The Michigan Daily -Wednesday, October 10, 1990 - Page 11 FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK. Coaches downplay Blue's top ranking by Eric Lemont Daily Football Writer The word is out. After learning that Michigan had been ranked the No. 1 football team in the country, different Big Ten coaches had differ- ent reactions. When asked if the Wolverines fielded the best team in the land, Wisconsin coach Barry Al- varez said, "I don't know. Having been in that situation the last few years as an assistant at Notre Dame, I remember (head coach) Lou (Holtz) telling the kids, 'You don't get any more points for a touchdown and you still have to go 10 yards for a first down.' "I do think they're (the Wolver- ines) as good as anybody in the country." Michigan coach Gary Moeller would probably agree most with Iowa's Hayden Fry, who said, "Rankings mean absolutely zip, other than coffee-talk, until the end of the season. Just go back and ask all the people who've been ranked No. 1 this year and then have been knocked off." QB CONTRIBUTION: Elvis Grbac's performance Saturday against Wisconsin made him the cur- rent Michigan career leader in com- pletion percentage at 62.6 percent, surpassing Jim Harbaugh's 62.4 per- cent completion rate. Grbac's three touchdown passes against Wisconsin are the most touchdowns he has thrown in a single game as a Wolverine. He has thrown two touchdown passes in a single game Most every year Michigan has a quarterback that does very well with the option. Once in a while they'll have a drop-back passer - that's what they have this year." HOME FIELD ADVAN- TAGE?: George Perles thinks it's a coincidence. Ohio State coach John Cooper thinks it reflects the balance of the Big Ten. For whatever reason, is in the same class as Michigin, but I think you'll see some other teams get knocked off." Said Moeller: "I don't know it's a coincidence or what. Studies have shown that there's no great ad-. vantage of playing at home if ypu, don't get the crowd noise in." - BETTER THAN EXPECTED: One of Michigan's question mar" before the season started was how wide receivers Chris Calloway, now with the Steelers, and Greg Mc-, Murtry (Patriots), could be replaced. Split end Desmond Howard and flanker Derrick Alexander have an- swered that question on the field. A comparison of the receivers' statis tics after the first four games in 1989 and 1990 (against the same four opponents) show that Howard and Alexander have a total of 32' catches for 491 yards and six touch- downs. At the same time last year, McMurtry and Calloway had 27 fe- ceptions for 398 yards and four touchdowns. four times in his Michigan career (Notre Dame 1989 and 1990, Mary- land 1989 and 1990). Michigan State coach George Perles, for one, noted the passing difference in Michigan's offense this season: "The biggest difference is who's going to be their quarterback. last weekend's opening of the Big Ten schedule saw all five home teams lose. Are the five losses a fluke or part of a trend? "I think you're going to see more and more teams get knocked off," Cooper said. "I don't think anybody JOSE JUAREZ/Daiy Jbn Vaughn leads the Wolverines past Wisconsin and into the No. 1 spot in the polls. Michigan defends their top ranking Saturday versus MSU. II S. OWATER POLO CLUB SEEKS MID-SEASON SURGE M' struggles to stay afloat -a The Staff of the 1991 by David Kraft Daily Sports Writer The Michigan water polo team compiled a 21-7 record overall, 11-0 in the Big Ten. This season the team has sunk to 4-8. Has the team *it its low water mark? "After a great season last year, it becomes frustrating at times losing matches that would have likely been won last season", senior co-captain Keith Cox said. One of the primary ingredients of the club's 1989 success was its depth and experience - experience that has been lost with the graduation of eight seniors. In addition, the Wolverines must play every match away from their practice site, Canham Natatorium, because of scheduling conflicts. This factor, coupled with a schedule that features difficult opponents early in *he season, has led to the slow start. But first-year coach Scott Russell still stresses the importance of a weighted schedule. "Competing early against great teams such as Slippery Rock and Northwestern motivates the club to bring a high level of intensity right into the beginning of the season," he said. Despite the squad's losing record, Michigan notched a noteworthy victory over Notre Dame two weekends ago at the Hope College Tournament in Holland, eichigan. With the score tied 9-9 going into the final minute of the game, first year player Michael Wiletszky scored the decisive goal that gave the Wolverines a 10-9 sgmifinal victory over the rival Irish. The victory vaulted Michigan into the finals, where it faced oationally-ranked Northwestern. 9 The Wildcats won the match, 6-4, but Michigan stored a moral victory. PEACE CORPS SI A Good Career M t// %% ~ "Walking away from the Northwestern loss, we felt the momentum and confidence to compete closely with any top Big Ten team, namely Northwestern and Wisconsin," Cox said. Originally a standout water polo player in high school, Cox joined the club his first year at Michigan. After playing a major role on last year's highly touted squad, Cox tops the Wolverine scoring chart this season. "He is a dedicated, strong competitor whose leadership extends beyond the pool," Russell said. "Keith is a leader by example," senior teammate Paul Murray said. "He does a lot of important behind: the-scenes work that most people aren't fully aware of." Unlike Cox, mostfirst and second-year players compete on the "B" team. Russell and assistant coach Bruce Murden lead this squad against top level varsity and club teams. "Although they are frequently overmatched, they gain the experience that will eventually help them compete on the collegiate ("A") level", Russell explained. The remainder of the season brings with it an easier schedule, but one of no less importance. Michigan's biggest tests occur in November at the Big Ten Championships in Bloomington, and the Midwest Regionals in Evanston. But Russell's goals can not be achieved in one or two tournaments. "I would like to build a consistent team for years to come," Russell said. "If we can build a consistently solid team that can remain at the the top of the Big Ten for several years, then we will be successful in accomplishing our main motives." would like thanks to all to offer its apology of the seniors who and waited patiently in the library on Friday* pt Due to the camera malfunction we are offering a make-up week for senior portraits to ALL SENIORS who have not had their portrait taken yet. Senior portrait make-ups are being taken Monday, October 22 4. thru Friday, October 26. the campus addresses 85+credits. New appointment cards are being sent to of all students who have accumulated. R PIXIES Bossanova INCLUDES VELOURIA DIG FOR FIRE IS SHE WEIRD COME JOIN US FORA SPECIAL RECORD RELEASE PARTY AT GOODTIME CHARLEY'S ON OCTOBER 4)0 CLEOATRA .. ECUJDES OREAMTIME BIG COMMOTION t 17TH FROM 7:00 PM TO w 12:00 AM. ENTER TO WIN PRIZES, JOIN IN a THE FUN, COME LISTEN TO THE RECORDS! CLIP OUT THIS AD, MARK YOUR FAVORITE RECORD AND MAIL IN FORS A FREE POSTER. 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