The Michigan Daily - rmichigandaily.com Friday, October 17, 2008 -5 Twelve-year run in jeopardy at Penn State By DAN FELDMAN Daily Sports Editor The Michigan football team's nine-game win streak over Penn State will end Saturday, since the third-ranked Nittany Lions are favored by 23.5 points. Michigan at Or will it? Michigan (2-4) Penn State has been ranked Matchup: lower than the Michigan 2-4; Nittany Lions in Penn State 7-0 five of the last nine When: To ror- games, including row 4:30 P.M. last year's 14-9 Where: Bea- win. And Penn ner eta- vrStadium State (7-0) has been undefeated TV/Radio: three times in the tSPN streak entering its matchup with Michigan. "I said to the kids after the ball- game, I said, 'Hey, I hope you guys don't fall asleep and think that because we beat Wisconsin in pretty good shape, and Michigan had some problems, that it's going to be an easy football game,' " Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "I said, "You've got to remember, these guys have beaten us nine (games) in a row. They know how to beatus.'"' Even if the streak ends Saturday, it will still go down as one of the most impressive feats in Michigan's storied history. Although Michigan has had a winning streak of atleastnine games against every Big Ten team, none of those streaks contained as many wins over ranked teams. The Nit- tany Lions were ranked entering six of the nine games. No other Big Ten team was ranked more than twice in its losing streak to Michigan. The first game in the streak launched the Wolverines into the forefront of the race for the 1997 National Championship, which they split with Nebraska. In 2002, Penn State couldn't cap- italize on its only winning season between 2000 and 2004. The Nit- tany Lions pushed the Wolverines to the first overtime game in Michi- gan Stadium history, but fell 27-24. An apparent catch on Penn State's last drive was ruled out of bounds, taking away the Nittany Lions' chance of a game-winning field goal in regulation. Paterno later filed a complaint with the Big Ten regard- ing the call, one of several that have been questioned during the streak. In 2005, then-Michigan coach Lloyd Carr convinced the officials to put two seconds back on the clock during the Wolverines' final drive, a decision the Penn State faithful fre- quently decry. On a play that began with one second left, Chad Henne threw a touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, giving the Nittany Lions their only loss of the season. The competition has kicked up off the field, too. On national sign- ing day this year, freshman running back Michael Shaw decommitted from Penn State in favor of Michi- gan, drawing Paterno's ire. The streak, which began before Carr ever won a Big Ten title, will be tested Saturday at 4:30 in State College. The point spread has never been so large in the series. "It's an unusual place to be - being a 24-point underdog going to into a game," senior nose tackle Terrance Taylor said. "But it makes you angry, and it makes you play better." Senior Terrance Taylor (left) and fifth-year senior Tim Jamison pursue Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli two years ago. The duo knocked Morelli and his backup out of the game then and hope to get similar pressure on the quarterback tomorrow. FOOTBALL Nittany Lions . have upper hand Czarnik has chance to shine in CCHA opener against Northern Michigan By COURTNEY RATKOWIAK Daily Sports Editor over twice as manyr downs (25) as pass ground attack is likel MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE lethal against the W VS. PENN STATE RUSHING Michigan is ranke DEFENSE Big Ten in rushing de Penn State leads the Big Ten because it couldn't st in rushing defense, allowing less liams when Illinoisc than 90 yards per game. Defensive two weeks ago. Thou end Aaron Maybin is a force to be quarterback Daryll C reckoned with for the Wolverines' effective in the air, front line with a conference-high Lions will still be ab 12 tackles for loss this season. the Wolverines. Other than freshman running back Sam McGuffie, Michigan's Edge: Penn State running backs have been nonex- istent this year.The Wolverine's SPECIAL TE second leading rusher, redshirt Against Toledo - freshman quarterback Steven time in weeks, th Threet, has just 19 yards. And didn't fumble on a with running back Carlos Brown Even though it looks still out and running back Bran- verines may have fou don Minor coming off a rib injury returners in redshi from last week, don't expect either Avery Horn and fre team's statistics to drastically tavious Odoms, they change. consistent enough ushing touch- ing, and the ly to be just as olverines. ed last in the 'fense, mostly op Juice Wil- came to town gh Penn State Clark is more , the Nittany le to run over AMS for the first e Wolverines kick return. as if the Wol- nd go-to kick irt freshman eshman Mar- haven't been to be relied Derrick Wil- ey Lions' top ing his. team 9.2 yards per 's opponents 4.5 yards per Zoltan Mesko gainst Toledo 'been one of [he team. He's in the Big Ten pecial teams ined by the team. By CHRIS MESZAROS CCHA polls but suffered a 5-0 loss Daily Sports Writer to Minnesota-Duluth last weekend. Northern Michigan played the They graduated from the same Wolverines well in all six games high school. last year, including two 3-3 ties at They both played for the U.S. Yost Ice Arena. ' National Team Development Pro- While