The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 9A * Blue bounces back, blanks Grizzlies By ANDY REID Daily Sports Writer It took just seven minutes for the Michigan men's soccer team to for- get last weekend's heartbreaking tie to Wisconsin. At the - seven- MICHIGAN 2 minute OAKLAND 0 markoflast night's contest at Oakland, fresh- man Tex McCullough fielded a pass from sophomore Mauro Fuzetti and scorched the net by sneaking the ball into the lower right corner of the goal. McCullough's first-career goal ended up being the game win- ner in the Wolverines' 2-0 blanking of the Golden Grizzlies. After an emotional game against the Badgers, a mid-week con- test against a team like Oakland could've been tricky. But Michigan coach Steve Burns said his team was focused squarely on the Grizzlies. "I was interested to see how we would bounce back from the Wis- consin game," Burns said. "But see- ing the players' attitudes at the team dinner and inthe locker room before the game, I was very confident that they would perform well." That attitude resulted in two goals in the first 20 minutes, which helped the Wolverines (8- 0-1) dictate the flow for the rest of the match. Junior Steve Bonnell launched a shot from about 20 yards outtonotchthe secondgoal. Fuzetti tallied his second point of the match with an assist on Bonnell's goal. On the other side of the field, Michigan's defense remained iron tight, allowing Oakland (3-2-2) just eight shots. And when goal- keeper Patrick Sperry actually had to defend the net, he continued the dominance he has displayed all year long. Sperry deflected every shot sent his way, tallying five saves in the process. It was his sixth shutout of the season, a Michigan single-sea- son record. That's quite a feat, con- sidering the Wolverines have nine regular-season games remaining. The aggressiveness of Michigan's play on both sides of the ball helped it pitch the shutout. "Obviously it's a goal in any sport to start out the aggressor," Burns said. "But I think we really put it together out there today and got right in our comfort level." After registering their eighth win of the season, the Wolverines have already matched last year's win total. But with the meat of the con- ference schedule coming up, Michi- gan still has a lot of work to do this season, starting with a tough home matchup against Indiana Friday night. "It's goingto be a great game with a great crowd," Burns said through the athletic department. "Indiana is starting its Big Ten season with us, and we know how important it isnto get the Big Ten season off to a good start. I just encourage everyone to come out and support us because it's going to be a fantastic environ- ment." Junior Steve Bonnell scored the Wolverines second goal last night against Oakland. The win was huge for Michigan, helping it rebound from atie with Big Ten rival Wisconsin last weekend. Conference supremacy on the line in weekend's key games Sophomore Paige Laytos was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after her stellar play against lowalast week, where she played both forward and midfield. Laytos thinks of'M' first By CLAIRE ABRAHAM For theDaily The confidence and intensity Paige Laytos exudes during some- thing as routine as daily practice is an indicator of her commitment to the Michigan field hockey team. Last Sunday, Laytos was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore didn't expect the recognition, even after playing a key role in the team's comeback against Iowa last Friday. "I was playing a forward posi- tion, and there were times when I was a (midfielder)," Laytos said. "I never thought I would get defen- sive player (of the week)." It wasn't just the defensive nature of the award that caught Laytos off guard.. She thrives on the team-first philosophy empha- sized by Michigan coach Naicy Cox. Cox describes Laytos as "the consummate competitor." "I just try to give 100 percent on and off the field in everything I do and just hope that people can see that and (my teammates) can feed off of that," Laytos said. Laytos is a self-proclaimed "lead by my intensity on the field" kind of player. The Lititz, Penn., native began playing field hockey in fourth grade at a summer camp. After doubting whether she wanted to continue playing in middle school, she moved on to play for War- wick High School and enjoyed her experience. She credits her mom for making her stick with it. "(My favorite part-of playing. for Michigan is) how rich in tradi- tion it is, how everybody loves the sports and everyone supports each other," Laytos said. "Michigan has a great balance of everything I was looking for, and it actually exceed- ed my expectations." Cox credits Laytos as being all about the team. This dedication, along with her outstanding indi- vidual efforts, makes Layton such a special player. "This team, to me, means abso- lutely everything; I love every sin- gle one of them," Laytos said. "I'm an only child, but it's like I have 22 sisters. It's the coolest feeling." By H. JOSE BOSCH Daily Sports Editor "I have an important question." "Go ahead." "What is Britney doing with her life?" That classic exchange between ESPN commentators Mike Patrick and Todd Blackledge during the final moments of the Georgia-Ala- bama game almost made it worth picking Alabama to win the game. This weekend's picks may feature some excitement - two games boast four top-25 teams while a third features two tradi- tional Southeastern conference powerhouses. As always, here are my picks: so