4 Tuesday September i6, 2003 www.michigandaily.com sports@michigandaily.com PORTS 8 0 Bulking up makes Stevens big threat Forget Perry and Navarre, for Heisman By Courtney Lewis Daily Sports Editor At 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds, it's not surprising that Michigan defensive end Larry Stevens has lit- tle trouble wrapping up quarterbacks and, slamming them to the turf. What's impres- sive is that the senior lineman was once trying to do the same job as a less-than- hulkish freshman. Stevens played safety in high school and was recruited at that position by several Pac-10 schools. He came to Michigan about 30 pounds lighter than he is now and having "no idea" that he would end up moving from the second- ary to the defensive line. "For a guy to come into this pro- gram and play as a defensive lineman at 225 pounds, probably, says a lot about his toughness and his quickness and his athletic ability because he was overmatched," coach Lloyd Carr said. Stevens quickly learned that he would need a new physique to go along with his new position. "I was underweight, and I didn't have much to bring to the table (as a freshman)," Stevens said. "At the beginning, I wasn't fit to do the job, but now I am. My attitude was always about being aggressive and playing hard, but physically it was challenging at the start being underweight." Since then, Stevens has bulked up and established himself as a serious threat to quarterbacks and an integral part of Michigan's imposing defense. Stevens raced in untouched and threw down Notre Dame quarterback Carlyle Holiday for a 10-yard loss in the first quarter last Saturday, giving him a total of three sacks for 35 yards lost on the season. He has a total of seven tackles in three games. Besides a physical presence, the loquacious lineman brings emotion and plenty of energy to the Wolver- ines' defense. Stevens said he wants to be a playmaker, but within the team strategy. "I want to make the plays. The guys BRETT MOUNTAIN/Daily Michigan safety-turned-defensive end Larry Stevens gets props from his teammates. next to me want to make the plays. And we all realize that if we don't make the plays, we're leaving our secondary out to dry," Stevens said. Go WEST, YOUNG MEN: Michigan heads to the West Coast this weekend, where it hasn't had much success as of late. In their last two trips, in 2001 and 2000, the Wolverines lost nonconference games to Washington and UCLA respectively. But Carr said he doesn't think there is anything particular about the playing style of Pac-10 teams that gives Michi- gan trouble. "I think the Big Ten has changed a lot in recent years with a lot more wide- open offenses, and I think we followed the Pac-10 in that area, but I don't know that I would say that there's a different philosophy by conference," Carr said. "I think that's an individual thing." PERSONNEL UPDATE: Backup safeties Willis Barringer, who did not play Sat- urday for unspecified reasons, and Jacob Stewart, who pulled a muscle, are questionable for the Oregon game. NAWEED SIKORA Blowin' Smoke it's time to play (Insert Michigan player here) for Heisman. In just three weeks time, two Michigan players have already been mentioned as top Heisman Trophy contenders. So here's how the game works. John Navarre and Chris Perry are not accept- able answers, but basically anyone else will work, as long as you can justify it. Let's start with Pierre Rembert. The third-string running back gets limited playing time toward the ends of games, but he's a touchdown machine. He's already run for three scores on just 12 carries, giving him the best carry-to- touchdown ratio in the nation. Eat your heart out, Perry (ratio of more than 11). Strike the pose, Pierre. Strike the pose. What about Andy Mignery? He doesn't have any catches yet this sea- son, but anybody who makes a transi- tion from quarterback to tight end should be up for the Heisman. The receiving corps also may have some Heisman hopefuls. While the passing game has struggled a bit, the play of Jason Avant and Carl Tabb against Notre Dame was encouraging. Both had success on the play action, and it seems as though Navarre is look- ing to get the ball to them, as well as his main target Braylon Edwards. And special teams has drastically improved from last season and has been a big part of Michigan's success so far. Steve Breaston has brought excitement to the Big House. Although he hasn't quite taken it to the house yet, he came close against Notre Dame and is on the verge of doing it any game now. He. should be up for the Heisman this year. Forget that whole "before he graduates" idea. Now although they