277.6 in 1988, North Carolina, picked to finish fourth, returns eight starters on each side of the ball.

The offense will be led by former rusher Leon Johnson, who gained 963 last season and is second in career points and receptions. Defense should again be North Carolina's strong suit. The Tar Heels ranked sixth in the nation, allowing only 267.3 yards per game. Georgia Tech was the second-most improved team in Division I-A last season under George O'Leary, and the Yellow Jackets could improve on a 6-5 mark if Williams puts together another outstanding season in the backfield. Osborne reluctantly talks NU head coach faces more image questions on team's media day By The Associated Press LINCOLN, Neb.

At least Nebraska coach Tom Osborne got to talk about football for a fait. Media day Wednesday for the two-time defending national champions was a lot about football, a welcome change for Osborne after a long season of off-field problems last year. But the Cornhuskers' image did come up. "I'm going to control what I can," Osborne said. "We've got an image that we've got to live with, the black hats or whatever.

I don't think that's totally accurate, but we'll live with it." The latest off-field issue was the departure of three scholarship players. One is backup receiver Riley Washington, who is charged with attempted murder following a shooting last fall outside a Lincoln convenience store. Washington chose to leave the team and skip his final year of eligibility, Osborne said. But the sto- PRO FOOTBALL OSBORNE ry drew national attention this week and the coach knew it would be a topic Wednesday. Washington was not thrown off the team or encouraged to leave, Osborne said.

Defensive tackle Larry Townsend was told not to return, though the coach has not disclosed the exact reason. A backup punter, Andy Bilanzich, was given a medical redshirt for a bad back. "He (Riley) had a some injuries and a couple of court dates postponed and I think mentally he's been through the wringer," Osborne said. "He's going to move on. I would have liked to see him back because we need a speed guy like Washington and I think Riley is a good person." Osborne said several players don't return to the team every year and he seemed weary already of answering questions about off- field issues.

"I didn't want to come down here today, I really didn't," Os- borne told a crowded room full of reporters. "It's the first year going into the season that I didn't want to do this." He needn't have worried. Mostly it was football. Scott Frost, who has the task of following Tommie Frazier at quarterback, does not have a lock on the starting job. Osborne said a starter probably Frost or senior Matt Turman will be named the week of the Sept.

7 opener against Michigan State. Frost doesn't mind. "There's going to be some doubts. There is any time a guy is new in the offense," he said. "At the same time, I couldn't care less what the people out there think as long as I feel I'm playing well and my coaches and teammates are happy with my play." Tailback Ahman Green, the newcomer of the year last season in the Big Eight Conference with 1,086 yards and 13 touchdowns, said he has lost the nerves that dogged him as a freshman.

"Everybody's shooting for us, but we'll get that all year long," he said. "I've got a year under my belt. I'd like to get to that first game." Cash making big presence felt Chiefs tight end fitting in well in Kansas City's West Coast offense By The Associated Press RIVER FALLS, Wis. He doesn't receive the attention that a Marcus Allen or a Steve Bono does. That's fine with him.

But there's no doubt that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Keith Cash has made his presence felt. In the Chiefs West Coast offense, Cash is a hot commodity. No longer is a tight end's primary responsibility to block. He must be able to come off the line, catch the ball and make big plays. On a team of big names, Keith Cash is one that could be lost in the shuffle.

"You have guys that have put in their time and deserve the attention," Cash said. "I don't really care for it. I'd rather be in the background." Cash just does his job and is making his mark as one of the most productive tight ends in Chiefs history. Cash had his best year as a pro in 1995 when he caught 42 passes second on the team for 419 yards. Kimble Anders had a team-high 55 catches.

The sixth-year tight end is capable of the big play, but it's the little things that make him special. "I love this offense," Cash said. "It suits me very well." Whether it's being a lead blocker on a short-yardage play or dragging defenders for extra yardage, Cash brings another dimension to the Chiefs offense one that led the NFL in rushing last season. Unfortunately for Cash, he has been hampered by nagging injuries throughout his career. He has missed 12 games in the past two seasons, 10 of them in 1994 when he suffered a sprained knee.

Cash said the injuries were difficult, but because of his strength he has battled back to where he is today a threat to score every time he catches the ball. "I'm not injury prone, I've just had a few breaks," said Cash, who sat out of practice Wednesday with back spasms. "I still have to prepare myself the best way I know how and hit the weights hard. If I get injured, that's just the way it was meant to be." Big-play capabilities come in pairs in the Cash family. Keith played alongside his twin brother Kerry at Texas, and now plays against him whenever the Chiefs face the Oakland Raiders.

Cash said that it was fun to play on the same team in college, but it's just as much fun to compete with his brother in the NFL. "It was fun in college, because I knew there was at least one other player who had the same goal as me," Cash said. Suspension hangs over Mickell New Orleans defensive end faces punishment for substance abuse By The Associated Press Unless the NFL tells him otherwise, New Orleans Saints coach Jim Mora intends to start Darren Mickell in the season opener at San Francisco even though the defensive end faces suspension for substance abuse. "I'm going to count on him being there," Mora said. "My goal is to get him into that starting lineup as quickly as possible, and get him ready to start against San Francisco." Mickell worked out earlier this week with the team's strength and conditioning coach after missing the first 32 days of training camp while receiving outpatient therapy for substance abuse.

He faces a four-game suspension if his appeal to the NFL for substance abuse violations is denied. If Mickell isn't available, third- round pick Brady Smith could become the first Saints rookie defensive lineman to start an opener since Bruce Clark in 1982. Smith has started the first three exhibition games. Patriots Defensive lineman Bruce Walker, injured just before camp while playing catch with a knife, was released. He was hit in the chest by a steak knife while tossing it with a friend in a supermarket parking lot.

