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SPORT

THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 16, 200012-

__ _ _ _
--- __

MARK
FRANCESCUTTI

Common themes e ere o Varsit
By Chris Duprey/ . ,'K> ~~
~ily Sports 1Editor - .

For Epstein, a chance
for redemption, heroism

Ten years ago, ._f D. Carlson kicked
tihe winning field goal to beat
Ohio State 16-13 at Columbus,
git i ng The Wolverines a share of the Big
Tei itl with three other teams all at 6-2.
Now in 2000, there are four teams, all
Willi 5-2 records, and the Wolverines
once again travel to Ohio State to battle
for at least a share of the Big Ten cham-
pionship.
And once again, the biggest factor on
the fiefd may not be Drew Henson's
offensive firepower, or 10I(1( Ioward's
limely" interceptions. The game, as it
lhs in the past. will likely come down to
special-teams.
.Oq Monday. coach Lloyd Carr gave
significant praise to hiis team's cox erage
on punts and kickoi' this season.
But coverage units are a team of guys
tgugh to dilkfrentiate. Long snappers are
unknowns, even when they are the cul-
prits on a field goal miss or botched punt.
Ijlstead, people gaze their eves at only
t1vo players on special teams - the
iumter and kicker.
For Epstein, that's double duty. The
r1essurd on th unior kicker punter from
Gardiff, Calif is enormous evervtime he
seps onto the field, and could reach new
llights this wxeekend.
>As a kicker, it's probably tough to be
accepted in the lraternity of football. The
position seems so separated -- so difter-
cit. And to make things tougher, Epstein
ItAsn't had the perfect ride through the
Michigan football rollercoaster.
:.After replacing Jefi Del Verne on field
tal kicks in the last fix e cames of the
I1)91) season,.IEpstein has struggled with
< string of inconsistent eames - and
eten when kicks go had for other rca-
sans, Lpstein takes much of the blame.
First there was Phillip Weeks' block of
the would-be game-winning 36-varder in
the- lJ99 Orange Bowl a missed
opportunity that sent the game into over-
time.
In Mi ichigan's first game against
Bowling Green, another of Epstein's
kicks was batted away again.

When asked about the blocks, Carr
admitted that Epstein needed to get the
ball a little higher on kicks --- indicating
a slight withering of the coach's confi-
dence -- and a small passing warning to
Epstein before the UCLA game.
Epstein's trip to Pasadena was the per-
fect opportunity to prove some prowess
with his leg - a homecoming with fan-
ily and friends in a nationallv-televised
matchup.
But home wasn't so sweet, as the
Junior missed two field goals and an
extra point in the 23-20 loss to UCLA.
Epstein then mishandled a snap on a
punt at Illinois a week later.
Instead of taking the safety, he tried to
hastily punt the ball while being hit. The
Fighting Illini recovered on the three-
yard line. Illinois scored a touchdown on
the next play.
The following week, Carr replaced
Epstein with Del Verne, after losing con-
fidence in his kicker.
But this past Saturday Carr said that
Del Verne has a "slight injury"
Regardless of what slight means, it
allowed Epstein to regain the position --
just in time for the Ohio State game and
a possible Big Ten championship.
Michigan is pretty solid in punt
returns, kickoff returns and punting
(which earned Epstein a spot as a nation-
al Ray Guy award finalist). But when it
comes to kicking, Epstein's six-of-I 1
field goal performance won't cut it.
Standing on the other end of the field
is Ohio State's Dan Stultz. Stultz was a
perfect 4-for-4 in field goals, including
the game-winning 34-varder last week-
end. He now rests as the all-time leading
kicker in Ohio State history.
The advantage points directly to Ohio
State. It looks like it's no contest between
the kickers.
But when the game comes down to a
field goal, like it has in the past, Epstein
may get his chance.
And let's hope this time he can make it.
MarkFriancescutti can be reached/
at fi picesr wn(ca ich. edit.

In listening to some of the
Wolverines oii Monday, their prepara-
tion seiied to hinge on three issues
they plan on dealing with leading up
to Saturday's game at Ohio State.
No. 1: Using emotion in a positive
way.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr preach-
es weekly the need to match the other
team's intensity. Obviously that won't
be a problem in a game like this one.
"You know the emotions will be
there;" the coach said.
But stayin in command emotional-
ly is just as crucial. The Wolverines
reaped the benefits of self-control
against Michigan State on Oct. 21.
Two personal fouls by the Spartans
were key factors in the 14-0 Michigan
victory.
"You can't afford to get a I5-yard
penalty and keep a drive going or stop
a drive." offensive lineman Steve
Hutchinson said.
"There's always trash-talking going
on," -defensive lineman Eric Wilson
said. "But you have to be poised on
the field."
No. 2: Preparedness.
It's not just knowing what gimmick
play Ohio State might try. It's a state
of mind for Michigan that started with
team meetings early this week and
will carry the Wolverines throughout
the game on Saturday.
"Being prepared is the biggest
thing. Know what personnel is going
to be in there. what they're going todo
on this down and distance,"
Hutchinson said. "You don't want anv
surprises."
Carr is treating Saturday like he
would the advent of Christmas Day
with a small child. Don't anticipate
too much - the big day will roll
around soon enough.
"The biggest problem is that you
have a team that looks so much for-
vard that they don't take care of
today," Carr said. "This game, like
.most games, is going to be won
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Anthony Thomas - who will seek to break the Michigan all-time
recognized three important themes to the rivalry game.

