Page 12 -The Michigan Daily-Monday, September 21, 1987
Miller Time
BY SCOTT G. MILLER
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Case still out on the
'87 Michigan defense
For Michigan, the defense never rests. Not
this season. Especially after two unspectacular
performances. Never.
Washington State kept the Wolverine defense
confused. Cougar quarterback Timm Rosenbach
completed 30 of 49 passes for 334 yards. For
much of the game, the Michigan defense
resembled its 1984 counterpart. Porous. Soft.
Head coach Bo Schembechler characterized the
Cougars' 20-yard touchdown pass in the first
quarter as an "embarrassment." Tight end Chris
Leighton caught a quick slant and knifed through
two Wolverine defensive backs, completing a 95-
yard drive. Or a 125-yard drive if one counts three
Cougar holding penalties.
"As far as the pass, I don't think they can
thandle us," said Washington State linebacker
,Brian Forde. "We could have passed all day."
Indeed, Michigan expected the Cougars to pass
all day. Schembechler's strategy called for loose
,zone coverage and to wait for the opponent to
'make mistakes. And Rosenbach obliged throwing
:three interceptions.
"The problem with playing a team like that
was that they're going to make some big plays,
$but the disappointment was that we didn't
intercept them more often," said Schembechler.
"We must have had five or six balls in our hands
that we didn't hold onto. That would have
destroyed them if we he had."
Instead, Michigan's defense allowed the Cou-
gars to self-destruct. Besides the three intercep-
tions,-Washington State had an 81-yard touch-
down strike called back for an ineligible receiver
downfield and nine other penalties - hardly an
aggressive way to stop an opponent.
The 1987 Wolverine defense will not quickly
erase the memories of the 1985 squad that rarely
allowed touchdowns. While critics all over
campus played Monday morning quarterback after
the loss to Notre Dame, Schembechler worried
about his team's defense - not offense. The
Irish offense gained too many yards, and the
Michigan defense made no big plays. Changes
were needed.
Safety Erik Campbell shifted to cornerback
and junior Anthony Mitchell - played at
Campbell's safety spot. Linebackers J.J. Grant
and Keith Cooper, both pass defense specialists,
also started against Washington State. More
changes may be necessary next week. Backup
nose guard Mike Teeter hurt his knee on the
opening kickoff Saturday. Starting outside
linebacker Steve Thibert also hurt his knee.
"If we lose those two guys, it would be a
catastrophe," said Schembechler.
The challenge continues to mount for new
defensive coordinator Lloyd Carr. Three-top
Wolverine defenders Brent White, Curtis Feaster,
and Mark Spencer are already sidelined for the
season. The third quarter of Saturday's game
offered hope - Michigan held Washington State
to 8 yards and only nine plays from scrimmage.
But the Cougars' temporary offensive ineptitude
had as much to do with the shut down as the
Wolverine defense.
Schembechler constantly preaches that defense
wins Big Ten titles. His defense has yet to show
it can completely stymie an opponent. And this
weekend didn't help.
"The Washington State offense helps you
prepare for nobody except maybe Long Beach
State," said Schembechler. "That game
defensively helps you with nobody in the Big
Ten. Nobody."
-Blue Banter-
- Running back Allen Jefferson showed why he was one of the
nation's most highly recruited players when he ripped off a 70-yard
touchdown run up the middle in the fourth quarter. Jefferson gained
118 yards on just nine carries - an average of 13 yards per rush.
- Cougar linebacker Brian Forde blasted the officiating, while at the
same.time knocking Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler. "I hear
(Schembechler) is a good coach but unfortunately today I didn't get to
find that out because every time we made a big play, the referee threw
a flag against us."
- The victory over the Cougars raised Michigan's record against
Washington State to 2-0. The only other prior meeting was in
Michigan's 1983 opener in Ann Arbor.
- The attendance of 103,521 was the 74th straight 100,000 plus
crowd to watch the Wolverines in Michigan Stadium.
- Saturday's win snapped a two-game losing streak for the
Wolverines. Michigan had lost three of its last five contests.
- Monte Robbins' 182 yards punting placed him third on the
Wolverines' all-time career punting yardage chart with 6,702 yards.
