4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - October 2, 2000
GAME STATISTICS
Team Stats
First Downs
Rushes/Yards
Passing Yards
Offensive Plays
Total Offense
Return Yards
Comp/Att/int
Punts/Avg
Fumbles/Lost
Penalties/Yards
Time of Poss
WISC
14
42/180
98
60
278
93
8/18/3
4/54.5
2/1
5/45
29:44
MICH
18
44/118
257
71
375
53
15/27/0
5/41.0
2/2
3/20
30:16
M'
shuts down
W I S C O N S I N
PASSING
Player
Bollinger
Evans
Totals
RUSHING
Player
Bennett
Bollinger
Totals
RECEIVING
Player
Chambers
Kuhns
Davis
Evans
Bennett
Totals
C-A
8-17
0-1
8-18
Att Y
30 1
12
42
No. Yc
3
2
1
1
1
8 9
Yds
98
0
98
TD
1
0
1
Yds Avg 4g
23 4.1 17
57 4.8 19
80 4.3 17
int
2
1
3
TD
0
0
0
TD
TO
1
0
0
1
'Eraser Man'
2ds
27
13
34
28
-4
98
Avg
9.0
6.5
34.0
28.0
-4.0
12.3
Lg
11
8
34
28
34
PUNTING
Player
Steike
Totals
KICKOFF RETURNS
Playe rNo.
Davis 2
Anellti1
Faulkner t
Totals 4
PUNT RETURNS
Player No.
Davis 3
Totals 3
DEFENSE
Player
Echols
Gnesen
Doenng
Bryant
Kolodziej
Favret
Thompson
Mack
Fletcher
Boese
Knight
Davis
Mahlik
Kuhns
McGrew
Herbert
Marks
Tucker
No. Yds Avg Lg
4 218 54.5 65
4 218 54.5 65
Yds
34
18
16
68
Yds
25
25
Solo
9
6
4
4
S
3
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Yds
0
0
Avg
17.0
18.0
16.0
17.0
Ls
18
18
16
18
Avg Lg.
8.3 15
8.3 15
Asst T
5
2
4
2
0
2
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TD
0
O
O
0
TD
TO
0
Tot
14
8
8
6
5
5
4
4
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.By Chris Duprey
Daily Sports Editor
Throughout last week, the
Michigan defense made sure it paid
proper attention to the big-play
potential of Wisconsin running back
Michael Bennett.
At each practice, time was spent
on wrapping up Bennett early in his
runs, leg-tackling him as opposed to
grabbing at his arms and not allow-
ing him to gain steam into the sec-
ondary. There was no lack of respect
for the Big Ten track champion in the
Michigan camp.
The Wolverines even gave him a
nickname - Eraser Man. "Any bad
play he can erase,sbecause of his
speed," Michigan safety De Wayne
Patmon explained.
Eraser Man almost erased a
Wolverines victory. Part of the con-
cern with Bennett was that he would
wear down Michigan's already-thin
defensive line, and that as the fourth
quarter drew on, he could break a
run that could decide the game.
On Wisconsin's last full drive, the
Wolverines clinging to a 13-10 lead
with over five minutes remaining,
Bennett began to take the game into
his own hands,
A 17-yard run, followed by a 15-
yarder, put the Badgers into position
at the Michigan 31-yard line to
either tie or take the lead. Both could
have turned into big-gainers, but the
Michigan secondary pursued well
and kept Bennett from finding day-
light.
Bennett had just one more carry in
the game, for no gain on the next
play. And that was it for Wisconsin's
ground threat.
He had no impact on the final
series of the game. The Wolverines
had taken him out of the contest, just
like they had wanted.
"It was tough," Bennett said, in a
statement that seemed to sum the
afternoon for himself and for the
Badgers. "They say I'm a big-play
running back, and if I can't break it,
I'm in the dumps about that."
Bennett was gracious in giving
credit to the Michigan defense,
which allowed him just 123 yards on
30 carries.
Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez
was befuddled, however, by the slip-
pery nature of the Prescription
Athletic Turf. Saturday's game was
Wisconsin's first on grass this season
- the Badgers had played four
games at home on the artificial sur-
face of Camp Randall Stadium, and
none on the road.
I0*
Julius Curry and the rest of the Michigan defense allowed Wisconsin one touchdown, but basically shut down star running back
Michael Bennett.
"On a beautiful day like that,.I
can't understand why it's slick,"
Alvarez said, adding that he didn't
think Bennett's lack of footing decid-
ed the game in any way.
