The Michigan Daily - Monday, October 10, 1988 - Page 13 Streak ends MSU picks off Taylor BY ADAM SCHEFTER Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser gave up his first run in 67 innings Wednesday night. That was the first of two impressive streaks to be broken this week. The second came when Michigan quarterback Michael Taylor threw his first interception in 79 passing attempts. Taylor had not thrown an ' interception since last year's game against Wisconsin. "I'm not really that upset about the streak being over," Taylor said. "I knew it was going to happen sooner or later." The player responsible for ending the streak is a player all too familiar to Wolverine fans - John Miller, the Spartans' strong safety. Miller had four of Michigan State's seven interceptions in last year's contest against Michigan, setting a school record and tying the Big Ten mark. MILLER, of Farmington, had watched the Michigan-Miami game films and noticed that Michigan often ran one particular play. Early in Saturday's game, the Wolverines made a first down on it when Michael Taylor lofted the ball over Miller's head to John Kolesar. Next time, Miller knew it was coming. "I read the play well, got a little deeper drop that time, and Michael made a mistake and threw it at me. I was waiting for that play again all day." When Miller caught it, he took off down the left sideline. He was brought down at the five-yard line, where Michigan State was forced to settle for a field goal three plays later to make the score 10-3. On Michigan's next possession, Taylor was intercepted a second time, this one by linebacker Kurt Larson. 'Now, (Michigan State's John Miller) is gone after this season, isn't he? I tried to recruit him 10 years ago, and he's still intercepting balls on me. - Bo Schembechler "Michigan State's defense is an excellent defense," said Michigan coach Bo Schembechler. "They have great mobility. When they take drops, they take drops. That's why that damn Miller and Larson picked them off on us. "Miller's play kept them in the game," Schembechler added. "This Miller finds a way. He's a wonderful defensive back. Now, he is gone after this season, isn't he? I tried to recruit him 10 years ago, and he's still intercepting balls on me." With Taylor at quarterback, Schembechler isn't used to seeing interceptions. One of the main reasons Taylor got the nod as starter this season is because of his ability to play intelligently and avoid mistakes. Schembechler calls Taylor the smartest quarterback he has ever put behind a center. JOHN MUNSON/Doily 'M' quarterback Michael Taylor evades the grasp of Spartan Jason Ridgeway. Taylor, who had his streak of 79 completions without an interception ended, rushed for 33 yards. He threw for 115 yards. Big Ten in total defense and second in scoring defense, allowing 15.2 points per game. The conference's top-ranked defensive team at season's Gillette provides end has gone on to play in the Rose good news for Bowl 13 of the last 16 years. As well as the Wolverines Bo, W olverines played defensively, the Spartans showed very little offensively. Continued from Page 1 Michigan State has scored only three State to 16-4. "We had some pressure touchdowns this year compared to on the passer and played well against Michigan's 17. No other Big Ten the run. team has gained fewer yards total "This team has hung together. offense this season. We had two disastrous games to The Spartans' best opportunity, begin with, and now we've strung to score a touchdown Saturday came together some wins. This is reall in the third quarter with the our first big win." ...olverines leading, 10-0. Strong The Wolverines held Michigan safety John Miller intercepted a State to 151 yards total offense and Michael Taylor pass and returned the nine first downs - Michigan's best ball 48 yards to Michigan's five-yard figures since against Purdue in 1985. line. "We felt we kept our pursuit," Three plays later, Michigan said the Wolverines' leading tackler State found itself inches shy of the and their defensive signal caller, J.J. end zone. Perles elected to go for a Grant. "We hustled and kept our field goal instead of going for the assignments." touchdown on fourth down. MICHIGAN ranks first in the "I'm not second-guessing myself (on the decision to kick a field goal)," Pc rles said. "We were down by 10. Somewhere we had to get a field goal." SPARTAN offensive tackle Tony Mandarich said: "There are 22 guys playing out there. Point the finger at us, not Perles." Michigan State never threatened the rest of the contest. Mike Gillette's 40-yard touchdown run rff of a fake punt with 27 seconds left in the third quarter gave Michigan a two-touchdown cushion. "Our men were covered all day," Perles said. "(Andre) Rison was double-teamed4nd the coverage was good, which led to sacks." Michigan sacked Spartan quarterback Bobby McAllister five times, twice by defensive tackle Mark Messner. The Wolverines had recorded only two sacks in their first four games combined. "I think they had a different passing attack than we faced the first few games," said Osman, who dropped McAllister for a 16-yard loss during Michigan State's final possession in the fourth quarter. "The first few games, they were just dropping back five yards and throwing the ball. This week, they had deeper patterns." Rison, the Spartans' big-play receiver, did not touch the ball until the fourth quarter, when he caught a 24-yard pass. "We knew where (Rison) was every play," said Michigan strong safety Tripp Welborne, who intercepted his third pass of the season and threw a key block on Gillette's touchdown. Michigan State tailback Blake Ezor, the Big Ten's third leading rusher entering the game, ma'tt'ged only 68 yards in 21 attempts. * * * CORNER OF STATE AND HILL '994-4040 : ALL YOU CAN EAT PIZZA Every TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY $3675 0 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. W''-Y'''I'U'["[ Counseling Services will be offering the following groups and workshops for currently enrolled students. These groups are presently in the process of being filled. Enrollment is limited. Many groups require screening meetings with Counseling Services staff to assure best service. For more information Inquire at Counseling Services, 764-8312. Coping As A Minority Student on The U of M Campus Growth Thru Dreams: A General Theraov Group with emohasis on dreams Thursdays 5-7 pm, screening From Grief to Growth: Resolving Significant Losses Thursdays 3:15-4:45 pm, screening Adult Children of Alcoholic /imoaired Parents Groun Wednesday 12:00-1:00 pm, NO SCREENING NECESSARY, begins October 12th Survival & Growth For Adult Children of Alcoholic/Dvsfunctional Parents (Six twenty-minute, Mini-Workshops) Monday, October 17, 11:40-1:00 Anderson Room, Michigan Union Bldg. Tuesday, October 18,4-6 pm. Call 764-8312 to reserve a place Asian Women's Support Group Wednesdays 6:00-7:30 pm., Begin October 19, Attend informational meeting 6-7 pm, October 12, 3100 Michigan Adult Children of Alcoholic/mnaired Parents Groun How to Cope With Your Difficult Parent: Holiday Survival Skills Tuesday, November 15. 7-10 pm, Welker Room, Michigan Union Bldg. Call 764-8312 to place your name on list. Esprit " In-Wear CP Shades * Levi Z. Cavaricci & Function -l"Y -1.- - - I d! 1ii " A LJ I aY -i k'-1 3 + Each Thursday 7-9 pm, beginning October 27, Guide Peer Facilitators October 27: "AAUUGHI! I WISH I WOULD HAVE SAID..."