The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - October 28, 1996 - 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... . .................. ............. ... ........ .......... .. ... ....... CQrQgIKA Cont nefo g plays like a veteran now." That is a big compliment for a 19-year-old player on a defense that includes veterans like Jarrett Irons, William Carr and Glen Steele. It is even too big for Bowens to take. "No, I'm no veteran," Bowens said. "I'm still a young kid. But Bowens' words are contradicted by his play, because he is often the dri- ving force behind the Wolverines' highly-regarded defense. Against Minnesota. Bowens recorded three sacks for the second time this season. The first time the Golden Gophers touched the ball, Bowens nailed Sauter for a five-yard loss. On the Gophers' next drive, Bowens forced a fumble by popping the ball out of Javon Jackson's hands, and a few plays later, sacked Sauter for a six-yard loss. In the third quarter, Bowens sacked Sauter again, this time for a nine-yard loss. In the end, Bowens had six tackles, two assists and four tackles for a loss to go along with his forced fumble and three sacks. He also had the admiration of William Carr. "I'm happy fbr him," Carr. said. "I knew he could do it, because he works so hard all the time. In practice, every down, you know, he gets me going. I know that if I get frustrated, it's not going to last long. Because if somebody's getting through, he'll be there. "He'll kill them." Bowens must have taken that "meet me at the ball" stuff to heart, because sophomores don't motivate seniors very often. But then, players don't master a new position in one season very often, either. 'In high school, Bowens had 12 sacks in two years of varsity play. Total. In his first season at Michigan, he had one sack. Total. Now he has 11 sacks in one season. Now he's made three sacks in one game - twice. That's because this year, Bowens was switched from linebacker to defensive end. It should have been a tougher transition. After all, he had to learn football all over again. But with players like Bowens, some things are just natural. "He's got to work on his technique;' Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "He's got to work on his pass-rush moves. I mean, geez, he's never rushed before this season. Wait until he gets some technique." Bowens is outstanding now, and that's just raw talent. He is a 19-year-old who already plays like a veteran. He already leads Michigan's defense as much as William Carr and Jarrett Irons. He already domi- nates Big Ten offensive lines. And do you know the scariest part ? He will get better. But for now, Bowens' talent makes it simple - follow the directions he's given every Saturday in the lockerroom, on the sidelines and in the game. Meet me at the ball. "Man, I told him that," William Carr said. "But he kept beating me to it. He's an athlete, and athletic ability takes you a long way. Look at where it's gotten him" And look at how much farther it could take him. - Nicholas . Cotsonika can be reached over e-mail at cotsonik@unich.edu. GAME STATISTICS PASSING Player C-A Sauter 23-36 Cockerham 0-1 Totals 23-37 Yds 283 0 283 RUSHING Player Hamner Evans Jackson Sauter Totals Att 20 8 3 7 38 Yds 78 13 10 -25 76 Avg 3.9 1.6 3.3 -3.6 2.0 TD 0 0 0 Lg 9 4 5 3 9 Lt 13. 22 58 38 7 58 Avg 30.5 RECEIVING Player No. Hamner 6 Atwell 5 Thelwell 5 Nelson 5 Hutton 2 Totals 23 PUNTING Player Sailer Yds Avg 42 7 57 11.4 106 21.2 66 13.2 12 6.0 283 12.3 No. Yds 4 122 mt 1 0 1 TD 0 1 0 0 1 TD 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lg 39 TD 0 0 KICKOFF RETURNS Player No. Yds Carter 1 16 Total 1 16 Avg 16.0 16.0 Lg 16 16 DEFENSE Player Smith Davis Williams. P. Jordan Heath Carter Cross Grate Scruggs Akbar Dalton Williams, L. Pearson Early Bailey Dimmy Hypolite Rackley Moeller Langford Solo 7 6 4 5 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 Asst 3 1 2 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Tot 10 7 6 6 5 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 en Gopher. Bowens had three sacks, tying