I The Michigan daily - Thursday, September 24, 1998 - 1.7A Irvin ready for battle of unranked combatants IRVIN Continued from Page 17A The freshman scored 18 touchdowns - another freshman record - and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. le was also the second leading receiver on the team. After that breakout freshman campaign, the Miami native didn't slow down a bit. In fact, he got even better and finished with 1,270 yards rushing in his sophomore season, good for sev- enth on Michigan State's all-time list. Ie is the only player in the school's history to rush for a 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. Ilis accomplishments were worthy of a sec- ond-team all-Big Ten selection, finishing fifth in the Big Ten with an average of 105.8 yards per game. But to Michigan fans, the most notable part of his 1997 season was a fake field goal attempt last season against the Wolverines. Irvin lined up wide left and went unnoticed. The holder - current quarterback Bill Burke - stood up and passed to ball to the wide-open Irvin who waltzed into the end zone with a 22-yard score. For Burke, who played sparingly last season, it was one of his few bright spots while back- ing up incumbent quarterback Todd Schultz. For Irvin, it was one of many touchdowns. "That was good for them and bad for us that they did have that last year," Michigan nose tackle Rob Renes said. "With the emphasis being up front, sometimes those things are left open. We're well aware that they mnay try some- thing like that." All the accolades he has received during hsis. cireer don't seem to matter to Irvin. lIe just plays. "But all the rivalry and all the hype about Michigan and Michigan State -- I don't get into that," Irvin said. "It's just a game I want to win. Just like every game I play." Unfortunately for the Spartans, they have only won one of the games he's played in this season. And in that victory, Irvin was huge. He scampered for 119 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries against Notre Dame. Needless to say, Michigan State romped in the game, 45-23. The Spartan is averaging 101.7 yards per game, averaging 4.6 yards a carry. The Spartans have been utilizing play-action passes to keep defenses from cheating and keying on Irvin. It worked successfully two weeks ago it their victory over the Fighting Irish. But this week provides another challenge for the shifty junior running back. "I think it's great playing in the biggest col- lege stadium in the country," Irvin said. "If you can come out with a victory there in front of 111,000 (people), it would be a great win." Daily Sports Writer Tracy .Sandler contributed to this report. ,r fIchigan linebacker Dhani Jones made it clear earlier this week that he plans to give 110 percent on Saturday when the Wolverines face Michigan tate at Michigan Stadium. Stopping Michigan State running back Sedrick Irvin may require every bit of that effort. Last year, Irvin surprised the olverines on a trick play, scoring Michigan State's only touchdown. ones assumes unfamiliar role PONES ontinued from Page 13A A Butkus Award candidate at inside nebacker, Jones was forced to the ti e when most of the linebacking rcw was decimated by injury. His fellow starters generally %garded as the top group in the coun- -y before the season Clint 'openhaver, Sam Sword and Ian Gold, tcrc lost to various ailments over the irst three games. So, as the unifying thread and most spericinced linebacker, he agreed to ilve wherever coach I loyd Carr q1sted. ere's some necessities and some asitions needed to be filled," he said. don't care where I am on the field, I st want to play. It's al up to you hethci you want to play and whether au want to sacrifice for the team. "That doesn't bother me at all. hat's one thing that's great about lichigan is that everybody has an en heart." aking about anatomy seems to cite the pre-csed student his abil- to tie in his studies, position, play, ind focus on this week's game is uncanny "One of the reasons you come to Michigan is to beat Michigan State," he said. "No matter what the record is, it's always going to be balls out." Using slang to describe such an intense rivalry is hardly unusual, but Jones seems toi take his effort and practice ability to an impossible level regardless of his position. "Inside or outside, that's one of the great attitudes about our team is that everybody goes where they're sup- posed to, and they give 110 percent no matter what," Jones said. "Week by week they'll tell me (where to play), but regardless, I'll give I 10 percent." Ilis ability to give