MEMM" 2E - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Fall 2003 p14 Football season ends with Outback victory By David Horn Daily Sports Editor TAMPA, Fla. - Michigan began 2002 as the victims of a central Florida slaughter, courtesy of Tennessee in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Fortunately for the Wolverines, the first day of 2003 began very differently. Michigan (6-2 Big Ten, 10-3 overall) survived six lead changes and a late Florida charge to defeat the Gators, 38-30, before a sold-out crowd of 65,101 at Raymond James Stadium. Trailing by eight with just over two minutes remaining in the game, Florida junior quarterback Rex Grossman engineered a drive from his team's own 27- yard line. Grossman, who was likely playing in his final game for the Gators, completed two passes for 18 yards and drew a 15-yard personal foul on a late hit from Michigan senior linebacker Victor Hobson. But two plays after jeopardizing his defense's chances at shutting down the suddenly efficient Florida offense, Hobson made amends. On ist-and-10 from the Michigan 27-yard line, the Gators (6-2 SEC, 8- 5) called for a reverse option pass to wideout (and former high school quarterback) Vernell Brown. Brown rolled out to the left and was pursued by defensive end Alain Kashama, then forced a desperate, wobbly pass toward the sideline. Hobson stepped in front of Grossman (the intended receiver) and took the ball 42 yards in the other direction to ensure victory for the Wolverines. "They'd been getting man coverage all that series, and Rex was going to be open," Florida first-year coach Ron Zook said. "When you're in man coverage you don't account for the quarterback, and at that point in time I thought it was a good opportunity." Hobson was one of several Michigan seniors who made waves in his final game for the Maize and Blue. In particular, captain Bennie Joppru set the team's season-receptions record for a tight end on the strength of eight catches for 80 yards. That brought his season total to 53, surpassing a 33-year old record previ- ously held by Jim Mandich. But truly it was a couple of juniors who led the Wolverines. Tailback Chris Perry set an Outback Bowl record with four touchdowns; the accomplishment is also a Michigan bowl record. He finished the game with 85 yards rushing on 28 carries, as well as 108 yards receiving. Quarterback John Navarre threw for a career-best 319 yards, going a very efficient 21-for-36 with a touchdown and no interceptions. Despite Navarre's career performance, the Michigan offense stumbled out of the gate and took some time to find its rhythm; the unit's only score until late in the second quarter came as a result of a Florida miscue. Deep in his own territory, Grossman found himself scrambling after a high snap. Kashama beat him to the ball, recovered it inside the five-yard line, and put his offense in position to grant Perry his first touchdown. After two Florida touchdowns, Zook made the decision to attempt the two- point conversion try. Its failure seemed to swing the momentum back to the Wolverines, who utilized Perry via a number of screen passes to get him, Navarre and the 10-win Wolverines back on track. This is the 23rd 10-win season in Michigan's football history and finished the 2002-2003 season ranked number nine nationally. TONY DING/Daily Michigan seniors John Navarre (16) and Dave Pearson (57), stretch during the final spring practice of the year Saturday, April 12 at Schembechier field. 'M'redy orcompetition? By Courtney Lewis Daily Sports Editor Michigan Stadium underwent some major changes during the offseason - a new lockerroom and a new field - but the team that plays there will look pretty familiar. The first Michigan squad to play on an artificial surface in the Big House since 1990 (FieldTurf was laid early this summer) returns 15 starters from last year's 10-3 Outback Bowl team, including the statistical leaders in pass- ing, rushing and receptions. And that depth and experience will lead to high expectations for this season. ESPN.com ranked Michigan at No. 5 in the nation after the spring practice season, two spots behind defending champion Ohio State. Tailback Chris Perry, who led the Wolverines with 1,110 rushing yards in 2002, anchors Michigan's ground attack and has impressed head coach Lloyd Carr. "I expect Chris Perry to have an outstanding season," Carr said. "Great backs can do everything, and Perry has turned into a very good pass pro- tector, can catch the football and can run with power." Fifth-year senior John Navarre, the third-year starter at quarterback, will be throwing to a deep receiving corps that includes his favorite target last season, Braylon Edwards. Edwards racked up more than 1,000 yards in the air in his sophomore campaign. The Wolverines also return the core of their offensive line, and Carr was excited about that area. "I can tell you this: We are going to have a line - a Michigan line," Carr said. Michigan's veterans are comple- mented by a group of very talented newcomers. Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley was recruited hard by Michigan State, but the firing of for- mer Spartans coach Bobby Williams helped steer the Saginaw native to Ann Arbor. Analyst Tom Lemming ranked Woodley the second-best OLB recruit in the country High on Lemming's list was also safety Prescott Burgess out of Warren, Ohio. And Clayton Richard may spark a quarterback controversy - but not this year. The 6-foot-5 lefthander, who was also a baseball standout in high school, is known for his deepball and is expected to compete with redshirt- freshman Matt Gutierrez for the job as DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Michigan Wolverine B.J. Askew catches a pass from John Navarre under pressure from Gators Mike Nattiel and Keiwan Ratliff at the Outback Bowl on January 1. Voted the Best Bank/Credit Union and #1 in Customer Service in Ann Arbor Navarre's successor. But for now, Navarre is running the show and after warmups against Cen- tral Michigan and Houston, he and the Wolverines will face Notre Dame Sept. 13 in their first real test. Michigan opens a conference schedule that is devoid of Penn State and Wisconsin when it hosts Indiana, Sept. 27. Here are some lingering questions about the 2003 Wolverines: Can Navarre finally silence the critics? The oft-maligned signal caller showed much improvement last year, throwing 21 touchdowns and just seven interceptions while moving into second place on Michi- gan's all-time yardage and touch- down lists. "John, as a fifth-year senior, has endured a lot of struggles and things and has come out on top," receiver Edwards said. "He is stronger now. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and that is definitely the case with John Navarre." Navarre is a more confident quarterback now, but he'll need to beat Ohio State in order win over the fans. Will Michigan's tradition at tight end continue? The tight end has become vital to the Michigan offense and Bennie Joppru continued that last season when he caught a single-season record 53 passes at the position. Jop- pru was the Michigan player drafted highest in the 2003 NFL draft. Tim Massaquoi and Andy Mignery are bat- tling to replace him. Can Edwards live up to the new number on his back? Carrtmade. a deal with the young receiver: if Edwards wanted to wear No. 1, the number belonging to past stars such as Anthony Carter and David Terrell, he'd have to earn it. After grabbing 10 touchdowns and 1,035 yards in 2002, Edwards switched from No. 80 to No. 1. The junior who struggled to hang onto the ball at times last season admits the new number makes him, a target "because No. 1 is a significant number in any team and people will go after that player." Who will win the tight competi- tion at safety? The Wolverines are high on candidates but low on experi- ence at this position. Marlin Jackson and Willis Barringer have both moved to the spot from cornerback and will compete with Ernest Shazor, Jon Shaw and Jacob Stewart. Highly touted new- comers Burgess and Ryan Mundy could also be thrown into the mix. Does Michigan have a consistent kicking game? Philip Brabbs went from hero to goat when he nailed the game-winning field goal against Wash- ington but connected on just two more attempts the rest of the season. Punter Adam Finley stepped in and hit seven- of-10. Finley, Brabbs and Troy Nien- berg (two-of-five field goals last season) are all back and are joined by true freshman Garrett Rivas. 4 4 Grow Taller with HeightMaxTM heihtmax Supplements for young adults SHN Tech & Prod. Inc. Visit us at www.heightmax.com A Join the University of Michigan Credit Union and enjoy membership - Visa Check card- A debit/ATM card " ATMs & Cash Machines - No fees & no surcharging at UMCU machines, located throughout campus - VISA Credit Card - Low rate, no annual fee - Audio 'Iller - We call it ThllerPhone 4 Ann Arbor offices: * Central Campus at 333 East William 4 www.umich.edu/yost HOMEOFTIE 442003 CCA CHAMUIN 764-4600 MEMIAWLVERI" k J