I ME V 7 ._ -M- qV I q 2B - The Michigan Daily - FOOTBALL SATURDAY - November 22, 2003 Projected depth chart vs. Ohio State Ulbe £id1§an iBaiIg Football Saturday The Michigan Daily - FOOTBALL Navarre will be 'zero'or 'hero 'afterfinal clash Perry 23 Bracken 41-1 SE , 1 Edwards 12 15 Breaston 77 Pa pe 67 Lentz 74 Solomon 65 Henige RT RG FB35 Thompson FL 8 Avant 17 Tabb 79 Stenavich 76 Kolodziej LT 14 Mignery 88 Massaquoi TE LE 75 Fraser 97 Patterson LT RT 56 Scott 54 Anderson 94 Green 90Pitcock RE 40 Nesfield 10 Edwards LCB 37 Fox 26 Youboty RCB 7 Gamble 13 Jacobs Fall Saturdays in Ann Arbor are a special time for Michigan Wolverines fans. On these rare weekend mornings, as the colors slowly being to change and leaves gradually accumulate on the ground below, Michigan alumni, students, chil- dren and local residents gather at Michigan Sta- dium with one purpose in mind - to watch their Wolverines participate in a battle and come out victorious. This is Football Saturday. We here atThe Michigan Daily have worked to provide fans with a look at what's to come on this glorious afternoon Inside Football Saturday, you'll find a taste of the extensive football coverage we bring to Michigan fans throughout the season Enjoy the game. Naweed Sikora E. Brady McColloughfl Courtney Lewis Kyle O'Neill Football wdters Kyle O'Neill J. Brady McCollough Courtney Lewis Naweed Sikora Louie Meizlish J. Brady McCollough Tony Ding Samuel Butler Anne Sause Leah Trzcinski Adrienne Barclay Footbal Writers Editor in Chief Managing Editor Photo Editor Cover Photos Page 3 llustration Business Manager Display Manager Ad Design Manager PRODUCTION CREW WLB 47 Hawk 41 Matthews MLB 46 Pagac, Jr. $1 Bond SLB 44 Reynolds 42 Carpenter J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH All About the Cause ipe the slate clean. John Navarre 's career record as a Michigan quarterback is now 0-0. He's passed for zero yards and zero touchdowns and holds zero Michi- gan career passing records. The reality is that if Navarre does not beat Ohio State today, he'll be remembered as a zero. Regardless of being the most prolific passer in Michigan history after this season, Navarre will be the zero most Michi- gan fans always expected him to be. "If you want to be recognized around here as a coach or a player, you beat Ohio State," former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler said this week. "That's what you're here for." Then judging by Navarre's 0-2 record against Ohio State as a starter, he's been here for nothing. "Nothing?" you say, now that you're in Navarre's corner. Come on, I know you love telling people about what a good quarterback Navarre has turned out to be just as much as I do. It's a great story - from school laughing- stock to poster child for all that is right with this University. But what will you do if Michigan loses tomorrow to a Buckeye team whose offense can't use the bathroom without help from its defense? The majority of Wolverine nation will look at Navarre as the ultimate disappointment. Imagine it. Three tries at the Buck- eyes with all the talent in the world sur- rounding him, no wins. Michigan hasn't lost to Ohio State three times in a row since the Wolverines lost seven straight from 1957-63. Defensive tackle and senior cap- tain Grant Bowman, Navarre's room- mate, spoke candidly about his friend's situation. "It probably (will define his legacy), and it's probably unfair, but a lot of things are unfair," Bowman said. "With a game like this, the opportunities are bigger and the chance for loss is bigger. But that's what you have to love as a competitor." Navarre is that competitor. He's shown that by improving markedly each season he's been here. Under the tutelage of quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler, Navarre's