0 Friday October 4, 2002 michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu SPORTS 8 Blue defense not a worry for coaches, By Jeff Phillips Daily Sports Editor After giving up 543 yards to Illinois last Saturday, Michigan is giving up an average of 360 yards per game of total offense, sixth in the Big Ten. But coach Lloyd Carr is not as concerned about giving up yards, because he knows that is not the most sig- nificant stat. "You're always going to look at statis- tics, but there is always one important sta- tistic and that's the score," Carr said. "After that it comes down to turnovers. If you win the FOOTBALL turnover margin, you're Notebook going to win and that's the goal." After forcing five turnovers and giving up just one against the Illini, the Wolverines are now 18th in the nation in turnover margin, at plus 7 (16 for, nine against). Turnovers have been a key factor in Michigan's 4-1 record, both in the wins and the loss. "When you consider the competition that we've faced you realize that turnovers aren't easy to come by," Carr said. "Every- one understands that you have a hard time winning games when you lose the turnover battle." In Michigan's only loss this season, a 25- 23 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame, both teams had four turnovers apiece. Above just winning the turnover battle, the offense must take advantage of its opportunities. Against the Illini, the Wolverines' offense did just that, turning the five turnovers into 24 points. The offense could not that against the Irish. The yardage given up against Illinois is a bit deceiving as Michigan had pretty much wrapped up the game by the third quarter Exhibition weekend brings changes to icers' lineup By Dan Rosen Daily Sports Writer When he came to Michigan, junior Dave Wyzgowski was an offensive player. He had never played anywhere but up front through- out his entire hockey career. But when the Wolverines take the ice for their first two exhibi- tion games of the season - in the YOST I annual Blue/White Intrasquad Who: Blue/ tonight and against Toronto intrasquad tomorrow - Wyzgowski will have exhibition g We: 7:05 to be a lot more defensive-minded When:7: 5 than ever before. That's because asFive the North Street native will be their lonesh playing on the blueline for the the coache first time in his life. ting this we The Michigan coaching staff approached Wyzgowksi after last season to see if he might be willing to make a move to help the team's depth on defense. At first, the junior was bit unsure. "To be honest with you, I didn't know what to think about it," Wyzgowski said. "After a couple of days, I started enjoying myself out there. And so far, it's been going pretty well." It's been going so well, in fact, that Wyz- gowski has earned high praise from his defen- sive partner Brandon Rogers. "I think it's definitely a tough transition to go from forward to defense," Rogers said. "I think he's adjusted excellently. He couldn't have done it any better." Rogers even thinks that Wyzgowski's expe- rience as a forward will help him with his new position. "I think him having been a forward for the whole time he's been a player helps," Rogers said. "He has an offensive edge that he plays with." Wyzgowski's adjustment began in the off- season when he spent a lot of time working on his skating. With his new position in mind, he focused his energy on skating backwards more fluidly - something he didn't have to do much as a forward. Rogers thinks that Wyzgowski adds a lot to the team with his strength alone. "He's probably one of the strongest guys on our team," Rogers said. "He hits guys when he CE ARENA White and Toronto ames. p.m. tonight tomorrow ewalkons get fot to impress s in a game set- ekend. has a chance." This weekend will be a big test for Wyzgowski at his new posi- tion. Even though he has been strong in practice, the junior says that he has to prove to the coach- ing staff that he can hold his own in a game situation. "This will be the first game he's probably ever played on defense," Michigan coach Red Berenson said of tonight's exhibition. "So let's see if he's comfortable there DANNY MOLOSHOK/ Daily Defensive lineman Dan Rumishek and the rest of the defense may have given up over 500 yards against Illinois last week, but they are not a question mark for the Wolverines. or if there's just no way. He looks pretty good in practice." If he does earn a defensive spot on the team, the junior will be one of just three blue- liners that are upperclassmen - along with alternate captain Andy Burnes and senior Mike Roemensky. "Every day I'm learning something new I guess," Wyzgowski said. "So far it's working out pretty well, but I still have to go out there tomorrow and show (the coaches) that I can do it." USCHO top 10 poll TEAM POINTS LAST YEAR 1 Minnesota 563 3 2 Denver 515 2 3 MICHIGAN 499 7 4 New Hampshire 419 1 5 Boston University 400 5 6 Maine 369 6 7 Michigan State 360 4 8 Cornell 315 9 9 Boston College 252 - 10 Colorado College 229 10 and Carr used the fourth quarter to give other players more time on the field. "We substituted at the end of three quar- ters because number one, we had control, of the game and it gave us an opportunity to play a lot of our younger players," Carr said of playing the second string. "As far as the score goes, would you like to come out of there allowing only 13 points? Yes, but the game was clearly in hand and it was in the best interests of our program that we give those young players experience and another important factor is that when you leave people in the risk of injury is higher." BYE, BYE LOVE: According the Carr the bye week couldn't have come at a better time. It is very early in the Big Ten season, giving the Wolverines a break before the long haul. "Anytime the week comes during the middle of the season it enables you to get your breath," Carr said. "If you have it late See DEFENSE, Page 9. 