more than seems humanly possible (i.e. that extra 10 percent) impresses his coaches, who know his unique thirst for knowledge. "We moved Dhani because we Ult he was strong enough and smart enough to play that position," Carr said. I Ie was moved "probably because we thought he was the best guy" Since his leadership role expanded as youth surrounded him, Jones spoke more as a deflensive leader and not the observant underclassman he was dur- ing his first two seasons. "1 think with any defense, or any team, when they give up a touchdown or two touchdowns within a defensive nind, they don't ever want to ever let anybody score oi lthem," he said. "I nless they've ever shut out another team, they think they could do better." "hach week is a fresh start. One good thing about our defense is that we put the past aside and we learn what happened in the last game." 'Ibis week, the Wolverines may have to concentrate On Michigan State's anatomy if they plan to come away with the 'State Champs' title - and there's little doubt who will be leading the charge. "Dhani is an extremely bright guy, but toe has some things to learn," Carr said. "le's going to fight you. lie's done a great ob at Michigan, he's a great leader and one of the toughest guys on our team. "You know one thing, you're always going to get 100 percent from Dhani Jones." '[hat must be oi a slow day for Jones. RECENTLY, MORNINGSTAR CALLED US CHEAP. IT'S NOT EVERY DAY YOU GET A COMPLIMENT LIKE THAT. S 11 financial companies charge operating fees and expenses-some more than others. Of course, the lower the expensesyou pay, the better. That way, more of your money goes where it should -towards building a comfortable future. We make low expenses a top priority. As the largest retirement system in the world'-a nonprofit company focused exclu- sively on the financial needs of the educational and research communities-our expenses are among the lowest in the insurance and mutual fund industries. In fact, TIAA-CREF's 0.31% average fund expenses are less than halfof the expense charges of comparable funds? It's why Morningstar- one of the nation's leading sources of annuity and mutual fund information.- says. 'At that level [1AA-CREF] is cheaper than any other [variable annuity] policy, and is even compet- itive with the cheapest mutual fund complexes, though it offers far more benefits."' "TIAA-CREF sets the standard in the financial services industry." Of course, expenses are only one factor to consider when you make an investment decision. Morningstar also noted our commitment to "consumer education, service" and "solid investment performance." Because that can make a difference in the long run, too. At TIAA-CREF, we believe people would like to spend more in retirement, not on their retirement company. Today, over two million people count on that approach to help them build a comfortable and secure future. So can you. To find out more, call us at 1 800 842-2776. We'd consider it a compliment. HOW. Just bring your American Express,* Card and your student ID to the location listed below to pick up your passes. SPECIAL OFFER JUST FOR APPLYING. Receive 2 complimentary pass- es when you apply for the new American Express Credit Card for Students (stop by the loca- tion listed below). MORE TO COME. Antz is one in a series of three major motion pictures to be pre- viewed on your campus this year, compliments of American Express. PICK UP YOUR TICKETS HERE. Ulrichs Bookstore 549 E. University Ave. September 23-24 V1997 Amencan Expressravel Related Semces Comiay. Inc. IZ COMING 10.2.98 wwwpepsizom/antz Visit us on the Internet at www.tiaa-cref.org Ensuring the future for those who shape it. 1. itased on $23t t billion in assets under management. 2 . Sson tonl eor,.aa nson R.a.a5.ooii o.I'o.' S1998; LipperAnalytical Services, in.. Iorinr-/loota in/oin/ Olat 'i al 1998 (Quariterl). 3. Oi the3. 82N .ariable annuities tracked by Morningstar. the average fund had total fees .onmoining annual expense. of 0.82" plus an insurance texpense of 1.27%. Source: Morningstar. Inc., or penods ending 7/31/98. 9. 5ource: MorningstaroPrincipia,,nriiat/eAonnioo/'k/4/30/98. T1.\ \ CR E F e e.cnse are subject to change and are not guaraneed 101" the future. fast perl'Ormance IS rno guJTrantec of future results. T'H\.-C RE' tI ,... ual .udn sl ional Sericnes distributs CRI/Pcertlictes and interests in th ITIAAIt aA state Account. t.For..mor.. n. t.irtincttnfltn,;om on, m.eluting charge anp enss. call I 800 8 2 .77 extension t309, fr thenrspectuses. R.od the" rtouiol Iore ouinst orosed"mneyt ABFI Eiitrtann'ent ER Ers Ca R'+E 5