0s ate 3idiigan uill POT michigandaily.com/sports sportsdesk@umich.edu FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2001 8 40 ---- - ------ 1.1.-....-------.-.-.-"-..-.....---.-.-- - ----------------- -- ------ -- -------- Rogers and Duckett present challenge for 'M' 6 0 DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Freshman forward Michael Woodford and the No. 14 Michigan hockey team will try to get back on track this weekend in Fairbanks. Blue, Nanooks both in uncharted territory By Jon Schwartz Daily Sports Editor By Steve Jackson Daily Sports Writer Alaska-Fairbanks coach Guy Gad- owsky doesn't know what to expect when the No. 14 Michigan hockey team (1-3-1 CCHA, 2-4-1 overall) vis- its the Land of the Midnight Sun this weekend. "Usually they come in here heavily favored after another sweep," Gad- owsky said. "This is very new ground for them. But regardless of how they started, we know that they are still the University of Michigan." After dropping two games at home to North- CARLSON ern Michigan last week, the Wolverines are off to who: Michig their worst start in 15 CA2a4arc years. In contrast, Alaska- When: 11:051 Fairbanks (2-2-0, 6-2-0) 11:05 tomorr is off to a surprisingly Latest: At eigl good start. Despite start- the CCHA, Mi ing the year last inthe torecoverthis CCHA media's preseason with two victo poll, the Nanooks now sit fourth in the conference standings. Historically, Alaska-Fairbanks has been a relatively easy target for the Wolverines. They defeated the Nanooks in each of the teams' first 18 games. But during the last two years under Gadowsky, Alaska-Fairbanks is 2-2 against Michigan. "I am really pleased with our start," Gadowsky said. "I think we have the program going in the right direction." Last season, Michigan started the weekend series against the Nanooks with an 8-0 blanking. But Alaska-Fair- banks came back to earn its first ever win in Yost Ice Arena the next night. From the very beginning of the 5-2 win, it was clear that the stars were aligned in Alaska-Fairbanks' favor. Just 26 seconds into the opening stanza, Michigan goalie Josh Black- burn headed for the bench after a delayed penalty call. Then a blueline slapshot from Mike Komisarek deflect- ed off a Alaska-Fairbanks player and slid all the way back into the Wolver- ines' empty net. I NC an( ank Sp.n ow hth chi sWE orie But this year's Nanooks shouldn't need fluke goals to keep up with Michigan. Alaska-Fairbanks is averag- ing nearly five goals per game this sea- son and eleven players have already lit the lamp more than once. "The key for us has been getting all four lines involved," Gadowsky said. "You can't key too much on any of our guys." Michigan's offense, on the other hand, has been led by junior Mike Cammalleri - the only Wolverine with more than two scores this season. CENTER "He is such a talented player," Gadowsky said. "I (11 don't know if the flow of ,ra2l2 vs. the gam e w ill allow us to m. tonight, shadow him, but he will night definitely get special i place in attention." garrneeds Michigan departed eekend early on Wednesday s in Alaska. morning, hoping to adjust to the four-hour time change before Friday night's tilt. But the players will not just forget about their schoolwork. "I think I'll be taking my laptop and most of my history books," freshman Jason Ryznar said. "You have plenty of time to read on the plane. It's a long flight." When Ryznar arrives, the Alaska native will have friends and family waiting for him. "It will be good to have some home fans cheering for me in the stands," said Ryznar, whose father, Daniel, has been in Ann Arbor watching him play the past month. INJURY UPDATE: Michigan captain Jed Ortmeyer has recovered from the mild concussion he suffered last Friday against Northern. He practiced on Monday and should be at full strength against Alaska-Fairbanks. But two other starters for the Wolverines could not make the trip - senior forward Craig Murray (separated shoulder) and junior defenseman Mike Roemensky (high ankle sprain). Throw away the records. Throw away the rankings. Throw away Michigan's national title hopes, at least for one day. None of that will matter tomorrow afternoon when Michigan (4-0 Big Ten, 6-1 overall) squares off against the Spartans (2-2, 4-2) in East Lans- ing. If the past is any indication, it won't matter that Michigan State is hampered by injuries to its second- ary. Michigan's momentum coming in should be nullified. And Marquise Walker, Michigan's superstar wide receiver, will be just another soldier on the battlefield of Spartan Stadi- um. "Emotions are real high right now," Michigan quarterback John Navarre said. "I think it is a little bit higher ,because it is Michigan State week. Obviously it's a big game and emotions are high this week." The intrastate rivalry always pro- vides for a big game. Michigan State's surprising win two years ago in East Lansing was countered by a shutout last year from Michigan's notoriously poor defense. Sure, the Spartans have won three of the last four matchups in East Lansing. But as center Kurt Anderson put it, the past is just that. "What they did two years ago has no effect on me because we have a different team," Anderson said. "One thing that won't change is that it's Michigan and Michigan State. Years past have no bearing on this year's game." For three hours tomorrow, the state's collective eye will be focused on Spartan Stadium. It will be watching Jeff Smoker, the Big Ten's most efficient quarter- back, who will lead the upset-minded Spartans into the game. Michigan's pass rush may be good - far better than last year - but Smoker has a security blanket this time around - Charles Rogers. "(Charles) Rogers is going to be one of the all-time great (receivers)," said Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. The Saginaw native is averaging just under 100 yards per game, and has scored five touchdowns. While the Michigan defense is stronger than in recent years, a dis- tinct weakness still lies in its second- ary. The only way to stop Rogers is to make sure that Smoker doesn't have time to find him. "We always want to put pressure on the opposing quarterback," said Michigan defensive end Shantee Orr. "We all need to step up and put a good pass rush on to try and make the opponent to be one dimensional." Forcing the Spartans to run, though, might not be the best thing. T.J. Duckett is one of the nation's finest running backs, and has the MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily Michigan quarterback John Navarre, whose performance has exceeded all expectations thus far, will need to continue his consistent play tomorrow. speed and power to run all over op onents. But Michigan counters with the nation's best rush defense. Michigan is looking to Walker, who will be going up against the Spartans depleted secondary. The senior, whose name is starting to draw Heisman Trophy acknowledge- ment, will need to be huge if Michi- gan can win the battle. "Theypresent a lot of problems'- No. 1, us being able to match up with their receivers,in the passing game," said Michigan State coach Bobby Williams. "We've lost several defen- sive backs already this year so we've been forced to make some personnel moves." I STAFF PICKS WEEK 9 SELEcTIONS ALL PICKS MADE AGAINST THE SPREAD. HOME TEAMS IN CAPS. Mtehigan (-6) at MICHIGAN STATE Ohio State (-2) at MINNESOTA Northwestern (-3) at INDIANA; PURDUE (-3) vs. Illinois Iowa (-2) at WISCONSIN PENN STATE (-2) vs. Southern Mississippi Tennessee (-8) at NOTRE DAME ALABAMA (-4.5) vs. Louisiana State Stanford (-I) at WASHINGTON Florida State (-8) at CLEMSON MISSISSIPPI STATE (-7.5) vs. Kentucky Kansas State (-7) at IOWA STATE Texas A&M (-4.5) at TEXAS TECH Virginia Tech (-18.5) at PITTSBURGH MARYLAND (-22) vs. Troy State Best bet Raphael ArunJ Goodstein GopalI MNfehigan Michigan Jeff Jon Phillips Schwartz Michigoa aehiat Ohio State Minnesota ~North restsrn : Northwestern Northwest rrtf _{Oy hw r Illinois Purdue Illinois Purdue Iowa Wisconsin WIisconsin Wiscon; Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Louisiana State Alabama Louisiana State Louisiana State Washingto Washington Washing.n; .tKfr Florida State Clemson Florida State Florida State Miss$stpI State Mississippi State KentkyK Iowa State Iowa State Iowa State Iowa State Texas A&M Texas Tech Texas A&M . Texs Tc Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Troy