(thelMirbtiuu &zilg SPRS ONA October 6, 2003 SECTION B i :1 fl: Bird feeder IOWA 30, MICHIGAN 27 Blue lacks that special play in loss to Iowa By J. Brady McColkugh Daily Sports Editor IOWA CITY - Say what you want about all the things the Michigan foot- ball team did during its 30-27 loss at Iowa. It's what the Wolverines didnt do that once again sealed their demise. . For the second time this season, Michigan overcame 58 adventurous Ininutes packed with special teams mis- cues and spotty offensive execution to have a chance to win the game in the final two minutes. And for the second time this season, the Wolverines couldn't find a way to get it done. With 2:44 left in the game, quarter- back John Navarre led his team onto the field needing a field goal to tie and a touchdown to win his first road game against a ranked opponent. Navarre, who had just engineered an 86-yard scoring drive out of the shot- gun, picked up where he left off with back-to-back completions to Carl Tabb and Braylon Edwards for a combined 23 yards. At midfield --20 yards away from kicker Garrett Rivas' field-goal range - things went sour. A Chris Perry run that would have put the Wolverines inside the Iowa 20-yard line was called back because of holding. Navarre sneaked two plays later for the Michigan first down, setting up 1st- and-10 from the Iowa 47. After a three- yard completion to Jason Avant on first down, the offense bogged down with poor execution and communication. Three incompletions and a delay-of- game penalty on their final three plays gave the Wolverines that familiar feeling in the pit of their stomachs. No national championship, and likely, no Rose Bowl. "We didn't make the plays we needed to make to win the game," Michigan linebacker Carl Diggs said. "Being a close ballgame, you just have to find a way to win, and we haven't been doing that." The Wolverines knew if they wanted to accomplish their goal of a national championship, they would have to make a few of those special plays that elevate a team to another level. For evidence, all they had to do was look at Ohio State's run to the title in 2002 and Miami (Fla.)'s in 2001. The Buckeyes won six games by seven points or less, including their miraculous victory at Purdue. It was 4th-and-1 with one minute and 36 sec- onds remaining, and undefeated Ohio State trailed Purdue 6-3 in West Lafayette. Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel hit receiver Michael Jenkins, now nicknamed "Mr. Clutch," for a 37- yard touchdown to keep the dreams of the Buckeye State alive. "It's a situation I wish everybody in See HAWKEYES, Page 4B It's decision time: Give him a chance, or bench him NAWEED SIKORA Blowing Smoke OWA CITY - I'm not the most talkative person in the world, but there have been very few times in life when I have been completely speechless. I mean, after most Michigan football games, I usually have something to say, write or scream about. But Saturday, after John Navarre's final pass of the day sailed into no- man's land, I just stood there with a blank look on my face. I was speechless. It was deja vu that left me stunned, actually. After all, I had been there just two weeks earlier in Oregon when the exact same events had taken place. I just couldn't believe it had happened again so soon. The Michigan coaching staff wouldn't allow the same mistakes, right? After losing to Oregon, it would make sure that this team was not put in the same position ~atin Wouldn't it? I guess not. It's time for the staff to take a step back and re-assess this situation. A team with this nrtteffttUV ent does not belong in Central Flori- da on New Year's Day anymore. The coaching staff cannot let it go to waste any longer. It's time for a change. And the change must begin at the quarterback position. While there are plenty of people calling for John Navarre's head after he fell to 0-6 on the road against ranked opponents this past weekend, I don't think this is the solution. I believe Navarre gives the Wolverines their best chance to win, but only if used properly. The coaching staff has two choic- es here: If it wants to play Navarre, loosen its grip on him and let him use his experience and arm to win games. If it doesn't have enough confidence in him to do that, then bench him and play redshirt fresh- man Matt Gutierrez. With two losses, there is no point in babying their senior quarterback and trying to build his confidence any longer. John Navarre has never been a great quarterback, and I'm sure it's frustrating for the staff when he is inaccurate, but he does the best he can. If the coaching staff wants to play See SIKORA, Page 5B SETH LOWER/Daily Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards hangs his head after Iowa quarterback Nathan Chandler took a knee to give the Hawkeyes the win. i Another Indiana game, another soccer loss By Ellen Mc~arrity Daily Sports Writer One year ago yesterday, the Michigan men's soccer team suffered a 2-1 overtime loss in Bloom- ington. The Wolverines were hoping to rewrite the game script this season when they faced the Hoosiers on their own turf. But new screenwriters must have been unavail- able, as Michigan lost 2-1 in overtime for the second year IDAA2 in a row. "When you have such an emotional game, I think everybody's really shattered," Michigan coach Steve Burns said. "In four years, we've played three overtime games with this team. We've got to figure out how to beat them in overtime." From the minute the Hoosiers took the field, the Wolverines knew this team was going to be tough. Indiana plays with a man-marking system, and skills of junior Matt Niemeyer and freshman Kevin Savitskie. After receiving a pass from Savitskie, Niemeyer put the Wolverines on the scoreboard in the 19th minute of play. The goal was the midfielder's first career score at Michigan. Niemeyer redshirted last season with a torn ACL and netted this goal with his recovered right leg. "Matt Niemeyer played an absolutely incredible game - his best yet in a Michigan uniform," Burns said. Niemeyer's goal only spurred on the Hoosiers' energy, and they became more dangerous in the attack at end of the first half. But at the half, the Wolverines still had the edge on the scoreboard. Four minutes into the second half, Michigan's luck began to turn. After a controversial call from a referee, Indiana got an easy penalty kick to tie up the game. "I thought that was a bad call," sophomore goal- 1. . ---T - - ;1 j