Fniday September 27, 2002 michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu ReTicSdgan ttug 8 0 Hold the Champ.aign Desperate Illini could w z put end to 'M' streak Lloyd, Young will test young Blue secondary By Joe Smith Daily Sports Editor Illinois wide receiver Brandon Lloyd has aspirations of becoming the next big-time anchor on SportsCenter. The junior, who interned at Fox Sports Mid- west this past summer, wants to get a chance to use his own repertoire of catchy phrases on the ESPN television show when he gradgates. But for now, Lloyd will just stick to watching his big-play catches getting plastered on highlight shows. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Biletnikoff Award candidate had 60 catches for 1,006 yards last season. Along with senior Walter Young, Lloyd and the Illi- nois receiving corps will pose a tremen- dous test to Michigan's secondary Saturday in Champaign. Boyz II Men Illinois boasts a trio of experienced wide receivers in Brandon Lloyd, Aaron Moorehead and Walter Young. Here's a look at what they were doing in their freshman sea- sons way back in 1999: Lloyd: Set Illini freshman receiving record with 511 yards. Moorehead: Averaged 15 yards per reception, proving he could balance a "Leisure Studies" major with football. Young: Caught a 31-yard touchdown pass in Illinois' comeback win against Michigan. Meanwhile, current Michigan cor- nerbacks were busy in high school: Markus Curry: Placed first in the 800- meter relay. Zia Combs: Starred as a wide receiver at Henry Clay High School (Ky.) Marlin Jackson: Practiced his Heis- man pose in front of the mirror. "With the skill they have offensively, Illinois will challenge us in a way that we haven't been challenged yet," Michi- gan coach Lloyd Carr said. Averaging nearly 600 yards in total offense over the past two games, Illinois (1-3) knows how to spread a defense out. And despite losing star quarterback Kurt Kittner to graduation, John Beutjer, a junior transfer from Iowa, has emerged from the Illinois quarterback carousel and seems to be finding his touch. Beut- jer has racked up 703 yards and eight touchdowns in his two starts this. year - against San Jose State and Arkansas State - and he is ranked second in the conference in passing efficiency. What makes this challenge from the Illini different, Michigan safety Julius Curry said, is that they have so many weapons that you can't just lock Marlin Jackson on the top receiver. "They have four of the best receivers in the Big Ten this year," said Curry, who is coming off a two-interception performance against Utah last Saturday. "Everyone is averaging over 11 yards per catch and that is real hard to beat." Illinois' ability to extend the field vertically may not bode too well for a Michigan defense that has been giving up too many big plays. The Wolverines gave up five plays of more than 20 yards against Notre Dame and three more against Utah last Saturday. "We've seemed vulnerable to the big play," Carr said. Although Michigan's defense seemed to be its strength against the Utes, Illi- nois vast array of experienced weapons could help some young Wolverines such as Markus Curry and Zia Combs see what they're made of. "It puts (Curry and Combs) in a posi- tion where they have to make big plays and stand out," Julius Curry said. "Either they are as good as everyone By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Writer AP PHOTO Illinois receiver Walter Young emerged as one of the nation's top talents in last season's Sugar Bowl loss to Louisiana State. says or they are not." Julius was surprised his brother Markus spent last Saturday on the side- lines, apparently benched for his lack- adaisical effort on a few long pass plays by Notre Dame the week before. "He took it pretty hard," Julius said of his brother. "He learned from his mistake. He has a lot to prove to the team and everyone back home." And if the Michigan secondary does slip up, Lloyd and Young plan to be ready to pounce. Both had an interesting offseason, as Lloyd - a former high school state champion in high jump and hurdles - spent most of his extra time on the track working out. And Young, MEMORIAL STADIUM Who: No. 14 Michigan (3-1) at Illinois (1-3) When: Saturday 3:30 p.m. ABC Latest: Illinois looks to regain its Big Ten Championship form of a year ago against a Michigan team trying to find consistency in both teams' conference opener. who caught 50 passes for 890 yards last year, joined the Illinois basketball team. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior saw action in two games, but left the team after the Assembly Hall floor began to take a toll on his knees. But Young's knees haven't hampered him as of late, as he caught eight passes for 153 yards and a touchdown against San Jose State last week. And despite Illi- nois losing two of its three games by three points, the defending Big Ten champions hope their first home win against Michigan since 1983 will help turn the barrage of boos at Memorial Sta- dium toward an opponent for a change. "Their fans absolutely hate us," said Michigan offensive lineman Tony Pape. "Their fans are right on top of you. They are screaming obscenities down at you. It's funny to hear, but it kind of gets in your head a little bit." Looks can be deceiving. While defending Big Ten Champi- on Illinois is stumbling into confer- ence play with a 1-3 record and has plenty of questions that need to be answered, No. 14 Michigan could just as easily have the same record. The Wolverines, who squeaked out victories at home over Washing- ton and Utah, have just as many concerns to address as the Fighting Illini, making Saturday's Big Ten opener in Champaign a dangerous game for Michigan. MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE VS. ILLINOIS PASSING DEFENSE: The two units in question have been equally inconsistent. Michigan quarterback John Navarre has shown signs of improvement from last season, but his numbers are almost identical through four games. He's. been able to feel pressure in the pocket much better, but his throws are frequently erratic and put his receivers in awk- ward positions. But those same receivers haven't helped Navarre much. Their drops and fumbles have killed drives and have forced Navarre to begin to focus more on one receiver, sophomore Braylon Edwards. Edwards will have his hands full with one of the top cover corners in the Big Ten, Eugene Wilson. But Wilson and the Illini defensive backs have not picked off one pass this season, and they have shown vulnerability, giving up 408 yards passing in their loss last week to San Jose State. The key will be Navarre's ability to find different receivers, such as tight end Bennie Joppru, to take some of the focus away from Edwards. Edge: Even MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. ILLINOIS RUSHING DEFENSE: The Illini have been ravaged on the ground, giving up 285 and 201 yards in ILLINOIS PASSING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE: The Illi- nois passing attack is thriving behind newly named starting quar- terback Jon Beutjer. The transfer from Iowa won the job from Dustin Ward and has since thrown nine touchdowns and just three intercep- tions. Beutjer can throw to three explosive receivers in Brandon Lloyd, Walter Young and Aaron Moorehead, giving him a chance to survey the entire field and keep all of Michigan's corners on their toes. Michigan's cornerbacks have count- ed on Marlin Jackson to shut down half the field, but Illinois will divide the field into thirds and fourths for most of the game. The Wolverines will count on their experienced, yet inconsistent, core of safeties to keep the Illini at bay. Edge: Illinois 0 losses at Missouri and Southern Mississippi, respectively. Oppo- nents are pounding Illinois up and down the field, scoring 10 rushing touchdowns to just three passing. The Michigan running game has been solid, a s Chris Perry has emerged as a consistent threat on the ground. Perry has run for 102 yards per game thus far, but his fumbles have kept the running game from excelling. Look for Michigan's offensive line, which has had trouble getting the necessary push near the goalline, to control the game and punch the ball in the end zone against a weak Illinois run defense. Edge: Michigan U . .. v a ILLINOIS RUSHING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE: Illinois is rushing for 176 yards per game thanks to the trio of Antoineo Har- ris, Carey Davis and Virgil Morris. Harris gets most of the work, as he's rushed for more than 400 yards. While the Illini runners been effective, the offense will likely be centered around the pass against, a Michigan run defense that is giving up fewer than 100 yards per game. 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