Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 28, 1993 TAG: 9304280056
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"Going into the spring, our No. 1 concern was improving individual technique," said head coach Jim Shuck. "We spent less time hitting and more time teaching. We had to build a foundation.
"A positive is that we didn't have any big injuries. From a negative standpoint, what you get out of scrimmaging really shows the direction you're going. It's kind of a good news/bad news situation."
The offense, minus six 1992 starters, is VMI's chief concern for the fall. With the graduation of Wishbone wizard Tony Scales, the quarterback situation is the biggest question mark. The answer is either Erik Reynolds or Spike Johnson, but it wasn't settled this spring.
Shuck said more scrimmaging would have been particularly useful in evaluating the sophomore QBs, neither of whom clearly outplayed the other. Both played well in spurts and both suffered slight injuries.
Offensive coordinator Sam Eddy said there wouldn't be a tag-team rotation next season.
"They'll come in next fall and I would imagine that the guy playing the best in the first week will be the guy who plays," Eddy said. "I don't envision a revolving door situation, where one guy is looking over his shoulder. We'll go with a guy and give him a reasonable shot at it."
In addition to Scales, the VMI offense lost halfback Marcus Mines and four of six starting linemen, including center Lorenzo Carpenter and tight end Dan Lyle.
Mines and Scales accounted for a combined 4,905 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns in their careers as VMI finished 15th, fifth, first and 12th in Division I-AA rushing.
Eddy said the backfield "doesn't miss a beat" with lightweight halfbacks Eric Walker (165 pounds), from Roanoke, and Robert Clark (170).
Eddy raved about the spring performances of fullbacks Chris Meacham, from Daleville, and Travis McDaniel, from Boones Mill. The staff is also high on Sidney Mitchener, who is moving from guard to center.
The option will continue to be VMI's offensive staple, but the Keydets will again shift to multiple receiver sets to keep defenses honest and to get the ball to speedy Marlon Anderson, who caught 19 passes for a 20.2-yard average as a freshman last year.
With the emphasis on instruction, Shuck and staff hope to cut down on errors that hurt the team in its 3-8 1992 season.
"I don't mean to put down our kids, but we have to understand that we're not playing any team that we're better than," Shuck said. "Therefore, we have to execute, cut down on penalties and turnovers.
"Maybe that's unfair to the kids. It's hard to play near-perfect football. But we're not going to out-athlete anybody.
"With this program, we've shown we can compete. But to be successful, to win, we can't shoot ourselves in the foot."
by CNB