passing efficiency rating has improved from 116.43 his sophomore year to 122.17 last year all the way to 134.65 this season. That's 18 points worth of blood, guts, sweat and sacrifice. But you'll forget all of that if he doesn't bring you your Rose Bowl - if you have to watch those damn Buck- eyes celebrate on your field again. "I don't think there's any game that defines any football player as a per- son," Lloyd Carr said. "Your character defines you as a person." No one is questioning Navarre's character. They're questioning his abili ty to win the biggest football game of his life, which is, believe it or not, how athletes' careers are defined. "You really only have a chance for greatness in critical situations," Bowman said, "and this is a critical situation." Got that right. Not only will Navarre go down as the most disappointing quarterback in recent Michigan history if he loses, this group of seniors will be remembered as underachievers as well. But then there's that chance for greatness Bowman mentioned. It's up there hanging in the balance, constantl teasing Navarre, begging him to grasp it in his arms for the first time today. Ss 4 Allen 9 Whitner FS 21 Salley 6 Everett Display Sales Account Executives: Jeffrey Braun, Lynne Chaimowitz, Tera Free- man, Sarah Hoopfer, Ahrim Hwang, Erin Ott. Special thanks to: Ellen McGarrity, Ryan Sosin TB Ross 30 Hall 28 FB 3 n Joe 43 Schnittker SE 12 Jenkins 82 Hall QB 16 Krenzel 15 McMullen 76 Stepanovich 55 Mangold 63 Clarke 78 Bishop 76 Stepanovich 64 Ols RG C LG- FL 4 Holmes 3 Childress 2003 Michigan Roster ' 71 Oivea 52 Kne RT 77 Sims88 Hartsock 72 Downing 8EHamby LT TE No Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Year/Elig. LE DT DT 60 Bowman 78 Watson RE 94 Massey 50 Van Alstyne 13 Stevens 90 Heuer 56 Woodley 96 Harrison LCB 21 LeSueur 29 Hall RCB 30 Curry 4 Hood 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 OLB 99 Woods 58 Manning Braylon Edwards WR 6-3 205 Shawn Crable LB 6-5 223 Mark Spencer Marlin Jackson Ross Ryan Darnell Hood Dave Underwood Alijah Bradley Prescott Burgess Spencer Brinton Jason Avant Matt Wilde P CB P RB RB 5-11211 6-1 199 6-0 203 5-11190 6-0 228 OLB I Dig s 3 Mc lintock FS 3 Jackson 19 Barringer SS 25 Shazor 22 Shaw * I rI~ ii "IjQ % Ottr L 9 Tyrece Butler 9 Anton Campbell 10 Troy Nienberg 10 Clayton Richard 12 Matt Gutierrez 13 Jeff Kastl 13 Larry Stevens 14 Andy Mignery 15 Jonathan Borden 15 Steve Breaston 16 John Navarre 17 Carl Tabb 18 Jermaine Gonzales 19 Willis Barringer 20 Mike Kaselitz 20 Pierre Rembert 21 Jeremy LeSueur 22 Ross Kesler 22 Jon Shaw 23 Chris Perry 24 Jerome Jackson 25 Ernest Shazor 26 Mike Carl 26 Ryan Mundy 27 Calvin Bell 27 Quinton McCoy 28 Jacob Stewart 29 Leon Hall 30 Markus Curry R B 5-6 165 sS 6-2 215 QB 6-5 226 W R 6-1 206 QB 6-2 186 W R 6-3 211 R B 5-11188 PK 6-2 172 QB 6-4 220 QB 6-4 219 QB 6-3 214 DL 6-3 260 TE/P6-3 250 LB 6-1 226 WR 6-1 176 QB 6-6 228 WR 6-2 189 W R 6-2 210 DB 5-11193 QB 6-4 214 RB 6-0 214 CB 6-1 202 WR 6-2 201 FS 6-0 195 RB 6-1 228 RB 5-11197 DB 6-4 219 DB 6-0 195 S 6-1 193 WR 6-1 200 CB 5-9 160 DB 6-0 212 CB 6-1 170 CB 5-11180. CB 6-1 170 PK 5-10177 FB 6-1 235 W R 5-11201 PK 6-2 200 LB 6-2 225 WR 5-11190 LB 6-2 236. ILB 6-1 234 DB 5-10 191 PK 5-101801 P/K 6-4 209 Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. 5th Sr. So. So. So. So. 5th Sr. Fr. Fr. 5th Sr. Fr. Fr. So. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. 5th Sr. Sr. Sr. So. So. 5th Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr. So. So. 5th Sr. So. So. 5th Sr. Sr. Jr. 5th Sr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. 5th Sr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. 