MICHIGAN IN THE ROSE BOWLS v s w w 1902 1948 1951 1965 1970 1972 1977 Michigan 49 Stanford 0 Michigan 49 USC 0 Michigan 14 California 6 Michigan 34 Oregon St. 7 USC 10 Michigan 3 Stanford 13 Michigan 12 USC 14 Michigan 6 1978 1979 1981 1983 1987 1989 1990 Washington 27 Michigan 20 USC 17 Michigan 10 Michigan 23 Washington 6 UCLA 24 Michigan 14 Arizona St. 22 Michigan 15 Michigan 22 USC 14 7 . Depth Grant-s 'M' many opportunities BY STEVE BLONDER Michigan generally has a good defense, and this year should be no exception, largely because the Wolverines return many linebackers with game experience. Injuries forced coach Bo Schembechler to play several youngsters last season, all of whom return this season with game experience. "The strength of our defense is our linebacking," Schembechler said. "We have more depth and better linebackers than we've had in a long time." On the outside the Wolverines return senior Bobby Abrams and sophomore Alex Marshall. Marshall has been slowed by a bruised kidney, but is expected to play in the opener against Notre Dame. If Marshall is unable to go, junior Tim Williams, sophomore Brian Townsend who can also play the inside positions, or Neil Simpson will take his place. "On the outside, we are certainly V well-manned," Schembechler pronounced. "And we'll play all four linebacker positions with good people." On the inside, the Wolverines have more linebackers than positions. Erick Anderson got valuable experience last season, and Schembechler calls the sophomore "one of the top linebackers in the league. "He can hit and really get around." Senior co-captain J.J. Grant is listed as the other starter after coming back from major knee surgery. "If J.J. is at 100 percent and Erick Anderson is in there, we have two linebackers who will make their presence felt," Schembechler said about his defensive quarterbacks. Anderson and Grant led the team last season with 77 tackles apiece. Their numbers were good enough for Grant to be named second team All- Big Ten, and Anderson to be named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. Further confusing the picture is the return of senicr John Milligan. Milligan, one of the hardest workers on a team often pushed to the limit, has come back after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. The fourth inside linebacker is junior Marc Spencer wLo came back to camp in "really top shape." "He is making it awful tough on these guys, he really pushes them," Schembechler said. Fall practice resulted in some minor injuries to Anderson (turf toe), Spencer (knee) and Grant (shoulder), but all are expected to play in the opener. Is 20 30 40 PROFILE McMurtry soars tohigh expec BY ADAM BENSON talent and it is a shame that he is not Number One. showcased more," said Iowa Greg McMurtry is very familiar linebacker Brad Quast, who besides with this position and the playing against McMurtry, knows responsibility it brings. In 1986, he him from recruiting trips to Iowa, became the top recruit in the Michigan and UCLA in which they nation's number one group of were together. "He is a fine athlete recruits, when he signed to play and a great person. football at Michigan. While McMurtry's numbers after He almost didn't come. He was three years (70 receptions, 1452 drafted, number one, by the Boston yards, 8 touchdown passes) by no Red Sox that same year. He.passed means threaten Carter's career marks on the offer because he wanted to (161, 3076, 37), fans should catch footballs...and be a Wolverine. remember that Carter was He came here, and what jersey do Michigan's only true threat during you think he took? his Wolverine years. McMurtry has After four years, in which he's shared time with Ken Higgins, Chris played on two Big Ten champions Calloway, Paul Jokish and Kolesar. and one Rose Bowl champ, Greg McMurtry begins his senior year on He may never be Michigan's the team ranked by many as number finest receiver, but McMurtry is the one. The Brockton, Mass. native big play weapon in Michigan's craves for the chance to prove those finest group of receivers. Even with prognosticators correct. a speedburner like Kolesar next to "It is a high goal and a realis.ic him, McMurtry has compiled a 20.7 goal," McMurtry said of the yards per reception average,Tetter ., predictions. "We have the talent to than Carter's 19.1. win the national championship. We McMurtry has never worried need to be hungry, play mistake free about being the team star, and he football on offense, defense, and recognizes his contribuons. special teams and I think we'll haversi good shot." "I knew coming in, before I set . Some would say that the rest of foot on this campus, that Michigan the Michigan team has finally was that type of program. They measured up to the lofty status of don't go out and showcase one their star receiver. person," McMurtry said.'G gMrr But along with being number one Greg McMurtry is an all- comes great expectations. Especially "The people who know football, around receiver. He can when you step into the position and and know it well, know when wit th jersey of a Michigan legend as somebody is doing a good job, even block, catch, run with the McMurtry did when he became the when he is not getting all the ball afterwards. I'm sure first player to wear the maize "1" publicity he should be. Those are the he can meet every ex- since Anthony Carter. people that matter to me. The McMurtry is unfazed by the average fan can say what he want." pectation they have for mention of A.C.Mhim' "I'm not uncomfortable with that McMurtry would love to hear comparison. I knew when I took the chants of "number one" reverberate - Minnesota number what Anthony had done and through the Michigan Stadium wide receiver what people would expect. I except stands, but hopefully, those screams that as a sort of challenge." will be for more than just one great Chris Gaiters Chris Gaiters, the Minnesota wide wide receiver. receiver who made third team All- America last season, shrugged off suggestions that McMurtry could be MICHIGAN INDIA something of a disappointment. EMPLOYMENT TRAINING "Greg McMurtry is an all-around receiver. He can block, catch, run SERVICES, INC. with the ball afterwards. I'm sure he If you or someone you know is 4 Native can meet every expectation they have American, then our program is for you! for him," Gaiters said. Our Program will assist Native Ohio State coach John Cooper Americans with: Unlimited added: "We played against him three Classroom Training Job Readiness throughout the Ann Ak years ago (when Cooper coached Work Experience Career Guidance Arizona State) in the Rose Bowl and On-the-Job Training Job Referrals Convenient + dependat Arizna tate inthe oseBowlandFor more in formation, he was a young pup then. Now he plr Se contfract:n has that experience. He and John p Kolesar were two of the better wide Michigan Indian Employment and receivers in the country last year." Training Services, Inc. Most agree that McMurtry has REGIONvnl.THE Carter-like ability, but some would 6386 JACKSON ROAD say he has not been able to show it. SUITES A, 8, & C, ANN A RBR.Mi 48103 "He has a tremendous amount of (313) 7 1-9440 Ann Arbor Transportation Authortty 94 ,& , 1 A A k0101 k SO 40 30 20 HEYY w( PL I'~1 Cu, p 4t f r4n'N 1u i u OPEN 7 DAYS AND MOST EVENINGS ANN ARBOR DEARBORN 201 E. Washington 2050 N. Telegraph Rd. at 4th Ave. " 994-3572 1 Bk South of Ford Rd." 565-6605 U SE YOUR RHU DS ON'S SH OPP I NG CA RD, VISA MASTERCARD T HE AM ERI CAN E X PR ES S CARD OR DISCOVER" CARD. WEEKE /SEPTEMBER 15,1989 PAGE 14 WE EKEO/SEPTEIYBER 1i.1989