Bennett did everything he could to
master the Michigan Stadium grass.
He even changed cleats in the secogd
quarter to try and get a better grip for
cutting and slicing. Still, "three Qr
four times" he slipped as he was
about to hit a large hole. t
Patmon thought the turf was
playable.
"Grass isn't too secure, but it's
good enough," he said.
On any other day, Bennett would
have been just a part of the
Wisconsin offense. Saturday, he was
all of it.
Wisconsin's most prolific receiver
was Nick Davis, whose one catch
was good for 34 yards. The highly
touted Chris Chambers finished with
three catches for 27 yards.
Quarterback Brooks Bollinger strug-
gled in the red zone and everywhere
else, throwing for just 98 yards.
That made Bennett the only viable
option as the fourth quarter went on.
And for a while, it appeared that
Bennett could win the game all by
himself.
"He struggled with the footing,
but I thought he played pretty well,"
Alvarez said.
No matter how well Bennett
played, Saturday turned into a mem-
ory he'd like to Erase.
PASS DEFENSE
M
PSSING
Player
Henson
Totals
RUSHING
Player A
Hanson
Totals 4
RECEIVING
Player N
Walker
Thomas
Totals Z
int
0
0
Ig
0
0
Brk-up
1
TD
0
0
Terrell proves his greatness
MICHIGAN
C-A
15-27
15.27
1
att
2s
9
3
44
40.
7
S
2
1
1I
PUNTING
Player
Epstein
Totals
KICKOFF RETURNS
Player No.
Cross 1
Fargas1
Total 2
PUNT RETURNS
Player No.
Bellamy 2
Totals 2
DEFENSE
Player
Hobson
Brackins
curry
LeSueur
Patmon
Whitley
Petruziello
Jordan
Kashama
B. Williams
Rumishek
Bowman
Orr
Fargas
Brackins
D. Williams
Howard
Stevens
Yds
82
31
3
2
0
118
Yds
130
96
22
9
257
No.
5
5
Yds
22
19
41
Yds
12
12
Solo
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
2
2
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
Yds
0
0
0
0
0
Yds
257
257
Avg
2.8
15.5
0.3
0.7
0.0
2.7
Avg
18.6
19.2
11.0
9.0
17.1
TO
1
1
Lg
9
16
13
1
0
16
Lg
45
33
22
9
45
Int
0
0
TD
0
0
0
0
0
0
TO
0
0
0
0
1
BADGERS
Continued from Page 1B
tackles each. The trio also held Michael Bennett to just
four yards per carry, after he averaged six against
Northwestern.
Del Verne provided the first points in the second half,
hitting his second field goal in the third quarter.
Wisconsin took a 10-6 lead on a 13-play, 71-yard
drive, culminated by a five-yard screen from Bollinger to
fullback Chad Kuhns.
Down by a touchdown, the Wolverines spread their
offense, abandoned the running game, looked for number
one and tried to stay away from number two.
At issue - the marquee matchup of Terrell and top
defensive back Jamar Fletcher, which eventually ended
in the receiver's favor, despite Fletcher halting Terrell in
man coverage for most of the game.
Before the first play, Fletcher and Terrell shook hands.
They trash-talked. They fought hard, and for more than
three quarters it looked as if Fletcher would finally earn
his victory in the matchup.
But after only two catches in the first two quarters, a
frustrated Terrell decided to break out on Michigan's
touchdown drive grabbing three passes for 56 yards.
"I was open all day," Terrell said. "I don't think he was
on me that well."
The prettiest catch may not have been the touchdown.
Instead, Terrell leapt sky high to grab a ball on a crucial
third down play to keep the drive going.
"I can't dunk, but I gotta pretty good vertical," Terre l
said.
"When you're out there, sometimes you make plays
that you normally can't."
Then the climatic touchdown not only gave Michigan i
13-10 lead, its 800th win (only two away from all-time
leader Yale), and a 2-0 conference record to take to Purdue.
All on a prayer into the endzone.
"There was no diagram," Henson said. The coaches
were saying 'Put the ball up and make a play' It wasn't
perfect throw.
"But that's why you have 'great' receivers."
Yds Avg Ig
205 41.0 47
205 41.0 47
Avg
22.0
19.0
20.5
Lg
22
19
22
Avg Lg
6.0 14
6.0 14
Asst 7
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
TD
0
0
O
TD
0
0
Tot
7
7
7
6
5
S
4
3
2
2
2
1T
1
0
0
0
0
1 0
5 0
Can catckhup' work forever?
