Wednesday September 6, 2006 sports.michigandaily.com sports@michigandail.com cJbe Af idigtui BaiQ SPORT"S 15 hHANDS When sophomore wide receiver Mario Manningham outstretches his arms, different people see dif- ferent things. Those close to him may see the tattoos around his wrist, symbolic of his strong family ties. Penn State fans may see the hands that made the catch that prevented their Nittany Lions from having an undefeated 2005 season. Yet Michigan fans may just see two empty hands - a grim remind- er of the amount of times they saw the Maize and Blue come up empty- handed last season. But no matter what the inter- pretation is of the hands, the fact remains that they belong to a wide- out who is coming off of one of the best freshman seasons in school history. And nobody can argue that if the program wants to return to the upper echelon any time soon, those hands will have to play a big part in it. It was a Saturday night in early September, and Warren G. Harding High School's Mollenkopf Stadium was filled to the brim. Even though it was an early-season game, the sell-out crowd provided proof of the magnitude of the contest. Not only were two of Ohio's pre- mier football teams colliding, but the state's two most highly touted recruits were also set to battle. Mario Manningham, Harding's four-star wide receiver, was pitted against Jamario O'Neal, Glenville's five-star cornerback. The match-up wasn't just a typi- cal duel between two great player, it was hyped as the first battle between two stars who were set to have many more - Manningham had already committed to Michi- gan, and O'Neal was headed to rival Ohio State. But what was supposed to be an epic head-to-head battle soon turned into the Mario Manningham show, foreshadowing the future impact the 6-foot wide receiver would have at Michigan. Manningham snagged seven catches, three of which went for touchdowns, for a total of 251 yards. O'Neal even moved from cornerback to safety following Manningham's second touchdown, but Manningham had planned on doing more than just winning his match-up against the rival corner. Warren G. Harding still trailed by two points late in the game, despite Manningham's receiving clinic. Glenville had the ball at midfield, and with less than two minutes remaining on the clock, it appeared as if Manningham's offensive explosion would be all for naught. But his night wasn't over yet. Onthird down,Glenvilleattempt- ed a screen pass, but Manningham, who was also playing cornerback, read the play perfectly and stepped into the passing lane. An intercep- tion and 50 return yards later, Man- ningham's night was complete, as was Harding's comeback victory. "He's had a lot of great perfor- mances, but that one was definitely through the recruiting process special," Warren G. Harding coach before - his uncle, Gerald Simp- Thom McDaniels said. "He's the son Jr. had previously gotten a best receiver I've ever coached in full-ride scholarship to play 33 years of coaching, and I've seen football at Pittsburgh. a lot of great wide receivers." This made the daunt- ing task a little bit easier for the wide receiver. Fast forward 13 months to another "We were kind of Saturday night. The scene is similar, fortunate because but on a much larger stage. There's (Mario's uncle), still a sold-out crowd, there's still a Gerald Simpson Jr., tightly contested game and there's had already been still Mario Manningham putting an through the process," emphatic end to that game with his Manningham's grand- heroics. father, Gerald Simpson Michigan fans remember it as Sr., said. "This was even one of the few bright spots in a dis- more intense than what my appointing season. son went through. A major-° Manningham remembers it as ity of Division I schools "just another catch." pushed really hard to get However it's remembered, it sent Mario and were knocking at Wolverine nation into a frenzy and his door." prevented Michigan from having its Manningham's close ties to first losing record at any point in a Warren alumni were another season since 1998. determining factor in his On the game's final play, Man- college choice. Luckily ningham, a true freshman, slanted for members of Wolver- across the field, where quarterback ine nation, Warren G. 4 Chad Henne connected with him Harding High has a 9 on a 10-yard touchdown pass. The history of sending catch propelled Michigan to a 27- graduates to Michi- 25 victory over then-undefeated gan. Penn State. "We have a great "There isn't anything about big bond at Warren: games that makes me play differ- it's like a brother- ently," Manningham said. "It's just hood," senior line- that some games I get more plays backer and Warren called for me than others. Last year alum Prescott Bur- it seemed like more of the big plays gess said. "When I got called for me in big games." went (to Michigan), I His former coach agreed, saying wanted to do what I could to that Manningham doesn't care what get other good players from Warren team he's up against - he wants to to do the same." catches for 443 yards and six touch- do whatever he can to beat whatever Once Manningham arrived in downs, just one touchdown behind team is put in front of him. Ann Arbor, his goal was to play Anthony Carter's freshman record "He doesn't necessarily have a as a freshman. Not only did he not of seven. knack for the big game, but he defi- redshirt, Manningham had already e sE nitely has a knack for the big play," made his mark by the second D McDaniels said. "I don't think game. Sophomore Mario cares who the opponent is, "I sat in the stands and had tears Manningham knows this year, wide he has the ability to break the big in my eyes the first time he walked his sophomore season, will be receiver Mario play no matter who he plays. At any on the field last year, and having his much more difficult. Long gone are Manningham point and time of the game, he can first catch of his college career be the days of playing in anonymity. had six bust loose." a touchdown catch against Notre "I'm ready," Manningham said touchdown Dame, what more can you ask for?" prior to the season at Michigan catches to go aong Simpson said of his grandson's 25- Media Day. "I know they're going and 443 yards yard touchdown catch against the to know about me this year. Every receiving during his Whether or not Manningham Fighting Irish. time I think about it, it just makes freshman season would be busting loose at the next In all, Manningham finished me want to work harder." level was never really the question his freshman campaign with 27 See MANNINGHAM, page 18 - his natural ability is undeniable. But it was far from a forgone con- clusion that Manningham's receiv- ing prowess would be on display at Michigan. Manningham grew up in Warren, Ohio. Once he began turning heads during his sophomore year in high school, almost all of the big schools came calling, including Ohio State. But by his junior year, Manning- ham had decided against moving three hours southwest to Columbus, and instead chose to enter enemy territory and sign a letter of intent to play for Michigan.hi y+P "To come from Ohio, you know~'aw early on that nobody likes Michi- t, ,, " "" .. ,, y >., gan, and nobody from Michigan likes Ohio,"' Manningham said. "There isn't any middle ground, so you either have to join them or play against them." FILE PHOTO Manningham's family had been Mario Manningham celebrates after catching Chad Henne's pass with no time remaining in Michigan's 27-25 victory agaisnt Penn State last season. I I T-SHIRT PRINTERY A2'S FINEST & FASTEST PRINTED& EMBROIDERED TEES, SWEATS, CAPS, TEAM SHIRTS, SHORTS -UM PO#S ACCEPTED- --CALL FOR OUR LOW PRICE QUOTE S-DAY TURNAROUND 1002 PONTIAC TR. TEL. 994-1367 adrianstshirts.com Find the LOwest Textbook Prices with I click! - Compare prices at dozens of online stores " New and used textbooks - Get the latest store coupons & hot deals - Includes availability & shipping Y time - Read user ratings & reviews of s s ores We don't sett books. We find you the lowest price! Are moderate or severe making your life a pain? If so, consider joining our research study. 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