the Michigan single-season record in just seven games. ury still out on Dreisbach 4after victory over Minnesota By Nicholas J. Cotsonika Daily Sports Editor MINNEAPOLIS - In terms of his quarterback situation, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has been quite sensitive all season. He has been sensitive about sopho- &ore Scott Dreisbach's shortcomings, and he has been sensitive about criti- cism against Dreisbach. Saturday against Minnesota, Carr may have taken steps to smooth out both by limiting Dreisbach's pass attempts. While Minnesota quarterback Cory Sauter threw the ball 36 times, Dreisbach threw it only 11. And while Sauter completed 23 passes for 283 yards, Dreisbach was more productive both percentage and scoring. He 'rew for 184 yards and a touchdown. "Scott is coming along," Michigan tight end Jerame Tuman said. "He threw very well, even though he didn't throw a lot of passes. He's doing a good job." Michigan was not expected to throw the ball much against the Golden Gophers, because running the ball takes up time, and the Gophers' potent 'offense had to be kept off the field. But 1 pass attempts still seemed low for reisbach. And when Carr was asked if that was an indication of Dreisbach's confidence, he was very clear that it was not. "Scott Dreisbach has never lost any confidence," Carr said. "He has been very good for us, and he will continue to bevery good for us." Questions persisted, however. Of Dreisbach's eight completions, only two were on truly long passes. In the first quarter, Dreisbach went over the middle to Tai Streets for 36 yards and a touch- down. In the fourth quarter, Dreisbach hit Tuman for 63 yards, setting up a one- yard touchdown run by John Anes. Both were nice passes, yes. But on the first, Streets was wide open, and on the second, the defensive back assigned to Tuman slipped and fell. The two times Dreisbach threw long passes into tight coverage, he threw incomplete, and the other long passing plays he was credited for were due more to the receivers' running than his pass- ing. For example, Dreisbach's first pass of the game didn't come until Michigan's ninth offensive play, and the five-yard toss to Mark Campbell became a 27-yard reception only after Campbell's run. Later, the same thing seemed to happen again. Dreisbach threw a short pass to Tuman that became a 33-yard catch after the run. It wasn't surprising, because often, Dreisbach looks like an option quarter- back without options. He rolls out, tak- ing several precious seconds to find a receiver, and when he finds one, he either throws too late or too high. Dropping back and firing never seems to happen. In fact, when fresh- man Tom Brady and junior Brian Griese rotated at quarterback at the end of the game, both looked sharper than Dreisbach. Brady dropped back and rifled six- and seven-yard passes to Aaron Shea, and both were quicker than anything Dreisbach had thrown. Jn addition, Griese hit Marcus Knight for a 40-yard touchdown, having been 1 warmed up only by holding the ball for the kicker much of the game. i So considering Dreisbach's poor per- formance last week against Indiana - I 7-for-35 for 218 yards, on touchdown and two interceptions - ome asked whether the few short sses were planned to help his psyche. Carr denied it strongly. citing the many facts on his side. Through all of the criticism, Dreisbach wins. He was 10-1 in both his junior and.enior sea- sons in high school, and he j 10-1 as a starter at Michigan. And until Saturday, Dreisbach had a streak of foir consecu- tive 200-yard games, which included his so-called disappointing outing against Indiana. "He has played extremely well," Carr said. "Remember, he's a young quarter- back. Many young quarterbacks have bumps in the road. Some people want to treat him like he's a 10-year veteran - 'nd he isn't. It's not fair" Tuman defended DreisbacM as well. "Not everything is the quarterback's fault," Tuman said. "Against Indiana, I didn't look soon enough on one play, and our timing was off. A lot of it is communication problems, little things. People