8A - Friday, September 21, 2007 Wl1 Blue own PSU? By DANIEL BROMWICH Daily Sports Editor Two years ago, Penn State strolled into Ann Arbor unde- feated and in line for a potential National Championship bid. Michigan was struggling, hav- ing already lost three games, including two at home. And up 25-21 with 53 seconds left, the Nittany Lions were ready to celebrate not just the continua- tion of their dream season, but the end of a six-game losing streak to the Wolverines. But a Steve Breaston kick return started drive that resulted in a Mario Manningham touch- down catch with no time remain- ing, extending Penn State's misery another year. The Nittany Lions haven't beaten the Wolverines since 1996, when they left Ann Arbor with a 29-17 victory. Tomorrow, they will try to end the streak that reached eight games with a 17-10 loss in Happy Valley last season. "You hear it around campus, in the newspapers, even when we're just being asked questions,'? Penn State wide receiver Deon Butler said. "I think everyone will get a crash course on how many times Michigan has beat us in a row, even if you didn't know." The losses have varied in style. Michigan has blown out the Nit- tany Lions by at least 20 points in half the games and has squeezed out tight wins by seven points or fewer in the other half. In several of the contests, dis- puted calls near the end of the game have had a hand in deter- mining the outcome. Two years ago, Carr argued for and received two additional sec- onds on the clock duringthe Wol- verines' final drive. Penn State coach Joe Paterno got the same The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Wolverines take talents out in the community By ALEX FLEISCHNER For the Daily At most universities, the ath- letes are expected to be focused solely on their sport and to excel in that area. But, while the Michigan men's soccer team cares about wins and losses, it also manages to go beyond sports and give back with numerous hours of community service. After winning-the Community Service Team Award last year, the team continues to succeed off the field, while also prospering on it. Last Monday, the team's nor- mal off day, the players split up into two groups to take part in a soccer clinic for underprivileged children. One group traveled to Ypsi- lanti to participate in a commu- oity soccer program. It began-over the summer to give children the opportunity to learn and practice soccer skills. "With collaboration between the men's and women's soccer teams and the Ypsilanti commu- nity, we were able to bring soccer to where there had never been soccer," said team captain Michael Parke, who traveled to Ypsilanti. Workingwith childrenages four to 12, the team taught basic skills to some who had never touched a ball before. The experience not only gave children a chance to learn soccer, it also acted as a bonding experience for the Wol- verines. And the event was so suc- cessful; another one in Ypsilanti will be held Sept. 30th. The second group on Monday worked with the Special Olympics on Varsity Field. More events are planned for next Friday. Top Soc- cer, an organization for children with physical disabilities, will hold a clinic with the soccer team. Even with all these off-field events going on, the Wolverines have been more than capable in their start to the season. Their 6-0-0 record is one of the fast- est starts in recent years. They are only one victory away from matching last year's win total for the season. With tough matchups in the upcoming weekend, Michigan's meddle will be put to the test. The Wolverines plan to copy their off- field success with success against Detroit and Wisconsin. Yet, regardless the outcome of their games, the Michigan men's soccer team has accomplished more this week then most do a whole semester. *I Junior Mario Manningham and the Wolverines look to extend their w streak over Penn State to nine games when the teams meet tomorrow. treatment on the previous drive. In 2002, referees ruled Nittany Lion wide receiver Tony Johnson out of bounds on a critical third- down reception, killing a possible game-winning drive. Subsequent replays indicated that Johnson was, in fact, inbounds. These losses still resonate with Penn State fans, players and coaches. "We've played some really good games against them," Nit- tany Lions' coach Joe Paterno said. "Some of them, we could dispute other factors beside just the players. I think that's the way it goes." Although Penn State hasn't beaten the Wolverines in 11 years, the Nittany Lions have been favored numerous times dur- ing that period. This year, No. 10 Penn State (3-0) has beaten each of its opponents by more than 20 points. Michigan (1-2), on the other hand, dropped its first two games of the season before pounding Notre Dame last Sat- urday. The Nittany Lions' defense ranks eighth in the nation, allow- ing just 218 yards per game. Although its first three games have been against national door- mats Buffalo, Notre Dame and FloridaInternational, the defense was expected to be the team's strength headin into the season. "When ydu look at a lot of defenses, you can find a weak- ness," running back Mike Hart said. "But Penn State, there's real- ly no weak point on their defense. Every play is not going to be five yards. There's going to be plays when we don'tget any yards." Offensively, Penn State returns senior quarterback Anthony Morelli and boasts speedsters Derrick Williams and Deon But- ler at receiver. But last season, Morelli and the wideouts were shut down, and the quarterback was knocked out of the game in the third quarter with a concus- sion after an Alan Branch hit. Asked what he thinks Morelli wants out of the rematch this year, senior linebacker Shawn Crable had a laugh at his oppo- nent's expense. "I think he wants to stay in the game," he said. As a team, Penn State has been competitive in just half of the games during the losing streak. But as the 10th-ranked team in the nation, the Nittany Lions will be a measuring stick for Michi- gan in its conference opener. "I think Penn State might be the best team in the Big Ten," Hart said. "So we're really going to find out how good we our this game, find out what are chances are like and how much we've improved from the first two weeks." Michigan 45 Procrastination Penn State 35 station Before every football game this season, two of the Daily's football writers will take the weekend's matchup to the PlayStation 2 and then let you know what happened. - Play of theogameo- Michigan led by a slim three-point margin when RB #20 broke free on a 69-yard touchdown run with a little more than 1:00 left in the game to give the Wolverines a commanding 45- 35 lead. RB #20 got to the outside due to an incredible block by OL #65 on LB #40. OL #65 engaged LB #40 from behind to give RB #20 the outside lane. - Player of the game - Michigan WR #86 hauled in eight catches for 273 yards and two touch- downs. WR #86 caught passes in double coverage for a majority of the game, and anytime he was one-on-one, it was over with a QB #15 deep bomb. - Press Conference Michigan coach Scott Bell: "Am I happy we held coach Wright's team to negative 42 yards rushing? I wouldn't say happy, I'd say I'm satisfied." "It was a gametime decision as to ,who I should start at QB, but I figured QB #15 could give coach Wright a chance to win. In the end, I was just too good regardless." "RB #20 upset me a bit. Only 173 yards on 17 carries? He certainly had an off game." "QB #14 is still breathing? Wow, that's great news. After the eighth sack he took, I thought he was a goner for sure." "Tell coach Herman he can coach Michigan next week, and I'll coach Northwestern. Better yet, I'll win. I guarantee it." Penn State coach Kevin Wright: "What can I say? I got all the breaks and still couldn't pull out the victory." "I'm not sure why we can't beat Bell's team. Oh, I know. It's because our offensive line doesn't know how to block." "I hate to point to unfair advantag- es as the reason I lost the game, but K #43 was questionable for the game. And kickoffs played a huge role in field position." "Bell's defense deserves credit. His squad forced me into an aerial game, and that wasn't in my game- plan." "I never knew CB #14 was that fast. He broke on a ball intended for WR # 2 from halfway across the field and still deflected it." Visit www.NSA.gov/Careers/CiQ for career information. U.S. citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable laws and regulations. I +NOW PLAYING EVERYWHERE ? MOBILE USERS For Showtimes -- Text EASTERN with your ZiP CODE to 43KIX (43549)