Friday October 18, 2002 michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu PORTS 10 No. 11 Michigan at Purdue Tomorrow, Noon.. Ross-Ade Stadium ESPN Ross-Ade has posed problems for Varsity By Jeff Phillips Daily Sports Editor Trips to West Lafayette have not been kind to Michigan on the past two occasions, as the Wolverines came in with high hopes only to squander the opportunity. This sea- son, the situation is the same, with Michigan atop the Big Ten and Pur- due looking to spoil hopes of a Rose Bowl bid. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr acknowledged his team's struggles in Ross-Ade Stadium. "It seems like everybody in the Big Ten has a place that is very difficult for them on the road," Carr said. "It is the same field, but there are a lot of factorsain terms of the crowd, the noise, and when the momentum is against you, you are going to have to deal with the energy that it provides to the home team." In 1996, the Wolverines entered the game with a 7-1 record before falling to the Boilermakers, 9-3. After the loss, Michigan ended the season 1-2, falling to Penn State and losing 17-14 to Alabama in the Outback bowl. In 2000, one of the most heralded offenses in Michigan history built a 28-10 halftime lead, but could only muster three points in the second half and lost 32-31 on a field goal by Pur- due's Travis Dorsch with four sec- onds on the clock. The two games are the similar to this season's game in that Michigan is still vying for, the Big Ten title, but dif- ferent in that Purdue is flying a bit under the radar with its 3-4 record and two Big Ten losses. But that record may be deceiving, as the Boilermakers have lost their four games by an aver- age of five points with none of the games decided until the final drive. "We have got to get better because I think that Purdue could very easily be undefeated and has lost four very heartbreaking games," Carr said. Blue's 'Killer B's' key at Purdue By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Writer Purdue coach Joe Tiller needs a break. His Boilermakers, thought to be a sleeper in the Big Ten, have lost four games by a total of 20 points. Tiller boasts a 1,500-yard passer, a 679-yard rusher and an 817-yard receiver, but he has just three wins to show for it. That's probably because his offense has coughed up the ball 21 times. Despite the way things have gone, the Boilermakers' solid defense and talent at the skill posi- tions could make things interesting in West Lafayette against a Michigan team still riding the emotions of another Big House classic. MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. PUR- DUE RUSHING DEFENSE: The Michigan running game has gone on and off like the flip of a switch. Last Satur- day, against Penn State's massive front four, Michigan struggled to get yards on the ground early. But running back Chris Perry gained 80 tough yards, including the most important three to win the game for Michigan in over- time. A solid Purdue run defense that is giving up just 144 yards per game on the ground will likely stifle the Michigan ground game, but when the Wolverines' offensive line turns on the switch, look out. Edge: Michigan. MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE VS. PUR- DUE RUSHING OFFENSE: Michigan's rep- utation as a staunch defensive team against the run was losing validity before last Saturday. But Michigan held Penn State running back Larry Johnson to his second-lowest output of the season with just 78 yards. Pur- due has found a solid running back in Joey Harris, but the Boilermakers will have to take better care of the football to have a successful week against Michigan's front seven. Edge: Michigan MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE VS. PUR- DUE PASSING DEFENSE: Michigan quar- terback John Navarre has turned into a dependable signal caller in 2002. The junior has taken just nine sacks and has thrown just three intercep- tions. The key to stopping the Wolver- ines' attack will be shutting down Michigan's "Killer B's." If receivers Ron Bellamy, Calvin Bell and Tyrece Butler disappear, offensive coordinator Terry Malone may have to dig into his bag of tricks to move the ball. Purdue's pass defense-has been impressive, although the Boilermakers haven't faced many pass-happy opponents. Michigan, believe it or not, is pass-happy these days, which doesn't bode well for a secondary that hasn't been tested through the air. Edge: Michigan. MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE