w W w ~ w w w ~ w w w w w w w 1 s s ! -lw v ____'w w w w w i ww mw w ! mw 2B - Football Saturday - Saturday, September 23, 2006 Saturday, September 23, 2006 - Football Saturday - 7B 2006 Depth Chart FS B. Englemon R. Mundy s J. Adams W. Barringer KR. S. Breaston J. Sears PR S. Breaston L. Hall CB 2006 Michigan Schedule Vanderbilt (Sept. 2), W 27-7: "Bend, don't break" can't be used to describe the defense after this impressive performance. j jE Michigan only gave up 171 yards of total offense and sacked the quarterback six times. Somewhere Jim Herrmann is crying. Central Michigan (Sept. 9), W 41-17: Thunder and lightning didn't stop the Wolverines from trouncingthe Chippewas atthe Big House. Mike Hart ran all over Central's D for three touchdowns, and LaMarr Woodley picked up two sacks for the second straight week. CB L. Hall J. Sears WILL MIKE SAM P. Burgess D. Harris S. Crable C. Graham J. Thompson B. Logan DE DT DT DE R. Biggs T. Taylor A. Branch L. Woodley T. Jamison M. Walton W. Johnson J. Van Alstyne TE LT LG C RG RT T. Ecker J. Long A. Kraus M. Bihl A. Mitchell R. Riley M. Massey M. Ortmann J. Ciulla D. Moosman J. Schifano C. Zirbel M. Trent C. Stewart WR S. Breaston C. Tabb Notre Dame (Sept. 16), W 47-21: The Fighting Irish came into this one withthe national media singing their praises, but it was Michigan who emerged victorious. The Wolverines dominated every facet ofthe game, but Mario Manningham's three scores stole the show. Wisconsin (Sept. 23): It's time to play role reversal: The Badgers open up their Big Ten season on the road against Michigan. The situation couldn't be sweeter for the Wolverines to seek revenge for last year's loss in Madison. Hopefully, Chad Henne can stay on his own two feet. Minnesota (Sept. 30): The last time Michigan was in Golden Gopher country, the Wolverines trailed 21-7 going into the fourth quarter before scoring 31 points in the final frame to win 38-35. The player who booted kicked winning field goal? Garrett Rivas. Let's hope it doesn't come to that again. Michigan State (Oct. 7): The last two years of this rivalry have been incredible. Expect the same thing this year when the Spartans come into town. Ron English will make sure that this year's defense will punish Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton and keep the Spartans down in the standings - where they belong. HALL Continued from page 3B "When we go out there for warm-ups, it's not full," said Hall, who finished that season as a freshman All-American. "Then you go back into the locker room for 20 minutes and come back out and it's just filled. For the first time, you're sitting back like, 'Dang, this is for real.' It grounds you and excites you a little bit." A MOMENTTOGETHER It was a special occasion on more than one level. During Hall's freshman year, Michigan made it to the Rose Bowl after an impressive victory over Ohio State. That win gave the Wolverines their first outright Big Ten championship since 1997. The game even provided his family the chance to watch him play in person again. Hall remembers the game, the outcome and matching up one- on-one with Southern Cal receiver Mike Williams - which he said didn't go too well.For Hall,having his family in the stadium was the best part of the day., "I got a lot of tickets to go to the game so that my family got to go there," Hall said. "They don't come out to the games out here that much. It was real special to me to get to have them here, get the feeling of them watching me play again like back in high school. It was really great." And that's how Hall's always been: family first. Whenever Hall goes back to California, Green loans him a car so he can get out and see all his family in the area. Even when Hall is back in Ann Arbor, he makes sure to talk to his sisters and uncle on a regular basis. Some- times he calls just to check on his nieces and nephews. But don't try to ask about how he did in a game. With Hall's humility and perfectionist traits, that can be a difficult task. "You don't realize that Leon had a good game because some- times I couldn't make it to his games (when Hall was in high school), and he doesn't really talk about it until you read it in the paper" Green said. His sisters feel a sense of words-cannot-describe-it pride when they see their little brother sprint onto the field and into their television every week. "That's the only kind of college football we watch," Keicha said. "We don't watch any othergames; we just watch him play. I don't watch any other kind of football." THE FINAL CHAPTER The polished 5-foot-ll senior usually has an answer for every question, but this stumped him. Try as he might, he can't think of a single pass that Vanderbilt threw to his side during Michigan's season opener. Ever the humble one, Hall finally mustered a mumbled "I don't thinkthey threw to my side." Vanderbilt was well served not to throw to Hall's side. When Notre Dame tried to a week ago, Hall had three pass breakups and a spectacular interception. The four years at Michigan have come and gone in a flash. The reality first sunk in at training camp when he got his own room. Durig his time as a Wolverine, Hall's collected an impressive resume. He's helped Michigan win two Big Ten championships and has been to two Rose Bowls, though the Wolverines lost both. The stage is set for his grand finale. So far this season, Hall and the Wolverines have acted out a dream beginning. They enter Big Ten play with an undefeated 3-0 record, and Hall anchors the secondary of a dominating Michigan defense. The Wolverines have returned to the spot- light, and the pressure will only continue to grow if Michigan continues to win. That's a challenge the quiet, confident Hall is ready to accept. W R M. Manningham A. Arrington QB C. Henne J. Forcier FB 0. Oluigbo W. Paul t K G. Rivas P Z. Mesko R. Ryan RB M. Hart K. Grady FOOTBALL SATURDAY Three weeks into the 2006 season, it's hard to imagine the Wolverines looking any