Scoreboard-... Tracking 'M' teams NATIONAL HOCKEY COLLEGE _____Check out the Michigan soccer team this weekend in LEAGUE FOOTBALL Happy Valley at the Big Ten Championships. The fifth- TBOonn at East CaNrina at seeded Wolverines open up against fourth-seeded SOin.c. CINCNNATI, C UNorthwestern this afternoon. N.Y. ISLANDERS, inc. Pittsburgh atS PRS.Fia OTTAWA, inc. Frday St. Louis at November , 1998 LOS ANGELES, inc. Startin Ray returns to face Penn State By Sharat Daily Sports Editor Six weeks have passed. The midway point of the season came and went. That means two things - Marcus Ray can play and the real season begins. The Michigan safety, after being suspended by the University and the NCAA for involvement with a sports agent last summer, returns to the 22nd-ranked Wolverines and begins tomorrow against No. 9 Penn State. A lot has happened since then. The Wolverines won all six of their games despite sloppy play and conditions. The total defense improved from 96th in the country to 14th. The Wdlverines have reemerged into the national picture. Now Ray - who was relieved of his tri-captain title fol- lowing his suspension - will join a unit which has literally carried the Wolverines in the last four games. Marcus "has had a good attitude towards all this," Michigan cornerback Andre Weathers said. "He's ready to contribute" But that's about all anyone has heard about Ray. How :much will he impact the defense? How much will he play? Will he play at all? Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has the answers but also has been tight-lipped about the whole situation. At the weekly Big Ten media teleconference, Carr refused to comment asbout Ray at all. Regardless of whether or not Ray will have an impact, the Wolverines (5-0 Big Ten, 6-2 overall) have much more to worry about. Namely, Penn State (3-1, 6-1). "This year Penn State is a lot better than last year," Weathers said. "Their defense is attacking, their offense is moving the ball. We have to have a total team effort in order to overcome Penn State." Everyone remembers last season's game, billed by the media as 'Judgment Day.' No. I Penn State, undefeated and playing in the friendly confines of Beaver Stadium, were embarrassed by a confident Charles Woodson-led Michigan, 34-8. But with Woodson's departure from the secondary after last season, the defensive backs have had difficulty in regain- ing that swagger "From the beginning, we have improved a lot since then," Weathers said. "We're coming together and we're improving every game." But the Wolverines haven't played a challenging opponent since Ray left after the Notre Dame game. "A lot of people counted us out because we lost the first two games early," Weather-said. "And we struggled here and there but one good thing is that we believe in ourselves and .that's all that matters." Stickers to change ways at Big Tens M' hopes to clinch first-ever NCAA bid. MARGARET MYERS/Daiy The Michigan defense has had a vise-like grip on opposing offenses during the Big Ten season. Penn State's defense is no slouch either, which could lead to a low-scoring game tomorrow. Showdown hard tic By Stephanie Offen Daily Sports Writer One year ago, the Michigan field hockey team had won five straight games going into the Big Ten tourna- ment in Iowa City. Its breakthrough season gave the Wolverines a regular season confer- ence title and an opportunity at for their first shot to qualify for the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines were given a sec- ond seed, a first-round bye and a second-round matchup against the winner of Ohio State/Northwestern matchup. But the '97 dream season came to an end sooner then the players would have liked. They defeated the Buckeyes, but fell to a stronger Penn State team in the finals to lose their chance at their first NCAA berth. A year later, a more experienced Michigan team (7-3 Big Ten, 14-5 overall) is ready to take on the chal- lenge again. The stage is set pretty much the same as last year. Michigan was edged out of the regular season title by losing its final game to Iowa, but has been able to hold on to that second seed and the first round bye. Tomorrow at 2 p.m. in East Lansing, the Wolverines will once again face either the Buckeyes or the Wildcats, neither of which Michigan has lost to this season. The Wolverines eventually could take on the first-seeded Nittany Lions again, but with what the Wolverines hope is a different out- come. "Penn State really deserves to be in the finals," Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. "We would love that