Start Maryland Tray StateTr a Virginia Tech Washington Tennessee Penn State 8-7 (1-0) 5-10 (0-1) 7-8 (0-1) 8-7 (1-0) S Record last week (Best bets) Record to date (Best bets) 61-44 (5-2) 52-53 (3-4) 51-54 (3-4) 56-49 (5-2) Shaq helps Moore develop his skills PROCRASTINATION STATION By Joe Smith Daily Sports Editor When Shaquille O'Neal invited Josh. Moore to work out at his lavish home in Los Angeles this summer, Moore. found out that his resemblance to the NBA All-Star extended further than just body and shoe size. They share the same blood. Moore knew that they had been delivered by the same doctor, but discovered that he and the former NBA Most Valuable Player are related through cousins. And CRISLER ARENA Who: Michigan vs. EA Sports Midwest All-Stars When: 2 p.m. Latest: The Amaker era begins in Crisler Arena against the EA Sports Midwest All-Stars and former Michigan center Josh Asselin. after breaking down Moore through watching tape and individual workouts, O'Neal told him that the comparisons don't end there. "I guess he sees a lot of himself in me," Moore said. He remembers O'Neal telling him, "'That was me when I was younger' and that when he was a freshman in college, he made a lot of the same mistakes." Both big men were forced to grow into huge frames and size 21 shoes after late growth spurts, making their foot- work and style of play very important in the college game. O'Neal has adapt- ed to his size in fine fashion, and had some tips for Moore to do the same. "He told me to play a little softer," Moore said. "He said, 'You don't have to be aggressive. Make guys want to step up and play you strongly because the guys who play you softly, you're playing too aggressively and you get fouls every time."'" Moore and O'Neal worked out three times a day, and ate breakfast, lunch See MOORE, Page 9 Seven Blue Stickers honored by Big Ten Yesterday, Michigan midfielder/for- ward Adrienne Hortillosa was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Hor- tillosa was a welcome force for the Wolverines, netting three goals and one assist for seven points in Big Ten play. She is the second straight Wolverine to take home the award, as sophomore defender Kristi Gannon received the honor last season. Gannon, sophomore defender Stephanie Johnson and senior defender Catherine Foreman were all named to All-Big Ten first team. In addition, four Wolverines were named to the All-Big Ten second team: Hortillosa, sophomore forward April Fronzoni, junior midfielder Jessica Rose and senior defender Maureen Tasch. MICHIGAN 62 M IC HIGA N STIATlE 43 is WHENYOUTHINK "SERVICE" THINK "KOLOSSOS".k A Kolossos your business is important to us, so well work hard to inke sure its done righ~t ThinkIof US Aen yOu need disserlalions, black and white or oor copies offseI printing, color laserprintilg, binding, over size inket printing, vinyl signs ad baners. Before every football game this sea- son, Daily football writers Jeff Phillips and Jon Schwartz will take the week- end's matchup to the Playstation 2. Play of the game - Late in the first quarter, the Wolverines stop the Spar- tans on fourth and one and then turn it around for a score on the next play. Player of the game - Michigan's QB No. 16 killed the Michigan State sec- ondary all day, racking up eight touch- downs. Michigan key stats Passing: QB No. 16- 17-of-23, 486 yards, 8 touchdowns Michigan State key stats Receiving: WR No. 1- 8 receptions, 298 yards, 1 touchdown For this week's matchup, coach Schwartz led the home Spartans and coach Phillips took the helm for the Wolverines again. PRESS CONFERENCE OUOTES: Michigan head coach Jeff Phillips: I'm not sure if that was the best perform- ance from quarterback this season, but it was damn good. WR No. 4 had his moments alIso.. I think coach Schwartz has given up hope about winning another game. I warned him that this day would come and guess what - it has ... The crowd at this game was the largest ever for Procrastination Station and think it came away impressed ... Challengers? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller? Michigan State head coach Jon Schwartz My god ... i ,*.>. *I* -- . S- - - The pain doesn't stop. Things looked AW