14F - The Michigan Daily - Football Saturday - November 6, 1999 0 0 0 November 6, 1999 - It's not Ali vs. Foreman, but rivalry is intense - Shannon Poole and the rest of the Wolverines will likely add to the ever-growing rivalry against Penn State in the finals of the Big Ten Tournament. MARJORIE MARSHALL/Dainy I AV, By Dan Williams Daily Sports Writer In 1994, Penn State and Michigan split two extremely close games in both schools' inaugural seasons of varsity soccer. Since then, the two programs have grown into the most talented in the Big Ten and a rivalry has developed. In the premier battle of the ongoing war, Penn State nipped the Wolverines in the regular season 1-0 last year. Michigan quickly gained revenge in the Big Ten Tournament, upsetting the Nittany Lions in a game decided by penalty kicks. The rivalry has reached a new level recently, as the two teams have risen above the rest of the Big Ten competi- tion. This year, they played to a score- less tie in the regular season. After that game, Penn State went unbeaten, and Michigan finished one game behind the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten. "They're the team to beat, and we want to beat them, and they would like to get back at us because their only blemish two years in a row has been from (Michigan)," senior Emily Schmidt said. Unless a major upset occurs, the rivalry will be renewed Sunday in the finals of the Big Ten tournament. While both teams assert that getting to the finals takes preference, neither team will deny that they crave another shot at each other. "When you go through the confer- ence undefeated except for one team, you'd like another chance at them, Penn State coach Patrick Farmer. Penn State holds a 4-2-3 advantage in the head-to-head series. Only three games have been decided by more than one goal. This year, the numbers of weapons each team possesses, makes Michigan and the Nittany Lions the favorites to win the tournament. The teams have an answer for each other's stars. Scoring? Michigan brings superfrosh Abby Crumpton, who leads the team in points with 23. Penn State counters with all-world freshman Christie Welsh, who leads the Big Ten with 18 goals Goaltending? Penn State boasts sophomore Emily Oleksiuk, who allowed just 14 goals in 19 games. Michigan replies with junior Carrisa Stewart, the team's all-time leader in victories with 29. Experience? Michigan seniors Shannon Poole and Emily Schmidt have played in all 84 games during their careers at Michigan. Penn State senior Courtney Lawson is second on the team in points, and the current Big Ten play- er of the week. Still, despite the apparent similarities in personnel, the team's play very dif- ferent styles of soccer. "Their ability to control the pace of the game makes them dangerous," Farmer said of the Wolverines. "They're possessive without being boring." Penn State relies more on the physi- cal advantages of their offense. "They play directly to their forwards and run down balls," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin said. "They have a cou- ple of real special players like Christie Welsh who can take over a game." When they played earlier in the year, both teams saw opportunities to win fall by the wayside. A great save by Oleksiuk on Michigan senior Mari Hoff's header prevented the Wolverines from triumphing. "We had our opportunities," Schmidt said. "To beat them, we'd have to shut down their offensive threats and capi- talize on our chances this time." Farmer said, the rivalry hasn't turned bitter despite the fact that the programs are competing for recruits as well as titles. A mutual respect exists, but the teams are still looking for a rematch. "Neither team had their best game the first time," Farmer said. "We defi- nitely hope to meet them this weekend." KLEINBAUM Continued from Page 4F In the last three games, the bottom has fallen out. The Michigan defense has lost its swagger. The confident and brash bunch has been unusually quiet, words mumbling out of their mouths. The Wolverines won't tell you they've lost their confidence, but it's in their eyes. They're frustrated and confused. They're bad, and they don't know why. Much of blame belongs to Michigan's secondary,. 'The Suspects.' They've been more than suspect; they've been flat-out bad. On Indiana's five scoring drives - four touchdowns and one field goal, but the field goal was because of the clock, not Michigan's defense - the Hoosiers killed Michigan in the 'air. On those five drives, Randle El completed 12 of 16 passes for 246 yards, 74 percent of Indiana's offense. Of the suspects, Todd Howard car- ries much of the guilt. Earlier this season, Howard said if an opponent wants to touch the ball, that's their problem, implying that he'd lay a load of hurt on them. One problem: If you can't catch 'em, you can't hurt 'em. Howard's had a problem catching anyone lately. Late in the fourth quarter Saturday, he was running 15 yards behind Indiana receiver Jerry Dorsey as Dorsey waltzed into the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown. When Dorsey caught the ball, Michigan safety Tommy Hendricks was much closer to Dorsey than Howard was, even though Howard was supposed to be covering the receiver. While Michigan jumped out to a 5-0 start, its opponents were looking for a weakness. There's little in a defense as easily exploitable as a weak cornerback, which is exactly what Howard is. Both Randle El and Illinois quar- terback Kittner, who beat Michigan last week, saw that and exploited the sophomore, throwing to his man in key situations. Last week, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr yanked Howard after he drew a pass interference penalty. There's little for Carr to do. He has almost no depth at corner. The two backups are a freshman, Brandon Williams, who's seen more playing time over the past few weeks but still has little experience, and wide receiver David Terrell, who sees spot time at corner and was Michigan's nickel back against Purdue. But Carr has to find a solution fast, with No. 2 Penn State and No. 21 Ohio State looming in the next three weeks. Unlike the 1991 Michigan team that allowed 104 points in a three- game stretch, these Wolverines aren't going to win the Big Ten title, If the defense doesn't regroup, they'll have trouble winning any- thing. - Josh Kleinbawn can be reached via e-mail atjkbawn@umich.edu. With Penn State on deck, 'M'tries t By Josh Kleinbaum Daily Sports Editor A glance at the Northwestern section of the all- time series scores in Michigan's media guide tells you all you need to know about today's game between Michigan and Northwestern. It's right there with white lettering in a black box: 46-13- 2. Since the two teams first met in 1892 - a 10- 8 Wildcats victory - Michigan has dominated Northwestern. Oh, there have been some peaks - 19 straight Michigan wins from 1966 to 1992 - and some valleys - an 0-3-1 record in a five- year span in the '40s, and two-straight Michigan lasses earlier this decade amidst the 'Purple Pansy. Scandal.' Still, Michigan has owned this series, and today's game should be no different, at least as far as the W-L column is concerned. But it will be different than Michigan coach Lloyd Carr thought it would be a few months ago. The third leg on the supposedly 'soft' stretch of Michigan's schedule, the game against the Wildcats was supposed to be Carr's last chance to work out the kinks in his offense and keep his defense aggressive and intimidating, but doing all that while still saving some plays for the next two weeks, when the Wolverines get to tango with Big Ten bigwigs Penn State and Ohio State. But then something funny happened on the way to the fiesta. In the soft stretch, it was only Michigan's defense that looked soft, giving up more than 30 points to both Illinois and Indiana. Illinois actually beat Michigan, and Indiana came within a dropped Hail Mary. Instead of strutting back to Ann Arbor with a two-game win streak, the Wolverines are slumping into Michigan Stadium today, beaten and battle-weary. If the Wolverines lose today, a bad season DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Lloyd Carr said earlier this week that Drew Henson won't rotate with Tom Brady anymore. Blue's ata No purple was. cue a r o cz, " 0510 By Rick Freeman Daily Sports Editor If today's game could be decided on style points, Michigan would win. Easily. Just so long as points weren't awarded to teams for having a good rushing game, a good pass defense or a clear-cut quarterback situation. Yes, Lloyd Carr said he's no longer commit- ted to playing Henson in the second half, but it's not as if he plans of reveal- ing all his moves to anyone besides his players. But two things are apparently clear. Northwestern has a more potent rush- ing game than Michigan does. But they wear purple. On their pants. Tweet! That's the fashion police throwing the flag. MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. NORTHWESTERN RUSHING DEFENSE: Change that to Anthony Thomas vs. I1 guys in flower colors. True, Thomas missed part of the Illinois game with a hurt pinky. But who's going to tell him that to his face. Somehow, Thomas seems to have endless reserves of ener- gy, even in the relative heat of a 70- degree day. Saturday's forecast isn't as rosy. But neither is the outlook of defensive lineman Dwayne Missouri. The man with the same name as the "Show Me" state will know soon what he's up against. The A-Train. Again and again and again. Advantage: Michigan t'x MIClIIGAN PASSIN NORTHWESTERN PASSI Easy. Michigan. Exc lem. It's tough to use y when Anthony Thoma 42 times. Northweste nearly 200 yards a gam - though that's good Big Ten. Michigan Sta ing similar numbers torched them on Northwestern has ne with a passing attack player like David Teri Knight. Or DiAllo Marquise Walker. A they'll probably be gla to again. Or they'll be the bench. ADVANTAGE: MICHI G OFFENSE VS. NG DEFENSE: ept for one prob- your best weapon s touches the ball rn is giving up ne through the air I for third in the te was surrender- before Purdue Michigan's defense has been downright offensive the past few weeks. Which may put them on the defensive. Confused? Join the line of people who said this year's unit resembled the stingy unit from 1997. That unit took points on the board as a personal affront. This year, points are just an accepted part of doing business. The last offense not to score 30 points on Michigan was Purdue's. Which was more than a month ago. At first glance, Northwestern might seem hard-pressed to match that total. But so would have See MATCHUPS, Page 15F the\ hou "TRULY A NEW C THE INFORMATI! CENTURIES-OLD NC - ONEWEKU _ _. o . .. . ... . err r rw i Oct. 16. But.. ver had to deal 5 1' that included a rrell. Or Marcus Johnson. Or fter this week, d they don't have glad it stayed on GAN I ISLAND US"ING OFFENSE HING; DEFENSE: #a A as .a .. . , m a R I w NORTHEWESTERN R 'S. MICHIGAN RUS i ... , ,+':a s # _ a;:a'*c 3 d dfs 'k '