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JMU Happy With 1978 SeasonContinued from Page 16tailback and combined for 108.3 yards a game.“It was a balance that I think we showed most of the season/1 McMillin said of his numerous running backs. “That had to be one of our strongest points — that, and the fact that this was easily the best team we have ever had here.“If you consider everything, this was by far the best team/* he said. “We might not have had some of the outstanding individuals of the past, but I think overall we had better speed, strength, size and depth — especially depth.”The depth carried the teams through its worst series of injuries ever. Seven players — including three starters — went down to knee injuries. Twenty-seven players missed games because of injuries.“We were able to fill the gap, and I think that had to be one of the best things about the season. We always had a player come through when we called on him,” McMillin said. “I think it was because every one on the team really believed in himself... that started with the, seniors and was just something that everyone eventually felt.”A year ago, the Dukes suffered through their worst varsity season (5-5), and the culprit was inconsistency. The Dukes, if anything, in 1978 were consistent — especially the defense and kicking games.Placekicker Joe Showker connected on 32 of 33 PAT kicks on the season. The Harrisonburg native had 43 of 45 PAT kicks in his two years of varsity play.Excluding the William Mary game, the Dukes outscored their opponents 229-92. They set a team season record for interceptions with 19.“We didn’t always have the* big defensive stats, but we did have the big defensive plays,” McMillin said.Linebacker Dale Caparaso typified this. He massed all of last season and wasn’t expected to contribute early in the year. Instead, he took over a starting linebacker position in the second scrimmage, started every game and became the team’s defensive leader.He led the team with 166 tackles and seven quarterback sacks. His late-game interception iced the win over Hampden-Sydney.“That game and several others were definitely among the highlights,” McMillin said.The Dukes beat both Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon on.the road for the first time this season. The Dukes are now 16-4 against Virginia Division III opponents since JMU started a varsity program five years ago.“We have come along way,” McMillin said of those five years and the two JV seasons that preceded them. “This was one of the best years. It was the best team ever.”The Dukes may have a long wait before another 8-2-0 or 9-0-1 season because of their move to a higher division.Still, McMillin is optimistic. It isn’t hard to understand why. Seven years ago, his first Madison team was winless and failed even to score.“Seven years from now, well, who knows?” he said.Tech Wins ExhibitionBLACKSBURG (AP) - The outside shooting of freshman Jeff Schneider enabled Virginia Tech’s Gobblers to maintain a slim lead in the second half Friday night for a 69-63 exhibition basketball victory over St. Francis Xavier of Nova Scotia.
Newspaper Details
Daily News-Record
Harrisonburg, Virginia, US
Sat, Nov 18, 1978
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
MD, USA 17 Jul 2024
Other Publications Near Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg Republican
Harrisonburg Old Commonwealth
Harrisonburg Evening News
Harrisonburg Daily Independent
Daily News-Record