0 he khig ODaily Display Team UIZ; bb S a C E ~p ie of the Y8e6 B byDShap'Aat' IN i MPPPP, Sponsored by D'Amato's b Italian Restaurant Similar Spartans could give stickers problems By Brian Steere Daily Sports Writer NCAA Tournament and ended Michi- gan State's season. At the same time, it propelled the Wolverines into the Final Four, where they went on to us with everything they've got." With nearly identical records, rankings and win streaks, it's no sur- Saying the Michigan State field hockey team wants to beat Michigan is definitely an understatement. After all, the Wolverines have given the Spartans plenty of reasons to sin- gle them out besides the standard competitive nature of the intra-state rivalry. Michigan has won the past eight contests between the two schools, including a pair of thrilling 2-1 over- time victories last season. Michigan's second win of the series last year came in the quarterfinals of the prise that claim the program's first national championship. A year later, No. 2 Michigan (1-0 Big Ten, 9-1 overall) and No. 5 Michigan State (1-0, 10- 1) are once again the pre- eminent powers in the Big Ten, but the Spartans are coming to Ocker Field this afternoon rid- ing a nation's best -10- OJCKER FIELD Who: No.6 Michigan St. at No.2 Michigan. When: 4 p.m. Latest: The Wolverines are 8-0 against the Spartans since 1997, winning both of their meetings last year in overtime. both teams have defeated their opponents in simi- lar fashion. The Wolver- ines and Spartans have consistently demolished inferior competition, but they've also showed an ability to win close games, which leaves the outlook of today's game up in the air. "It's hard to say what the turnout is going to be, this season. The Wolverines must con- tain her if they want to keep the game a low-scoring affair. Beerman "is certainly a very dan- gerous player, and we're going to be mindful of her," Pankratz said. "We've watched their corners, and we're going to try to offset tactically and do the best we can to neutralize her." Michigan has a myriad of offensive threats in its attack, including Powers, who has amassed nine goals this year and garnered several Big Ten Offen- sive Player of the Week awards. Pow- ers knows that it will be critical for the Wolverines to continually apply pressure to the Spartans' goalkeeper, Christina Kirkaldy. "I think it's going to be important for us to take a lot of shots," Powers said. "We've been taking a lot of shots in every game. We've really focused on getting into the circle and getting at least a corner or a shot. I think it's going to come down to who executes the corners." Corner of 1st and Huron St. Downtown AA (734) 623-7400 www.damatos.com I ANN ARBOR REALTY LOCATION - LOCATION - LOCATION Central Campus Efficiencies, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apts. Starting at $575/Jmo. Includes some utilities. ANN ARBOR REALTY 616 CHURCH (734) 663-7444 Open Mon-Fri, 9 am to 5:30 pm Mn ° PT'S RECORDS & USED CDS 617 Packard Upstairs Paying S4 to $6 for top CD's in top condition. Also buying premium LP's and cassettes. Open 7 days 663"3441 The selection is ENDLESS game winning streak and on a mission to hand the Wolverines their first home loss of the season. "Without a doubt, Michigan State is going to come in here with everything they've got," senior Molly Powers said. "They give us a good game every time. They're a tough team - strong competitors and good hockey players. They're going to want to beat but I certainly think it's going to be a really close contest," Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. "I think Michi- gan State is very talented. It's going to be a fast-paced, high-tempo, very skilled game. It will be one of the best hockey games in the whole nation." Annebet Beerman, a sophomore midfielder, is the Spartans' main offensive threat with 12 goals already Team chemistry a key for Blue rowers success By Sharad Mattu For the Daily Two years ago the Michigan women's rowing team finished sec- ond in the NCAA Championships, the program's best finish in the five- year existence of the tournament. But last season, Michigan was so consumed with finishing first that they became frustrated and unhappy over the course of the season. Michi- gan finished eighth in the champi- onships, their worst ever finish. This year the seniors on the row- ing team do no want a repeat of last year and have chosen to make team chemistry a top priority. "Last year the team was focused only on the results, and over time we stopped working together as a team," senior Chritina Ceo said. "This year the seniors have tried to get the team unified. Already the team has had a spaghetti dinner and a pizza party with the freshmen to get to know them better. "We want this team to be a real close group." Michigan coach Mark Rothstein is happy to see the seniors making an effort to bring the team together this year. "To have a successful season, we PITTSBURGH Who: Michigan rowing at the Head of the, Ohio. When: 8 a.m. Latest: The Michigan rowing team will wet their oars outside the state of Michigan for the first time this season. need the seniors to be leaders," Michigan caoch Mark Rothstein said. "This team has a lot of good athletes and they all have good atti- tudes, but in the end the senior class really will define this team." This weekend Michigan will see whether these efforts are paying off, when it visits Pittsburgh to compete in the Head of the Ohio regatta. Although Rothstein is not overly concerned with results during the fall, he is eager to see how the team performs. "Saturday will be a good chance to see where we are right now rela- tive to some other good teams," Rothstein said. "It is very early in the season though, so I won't dwell on the results too much. What I really want to see are strong fundamentals and good attitudes, because that is what will make me believe we will be a good team in the spring." Ceo agrees with coach Rothstein's decision to focus on fundamentals. "We have a lot of rookies on the team this year, so during the fall it is important to focus on technique ROCK THE HOUSE Michigan vs. Indiana Friday, October 4 7 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena t j f } t ?, t t f j f 3 Z i i . I