challenge, but it would be nice just to be able to get there." Penn State's first round match pits the Nittany Lions against a blazing Iowa team or hometown favorite Michigan State, neither of which would be an easy game. "Michigan State always play exceptionally well at home, and Iowa is on a hot streak right now," Pankratz said. But, whomever Michigan faces, the Wolverines are working hard this, week so that next week they can be: on their way to their first NCAA tournament. "Our corner really needs to be sharper," Pankratz said. "We need to play our style of game. Our defens is one of the best in the nation anA the senior captains will lead the team by their examples." Last year provided a lot of experi- ence for the upperclassmen, and that experience is what the team is look- ing to in high-pressure situations. The conference final isn't good enough for this year's team - a championship is more in order. That experience, combined with large, very talented group of fresh- men, is what the Wolverines are counting on this weekend. The stage' is set the same as it was a year ago. but the Wolverines are planning on changing the finale. By Mark Snyder Daily Sports Editor For a football game in the always predictable Big Ten, tomorrow's Michigan-Penn State affair is anything but easily read. Visiting Penn State is favored by 3 points. And now for the matchups. Drumroll, please. (WHAT'S LEFT OF THE) MICHIGAN RUSH OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE RUSH DEFENSE: This isn't too difficult. Michigan lost 23 yards on the ground last week. So instead of running on speedy turf, Michigan will run on possibly wet grass. Yeah, that should help the stats. There's a reason Penn State's called Linebacker U. Between Butkus Award semifinalists Brandon Short and LeVar Arrington, the Penn State defen- sive line is stifling. EDGE: PENN STATE MICHIGAN PASS OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE: With three defensive backs standing 5-foot-9 or shorter and the fourth towering at 5-l1, Tai Streets' eyes are widening. His current advantage - that he's better than anyone else he faces - is only secondary to the height advantage. EDGE: MICHIGAN PENN STATE RUSH OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN RUSH DEFENSE: Last season, Curtis Enis was the workhorse for the Penn State offense. But Enis is no longer around and Cordell Mitchell is carrying the load. He's improving, but definitely no Enis. Sam Sword is well on his way to another tack- le title for the Wolverine defense and the return of Ian Gold has been a pleasant surprise. EDGE: MICHIGAN PENN STATE PASS OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN PASS DEFENSE: Last week, Penn State wide receiver Chafie Fields caught only three passes against Illinois. But as Michigan has seen on the game film, they were bombs, totaling 115 yards. Fields is a major threat, but Michigan's secondary is fortified with Marcus Ray's return. EDGE: EVEN See MATCHUPS, Page 9 Spikers face crucial game against Gophers _.. The University of Michigan School of Music Friday, November 6 Faculty Recital Yizhak Schotten, viola Erling Blondal Bengtsson, cello; Katherine Collier, piano " W.F. Bach: Sonata in c minor for viola and piano " Shostakovich: Sonata in d minor for cello and piano, Op. 40 " Beethoven: Duo for viola and cello with eyeglass obligato " Brahms: Trio in a minor for viola, cello and piano, Op. 114 Britton Recital Hall, E.V. Moore Bldg., 8 p.m. Peter Sparling Dance Company Robert Conway, piano Nephelie Andonyadis, constume designer " Sparling/Bolcom: Twelve New Etudes World Premiere " Julianne O'Brien Pederson: Port World Premiere Media Union Video Studio, 8p.m. [Admission $17; students $10 For tickets phone 764-0450;for information phone 747-8885] Saturday, November 7 Peter Sparling Dance Company Robert Conway, piano Nephelie Andonyadis, constume designer o Sparling/Bolcom: Twelve New Etudes " Julianne O'Brien Pederson: Port Media Union Video Studio, 8 p.m. [Admission $17; students $10 For tickets phone 764-0450; for information phone 747-8885] Sunday, November 8 Horn Studio Class Students of Bryuan Kennedy perform horn repertory Britton Recital Hall, E.V. Moore Bldg., 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 9 Guest Recital Mark Moore, tuba; Eric Dalheim, piano * music by John Williams, Mahler, Powell, Hartley, Wilhelm McIntosh Theatre, E. V. Moore Bldg., 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 10 Piano Master Class Mitsuko Uchida, piano Britton Recital Hall, E.V. Moore Bldg., 7 p.m. Harpsichord Studio Recital Students of