Don't pass up these QBs

Sporting News, The, Dec 18, 1995 by Lenn Robbins

Pay close attention to Donovan McNabb and Nealon Greene. Because in these two multi-talented quarterbacks, you may be catching a glimpse of the teams of the future in the Atlantic Coast and Big East conferences.

McNabb, a redshirt freshman, had never started a game for the Orangemen until this season. All he did was set an NCAA freshman passing efficiency record of 162.3.

"Donovan's just gotten better with every game," Coach Paul Pasqualoni says. "He's a very mature kid who doesn't try to force the kind of plays that get you into trouble."

Nealon Greene, a sophomore who has completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,474 yards and 10 touchdowns, is the first Tiger quarterback to rank in the Top 25 in passing efficiency (137.6) since 1984.

"I think Nealon has surprised a lot of people in his efficiency this season," Coach Tommy West says. "He's made a lot of improvements and is becoming more and more adept at running our offense."

McNabb, from Dolton, Ill., and Greene, from Yonkers, N.Y., have avoided the mistake that so often plagues young quarterbacks - the tendency to tuck the ball and run at the slightest hint of trouble. McNabb (6 feet 1,211 pounds) is big enough to drop back and read defenses effectively and has the arm to throw the deep ball. Greene (5-11, 190) doesn't have as strong an arm, but with 343 rushing yards, he is a threat once he does leave the pocket.

Florida State and Miami might be the class of the ACC and Big East, but with Green and McNabb, Clemson and Syracuse are poised to make a push for the top spot next season.

KEY MATCHUP

Clemson running backs vs. Syracuse's front seven. The Tigers are led by tailback Raymond Priester, who led the ACC in average rushing yards per game (116.9), and fullback Emory Smith, Emmitt's younger brother, who ran for 14 touchdowns. The Tigers' gained 259.5 yards rushing per game this season, fourth best in the nation.

Syracuse's line and linebacking units are undersized. Nose tackle George Meyers, left tackle Scott Freeney and defensive end Dulayne Morgan are converted linebackers. And the Orangemen will be without middle linebacker Antwaune Ponds, who is out with a broken leg.

WHAT IT MEANS

After going to a bowl game six consecutive years, Syracuse has been home for the holidays the last two seasons. Clemson hasn't been to a bowl since the 1993 season. The winner solidifies itself as a legitimate Top 20 team for next season.

Both programs are loaded with young talent. Clemson has only 14 seniors listed on its depth chart. Only six of 22 offensive players on the depth chart are seniors.

In Syracuse's final road game, 23 of 57 players who made the travel roster were freshmen and sophomores. The Orangemen have only three seniors on their defensive depth chart.

STRANGE, BUT TRUE

Needing a victory to give Clemson its sixth victory of the season and assure the Tigers of a bowl bid, Coach Tommy West broke out the orange pants, a tradition started under former coach Danny Ford, for whom West played. The Tigers beat North Carolina, 17-10, to improve their record to 30-6 in orange pants.

What's in a name? Syracuse's 1994 squad decided not to have names placed on the backs of jerseys. That team fell apart down the stretch, losing three of its last four. This year, the players voted to have the names back. The Orangemen won two of their last three, including a 58-29 shellacking of Boston College.

SKULL SESSION

Despite the accomplishments of Donovan McNabb and Nealon Greene, neither team wants to place its young quarterbacks in a position of having to win the game through the air. Both teams will try to establish their running games.

Syracuse goes three-deep at halfback with Malcolm Thomas, Tebucky Jones and true freshman Kyle McIntosh. Rob Konrad, also a true freshman, has emerged as the best fullback. Clemson relies mostly on Priester and Smith.

If it comes down to a passing game, Syracuse might have the edge. Clemson relies on its pass rush (27 sacks) to compensate for questionable cornerbacks. But getting to the quarterback will be more difficult against Syracuse's "freeze" option.

Because both teams are evenly matched, special teams could be the difference. Clemson must keep the ball away from Marvin Harrison, who returned two punts for touchdowns this season. Orangemen kicker Olindo Mare kicked off 58 times this season; 39 were touchbacks.