The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, December 10, 1997 - 19 WOODSON Continued from Page 17 *vho are saying that I'm the best and that I deserve it, and then those same people say I won't win it," Woodson said. "1 don't understand. What are you judged on?" According to its sponsor, New York's Downtown Athletic Club, the award annually goes to the "most outstanding college football player in the United States." And a growing %iorps of Woodson supporters - cluding Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, who gets a vote as a former winner - has said he is just that. Even Washington State quarter- back Ryan Leaf, a Heisman finalist who will test Woodson in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, said Woodson "does so many things for his team, that makes him the best college football layer. I'll just ride on (Woodson's ,nd Manning's) coattails and go to New York to hang out with them." Ohio State Coach John Cooper said: "I'd vote for Woodson. His punt return reminded me a little bit of Howard's. It was a good punt. We had guys down there. I don't know how many tackles he broke. He's an outstanding football player." Woodson, who has played signifi- cant minutes on both sides of the ball or the past two years, has rather humble statistics this season. His offensive yardage total has been eclipsed by Manning in single games, and his defensive statistics aren't record-breaking. But his team- mates argue that he has more of an effect on games than anyone else does. As good as he is offensively, he's better defensively. He lines up at cor- Oerback on the wide side of the field or in the slot every snap and is rarely tested, intercepting nearly a third of the passes thrown in his direction. When speaking of Woodson recently, Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr said that "big players come up big in big games." Carr was referring to 'the Ohio State game, in which Woodson also intercepted a pass in the end zone and caught a 37-yard ass that set up the Wolverines' only offensive touchdown. "I think it's obvious he's the best player in America," Michigan quar- terback Brian Griese said. "The spark he gives our team is something that can't be matched. I don't think any player in the country does that for his team.' Woodson has helped make the Wolverines winners. Michigan, !hich had suffered four straight our-loss seasons, is 11-0 for the first time since 1971 and has a chance to win its first national title since 1948. Its intimidating defense was ranked as the nation's best for the majority of the season. "The Michigan swagger is back, and Charles is the one who restored it," co-captain Jon Jansen said. "The feeling is like, 'We're better than ou';and you aren't going to beat us.' nndthat's been missing for a while." Despite his considerable self-con- fidence, Woodson has remained one ofthe. most popular players on the teM-When asked who is his top choice for the Heisman, he said, "Me." But Woodson has recognized when it is time to talk and when it isn't. He won't trash-talk before a game, he said, because "we're not supposed to do that at Michigan." 'And postgame chatter, no matter how heady, isn't cocky "if you've backed it up on the field." Carr said Woodson's Heisman can- didacy could "only harm the team if we let it take precedent over obtain- ing our team goals. I am proud that Charles is not a selfish person, and if it came down to winning a champi- onship or winning the Heisman, Charles would choose the champi- unship." After al, a national title is what Woodson wanted most when he defected from Fremont, Ohio, his small-town home in Buckeyes coun- try. He always rooted for the Wolverines despite his friends, who wore scarlet and gray almost every day, and he said he always has hoped for one thing. "I want a ring," he said after Michigan's 24-3 victory over Minnesota Nov. 1, a game in which he scored a 33-yard touchdown on a reverse. "I want a big, fat ring with a lot of diamonds in it. If I get that, and the Heisman doesn't come around, I'll still be happy. I'll be set." Woodson's quick smile and quick feet should earn him a mountain of endorsement dollars and a lucrative NFL contract as soon as he pursues them. He could be another three-way star such as the Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders, But, since he is a junior, the NFL draft is about the only subject he doesn't care to touch on, yet. Embroiled in the emotion of the Wolverines' victory over Ohio State, Woodson spoke with a rose in his mouth on the field at Michigan Stadium and told a reporter he would return for his senior season. Last week, however, he was more reserved. "I have to sit down and talk to my mom after the season," Woodson said. "We'll lay everything out, and we'll make a decision from there." For now, Woodson is trying to enjoy the moment. After accepting the Walter Camp award last week, he frowned a bit and said he didn't think it would improve his chances of win- ning the Heisman, though nine of the past 10 Camp winners have gone on to win it. But he celebrated anyway. That night at Rick's, the campus club, Woodson settled into a quiet corner and played pool, far away from the commotion of the throbbing dance floor. He stood