s w www mw lqw w lw wr ! w 12B - The Michigan Daily - KICKoFF 2002 - Thursday, September 5, 2002 DANNY MOLU0i-,/Da iy Strong safety Julius Curry. ANALYSIS Continued from Page 11B Jackson and has potential but lacks much game experience. Still he looked sharp against Washington, nabbing Michigan's only interception. "There was a lot of talk about Reggie Williams destroying our secondary, and that didn't happen," Curry said. "We made a statement as a secondary today, we made some mistakes but those will be fixed." Curry and Jackson are supported by experienced cornerbacks Jeremy LeSueur, and Brandon Williams, but Zia Combs will be the first to come in off the bench. At safety there is also a lot of experi- ence. Fifth-year senior free safety Cato June has battled injuries his entire career and has yet to live up to the high expecta- tions. He is backed up by redshirt fresh- man Ernest Shazor, who at 6-foot-4 has loads of potential. At strong safety, seniors Julius Curry and Charles Drake will both see significant action. DEFENSIVE LINE: The Wolverines return their entire starting defensive line in Shantee Orr, Norman Heuer, Shawn Lazarus and Dan Rumishek, with Grant Bowman and Larry Stevens also seeing the field often. The group had a successful season and now have to deal with the high expectations that come as a returning starter. Against Washington, the line effectively stopped the run, but could not stop the three-step drop of Cody Pickett and the Huskies. "That's our goal all year, we want to stop the run and force the team to pass," Rumishek said. "Unfortunately they had a game plan and they executed it." Rumishek notched the only two sacks for the Wolverines, but Pickett was hurried and knocked down the entire game. Redshirt freshmen Pierre Woods and Pat Massey were highly recruited out of high school and should be ready to step in after sitting out last season. LINEBACKERS: Michigan has rarely had a dearth of talented linebackers and this season is no different. Zach Kauf- man, Carl Diggs, Scott McClintock and Lawrence Reid are all ready to step up with the departure of Larry Foote and Eric Brackins at inside linebacker, despite their lack of experience. Reid "is a guy that can run. He is tough and competes hard," Carr said before the season. "Scott McClintock is going to be a heck of a football player here." But the crown jewel is fifth-year senior and captain Victor Hobson He showed why against Washington, leading the way with a team-high nine tackles, eight solo. As a group, the linebackers were solid but not outstanding. They were unable to stop the Huskies' quick passes underneath, but combined well with the defensive line to stop the run. The low-key Hobson doesn't think they have too much to worry about for the rest of the season. "As long as we go out and execute and play like we know how, I think we'll be all right," Hobson said. SPECIAL TEAMS: A thrilling Philip Brabbs kick may have eliminated his early jitters and earned the starting spot and Adam Fin- ley punted extremely well in the opener. Julius Curry will handle the punt returning duties again this season, with Chris Perry and Jeremy LeSueur han- dling kickoffs. 2>. Western Michigan September 7 Western Michigan returns to the Big House with its potent, spread offense attack. But it also returns with its porous, weak defensive unit. Michigan should roll again in this game, barring an unforseen complete collapse. Last season: 38-21, Michigan at Notre Dame September 14 After a two-year hiatus, Michigan renews its rivalry with Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish looked impressive in their 22-0 blanking of No. 20 Maryland on Saturday and new coach Tyrone Willingham could have a Tressel-esque reception with a win. Last season: Did not play. Utah September 21 A late addition to Michigan's schedule, Utah - a contender in the Mountain West - could sneak up on the Wolverines if they suffer a letdown after what promises to be an emotional game against the Fighting Irish. Last season: Did not play. at Illinois September 28 Returning Big Ten champion Illinois hasn't received much respect after losing star quarterback Kurt Kittner. But Champaign is a tough place to play and the Illini could avenge an embarrassing loss from last September. Last season: 42-17, Michigan Penn State October 12 As usual, legendary coach Joe Paterno refuses to hype his Nittany Lions, who could contend for a Big Ten title. Penn State hasn't beaten Michigan since it joined the Big Ten. Paterno could be passed by Bobby Bowden at this point. Last season: 20-0, Michigan at Purdue October 19 The Boilermakers are again below the Big Ten radar, but after solidi- fiying the quarterback position with Kyle Orton in the middle of last season, Purdue could turn some heads again with an always powerful offense. Last season: 24-10, Michigan Iowa October 26 Iowa just missed an upset before its home crowd last season and the rotating quarterback situation didn't help. This season, Brad Banks brings a mobile threat that is so popular these day and could give Michigan fits. Last season: 32-26, Michigan SCHEDULING CONFLICTS DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Defensive lineman Shantee Orr. Michigan State November 2 The Spartans could be undefeated entering this contest thanks to a very favorable schedule and a very favorable pitch-and-catch combo in Jeff Smoker and Charles Rogers. This is Michigan State's game of the year and it should be ready. Last season: 26-24, Michigan State at Minnesota November 9 On paper, Minnesota doesn't have enough to challenge the Wolver- ines, but strange things can happen at a night game in the Metrodome, so you never know. Asad Abdul-Kaliq is another mobile 1 Big Ten quarterback. Last season: 31-10, Michigan Wisconsin November 16 Michigan got a lucky bounce at the end of last season against the Badgers to set up a game-winning field goal by Hayden Epstein. With the return of Lee Evans and emergence of Jonathon Orr, Wisconsin's passing game should be powerful. Last season: 20-17, Michigan Is success a W- y'" at Ohio State November 23 Last season, this game made Buckeyes' coach Jim Tressel a hero and led to the preseason excitement surrounding Ohio State. If the Big Ten title isn't decided against Michigan State, it could be ironed out in the season finale at the Horseshoe. Last season: 26-20. Ohio State IL BI&~HIROSSI b TuRl '..0 . \p I' UV~ \AC3P i B or making a big difference? -Priesthood IT'S A GOOD LIFE If you feel called to the priesthood, contact your parish priest or call Fr. Karl Pong, Director of Seminarians Diocese of Lansing 517-342-2507. A loving heart and a willingness to learn is all it costs. #+i 9h*# F +..;x+ ,!.i.. ii.ii.a+* .i t.,C *,*i., * * ******. *. "V$ 4 * , ,*,taFr.. a. .xIaia: * *,,*,, * +. tm. ' a * ,x t +4 ok EHyaitR