Page 4 - The Michigan Daily - Sports Monday - November 13. 1989

Boles
by Steve Blonder
Daily Football Writer
CHAMPAIGN - Tony Boles i
together an outstanding year.
The Michigan tailback, conside
candidate for the Heisman trophy,
many total yards as Indiana's Ant
but Boles does not carry the ball 3
game.
Against Illinois Saturday, Boles
and one touchdown on only nine ca
to catching a key 23-yard screen pas
Seventy three of Boles' yards ca
on the Wolverines second play f
setting up the Wolverines' first
long scamper, which helped quiet
was made possible by key block
Jarrod Bunch and guard Dean Dingn
"He opened the game rapidly w
closed it with a big run," Mic
Schembechler said of his tailbac
every ball game in the last five or
made big plays and he's a great bac
Tirrel Burton, who coaches the'
said he thought Boles was playin,
but that we haven't yet seent t
talents.
"Tony is playing better every
speed and quickness he held in

DAVID LUBLINER/Daily
Halfback Tony Boles carried the ball nine times for 115 yards Saturday, including a 73 yard run in the first minute
of the game.

FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
by Adam Benson
Daily Football Writer _
CHAMPAIGN - For the ninth time in nine games, Michigan did not
allow a rusher to gain 100 yards and for the seven straight game,
Michigan did not allow a team to rush for over 100. The Fighting Illini
had 64 yards at the half, but finished with only 92 on the afternoon.
-If things remain the way they are, the Illini will still be playing on
New Year's Day. Although the Wolverines would take the Big Ten's
automatic berth to the Rose Bowl, the Illini are top candidates for the
Florida Citrus Bowl and the Hall of Fame Bowl, both played on January
1.
.Chris Stapleton's 63 yard punt was his longest of the season,
surpassing the 60 yarder Stapleton had against Michigan State. The
Springfield, Illinois native's homecoming success may have finally
persuaded coaches that he should be the regular punter. Although
Stapleton has done most of the Michigan punting this year, his
inconsistency kept coaches wavering between himself and Eduardo
Azcona. Neither player was listed as the starter on the depth charts going
into the game.
-Although they've feceived considerable playing time throughout much
of the season, first-year fullback Burnie Legette, wide receiver Derrick
Alexander, and tight-end Tony McGee did not play on offense against
Illinois. The only true first-year player to play for Michigan was defensive
tackle Buster Stanley. In contrast, Illinois used two first-year players at
nning back, Steve Feagin and Wagner Lester.
-The Illini lose only three players on offense next season (left tackle
Craig Schiender, wide receivers Mike Bellamy and Steven Williams, and
only two on defense (outside linebacker Brian Williams and inside
linebacker Steve Glasson). Michigan losses three starters on each side,
wide receiver Greg McMurtry, tight end Derrick Walker, and quarterback
Micheal Taylor on offense. Defensively, tackle Brent White, middle guard
Mike Teeter, and linebacker J.J. Grant will not be back next year.
BLONDER
continued from page 1
Saturday's match-up was based on hate. Many Illinois players
remembered Schembechler instructing his team to light up the scoreboard
like a pinball machine in 1986 in an effort to remind the Illini who was the
Big Ten powerhouse.
Illinois has made great strides in improving the quality of their program,
although they still do not rank with Michigan.
It must have been a feeling of needing something on which to catapult
over Michigan that prompted Illinois' John Mackovic to go for a
touchdown on a fourth-down and one on the four yard line. Illinois was only
down seven points at the time and still had over a quarter to catch up.
Any Illinois' fans who had not yet reached a state of comatose headed for
the exit.
Mackovic failed and so did the Illini.
Stupid, stupid call.
If Michigan-Illinois was such a great rivalry, the band would have made
the trip.
I didn't see the Michigan marching band in Memorial Stadium.
All in all, Michigan-Illinois is not yet a great rivalry in the Michigan
tradition. Illinois fans are forced to heap hate on a school that couldn't really
care less about anything happening south of I-94.
It takes two to have a rivalry.