wrong, they must be right. No.5 West Virginia at No.18 South Florida, Friday, 8 p.m. - ESPN 2 Be honest: You miss having a meaningful football gametowatch every Friday night. But going to a high school football game now would just make you a creepy col- lege student. Fortunately, the Big East has you covered. The two- headed monster of Pat White and Steve Slaton has basically had its way with opposing defenses. The two have amassed 1,405 total yards and 21 touchdowns. That's an average of 7.4 yards per play. But the Mountaineers square off against one of two teams that beat them last season. The Bulls somehow found a way to stifle the White-Slaton duo en route to a 24- 19 win on the road. The major dif- ference between this year and last year is the Bulls are ranked and at home. Not only will Tampa be rocking for a nationally televised night game, but South Florida will want to prove last season's win wasn't a fluke. No. 18 South Florida 28, No. 5 West Virginia 24 No. 6 California at No. 11 Oregon, 3:30 p.m. - ABC SEC or the Pac 10? If you watch the World Wide Leader, you'd think this was the greatest sports debate of all time. So if you buy into this fruitless argument, this game will surely provide evidence for Pac-10 supremacy. While South- ern Cal is the cream of the crop, the Bears and Ducks are a close second and third. Not to mention, the winner will have an inside West Virginia quarterback Pat White leads the Mountaineers into South Florida for a pivotal Big East matchup on Friday. Charges dropped against Graham track to dethrone the Trojans. Neither team has an official Heim- man hopeful, but Oregon's Dennis Dixon and California's DeSean Jackson could make good cases. And neither team enjoys play- ing defense. The Ducks are ranked 78th in the nation, and the Bears look imposing by comparison at No. 54. California and Oregon have had similar schedules thus far and each team has taken care of business. But this will be the first real road test for the Bears, and they haven't faced a quarterback as talented as Dixon. Bears' coach Jeff Tedford may be a favorite in the "Who will replace Lloyd Carr?" rumor mills, but his luster will dull a bit. No.11 Oregon 45, No. 6 California 43 Auburn at No. 4 Florida, 8 p.m. - ESPN If I bring up the great confer- ence debate, I can't offer one mar- quee conference matchup without offering another. Last season, this game was a bit more intriguing. The Tigers were 11th in the polls and hosted the second-best team in the country. Despite trailing 17-11 at the half, Auburn managed to blank a potent Gator offense and win 27-17 to provide the lone stumble during Florida's national; title run. This year's game may not be as interesting. The Tigers aren't ranked. Two, losses - at home, no less - against'. South Florida and Southern Miss:, are proof that this year's team, shouldn't be feared much. Plus, the game is in "The. Swamp," one of the most difficult places to win on the road. Add on the fact that the Gators are' going for a school record-tying 12th straight win, and it's easy to see the cards are stacked against, Auburn. But don't feel too bad for the, Tigers. Nose tackle Josh Thomp-; son proposed to his girlfriend fol- lowing last week's 55-0 drubbing of New Mexico State and she said yes! So, you know if the season goes south after this game, at least his teammates will have an open bar to go to during the reception. No 4. Florida 37, Auburn 17 By SCOTT BELL Daily Sports Editor Brandon Graham's short-lived legal woes have come to an end. The sophomore defensive end, who had a bench warrant out for his arrest issued last week, had disorderly conduct charges against him dropped, according to the Detroit News. The bench warrant has also been terminated. "It was our position all along he was misidentified," Jim Acho, Graham's attorney, told the News. "So the charge will be dis- missed in 60' days." According to the News, Graham was GRAHAM ticketed for playing loud music from his car in July. He pleaded not guilty the fol- lowing month on those charges, but failed to appear in court on Sept. 18, when the bench warrant was issued. Graham, astarter for the Mich- igan football team, has collected five sacks in his last two games. The Detroitnativehas emerged as an essential cog in the Wol- verines' recent resurgence on defense. CLI4MSY LOVERS Frid6, S&ptember 28, 8 p.m. not another one!" Michigan Head"- Pain &S4 Neurological Institute is conducting an in-clinic research study evaratinig an investigational use of an inhaled medication for' igrtines. ' Participants must Ise I Ito 65 years old and experience one toeightvheadaches per month. A lolal of lirec clinic visits is required. ' Visit 2 is , lottr- to five- hour treatnist visit while having an acute headache. Participants must be available to come to the clinic douring normal business hours (8 a.m. to ur vi.). eou will be compensated up to $300 for your time and travel expenscvs. For more information, please call a study coordinator at (7>>4) 677-6000,,.vioirir4. Do you have Acne? If you have acne you may qualify fora research study at the Universty of Michigan Department of Dermatology. If you are interested i participating, call the University of Michigan Department of Derato y find out more. ~'Compensation maybe provided. The number is (734) 764-R. IRBMIED #2001-0383 TI HL SAMP LFIS kle s'- I I nt sm Callfor tiCkets (34) 163 K 1l Tickets at all TicketMaster outlets and Herb David Guitar Studio Doors open 112 hour before showtime. STUDENT DISCOUNT WITH ID!