4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - October 9, 2006
THE BLITZ Football
GAME STATISTICS
Team Stats
First Dow~ns
Rush/Yds
Passing Yards
Offensive Plays
Total Offense
Return Yards
Comp/Att/Int
Punts/Avg
Fumbles/Lost
Penalties/Yards
Time of Poss
MSU
14
26/600
252
61
312
120
20/35/2
4/215
0/0
27:35
NO. 6 MICHIGAN 31 - MICHIGAN STATE 13
Mental mistakes doom Spartans
ASNG M I C H I G A N
Player C-A Yds TD
Henne 11-17 140 3
Totals 11-17 140 3
MICH
20
42/211
140
59
351
58
11/17/0
3/153
0/0
3/25
32:25
D Int
3 O
3 O
-g TD
0t 1
2 0
O O
g TD
1 0
1t 2
6 O
2 .0
it 3
RUSHING
Player
Minorn
Jackson
Brown
Team
Totals
RECEIVING
Breaston
Manningham
Mathews
Tabb
Ttals
Att
22
12
3
2
2
1
42
No.
4
3
1
1
1
1
11
Yds
122
51
39
2
-1
-2
211
Yds
34
75
13
10
6
2
140
Avg
13.0
1.0
-0.5
-2.0
5.0
Avg
8.5
25.0
6.0
2.0
8.2
L
4C
-2.
4C
L
1
41
41
PUNTING
Player No. Yds Avg Lg
Meko 3 53 510 64
KICKOFF RETURNS
Player No. Yds Avg Lg TD
Braon 2 37 19. 0
Ttarles 2 38 190210
Taylo 1 2 3
PUNT R ETURNS
Perso No. Yds Avg Lg TO
Threson 1 10 0.0 1
Totals 1 20 20.0 20 O
PlaerES Solo Asst Tot
Mundy 7 1 8
Burgess 6 2 8
Harris 4 1 5
Stewart 4 O 4
Crable 3 1 4
Taylor 1 2 3
Graham 1 1 2
Thompson 1 0 1
Patterson 1 0 1
Richards 1 O 1
Hall 1 0 1
BIG TEN STANDINGS
Team Big Ten Overall
Michigan
Ohio State
Iowa
Wisconson
Penn State
Purdue
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan State
Northwestern
Minnesota
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
6 0
6 0
5 1
5 1
4 2
4 2
3 3
2 4
3 3
2 4
2 4
By Kevin Wright
Daily Sports Editor
When your team loses more yards to penalties than it
gains rushing, you're putting yourself in a tough position
to win.
And Michigan State did just that Saturday.
The Spartans were penalized 11 times for 87 yards and
ran the ball 26 times for just 60 yards.
"I think that's one of the things you talk about when you
play good football teams you can't afford to do," Michigan
State quarterback Drew Stanton said. "We can't put our-
selves in situations like that. I'm responsible for the offense
and trying to get them the play."
Whenever Michigan State started roll-
ing, a yellow flag always seemed to fall NOTEBOOK
to the field.
The frustration began with Michigan's first drive of the
game. On third-and-six, quarterback Chad Henne pulled
back off center to check off, and Michigan State's Ogemi
Nwagbuo, who thought the ball had been snapped, jumped
across the line. The Spartans registered two more offsides
penalties later in the game.
And just like that, the Wolverines had a more-than-man-
ageable third-and-one. The Michigan offense took full
advantage when Henne threw to Steve Breaston in the left
flat for 10 yards and a Michigan first down.
The Wolverines went on to score on that possession, and
Demond Williams was flagged for a personal foul after a
Garrett Rivas extra point. The penalty allowed Michigan to
kick off from the 50 yard line.
"Our kids were wanting," Michigan State coach John L.
Smith said. "We get two roughing penalties, and that guy's
not even supposed to be coming. The block is not designed
to come from there, but they're wanting to play."
The Spartans used just about every method possible
to stem their chance of a comeback. A late hit on Man-
ningham on a third-and-eight gave the Wolverines a first
down in the third quarter. In the fourth, Williams ran into
Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko, allowing the sophomore
an opportunity to boom a 64-yard punt, erasing the 41-yard
punt on his first attempt.
"If you really look at it, that killed us" Sir Darean
Adams said. "All the dumb penalties we made really killed
us. That's us as players. There's nothing to say, that's the
players. Coach isn't going to tell you to hit a player in the
back."
OB'S ONE: It must have been a flashback.
For one play, fullback Obi Oluigbo returned to his origi-
nal position at Michigan: linebacker.
When Breaston took the opening kickoff of the second
half, he didn't expect one of his teammates would be the
one to take him down.
But Oluigbo accidentally hit Breaston while trying to set
up a block and knocked him to the turf.
"I was going full-speed' Breaston said. "Actually, he
messed up my face mask. I had to get a whole new helmet
- that's how hard the hit was."
THE NEW TIGER STADIUM: With just under seven minutes
left in the game, a rousing cheer rose into the sky from the
111,349 sitting in the Big House.