Outstanding yea.
goes unpublicized
Burton said. "I'm still not sure he reached the limit
of his abilities. He's an untapped resource in terms,
s quietly putting of raw ability.
"But he's playing good."
.red a pre-season Particularly important was Boles scoring a
does not have as touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the game
bony Thompson, out of reach. The play was the same as the trap
0 or 40 times per Michigan had used earlier, just run to the opposite
side of the field.
ran for 115 yards "I was just determined to get to the goal line,
arries, in addition because I knew they could score very quickly," Boles
ss. said afterward. "It was my offensive line. They let
me on a trap play me have the big gainers."
rom scrimmage, Boles said he has spent more time this season:
touchdown. The "getting to know my offensive line," so they know
the Illinois fans, what to expect from him when he runs the ball, an,
.s from fullback he can anticipate their blocks.
man. It appears as if he has succeeded. Or at least
Illinois cornerback Henry Jones thinks so.
ith a big run and "It's kind of demoralizing to see someone run
higan coach Bo through our 'D' like that," Jones said. "We were
k. "He's done it pretty well-conditioned, but you have to give.
six. This guy has Michigan credit for making some big plays." ,
k." Illini linebacker Derrick Brownlow described the -
Wolverine backs, shock effect of Boles' runs: "We were stunned after
g better recently, Boles' first run."
he limits of his But for Boles, it was just another day in what ha
been a productive season.
week. He's using "Right now I'm very happy," Boles said. "I'm
reserve before," really satisfied and I can't complain."
injury wise, but he hung in there and
ILLINOIS played very tough. He wasn't quite
continued from page 1 at full speed, but he was healthy
began the afternoon easily moving llno iscochJhnMako"
his team through the Wolverine IlioscahJnMck added: "Taylor is a big play QB"
defense to keep his team close. Taylor did make one big mistake.
"Michigan's defense and Illinois' On Michigan's second possession of
defense came out in the second half the second half, a Taylor pass
and put the clamps on," said Illini fluttered over the head of his receiver
running back Howard Griffith. "The Howard and into the hands of
defenses moved their level of play cornerback Henry Jones, who took
up, both offenses did not come up to the ball to the Michigan 31 yard
where the defenses were playing." line.
Michigan's defense began the The Wolverine defense held,.
game tentatively, but adjusted after though. At the Michigan four yard
seeing George, the current favorite line on a fourth down and one
for all-Big Ten quarterback honors, situation, Illinois coach John
operate the offense. Mackovic choose to go for a
"At the start, they were sitting touchdown instead of a field goal or
back in zones and we pretty much a first down.
did what we wanted to. What we had "We knew that a tie for us was
practiced all week on, and they had not too bad," Mackovic said. "We
to change something," George said. felt that we were going to try an
"They pressured me and we have to score a touchdown there and if w
give credit to their defense. They didn't get it, there was still more
came through when they had to." than a quarter to play. We still had a
Michigan linebacker Alex quarter and a half to play."
Marshall noted that the team "decided George's pass into the end zone .
to come with more people, four would be knocked away by a leaping
rushers instead of three. We decided Murray, who like Boles,
to put a little more heat on George." characteristically emerged as key
The Michigan defensive figure in a important moment.
resurgence actually began on
&Illinois' last drive of the second half. "I sort of anticipated it," Murr
(Illinois began a drive with 4:34 left said about the pass. "In a fourth a
' in the second quarter, highlighted by one situation, we had about four or
a 22-yard George pass over the five people up front. I just sat back
middle to wide receiver Shawn Wax, and watched George start to move.
which got them down to Michigan's Once he turned his back, I knew he
S28-yardline. was going to pass. If you didn't
George would drop back again, know it was a pass, then you
but Marshall's ten yard sack, shouldn't be playing."
Michigan's only sack of the Schembechler did not question
afternoon, pushed the Illini back to Mackovic's call.
the 38 yard line. Two plays later, "On third and fourth dow
Illinois field goal kicker Doug (George) is the most dangerous guy
Higgins missed a 52-yard field goal. they've got on their team. I don't
Illinois' close call came after know what their thinking was, but I
Michigan had executed an 11 play, would not second
nn -A ,." - , Iwoud no seondguess it. If that