VS. PUR- DUE PASSING OFFENSE: Purdue's quater- back situation could be worse. Sophomore Kyle Orton has put up decent numbers, and true freshman Brandon Kirsch showed his athleti cism in his first legitimate action at Iowa two weeks ago. The player who throws the passes Saturday will have two big threats in receivers Jon Standeford and Taylor Stubblefield. Michigan cornerback Marlin Jackson was dominated by Penn State receiver Bryant Johnson, and will need to f. See BOILERS, Page 11 BRENDAN O'DONNELL/Daily Senior fullback B.J. Askew carries the ball in a Ipss at Notre Dame. Askew and the Wolverines have struggled on the road recently, especially in West Lafayette. "They have 17 starters back on offense and defense from a year ago, and I see it as an outstanding defen- sive football team." Purdue coach Joe Tiller believes that having a young and inexperi- enced team is actually a benefit when enduring so many tough losses. "I think young guys, particularly if you have a young team, they are just anxious to go out and play another game," Tiller said. "They get over a loss quicker than a more experienced team. That may be helping us." Despite its poor record, Purdue still has a potent offense that ranks 12th in the nation with 446 yards per game. With two capable quarterbacks in sophomore Kyle Orton and the more mobile freshman B ranidon Kirsch, the Wolverines' defense will need to be prepared for either situation. "I think they both are pretty good passers," Michigan free safety Cato June said. "They can stay in there and make decent passes. I think they are going to hit passes here and there and not go for the big play every time. In their scheme, both of them can get the job done." Although Purdue put up more than 500 yards of offense in each of the past two games, both were losses. This is obviously a concern for Tiller, who knows just how talented Michi- gan's offense is. Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards "is a special talent. And I think they have the best tight end in the league," Tiller said. "I think their skill people are exceptional and maybe that is helping their quarter- back out a little too." Like in 2000, the problem for the Wolverines won't necessarily be scor- ing points, but figuring out how to keep the Boilermakers out of the end- zone. And with Iowa and Ohio State. both playing extremely well, Michi- gan cannot afford to drop another game in West Lafayette if it expects to keep pace. Olsen to debut against Merrimack *I By Bob Hunt Daily Sports Writer Eric Nystrom has been a star during his short career at Michigan. Walking onto campus last season, he became the Wolverines' second leading goal scorer. This past summer, he was drafted with the 10th pick of the NHL Entry Draft. But even he didn't expect the honor that was bestowed upon him on Wednesday. "I was skating around in practice and (Michi- gan coach Red Berenson) told me 'You're going to be a captain, start thinking like one,"' Nystrom said. "I was as surprised as anybody else." While he is only a sophomore, Nystrom will be wearing the 'A' on his sweater when the Wolverines go up against Hockey East foe Mer- rimack this weekend. The role of alternate captain is almost always given to an upperclassmen, but after senior John Shouneyia got injured against Toronto and junior YOST ICE Who: Michigan Merrimack (0O- When:7:30 p.m and Saturday Latest: The Wolw deal with the los Ryznar and Andy this tune-up for t opener next weel Nystrom is not the only player getting an opportunity due to Burnes' illness. Sophomore Reilly Olsen will make his collegiate debut tonight playing alongside Eric Werner on defense. Olsen came to Ann Arbor as part of one of the most highly regarded freshman classes in school history, but had trouble adjusting from Northern Alberta to Michigan. While he did settle in as the season progressed, the Wolverines could ill-afford to try him out on defense as they were in a tight CCHA race ARENA with Michigan State. 1-1-0) vs. "I think it was all confidence, Berenson said. .s) "He was just overwhelmed by Michigan. I don't . tomorrow think he had that worldly confidence like Eric Werner had or Eric Nystrom." 