Volleyball vs. Illinois Tonight, 7:30 p.m. Keen Arena SPORTS Ice Hockey vs. Michigan State Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. Yost Ice Arena The Michigan Daily Friday, October 25, 1991 Page 11 Blue icers to face-off wit. by Rod Loewenthal Daily Hockey Writer r Spartans Michigan State hockey prides itself on its defense. Spartan coach Ron Mason hopes that his squad's traditionally strong defense will provide a foundation for this year's squad. When No. 2-ranked Mich- igan's powerful offensive travels to East Lansing tonight, Mason's de- fense cannot rest. The Wolverines open their 1991 campaign with a weekend series with the Spartans.wThe two-game matchup begins tonight in East Lansing, and closes Saturday night in Ann Arbor. Face-off for both games is 7:30 p.m. Picked to finish fourth in the preseason CCHA media poll, Mich- igan State is searching for solutions after last season's lackluster 17-18- 5 record and fifth-place showing. "If our defense is as good this year as it was last year, I'll be very happy," Mason said. "Last year, we were second in goals against in the conference." But hopes for this year dimmed with the losses of standout senior defenseman Jason Woolley, who left the State squad during the offseason for the Canadian Olympic team, and junior Michael Stewart. A first-round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 1990, Stewart is temporarily sidelined with a knee injury. As a result, the bulk of the defensive burden will fall on senior captain Joby Messier and standout goalie Mike Gilmore. "Our whole philosophy is to play a good team defense," assistant Spartan coach Tom Anastos said. "We're looking for Mike Gilmore to be consistent for us. He's a fifth- year senior and we expect him to have a solid season for us." Gilmore and the rest of the Spartan defense have the added in- centive of opening against the Mich- igan offense. "It's going to be a great test for our new kids," Mason said. "It's going to be the type of series that sets a standard. We'll know what it takes to stop a top collegiate team." With the likes of Michigan's Denny Felsner, Mark Ouimet, David Roberts, and Brian Wiseman, State's defense will have its hands full. In order to stop Felsner, the Wolver- ines' main threat, Mason hopes to have one line geared especially toward Michigan's top scorer. "Felsner's dangerous on the ice," Mason said. "But they're not a team of one threat. They've got two or three other players that can hurt you." Michigan's Chris Tamer is one of those players. Literally. The junior defenseman holds the Michigan single-season record for penalties and penalty minutes. In his final appearance last season against the Spartans, Tamer was disqualified for fighting. "We need to shut them down," Tamer said. "We have to prove to them that we're better than them. They used to be on top, but now we're on top." FILE PHOTO/I Michigan captain David Harlock attempts a shot against Michigan State last season. Harlock will anchor the Michigan defense this season, which starts this weekend with two matches against the Spartans. 'M&M'mainly a mismatch But Golden Gopher defensive pressure could pose problems for Wolverine aerial attack MINNESOTA. Continued from page 1 Johnson have led a backfield that av- erages 240 rushing yards per game. But Minnesota's strength is its de- fense, which has allowed fewer points (139) than the Wolverines (146). "If people don't hit the big plays, we're gonna have a tough time scoring on them," Moeller said. "If their defense has a great game, which they are capable of, you can be in trouble." In addition, Michigan will play without fullback Burnie Legette, who sprained his ankle against Indiana last week. In his place will be redshirt-frosh Greg McThomas. "McThomas has as good hands as anybody on the team. That guy has really matured in the last year, " Moeller said. "It won't be Legette, but he won't hurt us in there." The Gophers' own running attack r will be hampered by their decimated line, which has yet to start the same five players since Minnesota's first game. However, quarterback Marquel Fleetwood poses a serious rushing threat by himself. "We respect Fleetwood's ability to move around - we have to con- tain him," Moeller said. "He can make the big plays. "But we think those kids back there are not bad when it comes to running the football - you just can't ignore that and key in on the one guy," Moeller added. "We have to stop the run first." Both coaches expect the game's most explosive offensive player to be split end Desmond Howard. Howard scored Michigan's three touchdowns in the Indiana game against