Backs boast
confidence
and talent
By Matt Singer
Daily Sports Editor
All year long, Michigan's opponents have searched'
for the formula to stop the Wolverines' fearsome rush-
ing attack.
Add Michigan State to the list of teams who couldn't
find the elixir.
Ledby its three-headed tailback combination of junior
Mike Hart, sophomore Kevin Grady and freshman
Brandon Minor, Michigan's ground attack dominated
the Spartans' defense throughout Saturday's contest. The
Wolverines finished with 211 yards on 42 carries - their
fourth 200-yard performance of the season.
"That's what our gameplan was' Grady said. "We
just wanted to come in and establish the run. We wanted Ke
to run the ball, because obviously you run the ball, you
keep possession of the ball. They're the type of offense, rie
being as explosive as they are, that we were trying to fin
keep the ball out of their hands as much as possible" mo
As usual, Hart was the focal point of Michigan's run- iga
ning game. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord called
Hart's No. 20 early and often, and the shifty runner Mi
picked up 122 yards before the end of the third quarter, del
good for his fifth 100-yard game of the season. he'
Only a twisted ankle - not the Michigan State tice
defense - could slow Hart. The injury forced him out go
of action late in the third quarter, and he didn't return to his
the backfield. pos
After the game, Hart indicated that the injury was ted
minor.t
"My ankle just got rolled," Hart said. "I was fine after tri!
I got taped up.I could have gone back in" Ch
Even without its spark plug, the Wolverines' ground tou
game didn't miss a beat. Immediately after Hart went up
down, Grady rattled off three consecutive carries for a r
combined 26 yards, moving the Wolverines to the Mich- ma
igan State 40-yard line. bat
Grady's scampers set the stage for the highly touted the
Minor to introduce himself emphatically to the Big gai
House fans, who had previously seen just glimpses of ses
Minor's sky-high potential. the
On first-and-10, Minor stepped in to spell Grady. He r
took the ball off right tackle, broke through one Spar- ba
tan arm tackle, and then cut to the left side of the field. qua
That's when Minor showed off his jets, accelerating past po'
Michigan State's defenders and diving to the pylon for a -
40-yard touchdown - his first collegiate score. -
"Brandon, he's explosive,' Grady said. "Everybody giv
knows that. You give the kid a crease, he's going to be
gone. He's real fast. He read it real well. The line had a "Y
great block, and he just took it to the house" mo
As long as Hart's ankle injury doesn't become a lin- fiel
gering problem - and there's no indication that it will ove
- his time off during the Michigan State game might job
have been a blessing in disguise. Both Grady (12 car- tur
While the Michigan defense shut down the Michigan State running attack, the Spartans hurt themselves with penalties.
But it wasn't for the play on the field. the game. He was originally injured during the first play in
Instead, the fans reacted to an announcement over the last week's contest against Minnesota.
public address system. The Detroit Tigers had beaten the Meanwhile, cornerback Morgan Trent returned to
New York Yankees 8-3 to move into the American League the field. Following the Wisconsin game, Trent had
Championship Series. surgery on his left thumb after falling on it awkward-
"Well, they announced it (the Tigers score) about 45 ly. Even though Trent was cleared to play against
times' Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "I thought for a Minnesota, Carr held him out because he had missed
while I was at Tiger Stadium. The only time it bothered me too much practice. On Saturday, the redshirt sopho-
was when we took over the ball out there, and I thought we more had three tackles.
were going to get a penalty for illegal motion." "It definitely felt good to get back out there," Trent
Even though Carr was less than pleased about the con- said. "I wish I could've played last week, but my injury
tinual announcements, he still made a point to state his alle- didn't let me. It felt good to come out and play against
giances when it comes to the playoffs. Michigan State."
"Hey, trust me, I've been a lifelong Tiger fan, and Jim Junior running back Mike Hart left the game in the third
Leyland is doing a great job' Carr said. "That team is doing quarter with an ankle injury. He had the ankle taped and
a great job. It's great for this state and the Tiger organiza- would have gone back in if not for the lopsided score.
tion. That's exciting." Wide receiver Mario Manningham left in the second
INJURY REPORT: Tight end Tyler Ecker remains day-to-day, half and was seen on the sidelines in the fourth quarter with
He was seen standing on the sideline with crutches during ice taped over his knee.
k fri .t''.S.3 > ATED1PRESS POLL
The weekend's action brought some minor and major movement
4ain the Top 25. Auburn fell from No. 2 all the way to No. 11 after
4W - losing to now-No. 17 Arkansas. With Auburn falling from the
ranks of the unbeatens, Florida jumped to No. 2 after a con-
vincing win against Louisiana State. Ohio State maintained its
top ranking. The Buckeyes easily dispatched cupcake Bowling
Green and remain undefeated. Meanwhile, Michigan continues
to creep quietly toward the top.