55 Jeremy Read LB 56 LaMarr Woodley LB 57 Dave Pearson OL 58 Roy Manning OLB 59 Joey Sarantos LB 60 Grant Bowman DL 61 Turner Booth CXA 62 Courtney Morgan OL 63 Derek Bell OL 64 Jeff Gaston OL 65 Leo Henige OL 66 Paul Sarantos LB 67 Matt Lentz OL 68 Patrick Sharrow OL 69 David Schoonover OL 71 Tom Berishaj OL 49 Brent Cummings CB 50 Jeremy Van Alstyne LB 52 Ross Mann LS 54 Mark Bihl OL 55 Andy Christopfel OL 3B 40 Obianna Oluigbo LB 6-0 233 41 Tim Bracken RB 5-10 208 42 Lawrence Ried LB 6-1 222 43 Carl Diggs ILB 6-1 246 45 David Harris LB 6-2 246 46 James Presley LB 6-2 220 5-11190 6-4 247 6-1 235 6-4 292 6-3 296 6-1 229 6-2 261 6-3 297 6-2 240 6-3 222 6-1 289 So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. 5th Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. 5th Sr. So. So. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. 5th Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. 5th Sr. Buckeyes find a way to win with defense and si S 6-2 278 So. Fr. 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-5 303 261 280 328 5th Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. By Naweed Sikora Daily Sports Editor Michigan defensive lineman Grant Bowman put it best when asked if he was surprised by Ohio State's success given its weak offense. "I think that offense is overplayed by people that watch the game," Bowman said. This coming from a guy whose team puts up an average of 37.4 points per game. But this is exactly the thinking that has put the Buckeyes in position to defend their national title. Their overtime win over Purdue was their third win of the season in which they failed to score an offensive touchdown. It was their fifth win by a touchdown or less. Some might call it luck, but in Columbus, it's a way of life. The Buckeyes live on by just getting by - and they're doing an excellent job of it. It's not that Ohio State isn't trying to score points on offense, it's just that it has built a system that allows it to have success without offensive touchdowns - a system built on solid defense and error-free football. "Teams that play good defense, have a good kicking game and don't make mistakes are very difficult to beat," Bowman said. "I'm not surprised that they're winning - the system they have is not flashy, but it's very effective and very efficient." The Buckeyes average 24 points per game, less than 200 passing yards per game, and have a 33- percent conversion rate on third downs - none of which rank them among the top 70 teams in the country. But the defense more than makes up for these deficiencies. The Buckeyes have allowed just 50.5 yards per game on the ground, and just five rush- ing touchdowns. But it's not just about the statis- tics - it's about the way the defense is able to sense urgency and come up with a big play of their own to put the Buckeyes in position to win. With the score tied at six this past weekend in the fourth quarter, Ohio State's Mike Kudla made one of those special plays. He sacked Purdue quar- terback Kyle Orton in the endzone, forcing a fum- ble, which he pounced on to give the Buckeyes a 13-6 lead. They went on to win in overtime with a field goal. The kicking game has been the second key component of Ohio State's success. Placekicker Mike Nugent has hit 16-of-19 field goals this sea- son, and punter B.J. Sander has successfully pinned opponents deep again and again. Out of his 10 punts against Purdue, seven were downed inside the 20, and five of those seven were downed inside the five. "They have maybe the two best kickers in col- lege football," Carr said. "If you put a great offense inside the 10 yard-line against a great defense, you're going to have a very difficult time moving the ball." The final key to the Buckeyes' success is their ability to minimize their mistakes on offense and 252 So. So. 310 Jr. So. 270 Fr. Fr. 286 Jr. So. 314 