4B - October 8, 2007
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
GAME STATISTICS
Injuries lead to opportunities
Tam Slat
Frst Dows
Rsh/Yds
Pssing Yards
OffensivePays
Totl Offens
Return8Yards
Comp/Att/Int
Pnts/Avg
Fmbles/Lost
Penalties/Yards
Tim ofPos
EMU
36/135
169
72
304
149
18/3/2
6/42.2
3/2
2/19
31:13
M CH
37/255
204
65
459
35
18/28/2
3/32.7
2/0
7/65
28:47
Int
2
2
M I C H I C
PASSING CA
Payer C-A
Henne 17-26
Mallett 1-2 2
Totals 1-28
RUSHING At Ys
Hart 22 215
Brown 8 9 13
Mathews 2 17
Hemingway 1 7
Totals 37 215
RECEIVING
Player No d
Heringway 3 33
Mathews 3 21
Hart 3 18
Criswel 1 11
Butler 1 10
Ttl 18 204
PUNTING
Player No.
KICKOFF RETURNS
Player too. Yds
Ezeh 1 13
'oas 1 13
PUNT RETURNS
Player No. Yds
Warren 4 22
Totals 4 22
Player Solo
Ezeh 5
Logan 4
Crable - 5
Englemnon 5
Jamison 2
Warren 3
Banks 2
Graham, B. 2
Rgrs 2
Brown
Edwards 1
Harrison 0
McLaurin 0
G A I
Yds
195
9
204
Avg
9.8
2.2
8.5
7.0
2.0
-8.0
6.9
Avg
17.0
11.0
7.0
6.0
11.0
10.0
9.0
11.3
Lg
61
5
11
7
61
23
13
11
1
10
TD
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
TD
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
By DANIEL BROMWICH
Daily Sports Editor
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr alluded to
former New York Yankee first baseman
Wally Pipp in Saturday's postgame press
conference.
"You remember Wally Pipp, don't
you?" Carr asked. "Some of you don't
remember. I see those blank looks."
Pipp, a first baseman for the New York
Yankees in the early 1920s, had a good
career, leading the American League in
home runs twice.
But he's most famous for being
replaced by Lou Gehrig for a game in
June of 1925. Gehrig went on to play
2,130 consecutive games, which stood as
the all-time record for 56 years. Pipp was
off the team the following year.
With six Michigan starters missing
Saturday's game against Eastern Michi-
gan, the Wolverine coaches gave some
backups a chance to turn some of those
starters into Pipps with winged hel-
mets.
While it's unlikely that any players
who missed the game will be permanent-
ly replaced, some backups did impress in
their increased playing time.
Wide receiver Adrian Arrington
notched his first 100-yard game in the
absence of No. 1 receiver Mario Man-
ningham, who was benched for disci-
plinary reasons.
"It's weird because Adrian and Mario
are kind of both No. 1 (receivers)," quar-
terback Chad Henne said. "We're going
to go to them as much as we can because
they have great talent and they do a lot
of great things with the ball when they
catch the ball. Adrian's performance
these last six weeks has been great."
Freshman Junior Hemingway took
advantage of the opportunity as well,
catching the first pass of his career, a
23-yard gain on third down. He added
two more catches later and also earned
praise from Carr after the game.
Henne was usually connected with
those receivers when he had time, but
the quarterback was frequently under
duress against the Eagles. With right
guards Alex Mitchell, Jeremy Ciulla and
Tim McAvoy all sitting out with injuries,
right tackle Steve Schilling had to shift
over to right guard, and Mark Ortmann
replaced him at tackle. Schilling said
after the game that even though tackle
and guard are similar in terms of assign-
ments, the pass-blocking technique for
the new position was different.
Yds Avg Lg
Avg Lg TD
13 13 90
Avg Lg TD
5.5 12 0
5.5 12 0
AsDEFENSEy
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Freshman linebacker Obi Ezeh celebrates with defensive end Tim Jamison during Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan.
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6
3
3
2
2
"Early in the game, Chad got sacked
in the red zone, and that's because we
missed a protection," Carr said. "That's
because Steve's playing a new position.
In the second quarter, he got hit just
as he let the ball loose, because, again,
we got something new on the right side
of the line. If you look at the first half,
offensively, we had a lot of opportuni-
ties we couldn't take advantage of, just
because in my judgment, we're playing
new guys."
The defense also blamed its struggles
on the unavailability of several key start-
ers. Linebackers Chris Graham and John
Thompson missed the game with minor
injuries (both say they will return next
week). And defensive tackle Will John-
son sat out, too.
"That'll hurt you a little bit," lineback-
ers coach Steve Szabo said. "But it was
a game where we hoped that our young
players had a great opportunity to play
and they answered the bell."