should give him a chance. It'll all come together." Minnesota Sept. 7 NE Louisiana W 30-3 Sept. 14 BALL ST. W 26-22 Sept. 28 SYRACUSE W 35-33 Oct. 5 Purdue L 27-30 Oct. 12 Northwestern L 24-26 Oct. 19 MICHIGAN STATE L 9-27 Oct. 26 MICHIGAN L 10-44 Nov. 2 Ohio State Nov. 9 Wisconsin Nov. 16 ILLINOIS Nov. 23 IOWA HOME GAMES IN CAPS JOENETRA'TE/M~IDily Michigan tailback Chris Howard was ready to take a handoff from quarterback Scott Dreisbach on this play. Dreisbach handed the ball off often against the Golden Gophers. As for passing, well, he only put the ball up 11 times, completing eight of those. He also hit receiver Tai Streets for a 36-yard touchdown. Key Performers For Michigan, quarterback Scott lDreisbach rebounded from a'hI outing a week ago, comlieting 1 14 passes for 184 yards and a toueW down. Tight end Jerarne Tu Enr had his best day ever receiving at Michigan, catching three balls fir 1.01. yards. For Minnesota, junior iquarterbck ;Cory Sauter completed 23-of--36 :passes for 283 yards. Receiver Ryar : Thelwell caught five passes fir 1 ;. yards. KeyPly *Wifth Michigan leading,~ 27-4, early' An the fourth quarter, Minnesota's Adam Bailey roissed a 53-yard field:> goal On the very next play, ,Michigan's Scott Dreisbach hit fight' end. Jeramfe Tuman in stride for a 3 yard pass play to the Mi nne5>ota ne.a The:Wolverines then went in for the;=.: td~ucdowrr to ice the game. BigTen Standings To am Coif, overal Northwestern 5-0 7-1. ;Ohio State 4-0 7-0 Michigan State 4,1. 5-3 Michigan 3 1 63 Iowa 3-1. 5-2 Penn State 3-2 7-2 Ilf Ihnis 1-3 2- Purdue 1-3 2- M innesota 0-4 3-4 Wisconsin 0-4 3-4 Indiana 0-5 2-6 Illinois latest team to blow lead against Wildcats EVANSTON (AP) - Adrian Autry, starting for injured Darnell Autry, scored on a one-yard run with 1:02 left Saturday, and No. 11 Northwestern continued its string of remarkable last-minute finishes, rallying past Illinois, 27-24. The Wildcats (5-0 Big Ten, 7-1 overall) won their I3th straight Big Ten game over two sea- :sons, a come-from-behind victory that all but ' aranteed a second straight bowl bid for the efending conference champions. Northwestern has won seven straight and the last four have all been decided in the final min- utes - victories over Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and now the Illini. The Wildcats have won those four games by a the ground and led. 20-10. at the break. But the Nittany Lions (3-2. 7-2) stopped the Hoosiers cold the rest of the way and scored more than twice as many points in the second half as in their first four conference games combined. The loss was Indiana's 13th straight in the Big Ten over two seasons. No. 2 OHIO STATE 38, No. 20 Iown p26 Stanley Jackson threw two touchdown passes and Damon Moore intercepted three passes as No. 2 Ohio State built a big lead and hung on to defeat No. 20 Iowa, 38-26. The Buckeyes (4-0, 7-0) spotted Iowa (3-1, 5- 2) an early field goal, tied it with one of their own and then scored three touchdowns during an error-filled, five-minute span to grab a big lead for the sfcond straight year. A year ago, the Buckeyes held a 56-0 halftime lead. On Saturday, it was 31-6 as the Hawkeyes, who shared the conference lead with Ohio State in turnover margin, had four passes intercepted, a punt blocked for a touchdown and a kickoff botched, all in the second quarter. Sedrick Shaw also fumbled on Iowa's first pos- session of the second half and the Buckeyes took advantage, with Pepe Pearson bulling in from the four to expand Ohio State's lead to 38-6. m -_ Michigan State whips Wisconsin, ready for trip to Michigan Stadium EAST LANSING (AP) - It was billed as a bat- tie between the Big Ten's two best true freshmen running backs. Instead. it became a showcase for I100-plus yards on the ground. In thei previous three games, the Badgers - favored to contend for the conference champi- kfrP t ,pcpncn.,t t..i - Inct toNo I a yard touchdown passto Duane Goulbourne in addition to the TD toss to Irvin. Chris Gardner kicked three field goals for the Spartans. The three victories in the Snartans' current