0 Field Hockey vs. Michigan State Tonight, 7:00 p.m. Oosterbaan Field House SPORTS Volleyball vs. Penn Stat Tonight, 7:30 p Cliff Keen Are The Michigan Daily Friday, November 6, 1992 epp .m. na Page 1W Cats WILDCATS Continued from page 1 ference championship. The conference championship is the most important thing. We can clinch at least a tie this week. It will be an emotional game. We'll be in for a dogfight." Michigan had its first dogfight of the conference season last week against Purdue. In their previous four Big Ten games, the Wolverines' margin of victory ex- ceeded 31 points. However, last week Michigan was forced to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit before winning, 24-17. "It was a big win, it was similar to last year when we played Indiana and shut them down on the 2-yard line," Moeller said. "So it was that kind of game, but we've got to learn from it, obviously. Knowing, again, we did not play in the first half like we should have played. There are no excuses for the way we played, we've got to play better." That is something that must scare Northwestern coach Gary Barnett. Barnett is in his first year with the Wildcats after serving as an assistant at Colorado. He has brought a new philosophy to Northwestern. The Wildcats now have a wide-open passing attack modeled after Miami's, and their defense is more aggressive. However, the Wildcats still bring up the rear in most of the key statistics in the conference. Northwestern is last in the league in rushing offense, rushing defense, scoring offense, scoring defense and total defense. At the same time, the Wolverines lead the conference in each of those categories. For the Wildcats to succeed tomorrow, Barnett will need a strong performance from quarterback Len Williams. Williams is the fourth-rated passer in the Big Ten and also poses a threat running the ball. "They are a team very similar to Minnesota with their one-back and no-back sets," Moeller said. "Len Williams is a scrambling type like Eric Hunter and is very difficult to tackle. They have good wide receivers who are very explosive." Northwestern's most explosive receiver is Lee Gis- sendaner. Gissendaner poses a triple threat as he has scored touchdowns as a returner, receiver and runner. He has over 1,000 total yards this season including 521 yards on 45 receptions. But Barnett is worried about getting the ball to Gissendaner against the Wolverine defense. "Michigan's secondary is the finest secondary I've seen in college football," Barnett said. "Both offen- sively and defensively they have a lot of big-play indi- viduals. Coach Moeller has done a great job creating opportunities for those players. We'll have to play the perfect game to win." One of Moeller's biggest worries is the starting time of the game. Because ESPN is televising the contest, kickoff is scheduled for 11:36 a.m. (CST). "I don't like to play that early," Moeller said. "We're gonna stay on our time. I'm not gonna set my watch back. I'll tell the people the game is at 12:30." Wolverines' talent will tame ' Northwestern can't match Blue's depth at tailback, strength of line i by John Niyo Daily Football Writer QUARTERBACKS: Elvis Grbac has returned to last year's form with three consecutive strong outings - throw- ing for eight touchdowns and no in- terceptions during that span. He once again vaulted to the top of the Big Ten passing efficiency charts. Northwestern's Len Williams is the conference's fourth-leading passer. And he presents Michigan with many of the same problems as Purdue's Eric Hunter did last week- end. At 5-foot-11 and 218 pounds, he shows surprising speed and mobility. Williams single-handedly brought the Wildcats back in 28-27 victory at Illinois with three fourth-quarter TD passes. That effort earned him Big Ten player of the week honors. Advantage: Michigan RUNNING BACKS: Michigan's stable of running backs has been un- stoppable in conference play. Jesse Johnson was the hero against Purdue, aslhe rushed fornearly 100 yards in the pivotal third quarter. Tyrone Wheatley left that game af- ter being hit hard on a kickoff return. He will be the starter this weekend. Ricky Powers, now fully recovered from an ankle injury, and Ed Davis will also see action. Northwestern sophomore Dennis Lundy is the conference's third lead- ing rusher with 581 yards on 121 carries. But the Wildcats are last in the league in rushing offense with 917 yards. Michigan is firstwith 2,266. Advantage: Michigan RECEIVERS: Derrick Alexander was held in check by Purdue last weekend, but Grbac still found his receivers for scores. Walter Smith turned a short pat- tern into a 43-yard TD and tight end Tony McGee hauled in a 10-yard pass for another. Lee Gissendaner is North- western's main threat. He has caught 45 passes for 521 yards this season including a70-yarder against Purdue.: Advantage: Michigan OFFENSIVE LINE: Michigan is firsi in the league in rushing offense, tot. offense and scoring offense. Nort western is 10th, 9th and 10th in thoW three categories. Might the two teams' offensi1 lines have something to do with that Advantage: Michigan : DEFENSIVE LINE: Chris Hutcha inson might be moving back to hig defensive tackle position. Regardless of where he plays, the Michigan ad. vantage here is obvious. Buster Stanley is out indefinitely with an injury, and will be replaced by Trent Zenkewicz. The emergence 0 of Jason Horn at middle guard bet hind Tony Henderson gives th5 coaching staff plenty of options. The Wildcats' defense has regis- tered 20 sacks this season. But teams have converted 50 percent of third, down conversions against them Advantage: Michigan LINEBACKERS: Greg McThomas returns to the lineup this week after sitting out several weeks due to i. jury. However, Marcus Walker. out with a pinched nerve suffered against Purdue. Dave Dobreff witl start in his place. Steve Morrison was named tli Big Ten defensive player of the week after racking up 14 tackles against Purdue. Outside linebacker MartthO Davis had 12 tackles in that game. Advantage: Michigan MOLLY STEVENS/Daily After a sub-par performance last weekend, running back Tyrone Wheatley will try to get back on track tomorrow in Evanston. Michigan will be looking for its 19th-straight conference win. See MATCIIUPS page 1 Am to c U 4 I% - tiwnw -umr m U W W'40U A . -mm w U Opportunities in. Investment Banking First Boston, a global investment banking firm headquartered in New York, will be recruiting University of Michigan degree candidates for its financial analyst program. Positions are available in the Investment Banking Department. You are invited to join First Boston representatives for an introduction to the firm and the analyst program on: Wednesday, November 11, 1992 The Wolverine Room in the Business School 5:00 p.m. Interviews for First Boston's analyst program will be held on the following date: January 19, 1993 To request further information, please feel free to contact: Nehemiah Richardson Investment Banking (312) 750-3015 -.I - - I'