Freshman Obi Ezeh replaced Thomp-
son at middle linebacker and junior
Brandon Logan played for Graham. Ezeh
led the team with nine tackles and also
forced a fumble, and Logan finished sec-
ond with seven takedowns. Logan also
recovered a fumble.
- "For the first time going a whole game
like that for both of them, that's big, and
I just tried to help them out in as many
ways as possible," Graham said. "They
don't get the opportunity every day, so
they're going to make mistakes. But the
same message we give all those guys who
fit in: 'Just play hard.' When you play
hard, good plays happen."
With Johnson out, freshman Marques
Slocum made his career debut. The tal-
ented but troubled defensive tackle had to
sit out a year because he wasn't academi-
cally eligible. And when it appeared he
was finally ready to contribute, he had to
deal with a Minor in Possessionviolation,
a controversial Facebook.com interview
discovered by Internet bloggers and dis-
ciplinary consequences for both.
Slocum was told in practice this week
he would likely gain some reps, and he
was sent on the field for his first play
midway through the first quarter. He
separated from the offensive lineman's
block nicely but couldn't tackle the run-
ner.
"I think I did all right," Slocum said.
"It was a little struggle in the beginning
with the calls, being my first game in two
years. As it went on, I got better with the
playcalls and just the game momentum
and getting back. It was a real fun expe-
rience."
But more than just fun is counted on,
no matter who the player is.
"Here at the school, the expectation is
really for the position," Englemon said.
"Whoever steps in there, they're expect-
ed to do well. That's how we come into
the game."
Just like Gehrig did 83 years ago.
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BIG TEN STANDINGS
Team Big Ten Overall
Ohio State 3 0 6 0
Illinois 3 0 5 1
Michigan 3 0 4 2
Wisconsin 2 1 5 2
Indiana 2 1 5 1
Purdue 1 1 5 1
Penn Stae 1 2 4 2
Northwestern 1 2 3 3
Michigan State 0 2 4 2
Iowa 0 3 2 4
Northwestern 0 2 2 3
Minnesota 0 3 1 5
THIS WEEKEND'S RESULTS
MIcHIGAN 33, Eastern Michigan 22
ILLNOS 31, isconsin 26
Ohio State 23, PURUE 7
Northwestern 48, MIcHIGAN STATE 41 OT
INDIANA 40, Minnesota 20
PENN STATE 27, Iowa 7
AROUND THE NCAA
STANFORD SHOCKS SOUTHERN CAL
You thought last weekend was wild.
Stanford, a team missing its starting
quarterback and widely thought to finish
near the cellar of the Pac-10 this season,
went into Southern Cal and emerged
with a win, the first time any time has
done so in 35 tries. The last team to
accomplish the feat? You guessed it:
Stanford. Experts are saying this upset
was bigger than Appalachian State
beating Michigan. Southern Cal was
favored by 41 points entering the game,
but when backup quarterback Tavita
Pritchard converted a 4th-and-20 and
then a 4th-and-goal with 49 seconds
remaining, the Cardinal had taken a 24-
23 lead it wouldn't relinquish.
ORDER IN THE SEC
Florida visited Louisiana State Saturday
in what was basically the premature
SEC Championship Game. And in what
was probably one of the best, most
entertaining games of the year, Louisi-
ana State scored with just more than a
minute remaining in the fourth quarter
to take a 28-24 lead. When Florida's
Hail Mary pass was knocked to the
ground on the ensuing possession, the
Tigers' had assumed control of the SEC
race, as well as the race for a spot in the
National Championship Game. Louisiana
State coach Les Miles went for it on five
different fourth downs and converted
every single one as he brought his
team back from two different 10-point
deficits. Even with a superhuman effort
from Gators' quarterback Tim Tebow,
the Tigers handed Florida its second-
straight loss, effectively eliminating it
from National Championship contention.
BUCKEYES THE CLASS OF BIG TEN
Ohio State travelled to a raucous Ross-
Ade Stadium to play the 23rd-ranked
Boilermakers. With most expecting a
tight game that would indicate the best
team in the conference, the Buckeyes
simply dominated Purdue. They shut
down the Boilermakers' high-octane
offense, not allowing a score until just 10
seconds remained in the game and hold-
ing Purdue to four rushing yards.
