Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Tar Heels wary of Terps' offense Date: Sat, 31 Oct 92 14:00:15 EST Message-ID: \SE D;SPORTS;COLLEGES \SS (WS) \HD Tar Heels wary of Terps' offense \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS North Carolina coach Mack Brown concedes that he's a little scared of Maryland's offense in today's game at Byrd Stadium. The Terps boast the top-rated offense in the ACC averaging 430 yards and 30 points despite records of 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the conference. Maryland has amassed at least 500 yards in offense in five games, a feat never before accomplished in school history. "This is a scary week for us," Brown said. "We have to play as well as we have the past two weeks to win." The 22nd-ranked Tar Heels (6-2, 3-2) are coming off victories over Virginia and Georgia Tech, the first time a North Carolina team has beaten nationally ranked opponents in successive weeks. In both games, the Tar Heels did it with defense. First, they held a potent Virginia attack to just 263 yards - nearly 200 below the Cavaliers' average - in a 27-7 rout. Then the Tar Heels limited Georgia Tech to a mere 175 yards in a 26-14 victory. "Our defense did well in both games," Brown said. "But the major difference in Maryland is not so much their scheme, but the fact that they do not huddle. That will make things very difficult." The Terps operate the run-and-shoot offense of coach Mark Duffner at a rapid clip. As soon as one play is done, quarterback John Kaleo is on the line of scrimmage, ready to call another. As a result, Maryland runs an average of 86 plays per game and set an ACC record with 105 against North Carolina State on Sept. 12. But things could be different against the Tar Heels, who held the ball for 38:25 last week, effectively taking Georgia Tech quarterback Shawn Jones out of the game. "I thought we played very well defensively, but give our offense a lot of credit, too," said North Carolina defensive coordinator Carl Torbush. "Shawn Jones is a lot less dangerous when he's standing on the sideline." The best way to control the ball is on the ground, and North Carolina's Netrone Means is one of the best tailbacks in the league - if not the country. The 5-foot-11 junior is averaging 110 yards and has scored 62 points. "He certainly follows in the great tradition of tailbacks that North Carolina has had over the years," Duffner said. "He is not only blessed with outstanding speed, balance and cutting ability, but he's very physical. He would just as soon run you over than make a move on you." While the Tar Heels enter the game with two weeks worth of momentum, Maryland hopes to build on last week's unlikely victory over Duke. The Terps trailed by four points with 13 seconds to go, but two straight Hail Mary passes from Kaleo to Marcus Badgett snatched victory from defeat. "It was a victory that was certainly needed," Duffner said. "When you get a win like that, the ripple effect is immense." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM