6B - The Michigan Daily - KICKOFF 2000 - Thursday, September 7, 2000 Thursday, September 7, 2000 - KicKOF ONE TI-fl DEFENSIVE LINE & LINEBACKERS and Gold on the inside.{ outside, sophomore Hobson looks to step in< On the Victor and fit B 1) aj MARJORIE MARSHALL DD DEFNSIVE By Mark Francescutti Dily Sports Editor It's not the same this time around. The defensive line, that is, along with the linebackers which are no longer a power- ful, experienced unit. Losing seven defensive stal- warts including several NFLers defensive lineman Josh Williams and liberackers Ian Gold and Dhani Jones, coordi- nator JimH errmann and the Volvennies will try to unify a Young group of players with the hope they can stop the raging offenses of Purdue, Illinois and Wisconsin. V'e have to prove something to ourselves:" linebacker Larry Foote said. "We know that in the Michigan family great players lead the program every year. And when thcv leave great play- ers have to fill their shoes." Foote, the leading returner in sacks and tackles for a loss along with defensive tackle Eric Wilson need to provide the lead- ership that is lacking. Grant Bowman. Dave Pearson and Shawn Lazarus will also see significant time at the tackle spots. Junior Eric Brackins will join Foote in trying to replace Jones that role nicely. On the line, senior Jake Frvsinger looked strong against Bowling Green, but reinjured his right foot and will be out indefinitely. Junior Evan Coleman and sophomore Dan Rumishek are in the mix, akng with freshman Alain Kashama. All eves, and translators, though, are on Kashama: The true freshman hails from the same high school (Vieux Montreal) as former running back standout Tshimanga Biakabutuka. But "la probleme" with Kashama is whether lie can understand the plays - his native language is French. "He has a tough time with the language barrier," Frysinger said. "But it's amazing how much he has picked up that last two weeks. There is a lot of slang in defense. _and he has picked that up really quickly." Kashama is seen as one of the quickest big men on the field, often doing cartwheels in prac- tice. Coach Lloyd Carr showed faith in Kashama by playing the true freshman this season. Michigan also is showing collectiveness -_something that at times last year's impres- sive unit didn't have. And it showed. giving up huge games to Michigan State and Illinois Michigan's only two losses last season. Now. with no standout big names. most players have com- bined efforts. "It's definitely more of a team. more so than last vear" FIrsinger said. (Continued from PREVIOUS page) team's No. I runnmig back going into the season replacing Montrell Lowe, who hasbeen struggling with a shoul- der injury. The score in Ann Arbor will likely be on the high end again, as questions surrounds Purdue's defense. "I think the biggest question is at linebacke-." defensive coordinator Brock Spack said. "We're going to play guys that have never played before." But junior college transfer Akin Ayodele had a standout year last sea- son, leading the team with I I sacks while learning to play defensive end. The defensive backs are also an area of concern for the Boilermakers. Expect to see two or three freshmen in the secondary. but Put-due's backs will have over a month to gain expereince before Da\id Terrell and Michigan visit Ross-Adc Stadium. But with the Wolverines slotted in the middle of a five-week period that includes four top 25 teams, it will be a long road to Pasadena for Purdue- who hasn't been there since 1967. Ywphaliie- 0/eu Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Nov. 20 Jan.1 Purdue 47, C. FLORIDA 13 PURDUE 28. Notre Dame 23 PURDUE 58, C. Michigan 16 PURDUE 31, Northwestern 23 MICHIGAN 38, Purdue 12 OHIO STATE 25. Purdue 22 PuRDuF 52, Michigan State 28 Penn State 31, PURDUE 25 Purdue 33, MiNNESoA 28 Wisconsin 28, PURDUEu 21 Purdue 30, INrtANA 24 Georgia 28, Purdue 25 (OT) 4-4 Big Ten, 75 overall Lost to Georgia in Outback Bowl No. 25 AP, unranked in coaches after 1999 1999 result:* SATURDAY OCTOER 14, 3:30 P. m. ABC The Hoosiers haven't beaten Michigan in 13 yeals. Indiana has-' n't had a winning season since 1994 and hasn't reached a bowl game since 1993. Last year was supposed to change it all. H1cisman candidate Antwaan Randle El was supposed to lead Indiana out ofmediocrity and into the upper echelon of the con- ference. But tough nonconference losses and close games that slipped out of their grasp made 1999 more of the same. Last season opponents scored at least 30 points nine times on the Hoosiers and 40 points five times. Indiana allowed the most points iii the Big Ten last season. But in Indiana's defense, the Hoosiers offense was scoring 26 points per came, thanks to Randle El and running back Levron Williams. Williams led the team in rushing with 817 vards, the most for an Indiana running back in three years. Uncertainty sur-ounds the line that will be protecting this potent offense. Both offetisive tackles and the starting center gr-aduated, moving fo-mer tight end Craig Osika to center. Shaking up the lineup might be what it takes to give this team that final nudge to where it wants to be. "Last year we had a goal to go to a bowl game," Cameron said. "If vou finish in the top seven of our league, you're going to a bowl game. We came up fwo or three plavs short of that. We wvere four or five plays away from having just a fabulous year. so we're not that far away from where we want to be" 3-5 Big 7 did not p unranked 1999 result Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 22 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 13 Nov. 20 t Fr 'Number-crunching: I. vi b 0: Statistic' Big Ten Rank I I that 4e Univericty of ilei r V'L iot... (Do 50netli% e001ldi Getthatgig.com discusses the career path of individuals in extraordinary jobs as well as gives information about how to get that cool summer or part-time job. Would you like to know how to get an internship with the Emmy's or MTV? How about a summer job in the Hawaiian Volcanoes Nat'l Park? Ever wonder who takes care of baby Lemurs at the zoo? Who teaches sky diving classes? Who photographs for Playboy? Who tests hula hoops - getthatgig.com will tell you WHO & HOW they got that job! Art & Design Each week a special guest will be available live. Day Zn The Wde f Behind the scenes and what it is really like. Featuring the typical day of some not so typical people. W Mett 8 O&e .!' You're good at it - how do you get it to pay. Profiler will match some of your favorite things to possible career directions.' LWhat's Up With That Weekly reviews of the wild wild web. Columnist will send out weekly critiques on the bizarre and unusual sites living in web world. Entertainment Health& Beauty Tech & Web Media Transportaio* de Political & Non-Profit Law &d Public Safety Outdoor Retail d& Restaurant Science Sports Music Sign up in our database now and be the first to get gigged with info on cool jobs! A CIS of CkicciCjo, rk kere in Ann. Arkori. <:;:Z 61 e m 1AChurc-h Street near S. Universitv. DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD By Stephanie Offen Dailv Sports Editor Suspicious as fans were of them last season, the members of this year's sec- ondarv are the strength of the defense. They went from being best remenm- bet-ed for blown coverage against Michigan State to being the leaders of this year's inexperienced defense. "You learn from your mistakes and how you play certain games such as Notre Dame, Michigan State and Illhinois and even the games vou play well," sa fety DeWavne Patnon said. "You trv to make all the corrections to those mistakes." Coach Lloyd (arr has labeled senior James Whitley as one of the best cor- ners in the country. After a great per- formance over the sumiiiier-, he was expected to lead not only the defense, but the entire team the Wolverines voted him a captain. And the rest aren't far behind Whitley in their drive for success. There is fierce competition for the starting strong safety spot, as Patmon and JuIius Curry both had the best summers of their careers. CTrrV started in Michigan's victorv over Bowling Green, but Carr said he expects to see both making a great impact this season. Sophomore Charles Drake got the starting nod at free safety and fresh- man Jon Shaw also made great strides this summer. Both stepped forward in the absence of sophomore Cato June, who ended his season with a knee tijury. "Drake and Shaw came to me because of the opportunity on defense," Carr said. "They have a lot of learning to do but they are excited about the opportunity." While suspicions may have faded, Patmon hopes the nicknames still remain -- but this time for their suc- cesses and not the mistakes. "It's flattering to have nicknames," Patmon said. "I'm not shying away from nicknames - if it comes because we have a great year, I'm all for it." FILMrSLW. coMe Mie SpN~tQS: isls.0- I U I I YEL'LOW CAB 130.2 YPG rushing 9th 332.2 YPG passing 1st 32.0 points per game 3rd 139.2 YPG allowed rushing 5th 227.3 YPG allowed passing 10th Starters returning/lost: offense 8/3, defense 5/6 Purdue is just 16-9 in Drew Brees'two years as the starferJoe Tiller brought his WAC offense to Purdue -and apparently his WAC defense, too. Courtesy: Purdue Athletics Number-cru Statistic 191.4 rush 214.5 passi 26.5 points 211.1; YPG 219.0 YPG 35.1 points Starters ret defense 7/4 Remember Indiana h 1987, but won in Ar Snn.r 0.ios Vey 4 Arm 4iesm 00 1 by The Michigan Daily Readership Poll, an) 1 Please mf One co 4 ride - - - - - - SERVING UP EVERY FILM ON THE WEB... WITHOUT THE CHEESE. 1 Ann Arb( 4 c'an sha Service t Night rid Good Good Good Good Food, Drinks, 4 Prices... Time Charley's Every night from 11p.m. u Pitchers ......... Bud Light, Molson, Killian's Margaritas..... Regular or Strawberry Mai Beer......... 22 oz. Bud Light, Molson, Iced Teas....... All of our Iced Tea varietie Also featured after 11p.m. burgers, and sandwiches c Good Time Charley's 1140 South University at C