- So much for Schembechler the swami. He refused to say if this
Saturday's performance would have been enough to beat Notre Dame.
"I don't want to say anything because I'll get in trouble, but you
know how I feel about that game. I will say Michigan State should do
well," Schembechler said. The Spartans lost to the Irish, 31-8.
Let Them Know
How You Feel!!f
DAILY PERSONALS 764-0557
Daily Photo by SCOTT LITUCHY
Linebacker J.J. Grant heads up field after intercepting a Washington State
pass during Saturday's game. Cougar quarterback Timm Rosenbach still
managed a 30-of-49 passing day for 334 yards and two TDs.
Raiders recover from
deficit, beat Lions, 27-7
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Rusty
Hilger passed for 234 yards and one
touchdown and Marcus Allen rushed
for 79 yards and another score as the
Los Angeles Raiders overcame a 7-6
halftime deficit to whip the Detroit
Lions, 27-7 at the Los Angeles
Coliseum yesterday.
The outcome left the Raiders with
a 2-0 record, while the Lions, who
blew numerous opportunities, fell to
0-2. Los Angeles has allowed just
seven points in its last two games.
Hilger, who completed 20 of his
39 passes, put the Raiders ahead for
good with a 14-yard scoring pass to
Dokie Williams at 2:14 of the third
quarter.
The touchdown came shortly after
Williams recovered Karl Bernard's
fumble of the.second-half kick off at
the Detroit 23-yard line.
Allen, who carried 22 times,
tallied on a one-yard plunge with
11:33 left to make it 20-7.
The game was played before a
crowd of 50,300. The fans booed
when players from each team
exchanged handshakes just before the
opening kickoff as a sign of union
solidarity.
It appears that the players will go
on strike after Monday night's game
between the New England Patriots
and the New York Jets.
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We'elookingforafewgoodmen.
What a day for many Mich-
iganders. The Wolverines won, the
Pope stopped by for a quick visit,
and perhaps the most important was
the crowning of a new Miss
America.
What is so special about Kaye
Rafko, other than her terrific
personality, is that she resides in
this wonderful state of Michigan.
One might wonder how Miss
Rafko or any other Miss America
candidate develops the traits to be a
finalist in this intelligent, non-sexist
public display. It may surprise you,
although it should not, that Miss
Rafko was at one time employed as
statistician on the Griddes staff.
What you did not hear when CBS
inadvertently broke to a commercial
was Miss Rafko's endless comp-
liments of her experience with "the
boys" on the Griddes staff.
"I would never trade my months
with those absolute brutes for
anything in theswhole world,"
emphasized Miss, Rafko. "My
Griddes' days had a profound effect
on my path to stardom. I think of
football as a metaphor for life,
whoever converts the most fourth
down and longs is.gonna come out
ahead."
In other Michigan news, Mike
Greifenberg won a $10 coupon to
Domino's Pizza by winning Griddes
1. Long Beach State at
MICHIGAN
(pick total points)
2. Florida State at Michigan
State
3. Missouri at Indiana
4. Kansas State at Iowa
5. Central Michigan at
Minnesota
6. Ohio State at Louisiana
State
7. Northern Illinois at
Northwestern
8. Notre Dame at Purdue
9. Ball St'ate at Wisconsin
10. Nebraska at Arizona State
11. Auburn at Tennessee
12. Miami, Fla. at Arkansas
13. Georgia Tech at Clemson
14. Arizona at UCLA
15. Penn State at Boston
College
16. Pittsburgh at W. Virginia
17. S. Mississippi at Texas
A&M
18. Alabama at Vanderbilt
19. E. Michigan at Kent
State
20. Edinboro at SLIPPERY
ROCK
last week. Mike, sorry Miss Rafko
couldn't be here to deliver the prize
herself, but she's busy. Turn in your
Griddes picks to the Daily before 5
p.m. Friday and win.
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The University Activities Center
announces open application for the position of
PRESIDENT
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
" The President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall
supervision and coordination of the largest student run organization
on campus, acting as liason and official spokesperson to all outside
organizations and to the Michigan Union and Univ9rsity administration.
" One year of UAC experience as an executive officer or committee
member is a prerequisite.
" Interested individuals should contact UAC, 763-1107, for additional
information and an application.
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