Volleyball vs. Indiana Friday, 7:30 p.m. Cliff Keen Arena SPORTS Football vs. Houston Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ABC) Michigan Stadium . ......... .. The Michigan Daily Thursday, September 24, 1992 Page 8 Mo stresses ground game Powers and Johnson to carry the load again by Josh Dubow Daily Football Writer While Michigan's vaunted run- ning attack has struggled in the first two games of the season, coach Gary Moeller is confident the Wolverines will recover. Michigan ran for 136 yards in the season opener and struggled in the first half last week before breaking through in the sec- ond. "We did a good job running the ball in the second half last week," Moeller said. "The backs got better in the end particularly. We need to continue to improve that throughout the season." Another factor in Michigan's second-half running success was the resurgence of Ricky Powers. After rushing for zero yards in the first half, Powers came back in the sec- ond to run for 64 yards and two touchdowns. "Ricky Powers looked like a Michigan back in the second half," Moeller said. "He said, 'I'm gonna run the football. I'm gonna run over people. I'm gonna break tackles."' In the opener against Notre Dame, Powers rotated with both Jesse Johnson and Tyrone Wheatley. However, Wheatley pulled his groin that game, and Powers and Johnson shared the ball-carrying duties last Saturday. Wheatley is questionable for Saturday's game. Because of this rotation system, Moeller feels his running backs have been pressing too much. "I don't want to pressure the kids into thinking they have to break a big run every time they get the ball," Moeller said. "I have to sell them on the fact that a three-yard run can be a good play. They are trying to bounce outside too much instead of settling for three or four yards up the mid- dle." Another problem for the running game has been the blocking of the offensive line. Moeller thinks these problems are temporary, and should be worked out soon. "We're just not meshing up front," Moeller said. "Steve Everitt and Joe Cocozzo did a good job in there. Trezelle (Jenkins) played al- right. He got a little experience. He was hesitant at times, but he'll iron those things out." COUGH IT UP: Michigan has turned the ball over eight times in its first two games. This has left Moeller concerned to say the least. "If we keep going at this pace,, we will set a big record in regard to turnovers," Moeller said. "We will not allow that to continue. Over 80 percent of the time, the team which turns the ball over less wins the' game." KICKING WOES: Michigan's"' kicking game struggled last weekend as kicker Peter Elezovic missed two short field goals and also had diffi- culty on kickoffs. Despite Elezovic's trouble against Oklahoma State, Moeller still has confidence in his junior placekicker. "I'm not afraid of using him," Moeller said. "I still think he is a pretty good kicker. I have a lot more confidence in him now than I did a month and a half ago." The Wolverines are still waiting for the debut of true freshman Remy Hamilton. Hamilton pulled a ham string in August and has not returned to the lineup. When Hamilton does, return, Moeller is hesitant about us- ing him on kickoffs. The Ricky Powers of old re-emerged in the second half of Saturday's victory over OSU. Powers' inspired play, after zero rushing yards in the first half, has renewed Michigan's urgency toward establishing its potent running attack. Cross country opens on fields of green by Tonva Broad Four! Or should I say nine. That's how many runners will be at Forester Acres Golf Course in East Lansing, Saturday, for the Michigan men's cross country team when it competes in its first meet of the sea- son. The Wolverines face Michigan State and Ohio State in a tri-meet to begin at 11:15 a.m. Despite the fact that Michigan has only competed in scrimmages since the school year commenced, first-meet nerves are not a concern of Wolverine coach Ron Warhurst. "I think we can handle (Michigan State and Ohio State)," Warhurst said. "MSU will not want to lose on their home court. We beat them be- fore, but they will return stronger." The Wolverines have reason to feel confident against the Spartans. In its last dual meet against its inter- state rival, Michigan placed seven runners among the top 10 finishers. Senior Matt Smith expects a good performance from his team right from the start. "We don't know much about OSU, and MSU is always a tough competitor, but we're using this meet to gain experience and build team unity," Smith said. "We'll run as hard as we can and whatever hap- pens, happens. It will be a good first meet." Warhurst on the other hand is a little more adamant about his expec- tations. "I know I, and the rest of the team for that matter, will be disap- pointed if we don't come away with a win," Warhurst said. "They may end up walking home if they don't." In addition to Smith, the Wolverines will be counting on their No. 2 runner Jim Finlayson to have a good performance if they are to have a successful weekend. Finlayson is anxious to get the season under way. "We need to get out and run to get used to racing," Finlayson said. "It will mainly be a team race in the beginning. People will use each other to pace early, then make their moves later in the race." Saturday's race will be the colle- giate debut of two runners, Theo Molla and Scott MacDonald. Each has shown great promise during the pre-season. While obviously lacking race experience, both are expected to contribute right away. Finishing out the Wolverines strong lineup are seniors Jason Colvin, Jay Schemanske, Sean Sweat and sophomore Robert Lee. Griddes! Drop off your picks at the Student Publications Building at 420 Maynard by noon on Friday to win a $15 gift certificate to O'Sullivans Eatery & Pub. 1. Houston at Michigan 2. Purdue at Notre Dame 3. Iowa at Colorado 4. Michigan State at Boston College 5. Missouri at Indiana 6. Minnesota at Pittsburgh 7. Northern Illinois at Wisconsin 8. Maryland at Penn State 9. Arizona at Miami (Fla.) 10. Wake Forest at Florida State 11. Louisiana Tech at Alabama 12. Arizona State at Nebraska 13. Cincinnati at Tennessee 14. San Diego State at UCLA 15. North Carolina State at North Carolina 16. Clemson at Georgia Tech 17. San Jose State at Stanford 18. Mississippi at Georgia 19. Virginia at Duke 20. Colgate at Penn Tie breaker: Total points -- Houston at Michigan #.Si i |L Write the Little Caesars CHEESERI CH EESERI Name: Phone: I. . 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