better. Michigan tuned up against its first two cupcake opponents, and then demolished Notre Dame in South Bend. Now, as the chilly breezes of autumn begin to blow into Ann Arbor, Michigan prepares for its next test - the always- difficult Big Ten season. The journey starts on Saturday, when the Wolverines square off against Wisconsin for a rematch of last season's heartwrenching defeat. The Badgers cruised through their nonconference schedule, but it's anyone's guess how they'll perform against a hot Michigan' team in the Big House. Penn State (Oct. 14): Maybe Joe Paterno should place the number "one" all over the team's locker room. Not to remind the players they're No. 1, but to remind them they were just one second away from victory and a possible undefeated regular season. Happy Valley wilt be Happier Valley with this 8 p.m. kickoff time. Iowa (Oct. 22): Thanks to Iowa's recent success, the Big Ten is now the Big Three and Little Eight. This year should be no different. Michigan has won the last two meetings, so Iowa will feel it's due for a win. Will Drew Tate be the second mobile quarterback in three weeks that the defense effectively stops? Only time will tell. Northwestern (Oct. 28): Northwestern loves to be Big Ten giant killers, and the Wolverines are no strangers to losing an "easy" game against the Wildcats. This will be the final Big Ten game played at the Big House this season, and you can expect the outgoing seniors will want to go outon top. Senior Leon Hall, the most experienced starter on defense, has limited opposing offenses with his shutdown coverage. M' has edge over Badgers U Ball State (Nov. 4):hAlthough Ball State is David Letterman's claimed alma mater, there won't he anything funny about this game. Michigan should continue its dominance of the Mid- American Conference in this late-season nonconference game. Indiana (Nov. 11): Coach Terry Hoeppner claims the new team motto is "If you can run, you can play," emphasizing team speed. What he really means is that if you can functionally run, you can play because this team is awful. At least basketball season will have begun. Ohio State (Nov. 18): The Horseshoowill te rocking us this game will most likely have BigTen championship implications and possible national title implications. If Lloyd Carr can win this one on the road, he may considerdropping the extra "I" in his name. -: 3 AMPTON S LinCOlnAUPines FOOTBALL SATURDAY PRODUCTION CREW Scott Bell Matt Singer Kevin Wright Stephanie Wright Football Writers Donn M. Fresard Editor in Chief Jack Herman Managing Sports Editor Jeffrey Bloomer Managing Editor Alex Daadosz Mike Hulsebus Managing Photo Editors Mike Hulsebus CoverlDesign Alexis Floyd Business Manager Robert Chin DisplaySales Manager Ben Schrotenboer Assoc. Display Sales Manager David Dai Special Project Manager Special thanks to: John Lowe, Brady Quinn, Lisa Gentile, Bridget O'Donnell Michigan passing offense vs. Wisconsin pass offense v. Michi- ley - which he doe Wisconsin passing defense: gan pass defense: to be a long, painfu After Michigan's first two games, Wisconsin plays a power game, the redshirt freshma pundits everywhere wondered if the so don't expect the Badgers to try to Wolverines would ever find their aer- light up Michigan through the air.But Edge: Michigan ial attack. Then last week's win over quarterback John Stocco has plenty Notre Dame proved that Michigan's of experience and a decent arm. If Special teams: deep ball had just been hibernating. the Badgers run early on, Stocco MichigancoachL Quarterback Chad Henne connected could burn the Wolverines with play- Garrett Rivas's peri with receiver Mario Manningham for action. Notre Dame, despite three touchdowns in the first half. Michigan's defense has been rela- blocked extra poin The Badgers' pass defense has tively airtight, but it has had some than that mishap, M been impressive so far this season. trouble defending intermediate routes teams looked solid I Wisconsin has given up just 350 in the passing game. But without any The Badgers hav yards through the air in its first three major playmakers, Wisconsin isn't their kicking game games combined. But of the Badgers' the team to exploit that. In three games, p1 three nonconference opponents, only Mehlhaff has atter San Diego State even attempted to Edge: Michigan field goals and madi get its passing gae going. Wisconsin run offense v. Michi- Edge: Michigan Edge: Michigan gan run defense: Against three weak opponents, Intangibles: Michigan rushing offense vs. jumbo-sized running back P.J. Hill Wisconsin prob Wisconsin rushing defense: made Wisconsin fans forget all about about itself after bi Although the Wolverines' back- departed tailback Brian Calhoun. mid-major opponen field took a backseat to Henne and Hill, who tips the scale at 242 pounds, truly has the mome Manningham against Notre Dame, picked up 415 yards and five touch- verines have plent tailback Mike Hart still put together downs during Wisconsin's three big after destroying Ni a solid performance. He carried the wins. motivation shouldn ball 31 times for 124 yards. But Hill hasn't yet seen anything - Wisconsin br The Badgers haven't looked sharp like Michigan's defense. Wolverine heart at Camp Rani against the run so far this season. opponents have picked up an mfini- year. Wisconsin ranks seventh in the Big tesimal 62 yards on the ground in Ten in rush defense, giving up 104 three contests. Unless Hill has the Edge: Michigan yards per game on the ground. power to run over Prescott Burgess, Edge: Michigan or the speed to get by LaMarr Wood- Michigan 31, Wis esn't - it's going l day at work for an. .loydCarrpraised formance against the placekicker's it attempt. Other lichigan's special ast Saturday. en't really tested yet this season. acekicker Taylor mpted just three e two. ably feels good lowing out three its. But Michigan ntum. The Wol- y of confidence otre Dame. And 't be a problem oke Michigan's dall Stadium last consin 13