in line to check his coat and looked very human at the pool table. First shot - scratch. His team- mates ribbed him: "You can't play! You have no game!" He just smiled, pointing to the television overhead. And there he was, running back that punt against Ohio State all over again, but this time with the Heisman rotating under a golden light in the corner of the screen as analysts speculated about his chances of winning it. No one said a word as Woodson, laughing, finally struck his Heisman pose, tucking the eight ball under his right arm. "Yeah, he said, "now that's more like it." JOHN KRAFT/"Dily Michigan freshman defenseman Dave Huntzicker, an Ann Arbor native, invited several of his teammates over to his home over Thanksgiving break and should be doing the same sometime during winter break as well, when Michigan plays six games over the intersession. Michiganhoo seek 10th st ht GL title beforoe hosting Bukye By Chris Farah Daily Sports Writer Winter break. A time to forget about classes for a while, visit old friends and family back home. A time to relax, watch some TV, kick back and enjoy life. A time to play hockey. Lots of it. The Michigan hockey team, like most of the student body, will be travel- ing over break. But most of the Wolverines' traveling will be done, not to their home towns, but down the street to Yost Ice Arena, and across the state for a few away games. The Wolverines have a full slate of contests over their "vacation." Before finals get done with, Michigan faces Western Michigan, first Friday night at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, and then Saturday night at home. Two weeks later, the Wolverines take part in the 33rd Great Lakes Invitational - a tournament they won the last nine years. The GLI will feature St. Lawrence, Michigan State and Michigan Tech, along with the Wolverines. Michigan will match up against the Saints on Dec. 27, at Joe Louis Arena. Depending on the outcome of the open- ing round games, the Wolverines will play either the Spartans or the Huskies the next day. As if that isn't enough, Michigan has a two-game series with Ohio State at Yost, from Jan. 2-3. When it comes down to it, the Wolverines' break isn't going to be much of a break at all. But although it may be tough for some Wolverines to get a little R&R at home, going home for the holidays won't be tough for one player. Freshman defenseman Dave Huntzicker is a native of Ann Arbor, graduating from Pioneer High School in 1995 - after which he spent two years playing with the Compuware Ambassadors of the North American Hockey League. While other Wolverines may not be able to spend much time at home over the next few weeks, Huntzicker may not have much peace and quiet at home, either. Over Thanksgiving break, when Michigan also had games scheduled, Huntzicker's family had some of the Wolverines over for dinner. And Huntzicker is expecting more company over Winter vacation. "I did have a few guys over" for Thanksgiving, Huntzicker said. "I know for one, my roommate Mark (Kosick) is going to be spending time with us (over winter break). I'm not sure about the other guys." Other members of the team who live close to Ann Arbor - like freshman Scott Matzka, from Port Huron - also have teammates home for the holidays. Huntzicker said his family enjoys hosting his fellow Wolverines. "They seem to like it," he said. "The guys are really nice when they go over to my house. I tell them to be respectful and stuff, but that's never been a prob- lem. "It works out nice. The guys get a nice home-cooked meal, and they enjoy that. And my parents enjoy the compa- ny." The Wolverines will need any extra rest they can get with such a busy schedule of games. But Huntzicker said it will be nice to focus on hockey, with- out worrying about things like school. Considering that Michigan will have to deal with the CCHA race along with continuing their streak of titles at the GLI, the Wolverines will have enough to do without attending classes. "We've got two big games against Western coming up this weekend," Huntzicker said. "I'm sure there'll be some pressures building up as we move closer to (the GLI). That's not our main focus right now. "Being from Ann Arbor, I understand that (the GLI) is a big tournament. I understand that it's been Michigan's tournament for the past nine years. We'd definitely like to continue that and do what we can to come away with it again." PEACEFUL DRAGON SCHOOL OF T'Al CHI CH UAN CoMP HMWIeev PROGRAM * Relaxetion * Coordination *GeneraI well-being ImrPumt WAsentho Young 28 years experience CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 6 Let us ship your mail parts! (oh yeah, and everything else tool) f 2 a I ROSE BOWL WARNER BROS. STUDIOS VIP TOURS Just 10 minutes from the Rose Bowl! See behind the scenes of an actual working studio. This 2 1/2 hour guided tour, via carts, will take you through sound stages and backlot sets where some of your favorite movies and television shows are filmed. Visit craft shops to see how sets are constructed, walk through the world's largest costume department, spend time in the Warner Bros. Museum full of memorabilia, and more. And if you are lucky, you may even see a star! ,' w i r '', 9' VS_ .,..,. .. a m . F .