DEN HERDER
Continued from Page 18
no different. Michigan won the third-
quarter possession battle, holding the
ball for 8:33. But the Wolverines only
managed three points.
So, when Bollinger put seven points
on the board early in the fourth,
Michigan was playing catchup again.
With time for Michigan's counterat-
tack now at a premium, the playbook
finally began to open up. Luckily for
Michigan, David Terrell won what
looked like a playground game of
"500" in the endzone, and put the
Wolverines on top.
So it was a typical Saturday after-
noon in Ann Arbor.
But is that necessarily the best thing
for the Wolverines?
Michigan has proven that possessing
the ball can double as a defense. The
"just enough to pull it out" philosophy
seems just as valid as any other. After
all, a win is a win is a win.
But playing catchup in every game
- living by the sword - can, and has,
resulted in disaster. I am haunted by the
words of Steve Hutchinson, deep in the
Rose Bowl tunnels two weeks ago, as I
wiped the 1 10-degree sweat from my
brow.
"We've done it so many times
before," he said. "I really thought we
were going to come back and win. It
was kind of sad"
Keep in mind the Wolverines came
within several feet - wide left - of a
tie game and possible overtime
Saturday.
The spread offense in West
Laffayette next Saturday will not for-
give a low point total on Michigan's
behalf.
So the Wolverines are left with an
option as they travel to Ross-Aide
Stadium.
Thomas' success on the draw last
week at Illinois proves that establishing
the pass can be just as effective as
establishing the run. Michigan could
put more faith in Drew Henson, be
more creative on the offensive end and
put points up early.
Or, the Wolverines could do what the
Wolverines have done. Run the ball, run
the clock, and rally. And'pray for rain.
- David DenHerder can be reached at
dden@)9nich.edu.
t
PASS DEFENSE
Player
Howard
Patmon
Rumishek
Hobson
Totals
Iit
2
0
3
Lng
0
0
0
0
0
Brk~up
2
1
PETER CORNUE/daiy
David Terrell trash talked Fletcher with words and burned, him with actions, posting
almost 100 yards in the game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
DAvID TERREL: Once again Terrell
proved he could win the matchup of
the game. Covered by star cornerback
Jamar Fletcher, Terrell managed 96
yards on five catches, including
ale Alt=idaW,
VS. /
THE BADGER HERALD
WEEK 4 SELEcToNS
ALL PICKS MADE AGAINST THE SPREAD.
HOME TEAMS IN CAPS.
MICHIGAN (-7.5) vs. Wisconsin
Purdue (-13) vs. Penn State
MINNESOTA (-) vs. illinois
MICHIGAN STATE (-11.5) vs. Northwestern
INDIANA (44.5) vs. Iowa
Florida (-7.5) vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Kansas State (-6.5) vs. COLORADO
OREGON (-3.5) vs. Washington
UCLA (-7.5) vs. Arizona State
MISSISSIPPI (-7.5) vs. Kentucky
Georgia (-4) vs. ARKANSAS
Southern Cal (-5.5) vs. OREGON STATE
Tennessee (-9) vs. LOUISIANA STATE
Al ARAMA -71 c qvthC(rNlina
David
Den Herder
Chris
Duprey
Wisconsin
Purdue
Illinois
Northwestern
Indiana
Florida
Kansas State
Oregon
Arizona State
Kentucky
Georgia
Southern Cal
Tennessee
Cnijth Carnlina
Wisconsin
Purdue
Illinois.
Michigan State
Indiana
Florida
Kansas State
Washington
UCLA
Kentucky
CGeorgia
Southern Cal
Tennessee
Cnujth Carnlina
Michigan
Purdue
Illinois
Northwestern
Indiana
Florida
Colorado.
Oregon
UCLA
Mississippi
Arkansas
Oregon State
Tennessee
South Carnlina
Wisconsin'
Purdue
Illinois
Northwestern
Indiana
Florida
Kansa State
Washington
UCLA
Mississippi
Georgia
Southern Cal
Tennessee.
Alabama,
Mark Stephanie
Francescutti Offen
Johnny Daly
Badger Herald
Wisconsin
Purdue
Illinois
Michigan State
Indiana
Florida
Colorado
Washington
Arizona State
Kentucky
Arkansas
Oregon State
Tennessee
Alahama
Andy Bitter
Badger Herald
Wisconsin
Purdue
Illinois
Northwestern
Iowa
Florida
Kansas State
Oregon
UCLA
Kentucky
Georgia
Southern Cal
Tennessee
South Carnlina
iI
i
I
.
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