Kolarik scored three gram. goals against the Wildcats last sea- Even the last two letters of their son, including a game-winner, the names are the expectations for same. Czarnik are not as So who are the high - yet. Wolverine coaches He rem inded But the Wash- comparing fresh- ington, Mich. man forward Rob- us a little of native has already bie Czarnik to? 1 *1 s impressed the "He reminded ~Chad olarlK, coaching staff us a little of Chad Berenson said enough for them Kolarik," Michigan to put him on coach Red Beren- the top power- son said of Czarnik. play line. "He has reallygood Kampfer's skills. He has always been one of injury created an opening on the the top scorers in his age group. He unit Czarnik will fill, for now. just seemed like a Michigan player, Michigan hopes to jumpstart a a player that would thrive at Michi- power-play unit that scored just gan." one goallast weekend against St. Will he thrive as much as Kolarik Lawrence. did donning the Maize and Blue? "(Czarnik is) a skilled player It'll take a while to find out. and has good vision," Berenson But Czarnik can make an impres- said. "When we lost Kampfer sion upon his coaches this weekend, at defense, we put Carl (Hage- when the second-ranked Wolver- lin) at the point, and that opens ines (2-0) head to Marquette to up a spot down low, and we felt take on a tough Northern Michigan Czarnik was the guy." squad to open the CCHA season. Like Kolarik, Czarnik has an With Michigan's defense reel- impressive shot. The Wolverines ing from the loss of senior Mark targeted Czarnik as a recruit Mitera, junior Steve Kampfer and since he was a sophomore in freshman Brandon Burlon, the high school. Wolverines will have to pick up the Czarnik is quick on the ice slack in all facets of the game. and has soft hands that give him The 19th-ranked Wildcats (1-1) touch around the net. were the preseason darlings of the "He shoots to score," Michi- gan assistant coach Mel Pearson said. "Whereas a lot of guys like that try to put it on the goal or aim it, he tries to score." KolarikandformercaptainKevin Porter played on the development team for two years before becom- ing Wolverines. Similarly, Czarnik and fellow freshman David Wohl- berg played together last year and' have known each other for several years, developing a close friendship along the way. "They've known each other so long that they can read off each other," Pearson said. "Plus, they really enjoy each other's company both on the ice and off the ice." Michigan plays its first big series of the season this weekend against the Wildcats. The Wildcats return 10 of 12 top point producers. They are hungry to start the season strong, something they didn't do last year. While Kolarik developed his stardom over the course of four years, Czarnik can start to develop his own legacy this weekend. "He's got skill, he's got speed, he's got great work ethic, good hands, good offensive instincts," Pearson said. "All what we look for on the power play." Edge: Penn State upon yet. Wide receiver I liams is the Nittan MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE kick returner, helpi VS. PENN STATE PASSING to a Big Ten-high 2 DEFENSE return. Penn State Threet is still recovering from have averaged just4 a bruised right elbow, which lim- punt return. ited him in practice this week. If Michigan punter2 redshirt sophomore Nick Sheri- had a 63-yard punt a dan starts in place of Threet, and has consistently the Michigan offense will prob- the best players on t] ably rely even more on its running the strongest punter: game. Even if Threet starts, he right now, but this si will likely be rusty without a full battle will be determ week of practice. stronger kick return The Penn State secondary has, grabbed a Big Ten leading 11 inter- Edge: Penn State ceptions this year, and Sheridan has thrown two interceptions INTANGIBL in each of his last two games. Penn State has The opportunistic Nittany Lion straight against the* defense will be able to take advan- dating back to 1996. tage of a few small Michigan mis- gan has watched its takes. snap stadium recor Edge: Penn State as the Wolverines' against Mid-Americ ence teams was sn ES lost. nine Wolverines, But Michi- opponents ds all year, win streak 'an Confer- napped last , Penn State safe to say a very hos- PENN STATE PASSING OFFENSE week. VS. MICHIGAN PASSING Michigan is down DEFENSE is rolling and it's It's hard to tell that Daryll Clark Happy Valley will be is a first-year starting quarter- tile place tomorrow. back. The Clark-led "Spread HD" offense scored 48 points against Edge: Penn State Wisconsinlast week and 38 against Illinois three weeks ago, and both Prediction: Penn Stat teams have stronger defenses than 41-14 Michigan's. The Wolverines have been burned on deep passes all sea- NAS FINEST& FASTEST SI son. Although defensive coor- , dinator Scott Shafer likely , emphasized improved coverage T.- s H I R T P R I and tackling on wide receiver screens this week in practice, . Expert Scree the turnaround may not be that "r& quick.m d n5uDOnKuu te wins ICE 1973 p IN T E R Y nprinting ery I Edge: Penn State PENN STATE RUSHING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE Penn State running back Evan Royster is averaging 102.7 rushing yards per game. And on average, the Nittany Lions tally 235 rushing yards to their oppo- nents' 90 this season. 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