I 4B - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandail.com I Heisman hopeful states case with heroic effort By JACK HERMAN Daily Sports Editor In his first three years at Michi- gan, Mike Hart has consistently dazzled crowds withunbelievable NOTEBOOK runs and memo- rable games. But leave it to the captain senior running back to add another chap- ter to his lore - even if it will be resigned to footnote status in one of college football's all-times great- est upsets. It lacked the grandeur, historic relevance, and - oh, yeah - the victory of performances by Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series and Willis Reed in the 1970 NBA Finals. But it lacked none of the will, skill or excitement. Hart battled a thigh injury to record 188 yards on 23 carries including one 54-yard, fourth-quarter touch- down run that Michigan fans won't soon forget. "I wanted to go back in," Hart said. "You just get ready to go. I had no choice but to go." Hart started the game as expect- ed, breaking it open on Michigan's first possession with a 33-yard dash along the right sideline before recording his 4-yard touchdown run. With 44 yards on four carries, the senior seemed ready to gather some quality evidence for Exhibit A in his case for the Heisman Tro- phy. His hopes were soon thwarted. Hart ran the ball for just eight yards on four carries to end the opening quarter. A thigh injury then sidelined him in the second, leaving backup Brandon Minor to carry the load. But when Minor fumbled the ball with 6:56 left in third, Hart inserted himself back in the lineup. on his third carry back, he went off the left tackle for four yards, diving into the end zone for a touchdown. And he wasn't done. With Michigan down 31-26 in the fourth, Hart took the ball off the left tackle on first-and-10. He shot to the left sideline before slashing cross-field to the right, powering his way to the end zone for an unforgettable 54-yard touchdown run. Even Michigan coach Lloyd Carr admitted he was impressed. "Based on the report from (director of athletic training) Paul Schmidt, I was surprised that he played in the second half," Carr said. "But he played well." Out with the old, in with the new: Most Michigan fans probably expected to get a glimpse of fresh- man phenom Donovan Warren some time in the second half. They got it, but probably not for the reason they expected. With junior Johnny Sears strug- gling at right cornerback, War- I I I Despite missing nearly two quarters, Senior Mike Hart's188-yard performance gave Michigan a chance to win Saturday's game. ren played in the third and fourth second half. Among other sins, 150th game with a win, Carr quarters. Although he wasn't pick- Brown over-committed on a play walked away from the Big House ing up garbage-time minutes in a during Appalachian State's first on Saturday with just his second blowout, Warren locked down the drive, causing him to miss a tackle opening-game loss ever (the other position and earned Carr's praise. on Dexter Jackson's 68-yard touch- to Notre Dame in 1998). "Donovan Warren went in and down catch. It also marks the first time did some good things," Carr said. His replacement, Brandent since 1979 Michigan has lost three The same can't be said for Sears. Englemon, fared much better. He straight games. The cornerback- who enteringthe recorded seven tackles and inter- Although the loss will surely season Carr said, "really matured cepted a pass late in the fourth rank among the most infamous, at the corner" - also fumbled two quarter that nearly helped Michi- Carr said it hurt like all the others. kickoffs (one was reversed, the gan put the game away. Nearly. "I've never had a loss that wasn't other Sears recovered). Misery Milestone: Hope no one miserable," said Carr, now 113-37 And he wasn't alone. Carr also bought flowers. all-time. "And I don't think I ever yanked safety Stevie Brown in the Rather than celebrating his will." MAIZE GAUGE The Michigan Daily football writers break down the weekend's stats that don't show up in the box- score. The defense-o-meter measures the intensity of the defense, the Carr-o-meter judges Lloyd Carr's demeanor following the game and the hypemeter measures the fans' game performance. DEFENSE-O-METER 1/ Michigan's defense weren't prepared for the extent of the Appalachian State spread offense and it showed in the first half. The unit was also hurt by some Crables missed assignments and tackles in the secondary. 4 CARR -0-METER_ / It took Carr an unusually long time to make it to his post-game presser. He took responsibility for the loss, saying he didn't have the team prepared enough. But Lloyds the Carr--o-meter isn't awarding Lloyd heads for per- sonal responsibility. Carr under- standably gets the low mark because of how disappointed he was following the upset. HYPEMETER _ _ _ _ _ 3 When the crowd wasn't in shock by the way Appalachian I4 State moved the ball, it got pretty loud, especially after Mike / Hart's 54-yard touchdown run and Mario Manningham's Big Houses catch to set up the last Jason Gingell field goal attempt. But with the Mountaineers gaining the lead in the first half and the Michigan offense killing themselves with turnovers and penalties, there wasn't much to cheer. Buy used and save Buying used textbooks saves you 25% off the price of new. Rush to the bookstore for the best selection of used books. Order Your Textbooks Online Today www.whywaitforbooks.com Pierpont Commons Bookstore Pierpont Commons (North Campus) (734) 668-6022 Barnes & Noble at the University of Michigan 530 S. 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