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 4 9 Freshman linebacker Obi Ezeh celebrates with defensive end Tim Jamison during Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan. 76 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. 0 1 1 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." 4 *I 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. 1 4