80 yard drive touchdown drive, as quarterback was playing for me, I
Micheal Taylor squeezed threw the would second guess that call at a
middle of his offensive line into the The Wolverines added one more
end zone for a 17-10 Michigan lead. touchdown, on a 11 play, 80 yard
Taylor forced the Illini to chase drive that finished with a 13-yard run
him. While the Wolverine senior's 9 by Boles.
completions out of 18 attempts for
123 yards are pailed by George's 22- "(Boles) opened the game rapidly-
38, 253 yard day, Taylor moved the with a big run and closed it with a
team on the ground, rushing for 49 big run," Schembechler said. "The
yards. His quickness and ability to guy has made big plays and he is a
scramble forced the Illini to play great back."
back on defense. For the entire The running back noted that his
game, the Illini nearly sacked him, great day ended with a distinct sweet
but Taylor scrambled away. scent in the air, like Roses, that
"It was a gutty performance by Illini fans would not be invited to
Micheal Taylor," Schembechler said. share with the Wolverines.
"He played extremely well. He had "I think I'm starting to smel
numerous things wrong with him them a little bit."
iraceentersBi
iv oRoses standing
career record to 64. I
Thompson said, "I just took off M
running, and I felt it was going to
be akgreat dayforme. I thinkif s
was a little faster I could have got
maybe 500 yards, the way they
were blocking out there today."
The win lifted Indiana to 5-4
overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. c
Wisconsin dropped to 2-7 and 1-5. Pur.......0
Purdue 46, Northwestern 15
The Boilermakers ('-7. 1-)aauwiat(c72y1a

Bo Schembechler walks off the field after Saturday's win.
Bowl Roundup

by Steve Blonder
Daily Football Writer
CHAMPAIGN - "Michigan
is in everybody's picture," Jim
Brock, the executive director of
the Mobil Oil Cotton Bowl said
before Saturday's victory over
Illinois.
But everything changed
Saturday, as the Wolverines now
control their own destiny in
vying to become the first team
this decade to win back-to-back
Big Ten crowns.
If Michigan wins its last two
games (at Minnesota and at home
against Ohio State), the
Wolverines will spend New
Year's day in Pasadena. Should
Michigan lose either of the
games, things get a little
complicated.
If Michigan beats Minnesota

and loses to Ohio State (and
assuming Illinois beats Indiana
and Northwestern), Illinois would
go to the Rose Bowl because of
tie-breaking procedures.
If Michigan loses to Ohio
State and Illinois gets upset, then
the Buckeyes would head West.
Should Michigan be forced to
spend the holidays somewhere
other than Pasadena, Dallas and
Orlando appear to be the logical
choices.
The Mobil Oil Cotton Bowl
(Dallas) wants to pay Michigan
$3 million to play against the
winner of the Southwest
conference, while Orlando's
Citrus Bowl wants to offer the
Big Ten runner-up $1.2 million
to play either the Atlantic Coast
Conference champ, the
Southeastern Conference runner-
up, or Nebraska.


I

Stats

Michigan v. Illinois
IllinoissMichigan
First downs 19 20
by rushing 5 13
by passing 12 6
by penalty 2 1
Net yards rushing 92 266
rushing attempts 49
gross yards 104 288
yards lost 12 22
Net yards passing 253 123
passes attempted 38 18
passes completed 22 9
passes intercepted 1 1
Total offensive plays 67
Total net yards3539
c..-- s. a l.... _.n _ n lnn

Michigan St. 21, Minnesota 7
With Minnesota (5-4 overall, 3-
3 in the Big Ten) leading 7-6 going
into the fourth quarter Saturday,
Michigan St. exploded for 15
unanswered points to almost assure
themselves of a bowl bid.
The Spartans two remaining
games before post-season play are
against 0-9 Northwestern and 2-7
Wisconsin. Michigan St. (5-4 , 4-
2) seems to have the inside track to

'4-) Big Ten
'~~~.44final dr,

28-0 Saturday and kept their hopes
of a possible Big 10 title alive.
Fullback Scottie Graham scored
two touchdowns and flanker Jeff
Graham scored a third for the
Buckeye's, who improved to 5-1 in
the Big Ten and 7-2 overall.
"I was amazed by the final
score," Ohio St. coach John Cooper
said. "No way did I think we would
shut out Iowa (4-5, 2-4). I think by
far that's the most complete game