'erines must To Olsen, seeing his name on the line chart ses of Jason after practice was something he has been work- Burnes in ing toward for quite sometime. he CCHA "It's been a long time coming" Olseq said. "I :k. hope to stay on top of my game, but I'm a little bit nervous." In addition to Burnes and Shouneyia, Michigan will also be without Jason Ryznar for at least tonight's game, due to a shoulder injury. Michigan will need some players to step up to put together a good performance against Merrimack. Nystrom, who was Olsen's roommate last year, hopes that Olsen can be one of those players. "To get his chance is big," Nystrom said. "Especially in a situation like this when guys are getting injured, and we need somebody to step it up. Hopefully it can be him." Ii ii Andy Burnes was diagnosed with mononucleosis on Wednes- day, Michigan' lack of upper-class leadership began to show more than ever. Other than senior captain Jed Ortmeyer, no healthy upperclassman has a regular spot on any of the Wolverines' top lines. Thus, Berenson decided that Nystrom was the best player to fill the void. "(They're) big shoes to fill," Nystrom said. "Shouneyia is a great leader and Burnes is the most consistent player on the team. But for the time being I'm just going to fill the role the J k1 REC SPORTs INTU AMURALs The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports Intramural Sports Program wWW.recsports. mich .edii 734-763-3562 REC SPORTS IT-RAM^URALS I Entries taken: Mon, 10/21 ONLY 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM IM Building Entry Fee: $80.00 per team Manager's Meeting: MANDATORY Wed, 10/23 6:00 PM or 9:00 PM IM Building Entries taken: Mon, 10/21 ONLY 11:00AM - 5:30PM IM Building - Entry Fee: $50.00 per team Manager's Meeting: MANDATORY Wed, 10/2 3 7:15 PM IM Building Play begins: Thurs, 10/24 IM Building Wallyball best I can." Paid advertisement. FOOD FOR THOUGHT MANIPULATING OPINION In 1969, alarmed at the success of Richard Nixon's Vietnamization policy, the NLF and "Alliance" formed the PRG, or Provisional Revolutionary Government "...to enhance our claim of representing the Southern people, giving the peace movement additional ammu- nition." P. 146, A Viet Cong Memoir. The protes- tors fell for it. GARY LILLIE & ASSOC,- REALTORS WWW.GARYULLIECOM By Gina Adduct For the Daily The Michigan and Notre Dame rivalry was sparked yet again yester- day at Varsity Field. Since 1997, the Michigan women's soccer team has been 0-7 against the Fighting Irish. Despite a great effort to hold off the nation's 23rd-best team, Michigan lost 1-0, leaving the search for a win against the Irish to be continued next year. 4 Notre Dame- foils Blue, wins seventh straight 7' Play begins: Thurs, 10/24 Mitchell Fields Flag Football 11 1I Entries due: Tues, 11/26 6:00 PM IM Building Entry Fee: $35.00 per team $5.00 per individual Manager's Meeting: MANDATORY Tues, 11/26 6:00 PM - IM Building' ' ., fti. . ti .t Y p., f \ Entries due: Wed, 12/04 5:00 PM IM Building Entry Fee: $35.00 per team Manager's Meeting: MANDATORY Thurs, 12/05 6:00 PM IM Building Tournament Dates: Sat 12/07 & Sun 12/08 IM Building Them higaNDailyDisplay Team 08 40 ofthe We a , Sponsored by D'Amato's Italian Restaurant Corner of 11t and Huron St. Downtown AA (734) 623-7400 www.damatos.com Do you Have Acne7. In the first half, both teams looked strong and played pretty evenly. Although the defense was hard-hitting on eachside, neither team could manage to pull ahead, leaving the majority of the game to be battled out in midfield. Both Michigan and Notre Dame demon- strated smooth transitions and excel- lent ball handling. With each team unable to mount an offensive attack, the Wolverines and Irish had few scoring opportunities. "It was a lackluster game for us," Michigan coach Debbie Rademach- er said. "We had a hard time gener- ating anything." The opportunities that did arise, were easily captured by the goalies. This back-and-forth midfield action left the two teams in a scoreless tie at the end of the first half. With such a tight game, both teams felt the pressure in the second half to score. Starting off quickly, Notre Dame attacked Michigan with a very aggressive strategy, pushing the Wolverines back into their own territory. Just 13 minutes into the half, the Irish's Amanda Guertin managed to sneak by Michigan's defense and score on a short, quick, diagonal kick. This goal changed the pace of the game. Notre Dame began to domi- nate, demonstrating more efficient transitions and holding a strong midfield. Michigan had difficulty answering back. The Irish continued to hold the Wolverines off the score- board for the remainder of the Tournament Dates: Tues -Thurs, 12/03-12/05 Sports Coliseum A ikc-ttIIfcor Dra.Casimn Ri&afhoill I I I I M]