Hart's historic
game enoug to
overshadow errors
EAGLES From page 1B break the record here at Michi-
gan, because I wouldn't have, I
in style. don't think you make that kind of
"I finally got the (record), and prediction about anybody," Mich-
it's time to keep adding to (it) igan coach Lloyd Carr said. "But
now," Hart said. "I don't think I did know that Mike Hart was a
someone can stop me." special guy. And he's proven that
And they may not. here and he's proven that time
Along with all of the career and time again."
records Hart shattered or added Said Henne: "He's definitely
to Saturday - most yards (4655), the best back I've seen in my life.
most carries (929) and most 200- He plays hard and he's a great
plus yard games (five) - he's also person and a great teammate to
on pace to break all of Michigan's be around."
single-season rushing records. After Michigan's early scare
Hart has 976 yards and 10 - it's second in as many weeks
touchdowns just six games into - Hart finally had an opportunity
the season. He's the first Michi- to relish his accomplishments. But
gan back inhistory to begin a year that's not his No. 1 priority.
with six consecutive 100-yard "It's another day to me" Hart
games. said. "You know, it's a win.As long
"I can't say that I would have as I win, I'm happy. And I got the
predicted that he was going to record."
Kicker K.C. Lopata tries to make the tackle after a blocked extra point.
Special teams shufflle
gives senior his shot
By KEVIN WRIGHT
Daily Sports Editor
When Michigan's opening drive stalled at
the Eastern Michigan 14-yard line, Wolverine
fans wondered if Michigan coach Lloyd Carr
would stick with senior kicker
Jason Gingell for the field-goal NOTEBOOK
attempt.
The crowd voiced its opinion on the shaky
kicking situation by cheering when K.C. Lopata
trotted on the field.
Lopata nailed the 31-yarder - his first-career
attempt -to give Michigan a 3-0 lead. The senior
later put through a 36-yard kick in the third quar-
ter to finish the day 2-for-2.
"I just felt where we were and where he was
the fair thing to do was to give K.C. a shot," Carr
said. "And K.C. has done a good job. I thought
he really hit the ball well today. I mean those
were true. He hit the ball flush, so that was a
great thing to see. I'm sure it will help his con-
fidence."
Gingell emerged after a three-way competi-
tion in training camp, but hit just 3-for-9 on the
season.
SPECIAL DAY FOR SPECIAL TEAMS: On a day of
broken records by Michigan running back Mike
Hart, Eastern Michigan wrote another piece of
Wolverine history.
After Hart scored on a four-yard run to putt
Michigan up 16-3 in the second quarter, the
Eagles' Jason Jones blocked Lopata's extra-point
attempt. Eastern Michigan's Ryan Downard
picked it up and ran it back for a two-point con-
version.
The return marked the first time in Michigan
history a conversion attempt has been returned
for a two-point conversion. The NCAA imple-
mented the rule that a blocked extra point could
be advanced in 1988.
Still, Carr would like to take another look
before coming down on his field-goal unit.
"I'm going to be interested to see the field goal
thatwasblocked,"Carrsaid. "Theycamethrough
a gap where Jake (Long) is, and Jake swears the
guy was offsides, and I believe him."
Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk sur-
prised Carr with a gutsy call to open the second
half when the Eagles successfully recovered an
onside kick.
The Eagles lined up for a standard kickoff, but
kicker Zach Johnson squibbed it right in front of
him. He fell on it, and Eastern Michigan used the
momentum-changing play to score a touchdown
to cut the Wolverine lead to two.
"That's a hell of a call, because if it doesn't
work, maybe you put yourself in poor field posi-
tion," Carr said.
INJURY UPDATE: Saturdaythe Michigandefense
shuffled around its starting lineup because line-
backers John Thompson and Chris Graham and
defensive tackle Will Johnson roamed the side-
lines in street clothes.
Both Thompson and Graham said they'll be
ready to play next week, but Johnson wouldn't
elaborate on his injury.
"It's just some nicks and bruises," Graham
said. "My back's just a little bit achy. So the
coaches will decide, and I'll just make sure I'm
healthy enough to play next week."
On the offensive side of the ball, right guard
Tim McAvoy also plans to return against Pur-
due.
Saturday, right tackle Stephen Schilling shift-
ed into McAvoy's slot and redshirt sophomore
Mark Ortmann filled in at right tackle.
Carr said wide receiver Mario Manningham,
who was suspended for Saturday's game for vio-
lating a team rule, will be back next week.
Backup running back Brandon Minor also
didn't dress Saturday, and while Carr said he
would return against Purdue, the coach had
some words for him.
"I'm disappointed where he is," Carr said.
"This guy's got a lot of ability, and this guy needs
to get focused and do the things he's capable of
doing."
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EMMA NOLAN-ABRAHAMIAN/Daily
TOP: Tailback Mike Hart carried Michigan on his back on a record-breaking day.
BOTTOM: Freshman Donovan Warren tries to make the tackle without a helmet.
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