New rule invites Cinderella to suit up

Sporting News, The, Nov 21, 1994 by Ivan Maisel

Four years after the NCAA membership approved dropping the Division I-A scholarship limit from 95 to 85, college football is not the same. Coaches decry the lack of depth. The play of special teams has eroded because of inexperience and a greater workload. But it hasn't been all bad.

"The beauty of football," says College Football Association Executive Director Chuck Neinas, "is we've always had Cinderella. This year, there may be more than one."

Wearing newly found glass cleats are perennial losers Colorado State (9-1), Oregon (8-3) and Duke (8-2). Their combined records over the previous three seasons was 36-64-1. But players for whom the sport's powers no longer have room land on campuses unaccustomed to talent. One result is the fairy tale now on display in Durham, N.C.

"It's got to help," Blue Devils Coach Fred Goldsmith says. "I don't think it's hurt the superpowers.... Everybody has more good players right now."

The NCAA membership approved the legislation at the watershed 1991 Convention in Nashville, Tenn. At that meeting, the Presidents Commission fought for and won passage of the first major reforms in NCAA regulations, among them the 10-percent reduction of scholarships in all sports. From the allowable limit of 95 scholarships in 1991-'92, I-A members had to reduce to 92 in '92-'93, 88 in '93-'94 and, finally, this season, 85 scholarships.

Coaches continue to bellow about the rule. They say colleges can't do as the NFL does. When a player is injured, the college can't reach out and sign another. With fewer scholarship players, health becomes paramount.

"With a few injuries," Oregon Coach Rich Brooks says, "teams go to hell." In the Pacific 10 Conference, defending champion UCLA stumbled in large part because of injuries.

Brooks' Ducks have remained healthy and fortunate. Oregon has been affected by the scholarship reduction as well. Its depth is such that 17 of the 22 players on the first- or second-team offense are one or two years removed from high school.

"We've improved every week," Brooks says. "We have a lot of younger players playing better. And we're 100 percent healthy."

Oregon is benefiting from a gamble Brooks took. With fewer scholarships, coaches are loathe to spend one on a kicker. Brooks gave one to Matt Belden of Glendale, Ariz. He has made 10 of 15 field-goal attempts, averaged 40 yards per punt and kicked off frequently into the end zone.

"For a freshman, it's unbelievable that he can do anything well," Brooks says. "He's doing them all well.... One scholarship, and he does all three jobs."

Oregon is the exception. Notre Dame is closer to the rule, although the Fighting Irish may be the worst-case scenario of a school failing to spend a scholarship on a kicker. Coach Lou Holtz banked on the ability of walk-ons. Together, Stefan Schroffner and Scott Cengia have kicked two field goals longer than 36 yards this season, which means the offense has to cross the 20-yard-line to get points on the board. Cengia missed a crucial extra-point attempt in the Irish's 23-16 loss to Florida State.

Oregon got lucky. Notre Dame didn't. But specialteams play has suffered this season. No one has compiled complete numbers. Punt returns for touchdowns are up. Blocked kicks seem prominent on every Saturday highlights package.

Colorado won a 1990 national championship in no small part because of special teams. Coach Bill McCartney has seen the decline this season.

"You don't have the luxury of having more than one kicker on scholarship," McCartney says. "Any time you take away competition, it affects the quality of play. We've got kids doing more things. In the past, you took a kid, put him on one special team, and he would come downfield with great energy. Now he's on four special teams. You get diminishing returns. He doesn't play with the same fervor."

Alabama assistant Mike Dubose points out how easy it is to forget the biggest victims of the scholarship cuts.

"I don't think 85 has hurt any of us," Dubose says. "Look at the number of young men cut out. Guys we're not signing are going to I-AA. Guys that would have gone to I-AA schools are going to Division II. Guys that are cut out at Division II schools are not getting anything."

One tough team

Say this for Penn State: Whatever this team sets out to do, it does completely. The Nittany Lions spent the first two months of the season blowing out opponents with demoralizing ease. Been there. Done that.

Penn State won Saturday by coming back. And, as befits this team, not just any comeback but the greatest in Joe Paterno's career. Penn State spotted Illinois, the best defense in the Big Ten and the fourth-best in the nation, a 21-0 lead at home, then drove 96 yards to score the winning touchdown in the final minute.

The 35-31 victory clinched Paterno's first Big Ten Conference championship and his first trip to the Rose Bowl. On January 2, he will become only the fourth man to take a team to the Rose, Cotton, Orange and Sugar bowls.

The last of fullback Brian Milne's three scores completed a comeback both amazing and inevitable. The confidence and absence of panic emanating from the east sideline wafted over Memorial Stadium as thoroughly as the cool, clammy mist.