(1e Sicigpnmatig Sports Desk: 647 -333 V i '0 lieve it? Defense could have won this game all by itsel E AST LANSING - They Ornstein who lasted one play before he dropped like flies, like 30-pound was belted so hard by Michigan line- bricks from the top of Spartan backer Grady Brooks that one sideline Stadium. You almost had to feel sorry reporter asked, "Is he dead?" for them. So Schultz trotted back on to the First it was field, hoping to conserve any pride he Todd Schultz had left. And just when the Spartans who tossed four looked like they actually had an interceptions offense, reserve safety DiAllo Johnson and was beaten picked off Michigan's sixth pass of the up all day. Then game. Bill Burke, who Yipes. accounted for JOHN The Wolverines took what they Michigan State's LEROI wanted when they wanted, leaving no only points all Out of doubt that they have the best defense game, had a in the Big Ten and maybe in the shot, but he was nation. Michigan's offense was idling sacked twice along in first gear. No matter. The before even completing a pass for pos- defense could have won this game all itive yardage. And when he threw the by itself. Spartans' fifth interception of the "We were beating them up," said game, he was yanked. Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson So in came third-stringer Gus See LER01, Page 4B Woodson reminds us all how amazing he is By Alan Goldenbach blows to the Spartans' collective ego Daily Sports Editor that were almost as vicious as some of EAST LANSING - Charles his four solo tackles on the field. But Woodson's head was spinning so quick- the tackles somehow lacked the comi- ly it was amazing that he had time to cal aspect of Woodson's postgame chat- stop and talk. ter. Then again, talking has never been "I think their coaches ought to keep a much of a problem for the All-America better tab on what they say to the press," cornerback, whose gift for gab com- said Woodson referring to Michigan petes pretty darn well with his gift for State's trash-talking in the week leading grabbing opposing quarterbacks' pass- up to the game. "They were sayihg a lot es. of things this week and we were just Woodson completely stole the show taking it all in. This is the type of game ,not only on the field with his two inter- where you don't need any extra fuel -to ceptions - one that was legendarily the fire." acrobatic, the other as a result of his But even without the trash-talking, impeccable pass coverage - but off the there was already a red flag surround- field as well, with his talented mouth ing this game for Woodson as a result of after the game. his last visit to Spartan Stadium. The Woodson was dishing out verbal See WOODSON, Page 48 WARREN ZINN/Daily Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson Intercepted this Todd Schultz pass in the third quarter with one hand. Woodson got one foot down just in time to stay in bounds. Michigan State turns tables, wins at Yost chigan center Andrew Merrick gets tripped up by Michigan State's Mike Weaver in Saturday's 4-2 loss at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines were ' ble to capital- ize on any of their eight power play opportuni- ties against the second-ranked Spartans. ~JOHN KRAFT/Daiy By Pranay Reddy Daily Sports Writer If what people were saying were true, Saturday night's hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State would signal a changing of the guard in the CCHA. After dominating the CCHA for several years, the Wolverines were supposed to have their collective grip loosened on the CCHA crown. Looking at Spartans' 4-2 victory over the Wolverines on Saturday, that just might have been the case. But Michigan coach Red Berenson said it's a long season, and this is just the beginning for his young team. "Our team realized tonight that you. can't make mistakes or give a team those opportuni- ties and expect to win a game," Berenson said. Mistakes ravaged the play of Michigan's spe- cial teams for most of the evening. Both the Wolverines' power play and penalty killing lines failed to be effective. The Spartans drew first blood on their second power play opportunity of the game, after Michigan right wing Bill Muckalt was called for tripping. Nearly a minute later, Michigan State center Mike York put in a rebound off teammate Chris Bogas' one-timer to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Michigan State coach Ron Mason said his team needed to start strong in a hostile environ- ment such as Yost Ice Arena. "When you're on the road, you want to get ahead if you can and take the crowd out of it," he said. On the other side of the ice, Michigan was struggling with its power play, going 0-for-2 in the first period while getting off only one shot. On the other hand, the Spartans managed eight shots in their four first-period power plays. "(Special teams) is something we need to work on," Michigan center Bobby Hayes said. "I don't feel like we're as strong as we should be in that area, but we have some new guys working in there, and they're not going to be the greatest penalty killers right from the bat." The second period only highlighted Michigan's inability to score, but this time around, the Wolverines had no trouble getting shots off - getting them in the net was another story, however. Michigan fired eight shots in the period to Michigan State's four, yet failed to connect on any of them. Ironically, Michigan's drought was ended in the period by the Spartans themselves. With Michigan working the puck around Michigan State's end of the ice, a centering pass slid past Spartan netminder Chad Alban and was accidentally deflected in pff Bogas' skate, See SPARTANS, Page 68 . v, Double-overtim state propels Bl~ By van Braunstein Dily Sports Writer -What a weekend. In two games filled with contro- versy, double overtimes and last-second goals, the Michigan field hockey team managed to produce two victories to regain the lead in the Big Ten conference. The Wolverines (14-5 overall, 6-3 Big Ten) went io the weekend knowing they were about to play the most important games of the season. They came from behind in both, putting the team in great shape to win the first Big Ten title in its history. With a vic- tory over Michigan State next Sunday, the Wolverines can do no worse than tie for the championship. The Wolverines beat Ohio State, 3-2, in double overtime Sunday on a controversial goal by freshman forward Kelly Gannon, after defeating No. 4 Penn fofc '_1 nn V*rla..~ n a wa frw- l r-t -1 a nh.Me e win over Ohio ie into first place second overtime on a corner shot by the Wolverines. Senior midfielder Julie Flachs took the initial shot, which was blocked by Ohio State goalie Nikki Thompson. Gannon was able to slide the rebound into the net, causing a huge celebration to erupt on the field. "She is our marquee freshman," Michigan coach Marsha Pankratz said of Gannon. "She is playing way above the freshman level." The festivities quickly died down as Ohio State coach Anne Wilkinson raced onto the field to argue the goal. The rule on a corner shot states that the ini- tial shot must not be higher than 16 inches above the ground. Wilkinson insisted that Flachs's shot was above this limit, but referee Eddie Hall held his ground. Tra Whri xp nt...n - i-rib h i,, ikan p-, Wolverines glad Ellerbe is head of etheirfamly' By James Goldstein and Dan Stillman Daily Sports Writers CHICAGO - While many were surprised when assistant men's basketball coach Brian Ellerbe was promoted to interim head coach for the season on Friday, those who will probably be affected the most - the players - expressed satisfaction and relief. "We were going to play no matter who the coaching staff was'" co-captain Robert Traylor said. "But we're all thankful that things worked out the way we kind of wanted them to." Michigan Athletic Director Tom Goss had been searching for a nermanent headcoach from outside the nroram since he 1K ~;~1K~% KY: >K~~1K~4 ~>