Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 29, 1993 TAG: 9308310147
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: FB8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Unfortunately for the Keydets, that's not the speed-of-lightning, roar-of-thunder label made semi-famous by the cartoon character Underdog. It's the label attached to a team picked to finish last in the Southern Conference in two preseason polls.
Consider:
The Keydets finished last season with a 3-8 record, which included victories over NAIA West Virginia Tech and Division II Wofford.
Quarterback Tony Scales, the school's all-time leader in total offense, is gone, along with No. 3 all-time rusher Marcus Mines and two-time all-conference center Lorenzo Carpenter.
VMI travels to 1992 NCAA Division I-AA champion Marshall and Western Carolina, picked to finish first in the conference. The Keydets also are on the road against state rivals Richmond and William and Mary, as well as Division I-A Army.
"I don't mind the underdog role for two reasons," said Sidney Mitchener, a senior expected to take over for Carpenter at center. "First, most teams tend to overlook us. They say, `Oh, we're playing VMI. We can relax.' Second, it gives us more motivation before the game because they don't think we're going to be a challenge."
Shuck, in his fifth year at VMI, described the Keydets' role as an obstacle, but he pointed out that his players face tough hurdles every day in their lives as cadets.
"Coming to VMI, it's all about meeting challenges - coming in as a freshman, going through the Rat Line. So when we step on the field, it's just another challenge."
Spike Johnson, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior with a strong arm, has emerged as the leading contender to replace Scales at quarterback. Johnson is battling Erik Reynolds, last year's backup, who has been hampered by injuries.
If Johnson wins out, Shuck could shift to more multiple-receiver sets to replace the running power of Scales and Mines.
"We're still going to be an option team," the coach said. "But with Spike in there, it would give us more flexibility to throw."
Probable targets include Marlon Anderson, the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year in 1992, and Chris Doss, a junior who saw action in every game last year as a reserve.
Senior Rob Clark and junior Chris Meacham, from Daleville, return to starting positions in the backfield. Their running will be critical to VMI's wishbone offense.
Also returning at running back are junior Eric Walker, a former North Cross player, and Travis McDaniel of Boones Mill, who was moved to halfback after spending most of his time at fullback last season.
Bryant McMillian, a two-year letterman at fullback, was an academic casualty, and tight end Dan Lyle has graduated.
"What we lack in depth, I think we make up for in quality football players," Shuck said. "But we have to push those kids hard and we have to be cautious."
Things look more promising for the Keydets on the defensive side of the ball with the addition of Mike Clark as coordinator and the return of eight starters.
Clark was one of three Virginia Tech assistant coaches who were dismissed after the Hokies went 2-8-1 in 1992. He replaces Bob Forgrave, who took a job as defensive coordinator at Division II Millersville (Pa.).
"Our big challenge at VMI - if you're going to be the underdog in 11 games, which we are - is to give the kids a chance to make big plays," Clark said.
Clark pointed to Camillus Musselman, John Cross and Dewayne Arkadie as potentially dominating defensive players.
Musselman, a senior linebacker, has led the Keydets in tackles the past two seasons and has 163 solo stops.
Cross is a projected starter at end after a short stint as a backup tackle. He ranked second on the team last year in sacks with four and 12th in tackles with 34.
Arkadie is a fifth-year player who gives the Keydets strength in the backfield. Second-team all-conference in 1991, the strong safety missed all but two games last year with a knee injury.
Cornerback Robert Gay and free safety Terry Tucker also return to starting positions.
by CNB