THIS WEEKEND'S RESULTS
MICHIGAN 31, Michigan State 13
Penn State 28, MINNESOTA 27
OHIO STATE 35, Bowling Green 7
Indiana 34, ILLINOIs 32
OoA 47, Purdue 17
PENN STATE 41, Northwestern 9
AROUND THE NCAA
MCFADDEN TRAMPLES AUBURN'S
UNDEFEATED SEASON: Auburn coach
Tommy Tuberville won't have to worry
about his team being the odd man out at
the BCS championship game. His Tigers
became the victim of the first major upset
this year when Arkansas ran all over the
vaunted Auburn defense. Razorback run-
ning back Darren McFadden rushed for 145
yards and one touchdown while his coun-
terpart Auburn's Kenny Irons totaled just 75
yards on the ground in the 27-10 Arkansas
shocker. Maybe next year Tuberville will
wait to the end of the season to whine about
the BCS.
GATORS CHOMP TIGERS, STILL
UNDEFEATED: For the first time since
Steve Spurrier paced the sidelines of
the Swamp, Florida is 6-0. The Gators
dominated Louisiana State 23-10 Saturday.
Freshman Tim Tebow threw two passes,
both of them resulting in Florida touch-
downs. Tebow ended the first half with
a basketballesque play when he flipped
it over the defense at the one yard line to
tight end Tate Casey. In the end, the Tigers
were done in by the five turnovers they
committed as quarterback JaMarcus Rus-
sell struggled to find any type of consis-
tency. He threw three interceptions on the
night.
CALIFORNIA BACK IN THE NATIONAL
PICTURE: After California forgot to play
in its season-opening loss at Tennessee, the
Golden Bear hype deflated faster than Edward
Scissorhands holding a football. But Calfor-
nia has slowly crept back into the national
spotlight, especially after a blowout against
higher-ranked Oregon. The 45-24 win was
highlighted by California quarterback Nate
Longshore's three touchdown passes and run-
ning back Justin Forsett's 163 rushing yards.
TEAM
1. Ohio State
2. Florida
3. Southern cal
4. Michigan
-M ls=A5. West Virginia
6. Texas
ALEX DZIADOSZ/Daily
vin Grady carried the ball 12 times for 51 yards. 7. Louisville
s for 51 yards) and Minor (three carries for 41 yards)
ished with season-high rushing totals and developed 8. Tennessee
Ire confidence heading into the second half of Mich-
n's season. 9. Notre Dame
"I thought Kevin (Grady) had some very good runs,"
chigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "And of course I was 10. california
ighted to see Brandon Minor break a big play, because
s done that a number of times this fall, in our prac-
ts, in our scrimmages. And he's going to be a very 1Auburn
od football player. So it creates some confidence from
standpoint, and it certainly improves our depth at that 12. Clemson
sition to know that lie's been in a big game and acquit-
1himself well." 13. Georgia Tech
As usual, the Wolverines' rushing dominance con-
buted to big performances in other areas. Quarterback 14. Louisiana State
ad Henne threw just 17 times but completed three 15. Iowa
uchdown passes with Michigan State's defense stacked 16. Georgia
against the run.
The defense also benefited from Michigan's running
chine. The Wolverines won the tine of possession 17. Arkansas
:tle for the sixth-straight time this season, holding onto
ball for over 32 minutes. That total included Michi- 18. Oregon
n's longest drive of the season, a 13-play, 73-yard pos-
sion that concluded with a field goal and ate 7:12 off
clock. The drive featured 10 rushes. 19. Missouri
Thanks to the Wolverines' clock-eating running
cks, their defense stayed hungry and fresh, containing 20. Boise State
arterback Drew Stanton and Michigan State's high-
wered offense. The Spartans picked up 312 yards
their second-worst offensive performance of the year 21. Nebraska
and Michigan's defense stiffened when it counted,
ing up just 13 points. 22. Virginia Tech
"That's really the essence of the game;' Carr said. 23. Oklahoma
ou look at most great defensive teams, and you'll find,
Dst of the time, an offense that is keeping them off the 24. Rutgers
.d and using the clock, that is not turning the football 25. Wisconsin
er in the short end of the field.I thought we did a great
carrying the football today, protecting it, and not
ning it over."
LAST WEEK
beat Bowling
Green 35-7
beat Louisiana State
23-10
beat Washington
26-20
beat Michigan
State 31-13
beat Mississippi
State 42-14
beat Oklahoma
28-10
beat Middle'
Tennessee
State 44-17
beat Georgia 55-31
beat Stanford
48-17
beat Oregon
45-24
lost to Arkan-
sas 27-10
beat Wake For-
est 27-17
beat Maryland 27-23
lost to Flordia 23-10
beat Purdue 47-17
lost to Tennes-
see 51-33
beat Auburn 27-10
THIS WEEK
at Michigan State
at Auburn
Arizona State
at Penn State
Syracuse
Baylor
Cincinnati
Alabama
Idle
at Washington St.
Florida
Temple
Idle
Kentucky
at Indiana
Vanderbilt
Southeast Mis-
souri State
lost to Califor- UCLA
nia 45-24
beat Texas at Texas A&M
Tech 38-21
beat Louisiana at New Mexico St.
Tech 36-3
beat Iowa Idle
State 28-14
Idle at Boston College
lost to Texas 28-10 Iowa State
Idle at Navy
beat North- Minnesota
western 41-9
Games updated through Oct. 9.
I