Walker was stitched up at a hospital and released. Bengals Guard Kevin Sargent will miss the season with a neck injury that required surgery Tuesday for a herniated disc. Sargent complained of numbness and stiffness after the Aug. 3 exhibition against Indianapolis. He later reported numbness and tingling down his left arm when he bent his head forward.

Cincinnati's offensive line may be increasingly dependent on rookies. Sa'rgent, 6-foot-6 and 285 BRIEFLY McLean leaves Brewster for Bethany After a successful four-year stint as Brewster boys basketball coach, Jon McLean is returning to Bethany College. McLean, a 1991 Bethany graduate, will join the Swede men's basketball program as an assistant coach for the 1996-97 season. McLean will join head coach R. Clair Oleen and assistant Tim Stephenson, who have been working together on the Bethany staff since taking over when the late George Stephens retired following the 1992-93 season.

"This is an exciting time to be joining the Bethany men's basketball program, while having a chance to work with Coach Oleen," McLean said. "I plan to do everything possible to help get this program back to the top." McLean was 88-15 as head coach at Brewster High School, where MCLEAN his team won the 1995 Class 1A state title and finished third in 1996. While at Brewster, McLean was also head football coach, compiling a 26-12 record. "We are very fortunate to have Jon join our coaching staff," Oleen said. "Jon already has been heavily involved in our recruiting work this summer.

He has helped prepare for welcoming the student- athletes into our program at Bethany when the fall semester begins shortly. "Jon is an energetic and enthusiastic coach who loves Bethany College. He has a commitment to the philosophy of the Bethany basketball program." Wilson wins city women's golf tourney Diane Wilson captured the Salina City Women's golf medal championship that concluded Wednesday Wilson's rounds of at the Elks Country Club was 10 shots better than runner-up Ann Payne. "I think it was helpful it was played on my home course," Wil- son said of the two-day event. "And it helped that I've played a little bit more this summer." Another contributing factor to Wilson's first City Championship title was avoiding trouble.

"I putt well, but the rest of my game was solid," she added. "I didn't miss many fairways and didn't have any penalty strokes. "I was real pleased to win. It was a well-run tournament and Ann Payne gave me good competition." Glenda Eck was the 9-hole medalist, while Robin Vandegrift finished second. Gile finishes sixth in AAU national meet Salina Central graduate Jaime Gile finished sixth in the discus competition last weekend at the National AAU Junior Olympics in New Orleans.

Gile, competing in the young women's age division (17-18 year olds) had a top throw of 128 feet, 7 inches. Gile will throw at Barton County Community College next spring. From Staff Reports Jadlow Styles vary in countries FROM PAGE D1 "Every country you go to is different," he said. "In France they play really soft and you can't bang around at all. It took me about two weeks to adjust the first year (in Argentina).

"I don't mind it. I'd like it better if the refs could control the play, but that's the only bad part of it." The officials are often at the mercy of the rowdy fans, Jadlow said. "The fans in our city treat us great," he said. "But the visitors are treated very badly everywhere. We played a game in Colombia and I was hit with a bottle.

The police just stand and watch. "When you're the visitor, you have to be really aware. In a few cities, they'll throw rocks and bricks at our bus. In certain cities we take cushions to protect ourselves so we don't get hit with broken glass." Even so, Jadlow is perfectly content. "All in all, it's not that bad," he said.

"You learn to adapt. You just learn to get off the court right away." Since moving from Europe, Jadlow has steadily climbed through the Argentine basketball ranks and now plays for a perennial powerhouse. "We're one of the totally professional teams," he said. "We have a medical doctor and a therapist. Everything is first-class." Jadlow was back home in Salina recently for a five-week visit.

It would have lasted longer, but with its South American championship, the Olimpia team earned a spot in the International Cup, a two of-three series against a championship team from Greece. The first game will be played Sept. 3 in Argentina, followed by a second and third, if necessary in Athens. There is also a chance the team will get to play in the international McDonald's Classic, which features the NBA's Chicago Bulls, plus the European, Australian and South American champions. "I think anybody would like to play against (the Bulls)," Jadlow said.

"But I'm not sure if it's going to happen. I heard they might suspend (the tournament) for a year because of the Olympics." Jadlow has squared off against a number of former NBA players in his years overseas. And he sometimes wonders what would have happened, had he given the league another shot himself. "Now 1 look back and wish I had," said Jadlow, who indicated that he would like to play at least three more seasons. "I was really close with the Nets.

"But I had the guaranteed contract in Europe. If I signed with the Nets there was no guarantee. "I've done well," he said. "I can't complain." pounds, was entering his fifth season. He started 15 games each of the past two seasons.

Jaguars Safety Monty Grow, who injured his shin two days before the first exhibition game, was placed on injured reserve. Grow, in his third year, started his only NFL game against Green Bay last year and made an interception. He tore a knee ligament on the play and missed the final 12 games. Panthers A brief burst of optimism faded Wednesday as running back Tshi- manga Biakabutuka's holdout stretched into its 26th day. When the Panthers reopened negotiations with Biakabutuka on Tuesday, team president Mike McCormack expressed hope the latest attempt to sign their top draft choice from Michigan would lead to a quick resolution.

But by Wednesday, McCormack didn't seem nearly as upbeat. "There's nothing new to report, nothing to talk about," he West on Crawford South on Burma Rd. Saturdai AUG. 17th 7:30 pm Gates Open 5:301 5 Classes Mini-Stock Strictly Stock Pro Stock IMCA Modified Late Models Program Info. 825-0077 Tickets: Adults: $8.00 Sr.

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