So. So. 307 So. So. 299 5th Sr. 314 Sr. Jr. PROCRASTINATION STATION loj OH-ItOSTATE MwIHIGAN 14 capita may n and pt "Th( don't t Qua the lea capabl show u "I th said. ' within Bow is his do jus gamea "It's "You' pressu first d back, A 1[3> pD) A 1D,)1p 1 1Ik JL- Irl Ak\ J JLC I, JL. " ® L ~~we asir more BOOK & SUPPLY EXPIRES NOVEMBER 30, 2003 72 Rueben Riley + 74 Demeterius Solomont 75 David Baas + 76 Mike Kolodziej+ 77 Jake Long + 77 Tony Pape + 78 Gabriel Watson1 79 Adam Stenavich+ 80 Chris Matsos 82 Mike Mandich 83 Adam Kraus 84 Kevin Murphy 85 Dave Spytek 86 Jim Fisher 88 Tim Massaquoi1 89 Tyler Ecker 90 Norman Heuer 1 91 Rondell Biggs 1 92 William Paul 1 93 Alex Ofili 1 94 Patrick Massey1 94 Matt Studenski OL OL OL OL 6-7 304 So. Fr. 31 31 32 Brandent EnglemonI Craig Moore I Kevin Dudley I OL 6-6 OL 6-6 DL 6-4 OL 6-5 WR 6-0 TE 6-3 TE 6-5 TE 6-5 TE 6-7 TE 6-5 WR 6-4 TE 6-6 DL 6-5 DL 6-2 DE 6-2 DL 6-3 DL 6-8 TE 6-4 DL 6-5 DL 6-3 PK 6-0 WR 6-4 DL 6-5 290 304 339 302 206 242 269 248 258 250 239 240 282 262 255 275 262 216 256 305 205 192 244 Fr. Fr. 5th Sr. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. 5th Sr. So. So. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr.. So. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Michigan coach J. Brady McCollough: Coach O'Neill outclassed me today. His defensive gameplan was pristine. He forced QB No. 16 to win the game, and for one reason or another, he just couldn't get it done. I feel for him. We're headed to Central Florida again, yes, I realize that. I've got a condo down there now. If you have anyhing to ask about this actual football game we just played, I'll answer it. Yes, O'Neill's offense sucked. He couldn't run the ball, he couldn't throw the ball. He played to his strengths better than I did. As the game wore on, I wondered if I had any strengths besides chucking the ball deep to WR No. 1 and rushing from the end with DE No. 13. The rest of the team just didn't show up. The Rose Bowl will be there next year. We'll get there sometime, I swear. This team has too much char- acter to be held out of Pasadena for seven straight seasons. Did O'Neill win the season series? I For this week's matchup, coach Kyle O'Neill led the Buckeyes and J. Brady McCollough took the helm for the Wolverines. PRESS CONFERENCE QUO TES: haven't seen the record. That's you guys' job to pay attention to that stuff. Should my record against O'Neill be in question? Absolutely not. We have Central Florida to deal with. Ohio State coach Kyle O'Neill: Well, I'm not happy beating the maize and blue .. nope, not happy ... just f*&%in jacked up. Break out the champagne! Questions? RB No. 13 did not play. Defensive inter- ception? What defensive interception? Ummm ... sure, we won. Why not? What is the force that binds the stars?; I wore this mask to hide my scars; What is the power that pulls the tide?; Never could find a place to hide; What moves the Earth around the sun?; What could I do but run and run and run?; Afraid to love, afraid to fail; A mast without a sail; The moon's a fingernail; And slowly sink- ing; Another daybegins; And now I'm thinking; That this indifference; Wasmy invention; When everything I did; Sought your attention; You were my compass star ou were my measure; You were a pirate's map; Ofburied treasure; If this was all cor- rect; The last thing I'd expect; The prose- cution rests; It's time that I confess; I must have loved you. Yeah, suck on that for awhile kids. Hats off to coach McCollough for a great regu- lar season. fl, 33 Charles Young 34 Philip Brabbs 35 Brian Thompson 36 Brian Lafer 36 Scott McClintock 37 Zach Kaufman 38 BJ. OpongOwusu 38 Garrett Rivas 39 Adam Finley 95 96 97 99 99 Alain Kashama Larry Harrison Luke Perl Andy Stejskal Pierre Woods I I f } I