I E Friday October 24, 2003 www.michigandaily.com/sports sports@michigandaily.com S PORTS 8A 4 Wildcats hope Yost success reappears By Michael Nisson Daily Sports Writer Yost Ice Arena is one of the most intimidating college hockey venues in the country. Teams seem to have trouble drowning out the deafening chants that insult anyone from the opposing goalie to opposing players' girlfriends. And most importantly, opposing teams often come out on the losing end of a week- end series when visiting Ann Arbor. Then there is Northern Michigan. The Wildcats (2-1-1 CCHA, 3-1-1 overall) actually boast a winning record on Michigan's hallowed rink. While the Wolverines are behind 14-17-3 in their series with the Wolverines, Northern Michigan is 8-7 when playing at Yost. "(Since they've been in the CCHA) they've still done well (in Ann Arbor)," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They've been a good team at Yost Ice Arena." The Wildcats joined the CCHA in 1997 after they defected from the West- ern Collegiate Hockey Association. Since that time, Northern Michigan has been on a tear. There was a stretch from 1998 to 2001 where the Wildcats won Football Saturday No. 13 Michigan v No. 10 Purdue TOMO.OW, 3,.:30 P.., ABC Inside this edition of Football Saturday you will find: A Call to Arms - Not only does Michigan coach Lloyd Carr want you to fill your seat tomorrow; he wants you to do it with some spirit Players and coaches agree - the CLAW is what could make the difference against Purdue. BCS vs. Playoff - With the first edition of the BCS rank- ings coming out this week, J. Brady McCollough and Kyle O'Neill debate the future of college football's postseason. Is a playoff the answer? Boilin' up some trouble - Purdue is known for its spread offense, but there's a lot more to this year's squad. With a fast and experienced defense and a consistent ground game offensively, the Boilers have more to offer. 4 BRENDAN O'DONNELL/Daily The Michigan hockey team practices In a serene Yost Ice Arena. But come tonight, the old barn will be energized. four of five games in Ann Arbor, including the last three contests during that span. Many of those wins were under for- mer head coach Rick Comley, who took the helm for Michigan State last season. Current coach Walt Kyle has a different feeling about how his team plays in Yost. "They kicked our ass at Yost last year," Kyle said. Indeed they did. After dropping the opening two games in Marquette, the Wolverines (1-1, 4-1) made amends by handily beating the Wildcats in both contests. These wins ended a five-game losing streak. This year's Northern Michigan squad is vastly different from last year. The top four scorers from last year have departed, and defenseman Juha Alen TVIS 4 was drafted and signed by the Mighty Ducks of N rhem Anaheim. Senior winger. . t Lucas Drake has picked T up some of the slack so tydaynd far this season, notching a team-leading five......tkla points and scoring two - goals. In addition, North- ern Michigan returns senior goalie Craig Kowalski, who played in 38 of 41 games last year. Kyle noted that while his first experi- ence in Yost was not the most pleasant experience of his life, he was impressed with the crowd, noting that he thinks it's a "great venue." Berenson himself has been pleased with the energy that Michigan fans have brought to Yost so far this season. He also noted that he thinks things are going to get more intense now that the CCHA season is beginning. "I think (the environ- ment at Yost) is just going EKEN1 to get better," Berenson said.,"The environment at ichigan Yost and the fans and the games, now that we're 5pm. coming into ... mostly im.rrow conference games against well-known opponents ... Mena brings some special atmos- - phere to the rink because they bring their fans, and certainly our fans are into it." But in the end, Berenson noted that the team just has to take care of its own business, and things will fall into place. "There's going to be a lot of energy going around this campus this weekend, and we have to be really focused on playing the kind hockey that we need to play," Berenson said. M' Cagers will scrimmage Michigan basketball fans will get their first chance to watch the Wolverines in action tomorrow after the football game against Pur- due for the annual Maize and Blue scrimmage. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. with the gates to Crisler Arena opening at 6 p.m. The Wolverines will be split into two teams and play two 12- minute halves. After the game, fans will be allowed onto the floor to get autographs with the Wolver- ines. The players will also be available for photos. - Staff Reports Jackson leads Bl By Kyle Carpenter Daily Sports Writer Don't blink, because he might just pass you by. Michigan tennis captain Anthony Jackson is in his final year as a Wolverine, and he's not going to let anything get in his way of leading the team to success. Ranked third in the Midwest out of high school, Jackson joined the team as a freshman with high hopes and virtuous expectations. After two years of climbing the proverbial lineup ladder, Jackson found himself the No. 2 singles player as a junior. "Anthony came in as a freshman and had a very good year for us playing number five singles," assistant coach Dan Goldberg said. "He's gradually worked his way up to where last year he. played No. 2 singles and will likely be in the upper part of our lineup again this year." Despite inconsistency in his play on the court, Jackson managed to focus and play well throughout the entire sea- son. "When I am relaxed and focused, I play well and good things are going to happen," Jackson said. During Big Ten play last year, Jackson shocked the colle- giate tennis realm and proved his true skill as a player when he defeated No. 13-ranked Phil Stolt of Illinois. "Anthony tends to play better against better competition," Goldberg said. On the court, Jackson has explosive quickness, strength ue into Midwest and extreme potential. At times when he hasn't played his best tennis it was due to lack of consistency in his play. When he is in focus and on top of his game, however, he has proven to be a fierce competitor. "At this time last year, (he) was kind of like a rollercoast- er, up and down," Michigan junior and Jackson's roommate Vinny Gossain said. "He needs to stay even-keel, and if he does, there's not a lot of guys in the Big Ten that can't beat him." Being the only senior on the team, Jackson is a leader by example and provides experience, which is a vital compo- nent for the development of this year's young Michigan team. Jackson's wide smile, full braces and childlike personali- ty is hidden by his massive stature and presence of maturity in front of his teammates. He valiantly expressed his role as a senior when he said, "As the only upperclassman, I have to take more responsi- bility ... have a positive mindset and that way it will be able to transpire to the younger players." If Jackson allows himself to concentrate this year, he will be able to lead his team to glory and thrust himself into the spotlight by shedding his reputation of sporadic play. "I'm more confident in myself," Jackson said. "I just realized that I can play at a competitive, pretty high level, and I can beat some of these guys. I've been a little more competitive, and I just don't want to lose." Taking a stand as the team's captain, Jackson See TENNIS, Page 9A 4 tmmmmmmmmm Stromboli &; ;Medium Drink; ED ITING " ~English '0sage " Organizing " Shortening " 15 years Experience 734.71]7.2546 danstein~umich.edu 4 I I I good thru 12131103 Located in the MUG heese 1. *Located in the heart of downtown Chelsea is the areas finest Bed & Breakfast. 4it~~at-hifetn f.- sft .r