Volleyball
vs. Ohio State
Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m.
The Varsity Arena
SPORTS
Hockey
Blue vs. White
Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m.
Yost Arena
The Michigan Daily
Thursday, October 5, 1989
Page 9
Coach on trial in
by Adam Benson
Daily Football Writer
For this weekend, Don Morton is
returning home.
Or so it would seem.
The Wisconsin head football
coach was born in Flint, but its been
a long time since Morton has made
Michigan his place of residence.
"I was a Flint native a long time
ago. So there really is nothing
special or unique coming back to
Michigan."
Morton now considers Madison,
Wisconsin to be his place of
residence, but he may want to
beware of feeling too settled there.
Now in his third year with the
Badgers, Morton has won only five
games there. Many Badger-backers
would like to boot the coach..
But Morton has some pretty
strong supporters as well.
"I think the guy is a good coach,"
said Michigan coach Bo
Schembechler. "He is a gentleman
and a very bright, young guy. If they
have enough patience up there, by
the time the fifth year comes around,
I think there will be some marked
improvement. We see a lot of
improvement, defensively and
offensively."
Badger defensive back Troy
Vincent adds: "I will talk to people
whenever it's necessary. If I hear
somebody in class talking about
how bad the football team is or
about coach Morton, I will back
him. He needs that support.
"I would hate to see him go. He
is a swell guy."
Aside from being a likeable
person, Morton has been a winner
before. While at North Dakota State,
Morton lead his team to the
Division II football tournament final
four three times, and capturing one
national title.
He appeared ready to turn around
the Tulsa program, until the death of
former Wisconsin coach Dave
McClain, and the failure of his
interim replacement Jim Hilles,
created a spot in Madison.
Even after his two disastrous
years at Wisconsin, Morton still has
a 75-44 lifetime record.
Madison
Morton claims that those days are
coming, but that the patience that
Schembechler preaches for is needed.
"There is no question that if you
are involved in the day-to-day
operation of a football program, you
can see a lot of positive things,"
Morton said. "A lot of good things
are happening. This is a very young
football team that is working hard
and that is improving. It is not
always obvious to everybody. There
is enough positive things that we
see going on that gives us a very
good feeling about the future."
Showing his acclaim'd sense of
humor, Morton points to the spread
in the Michigan game as an
indication of the Badgers brighter
outlook.
"We are a 36-point underdog
going into the Michigan game. The
way Michigan has dominated us the
last two years, that is almost a step
in the right direction."
While the fans might not be
laughing, the administration has not
placed the same strain on their head
coach. In fact, the top brass in
Badger land have Morton feeling
very comfortable.
"I feel very good about the
administration," Morton said. "I
think this is an exciting time to be
at Wisconsin. If you look at this
University, we are going through
some changes - that's not entirely
bad. I feel like I'm a part of the
team here. I'm getting the support
that I need, and people realize what
we are going through and the
direction we are going.
"As a football coach, I couldn't
be in a better situation."
JULIE HOLLMAN/Dailv
First-year fullback Burnie Legette (46), seen
his career due to the injury of starter Jarrod
here versus Maryland, has stepped into a
Bunch.
contributing role early in
Mrtw -
Morton
Rookie contributes early,
fills in for injured Bunch
by Adam Benson
Daily Football Writer
Fullback Burnie Legette made an
impact the first time he played a
down as a Michigan Wolverine.
"His first play, he had a
pancake," said tailback Tony Boles.
"He knocked a guy straight on his
back. We like that out of freshmen."
"That felt pretty good," said
Legette, who has stepped in to help
replace the injured Jarrod Bunch.
*"Hopefully that is an indication of
how my career is going to be at
Michigan."
A graduate of Mitchell High
School in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, Legette finished his career
with 3,765 yards and 49
touchdowns. His stats surpassed the
high school records of former
Mitchell High star Terry Miller,
who had gone on to be a Heisman
Trophy runner-up at Oklahoma
State.
HIS PERFORMANCE merited
being named USA Today Second-
Team High School All-American,
Parade All-American, and selection
as one of eight players in America in
the Gatorade Circle of Champions
for 1988. He also competed in
basketball and track, earning nine
*letters during his stay at Mitchell.
