- Al AV a 0 .1 2B - The Michigan Daily - Kickoff 2004 - Thursday, September 9, 2004 Table of contents 3 Defense wins championships? With the offense trying to replace major parts, Michigan will try to lean on its talented defense 4 Courage under fire Matt Gutierrez has always excelled under high pressure situations 5 Replacing a star Chris Perry carried Michigan to a Rose Bowl berth. Now, David Underwood has to try and fill his shoes. 6& 7 Coming back Braylon Edwards and Marlin Jackson both shunned the NFL for their senior years in Ann Arbor. Find out why. 8 Saturday Tradition Daily Sports Editor Gennaro Filice waxes poetic about the best of football Saturdays in Ann Arbor. 9 Simply the best Can Jason White repeat as Heisman Trophy finalist? Will Southern Cal. run the table? Get these answers and more. 10 Crystal ball The Daily football writers (and a Playstation 2 simulation) take their best shots at predicting the outcome of this season. 11 The new guy Surprise! Chad Henne is Michigan's new quarterback. He's ready. But are his parents? 3 2004 Michigan Schedule The Michigan Daily - KIckoff 2004 Henne, parents thrilled with starta Saturday, September 1 - at Notre Dame Saturday, September 25 - Iowa Saturday, October 9 - Minnesota C SSIE The 125th edition of Michi- gan football is upon us, and all of us here at The Michigan Daily are pleased to welcome you back for another season of fall magic. Coming off a season in which the Wolverines reached their first Rose Bowl in six years, expectations are high as usual, and throughout the season we'll be providing extensive coverage of the Wolverines. In our season preview, we take an in depth look at a pair of Wolverines who chose to spend one more fall in Ann Arbor, Braylon Edwards and Marlin Jackson. Both dealt with struggles throughout last year and thought about entering the NFL, but ultimately decided that their career in Maize and Blue couldn't end with a loss in Pasadena. Michigan features a swarming defense and devastating crop of wide receivers, but its offense must break in a new quarterback and running back. Michigan's starting quarterback is still up in the air. Matt Gutierrez was expected to start the opener against Miami (Ohio), but suffered a shoulder injury. True freshman Chad Henne filled in, and may never give the spot back. After watching Chris Perry for three years, David Underwood finally has the starting job, and has no intentions of giving it back. Michigan fans should all be looking forward to a promising sea- son, and we'll be here to bring you everything as it unfolds. Chris Burke - Gennaro Filice Bob Hunt " Sharad Mattui All summer long, the debate raged. Who would replace record-setting quarterback John Navarre as the signal- caller for Michigan's offense? Would it be Matt Gutierrez, the expect- ed replacement, who had spent two years learning the Michigan system as a backup to Navarre? Or would it be Clayton Richard, the lefty with a cannon for an arm? Turns out the correct answer wasn't either of them. Instead, true freshman Chad Hennewas handed the reigns to the Michigan wagon. A shoulder injury sustained by Gutierrez left the door open, and Henne's spectacu- lar efforts in practice meant that he would be the answer to Michigan's quarterback predicament. And, according to him, he's ready. "I'm still a true freshman," Henne said. "But with all the preparation that I had - just coming in the spring for a week and being here all summer and just learning from the quarterbacks - you can't name me a true freshman. "I've been through a lot and I studied the other quarterbacks, so they helped me out big time." Henne seemed to show his maturity in the Wolverines' 43-10 victory over Miami (Ohio) to open the season last week. The Pennsylvania native finished 14-for-24 for 142 yards and two touchdowns. "Chad took it to a new level with Kickoff 2004 By Chris Burke Daily Sports Editor his poise," said wide receiver Bray- Ion Edwards, who was the recipient of Henne's touchdown tosses. That poise was something that Henne's parents didn't nail down quite as well. After the victory, it was easy to recog- nize which set of parents were Henne's - they were the two that couldn't stop smiling. "It's exciting," said Sheldon Henne, Chad's father. "We expected him to play the second quarter, so when he called (home) and said he was going to start, it was a big surprise. "It's not often that a freshman starts, not at Michigan." The Hennes' thrill level climbed once again as Chad helped lead the Wolverines onto the field. And for Sheldon, it was almost overwhelming. "That's what I told (Chad's) high school coach - I said I'd probably cry," Sheldon said. "You know, you try to fight (the tears), but it's exciting." It would be exciting for the Michigan program if the move to implement Henne in as starter is successful enough to become a four-year deal. And if that happens, then those fond of Michigan football will have quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler to thank. While the Wolverines were attempt- ing to steal Henne - then a high school phenom - from underneath Penn State's nose, it was Loeffler who was instrumen- tal in the recruiting effort. When it came down to it, Loeffler, the Michigan system and the potential to Saturday, October 23 - at Purdue I'' 1 KicKOFF 2004 PRODUCTION CREW Saturday, November 13 - Northwestern Chris Burke Gennaro Filice Bob Hunt Sharad Mattu Jordan Schrader Gennaro Filice Tony Ding Tony Ding Jonathan Dobberstein Tera Freeman Alisa Bischoff Football Writers Editor in Chief Managing Editor Photo Editor Cover Photo Business Manager Display Sales Manager Ad Design Manager TONY DING/Daily Chad Henne became just the second-ever Michigan quarterback to start as a true freshman. Rick Leach was the first in 1975. Display Sales Account Executives: Michael Cooper, Heeral Patel, Adam Kronk, Chris Pinckney, Ben Schottenfels, Daniel Perach, Jessica Sachs, Courtney Dywe, Sarah Wille Sports Apparel Giftwear Nike Apparel * Over 10% of all sales at the Michigan Union & Pierpont Commons Bookstores go back to support U of M student services. " The Michigan Union & Pierpont Commons Bookstores are the only book stores contracted by the University of Michigan. " A wide variety of our best selling items like gifts and apparel for all students, alumni, family, friends and kids available for purchase online. Special thanks to:I Daniel Bremmer, Ian Herbert, Josh Holman, John Lowe, Ashley Dinges $ 1 Off Any Individual Meal ~~ or Carver ComboM Good at all participating Boston MarketO locations. Present coupon when ordering. Not redeemable for cash or gift card. Only one coupon per customer per visit. Not applicable to delivery or catering. Coupon not redeemable at Boston Market's Rotisserie Grill' restaurants. No reproductions allowed. Tax not included to meet coupon threshold. Applicable taxes paid by bearer. Offer Expires 11/30/04 BOS-10740 2004 Boston Market Corporation $2 off Any $10 Purchas Good at all participating Boston Marketw locations. Present coupon when redeemable for cash or gift card. Only one coupon per customer per visit. N to deliveiy or catering. Coupon not redeemable at Boston Markets Rot restaurants. No reproductions allowed. Tax not included to meet coups Applicable taxes paid by bearer. Offer Expires 11/30/04 OS-10740 2004 Boston Market Corporation Michigan Union Bookstore Student Union- Lower Level (734)995-8877 Pierpont Commons Bookstore Pierpont Commons (North Campus) (734)668-6022 *Not valid for OSU fans. Michigan Union Bookstore www.umichigan.bkstore.com Visit the Boston MarketĀ® Restaurant at 3325 WashtenawAvenue,