haven't been test- ed, corners Jeremy LeSueur and Markus Curry should be up for the Heisman. With Marlin Jackson now playing safety, these two have really begun to bear down and improve their man-to-man coverage. Curry even came away with an acrobatic interception against the Irish. Moving on, we can't overlook the play of Michigan's linebackers. Pierre Woods, Carl Diggs and Lawrence Reid should all be Heisman candidates. Every time you look up, one of them is around the ball -they've been relent- less in their pursuits. Houston only had 74 yards on the ground, and Notre Dame could only manage 49. Much of that is due to the linebackers. The success of Navarre and Perry is largely due to the players blocking for them - who should all be up for the Heisman. The offensive line has annihi- lated whoever comes in its way, so Tony Pape, David Baas, Dave Pearson, Adam Stenavich and Matt Lentz for Heisman. "The Casanova line" has overpowered opponents with not only its size and strength, but also its superior technique and ability to help each other out. Since Jackson and Ernest Shazor made their return against Houston, the defense has been as sharp and fast as ever. Just ask Houston wide receiver Vincent Marshall, who was laid out by these two guys and fumbled the ball in the first quarter of the game. I bet Mar- shall thinks one of them should take home the trophy. The point is, it's still early in the sea- son, and everyone is playing up to potential right now. If this is to be the dream season that every Michigan foot- ball player wants, they have to continue playing at this high level. Although there is no chance for most of these players to win the Heisman - or even be considered a candidate for that matter - they do have a chance to do something special as a unit. And bringing that championship tro- phy back to Ann Arbor probably mat- ters more to each one than bringing home the Heisman. Naweed Sikora is putting himselfup for the Heisman, too, after two solid weeks of football coverage. He can be reached at nsikora@umich.edu. Big Ten teams tune up for conference slate By Sean Friedland and Harold Fogel For the Daily While it may seem contrary to recent news cover- age, other teams still exist in the Big Ten. With con- ference play right around the corner, contenders look for a burst of momentum before the race for the Big Ten title begins. X.1V3 X BOWLING GREEN (3-0) AT NO. 4 OHIO STATE (3-0) - 12:10 P.M.: The Horseshoe will be rocking as the Ohio State Buckeyes, looking BiG jamming to Bob Marley, Ohio State's running game has been pathetic. In last week's thrilling triple-over- time win over N.C. State, the Buckeyes' running backs combined for eight lousy yards on seventeen carries. It is this week that the running game, or lack thereof, will catch up to them. Senior Craig Krenzel will not be able to carry the team past the potent Bowling Green offense, led by stud quarterback Josh Harris. Look for the Buckeyes to plummet in the national rankings. Bowling Green 31, Ohio State 24 MICHIGAN STATE (2-1) AT NOTRE DAME (1-1) - 2:30 P.M., NBC: That team from East Lansing gets to try to match the Wolverines' as they head to South Bend to take on the wounded Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Rehabilitated Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker's comeback went up in smoke last Saturday, as the Spartans lost Smoker to a right big toe injury in a 20-19 home loss to an unproven Louisiana Tech program. You don't need to be smoking anything to predict this one. Notre Dame should win this barn- burner in a route, as the Irish look to make a big comeback statement. Notre Dame 31, Michigan State 10 NORTH CAROLINA (0-2) AT WISCONSIN (2-1) - NOON: Another big name in the Big Ten went down this past Saturday when Wisconsin star running back Anthony Davis sprained his left ankle early in the first quarter against UNLV Davis scampered for just 11 yards on two carries as the Badgers were brutally embarrassed in a 23-5 home loss to the unranked Runnin' Rebels. Regardless of Davis's playing status, the Badgers will rebound this weekend in Madison against the lowly North Carolina Tar Heels, who just can't wait for the Miami Hurricanes to enter the ACC next year. Wisconsin better not find a way to lose this cakewalk, or else its season can turn into a mess, much like a spoiled slice of cheese. Wisconsin 44, North Carolina 10 to extend their 17-game winning streak, host the red- hot Bowling Green Falcons. If the first three games have shown anything for the Buckeyes, it is that they miss the presence of Maurice Clarett dearly. 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