Edward Parmentier perform harpsichord repertory Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, E. V. Moore Bldg., 8 p.m. University Philharmonia Orchestra Rossen Milanov, guest conductor " music by Haydn and Shostakovich Hill Auditorium, 8p.m. Thursday, November 12 - Sunday, November 15 Opera Department Performance Verdi: La Traviata Martin Katz, conductor; Heinar Piller, stage director Power Center, 8 p.m. (Thurs. - Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.) Admission $18, $14; for more information phone 734-764-0450 Events are free, no tickets required and are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise specified. The E.V. Moore Bldg. is located at 1100 Baits Drive, North Campus. For more information phone (734) 764-0594 Monday - Friday 9 a.m. 5 p.m. SCORE WITH MADE-TO-ORDER SUBS! What do you do with an after-game hunger that's as big as the stadium? Bring it to BLIMPIEĀ®! We stack our subs and salads with enough fresh-prepared meats, cheeses and veggies to satisfy even the most ravenous appetites. And with our subs and combo meals, there's no - - tastier way to fill up fast. Come to BLIMPIEĀ® today! 6" Sub Sandwich, $ e m ~ o 22oz. Drink and Chips j pon before ordering. Not valid if altered or duplicated, One order per coupon. One oupon per customer per visit. Custo mer ust yany sales tax due Not good in combination with any other offer.Cashvalue 1/100 of 1c, Offer expires 11/30/98 Offer good at: 113 E. Liberty St. * 741-2567 Interested in Biotechnology? The Cellular Biotechnology Training Program will offer Cellular Biotechnology 504 in the Winter '99 term. Topics covered include: applications of microbial genetics to biotechnology, bioin- formatics and genomics, mammalian cell sig- naling, plant cell transport, biomechanics of bone cells, introduction to mathematical tools used in biotechnology, and microbial response to environmental contamination. The course provides an overview of the dis- ciplinary foci that define the field of cellular biotechnology, with emphasis placed on con- veying knowledge of basic principles and on illustrating the relationships between the var- ious subjects within the context of the inte- grated biotechnology process. Students par- ticipate in a team-based approach to proposal development for biotechnology-related prob- lem solving. Lectures will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-4:00 p.m. in 5623 Med. Sci. II. For more information, call Dr. Grenmarie Agresar at 764-6533 or e-mail her at agresar@engin.umich.edu i 1 By Urns Subramanian Daily Sporns Wniter Though the Michigan volleyball team may hove foiled in its quest to capture "State Pride," against she Spartans on Wednesday, the ultimate treasure - an NCAA tournament bid - is still within reach. In fote, she Wolverines (4-9 Big Ten, 12-I1 overall) are in the thick of the hunt. Six teams from the Big Ten will likely get bids; of those, Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Illinois ore all but guaranteed post-season play, thanks so their overall records. Five other teams ore bottling for the last two spots, and they're all within one game of each other. ,"We hove ~a lsicso tge coach Greg Giovanazzi said. But "we have to get the Minnesota game." If she first matchup of the season was any indication, the Wolverines could get she much needed victory tomorrow night in Minneapolis. Senior Karen Chase, who set the Cliff Keen Arena record for kills against Minnesota in October, is still on a roll. Wednesday night, she ALTCOR LLYESI FRIDAY, NOV6 7:00 PM NA THIS EVENT IS FRI became Michigan's all-time kills leader with 1,126. "Karen establishing that mark was remarkable," Giovanazzi said. "She's been reliable all season and has been doing a great job for us." The largest threat the Wolverine face this weekend will appear in the form of Nicole Branaugh, who weit to high school with Chase. "They have similar style." Giovanazzi said. "I think Minnesota will be keying in on Karen a lot, so we have to try to change it up to give her some chances." Giovanazzi said that he expects the match to be a long, drawn-out event because the Wolverines and th Gophers are quite evenly matched. "I see a good rematch this week- end," Giovanazzi said. "They're at home, so I think we'll see a little bet- ter ball handling on their part. I imagine it would be a long match that could go to five games." The last time the Wolverines played in Minneapolis, they came away with a 3-2 victory. But that was in late September.9 When Michigan visits the Twin" Cities this time, the stakes will be a lot higher. , .1