both single and double coverages, prompting Hoosier coach Bill Mallory to liken the junior Heisman candidate to Superman, a comparison with which Gutekunst agres. As much as Howard's receiving prowess, Gutekunst respects his kickoff and punt return ability. "His kicking game always gets them in good field position," Gutekunst said. ORLANDO & THE BAHAMAS ONLY $599 FOR TWO! You Get * Round Trip Air Fare for Two " 7 Day use of a Rental Car in Florida " 3 Nights accommodations in Orlando by Matt Rennie Daily Football Writer QUARTERBACKS: As an option quarterback, Minnesota's Marquel Fleetwood will offer the Wolverine defense a different look. Fleetwood is dangerous both running and passing, conjuring up memories of another Gopher signal-caller, Ricky Foggie. The Wolverines' Elvis Grbac hasn't been flashy recently, but he hasn't needed to be. Grbac, who leads the conference in passing efficiency, has been intercepted four times this year (three against Florida State),while throwing 17 touchdown passes. Advantage: Michigan RUNNING BACKS: The Gophers don't have a Darrell Thompson-caliber back this year, but they do shuffle a lot of people into their option attack. Look for Chuck Rios to get the most carries for the home team. Michigan's versatility in the backfield is its biggest strength. When starter Ricky Powers takes a breather after pounding out the tough yards, Jesse Johnson's quick acceleration throws a change-up to the defense. Greg McThomas is an ample backup, but the Wolverines may feel the ab- sence of starting fullback Burnie Legette. Advantage: Michigan OFFENSIVE LINE: While Mich- igan's line may be banged up, Minnesota's is decimated. The Go- phers have experienced such a rash of injuries that they have been forced to startarookie, right tackle Pat O'Brien. Michigan will miss Steve Everitt, but sophomore Marc Milia filled in admirably against Indiana. The Wol- verines' biggest problems here may side linebackers Neil Simpson, Mar- tin Davis, and Brian Townsend to prevent Fleetwood from getting to the outside. Advantage: Michigan SECONDARY: Minnesota possesses arguably the best pair of safeties in the Big Ten in Sean Lumpkin and Andre Thaddies. However, the real respon- sibility falls to the cornerbacks, Drion Mays and Derek Fisher, who must accomplish what no other cornerbacks have been able to do: cover Desmond Howard. Michigan's prevent secondary only seems to be preventing Wolverine fans from getting a good night's sleep. The Michigan secondary has to find a way to get to the receivers before the ball does. Advantage: Minnesota SPECIAL TEAMS: While Minnesota hopes not to have to use him, the Gophers have a talented punter in Dean Kaufman. But Kaufman will have to be careful not to outkick his coverage, with Howard returning punts for the Wolverines. Michigan has had trouble with all facets of their kicking game, but the windless Metrodome may be the per- fectplace forplace kickerJ.D. Carlson to break out of his season-long slump. Advantage: Michigan 'M' linebacker Martin Davis brings down Indiana's Vaughn Dun bar. The Wolverines play Minnesota tonight. result from communication problems that are frequent in the Metrodome. Advantage: Michigan WIDE RECEIVERS: The Gophers have a pair of speedsters in senior Keswic Johnson and sophomore John Lewis. Minnesota tight end Patt Evans is also a threat. While Desmond Howard alone wins this category for the Wolverines, Yale VanDyne is a big part of the reason Howard still sees single cov- erage. Michigan also appears to have found a third receiver in redshirt frosh Walter Smith. Advantage: Michigan DEFENSIVE LINE: Senior Ben Williams is a load at left end for the Gophers. Along with senior An- thony Bryant, Williams anchors Minnesota's four-man front, estab- lishing the kind of pass rush the Wolverines long for. Michigan's front three are a quarterback's dream and a running back's nightmare. Chris Hutch- inson and company will be in the spotlight against Fleetwood's double-barrelled attack. Advantage: Minnesota LINEBACKERS: Both teams boast strong units. The Gophers are led by senior Joel Staats, an honorable mention all-Big Ten selection lastyear, and Andre Davis. Butkus Award candidate Erick Anderson wants to prove that the Wolverines can do more than outscore people. The pressure will be on out- - I FREE T ICKET Win a free ticket to any destination in the continental U.S. on Northwest Airlines! Just fill out the coupon below or in the Campus Directory and put it in the entry box at one of our offices. A winner will be drawn on Halloween from all entries received. 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