BRAD QUINNj
rushing record Saturday - joins the Wolverines, who have

( Monday), Tucsday, Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday.
"That's the type of preparation that
you want - where you do everything
you're supposed to do and don't waste
time thinking about Saturday on
Tuesday. Because if that's what you're
doing, you're going to get beat."
No. 3: Dealing with crowd noise.
The Wolverines have already played
in two extremely ioud venues this year
Illinois' Memorial Stadium and
Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium.

This week the (iccibels shoot to a
new level. Ohio Stadium lends itself'
structurally to loud crowds, especially
in the closed end of The Horseshoe
where the students reside.
'That wxill provide an impediment
ofkensively for Michigan. "I basically
have to scream as loud as I can," quar-
terback Drew Hlenson said.
Hutchinson staid it's the loudest
place he's ever played "by far." How
the offensive line handles the noise
will have a big impact on the game's

outcome -= business as usual, or a
casserole of false starts, fuml d
snaps and missed audibles? °
"It can't be much louder, but every-
body says it is," Carr said. "There's
not a lot we can do. There are certain
things we have control over, and that's
not one of them."
The best way to deal with thc
noise? "Get out to a lead," Henson
said.
That's always a pretty good solou
tiol.

M' hockey inks nine reCuits

By Joe Smith
Daily' Sports tie


Michigan hockey coaches' aggressive
courting by daily phone calls. letters and
home visits to the most eligible top
prospects in the nation is over for now. It
became time to walk down the aisle and
sign on the dotted line, as yesterday
marked the end of the early signing peri-
od for college hockey recruits.
The Wolverines are expecting to lose
nine seniors to graduation and possibly
high draft picks IefI' Jillson and Andy
Hilbert to the pros after this season.
Yesterday, Michigan reloaded by inking

nine nCv recruifs, which make up what
assistant coach Billy Powers describes as
among "the the top three classes" he's
seen in his eight years at Michigan.
Considering this includes classes that
have placed two national title banners in
the rafters at Yost -- most notably
Brendan Morrison's class and the cur-
rent seniors, Michigan's continued status
among the nation's elite should be secur6
for the next few years.
"We're excited about it." Michigan
coach Red Berenson said."It's a big class.
I can't remember the last time we've
signed as many or as high ofa percentage
of the incoming class as we have" at this




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a research project study-
ing personality traits and
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Parents must participate as
well. Payment is $75-$ 125.
For further information
call 734-936-8726.

point of the signing period. "To have
them all sign now is impressive"
The Michigan coaches addressed their
needs, specifically in the front line Dnd
between the pipes - as Michigan wvill
lose six forwards and senior goaltertder
L.J. Scarpace.
The Wolverines signed one of the top
goalie prospects in the country in Jason
Bacashihua (Dearborn Heights, Mich.).
Bacashihua "will remind people a little
bit of Blackburn and a little bit of Tui-co
(the winningest goalie in NCAA hock-
ey)," Powers said. "Jason is a top notch
goaltender. I think he's a top pro prospect
so we feel comfortable that we'll be set in
goal for the next few years."
Although Powers feels it's unfair to
compare aiy class to Morrison's, he said
that this new crop of five forwards
"might end up being the best in terms of
pro prospects.
Leading the way are the three recruits
from the reputable U.S. Under-18
National Team Development Progiam
that produced current Wolverines Andy*
Hilbert and Mike Komisarek.
Jason Ryznar (Anchorage, Ak.) is a
cower forward known for his size (6-
foot-4) and soft hands, who will "defi-
nitely be an elite pro prospect," Powers
said.
Center Dwight Helminen (Brighton,
Mich.) is known not only for his offen-
sive firepower, but his strength at both
ends of the ice. Linemate Eric Nystrom
(Syosset, N.Y.) has been compared to
Michigan captain Geoff Koch d
"Hie's a physical presence, hatd-wotk-
ing and character guy who everyone is
going to want on their line because he
works, gets you the puck, plays physical
and backchecks," Powers said.
Two older recruited forwards, Milan
Gajic (Burnaby, British Columbia) and
Michael Woodford (Westford, Mass.),
solidify a strong front line class that
Powers says is similarto the "special".cutr-
rent sophomore class with forwards like*
Hilbert and Mike Cammalleri. Rounding
See RECRUITS, Page 15A

welcomes

WARREN MILLER to
UN IVE RSITY OF MICHIGAN

SUNDAY, NOV.

19

7:00 PM

MICHIGAN THEATRE


Get tickets in advance at the Outdoor
FRecreation Center, North Campus

tk^" A

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-Aram,

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