But Legette showed more than
just athletic prowess. Off the play-
ing field, he held the position of
student body president. When
Legette had time, he studied,
excelling enough to warrant ad-
mission into the School of
Engineering at Michigan. Legette
views his performance in the
classroom as his finest achievement.
"Last year, during the recruiting
process, I was able to maintain a 3.7
GPA," said Legette. "I think that is
the accomplishment I am most
proud of."
But now Legette has to prove
himself all over again.
"Down on the bottoi
totem pole again," Legette
been very difficult. Not so
the football field, but as
school environment - go
where you know everyon
being another number.
'That's what
are recruited to
Michigan. Guys
to be able to
there when we
them. Burnie
called on and
been in there t
the job the wa
can do it.'
- Michigan ta
Allen Jeff
"It's difficult, but
something inside of you t
to keep you going if you
accomplish anything."
WHATEVER it is
Legette, he should share it
rest of the incoming class
That would certainly mak
of the Michigan squad happ
"The most impressive
that (Legette) is a freshm
tailback Allen Jefferson.
pure freshman, just came
August. He has learned e
get out there and gained th
confidence that he can get
and play. All the backs a
that he is out there. He's d
nice addition since Jarrod
hurt."
With Bunch sidelined until at
m of the least the Iowa game, an opportunity
said, "it's arose for Legette. But Burnie planned
much on to see playing time, even in a
far as the healthy backfield.
Sing from "When coach (Les) Miles
ie to just recruited me, they said I had an
opportunity to play, and play early,
if I came in here ready," Legette said.
Jefferson, whose playing time
has also increased due to Bunch's
backs injury, added: "That's what backs are
do at recruited to do at Michigan. Guys
have to be able to go in there when
have we need them. Burnie was called on
go i n and he's been in there to do the job
the way he can do it."
need LEG E T T E belongs in the
was Michigan ground game, where he
heS becomes another back with a 40-yard
dash time hovering around 4.6. At
to do least that's what the Michigan media
y he guide states.
"Actually, I think I'm a lot
quicker than 4.6 in the forty,"
ilback Legette contends. "I'm kind of a
slasher. I mix that with power, I
erson don't have blazing speed or
anything, but enough to get through
the holes."
there's Besides having the talent, Legette
that's got also has the size, a nice edge in
want to Michigan's backfield. But his size
alone didn't guarantee Legette
inside of anything. He found that out after his
t with the first encounter with Bo
of 1989. Schembechler.
e the rest "That first time, Bo got in my
?y. face and yelled at me. He cursed me
thing is out. That's probably the first time
ian," said that I've been yelled at in front of
"He is a my teammates before. I went the
in during wrong way on plays. It's difficult
nough to learning the system."
e coaches Burnie Legette has now picked up
out there that system, almost as quickly he
are happy does his class work. The way he's
efinitely a playing, which ever way he is
has been headed, the object in front of him
might want to clear out of the way.
Schembechler felt that the
pressure on Morton came
prematurely. "People have to realize
when a young coach, who's had
some success like he has at Tulsa
and other places, comes into
Wisconsin at a time where they
didn't have an awful lot going for
them...and then people expect him
to immediately turn it around into a
lot of victories. That is difficult to
do."
New prize incites Griddes players
Thousands of excited Griddes players besieged the
Student Publications building yesterday, in what
appeared to be a riotous effort to capture the newly
upgraded Griddes prize. Fans submitted their picks in
swarms when they learned that the winner now
1. Wisconsin at Michigan
2. Notre Dame at Stanford
3. Cincinnati at Miami (Fla.)
4. Kansas St. vs. Nebraska
5, Missouri at Colorado
6. Virginia at Clemson
7. Arkansas at TCU
8. Virg. Tech at West Va.
9. Pittsburgh at Temple
10. Washington at USC
Score of Michigan Game:
receives Lunch or Dinner for two at O'Sullivans
Eatery and Pub, a $12 value, instead of the previous
reward of Breakfast for two ($10 value). Don't miss
your chance to win - drop your picks off at the Daily
before 5 p.m. Friday.
11. Georgia at Tennessee
12. Alabama at Mississippi
13. Baylor at Houston
14. Mid. Tenn. at N.C..St.
15. Okla. State at Oklahoma
16. Fla. State at Syracuse
17. Wash. State at Oregon
18. Colgate at Yale
19. Olivet at Alma
20.
The Rock at Shippensburg
Michigan
Wisconsin
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