The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 2, 1989 - Page 11 I he big 'Stick' Inspiration helps Vada Murray make clutch plays for the ''I by Adam Benson Daily Football Writer Vada Murray can't wear two numbers on his jersey, but he has a three-year old favor to pay back to another football player who covered for him when Murray was unable to suit up for the Wolverines. "Vada feels good because he knows he is playing for both of us," said Murray's roommate Warde Manuel, who had his career as a Wolverine defensive linemen ended by a neck injury. "I carried the torch coming in (when Murray sat out be- cause of Proposition 48), he's carry- ing the torch going out." Murray has another year to pay back Manuel, only being of junior- eligibility. Yet the Cincinnati Moeller graduate has convinced rival coaches that he shows his gratitude to Manuel with quality play as op- posed to quantity. "(Murray is) an excellent athlete, playing that center field," said Indi- ana coach Bill Mallory. "He'll fly around back there and he's capable of making big plays on you, so you ,*have to watch him." UCLA coach Terry Donahue would have liked to have known that before his club faced Michigan. Maybe then Donahue could have somehow stopped Murray from blocking an extra point, recovering an on-side kick, and intercepting the Bruins' final pass in the Wolverines' 24-23 victory? So would have George Perles; Murray blocked a kick against his Michigan State team. Iowa coach Hayden Fry should have been told as DAVID LUBLINER/Daily ...but he rarely gets beaten as a defensive back. well. Murray cradled another inter- ception, as well as a fumble in addi- tion to blocking a kick in the Michigan win. Although Mallory knew about Murray's heroics, he couldn't keep him from intercepting a pass against the Hoosiers. Murray downplays a superman label, instead offering praise for his teammates. "I haven't really done anything out of the ordinary," Murray said. "The guys up front, like T.J. (Osman), Mike Teeter, Brent White and those guys knocking offensive lines back, that enables Tripp Wel- borne and I to get up to that line and penetrate and jump as high as we can. It's all timing from there. It's just a reaction to when that center snaps the ball. "I've just been at the right place at the right time. Anybody could '(Murray is) an excellent athlete, playing that center field... He'll fly around back there and he's capable of making big plays on you, so you have to watch him.' - Indiana coach Bill Mallory have recovered that on-side kick. It just happened to be me. It was my job when the ball popped up to go get it." His teammates choose not to re- fer to Murray as the team's savior. Most well-known athletes who make those big, game saving plays, are addressed with glorious or flashy nicknames like Mr. Clutch or Mr. October. But Vada Murray is the exception "'The stick', that's what we call him," said cornerback Lance Dottin. "He's so skinny. When he first came here, his body frame was so thin. With that frame and his jumping ability, he's all over the place." Like the defense he plays for, 'Stick' may bend, but he doesn't break. Tony Rice or Anthony Thompson can be tough on a foot- ball field, yet Murray has faced some tougher obstacles in his everyday life, many since he has become a Wolverine. "I knew what was ahead for me that summer before I came to Michigan," Murray said about his Ann Arbor arrival. "I prepared my- self for the worst. I was on the out- side looking in. Looking through the fence, watching the guys prac- tice, you can't cross the fence be- cause you have to wait. It was frus- trating.". While struggling with the nega- tive connotation attached to being a Prop 48 victim, as well as a year without even a practice, and then an- other year on the bench as a red- shirt, Murray still picked up football lessons. "The first couple of years I had a chance to mature," Murray said. "I got a feel for what it takes to win a game. When I was young, I used to watch guys like Erik Campbell, Jamie (Morris), and (Jim) Harbau- rgh. I used to watch and see how they acted under certain situations. Volverines When I got into those situations, I: knew what it took to win. "When I think about, it's been, three years and it seems like it's a long way away. I'm fortunate that I had some people supporting me, like Warde. Bo really supported me. I'm fortunate that I had those guys in my comer." Murray's life minus football has made him an even better friend to Manuel as the former defensive lineman adjusts to being a regular student. "The first two weeks were catas- trophic," Manuel said. "What really gave me strength was Vada. He called me the night it happened. We just talked about what he had to do% and what I had to do. Talking to him that night really pushed me on." Murray added: "You knew it was hurting him, he is not going to hide it. You can't bottle something up; like that. When football has been a part of your life, for this long, yott; can't just put it on the backshelf." Although most fans can't see i anymore, Manuel's #79 still gets th4- attention of opponents. Murray writes it on his wristbands, just so when he sticks his opponents, they'll remember too. Arif Ali. Who is he, you ask' Well, you should know by now thaE Ali is last week's Griddes champion!- By correctly picking 18 of the 2U games, Ali outlasted many vying candidates to earn his lunch or dinner" for two at O'Sullivan's Eatery and> Pub (maximum $12) on South: University. It is assumed that Ali may have had help on his picks from the great' boxer Muhammed, however, sources,; can neither confirm nor deny the' accusation. In any case, congratulations are due to Arif for his victory. He can pick up his certificate at the Daily in the Student Publications Building at 420 Maynard. Manuel adjusts to new life Warde Manuel expected to play on the Michigan defensive line this season, but the inflammation of a reoccuring injury to his neck, suffered during spring practice, made him reconsider those plans. "You picture yourself making a big play, getting to the football, you 'don't foresee injuries," Manuel said. "It kind of hits you like a brick wall when someone say your career is over and you could have permanent damage if you play again." The New Orleans native has become a sort of special ambassador for the football team, hosting recruits who come to visit Ann Arbor. "I talk to them from a student-athlete's perspective," said Manuel of his new duties. "It gave me something to do and it makes me feel like I'm a part of the team and what goes on, even though I'm not down there. I feel like I'm involved."- Although Manuel still wants to contribute, Murray doesn't agree. "He is (still part of the team. Whether you are injured or not, you are one of us. He paid his dues." --Adam Benson Al KG's Griddes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Purdue at Michigan Navy at Notre Dame E. Carolina at Miami Nebraska at Colorado Miss. St. at Alabama Illinois at Iowa S. Carolina at Florida St. Oregon St. at USC Houston at TCU Arkansas at Rice West Virginia at Penn St. Florida at Auburn Arizona at California 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Oregon at BYU Virginia at N.C. State Michigan St. at Indiana Wisconsin at Minnesota Ohio St. at Northwestern Army at Air Force Edinboro at The Rock Score of Michigan game: Michigan Purdue Name and Phone #: Manuel BEST OF (fill in the blank) kinko's the copy center HOURS OPEN 7 DAYS OPEN 241 niversity Michigan Union 540 E. L 070 662-1222 761-4 ? MIfNCHIGA ?xease OPEN 24 1220 S. 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