The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com October 12, 2009 - 3B GAME STATISTICS Minor carves through Hawkeye ID' Team Stats First Downs SRush/Yds Passing Yards Comp/Att/Int Offensive Plays Total Offense Kick returs/ Yds Puntretn/Ys Punts/Avg Fumbles/Lost Penalties/Yards TimeofRPoss PASSING Player P-in Robinon Totals RUSHING Player Minor Robinon Forier SmtVin. " Totas RECEIVING P ayer Kger. Stoum Hemingway Grady, Kev. ts PUNTING Player Msk Forier Totas KICKOFFRETURNS Player 5tnum Player Heringway TACKLES Player Wiamars.Mike VanReren ParreRn WRRN Martin, Mike Rogers &o Roh Herron frtgrald Came" PASSING Player Stan Totals RUSHING Player Robinson Wegher REEING PlayerS Moeak SRoss TMws Totals . Player I Tols KICKOTFRETURNS Player Toal TACKLES Sash Edds Ballard Prater Hyde Tiarpinian Davis Loee * Totals MICH 18 45/195 124 11/23/2 68 319 7/121 5/25 S/49.2 3/3 3/25 27:45 M I C H I G A N C-A Yds - 8-19 94 3-4 30 1123 124 IOWA 17 34/83 284 20/38/1 72 367 A/US 5/39.7 A/0 5/4s 32:15 TD 0 0 0 Att 22 9 8 44 No. 3 1 1 1 Yds 95 49 26 189 Avg 4.3 5.4 3.3 4.3 Lg 12 9 9 12 Int 2 TDO 2 1 0 3 Yds Avg 27 9.0 9 9.0 7 7.0 4 40 124 11.3 Lg TD 15 0 9 0 7 0 4 0 1Z 0 No. Yds Avg Lg 5 269 53.8 61 1 26 26.0 26 6 295 49.2 61 No. Yds Avg 5 91 18.2 No. Yds Avg 3 20 6.7 Lgs 28 Ls 7 s TO 0 TD 0 Solo Asst 4 7 6 3 3 5 2 5 1 5 4 1 3 2 2 3 3 1 2 2 3 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 37 41 3 a w a C-A 20.38 20-38 Tot 11 9 8 7 6 5 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 78 a Yds TD int 284 2 1 284 2 1 By RUTH LINCOLN Daily Sports Editor IOWA CITY - Iowa's defensive rushing statistics were impressive enough to scare some teams away. Quarters without allowing a rushingtouchdown: 33. That's 337 days, eight games and a lot of frus- trated opponents. The 30-28 outcome wasn't in the Wolverines' favor, but they quickly managed to render the Hawkeyes' defensive streak irrel- evant. Michigan found an answer to Iowa's stalwart rushing defense NOTEBOOK in senior tail- back Brandon Minor. With two rushing touch- downs, Minor kept the Wolver- ines in the game when its passing attack couldn't get off the ground. "I told him he's on national TV, and you've got to go out there and show them what you're all about," Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson said. "You've got to prove to the people throughout this country that you're one of the top backs in this country, and that's what he was trying to do." Minor's numbers don't indicate that he's one of the best backs in the country (4.8 yards per carry, good for No. 428 in the nation). But in his limited opportunities this season, he's proven himself as one of the country's most physical backs. Minor has been limited this season with a nagging ankle inju- ry and he has recorded more than 10 carries in just two other games. But Saturday, Minor's ankle looked like it hadn't been an issue. The Wolverines managed to score 28 points against a team that has allowed just 13.6 points per game entering Saturday, and Minor was a huge contributor. He finished with 95 yards on 22 carries and sacrificed his body on nearly every play. The Iowa defense allowed a third rush- ing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, when freshman quarter- back Denard Robinson scored on the Wolverines' second-to-last desperation drive. On Robinson's score, Minor used his physicality to provide a huge block near the goal line. It's that physicality that has earned him rave reviews, even when he's been injured. On his second touchdown drive, Minor carried SECONDARY a From page1BF stop them," Woolfolk said of thet third-down problems. "It's just Michigan beating Michigan.r Once we (fix) that, we'll be able s to play any team."h Many of the third-downa troubles can be attributed to breakdowns in the secondary, a position group that has been in flux all season. And that trend definitely continued Saturday. Saturday marked the fourth time in six games that the Wol- verines boasted a new-look line- up in the secondary. Against the Hawkeyes, Woolfolk switched a from strong safety to cornerback across from Warren, while Mike 'Williams and Jordan Kovacs h played safety.r But it was more about who wasn't in Iowa City than who was.s What started with an oddg Twitter message from the p Associated Press's Larry Lageg became one of the biggest sto- f ries of the night -cornerback a Boubacar Cissoko, who started -s the first four games, did not travel with the team. i According to Lage, he ran intoc Cissoko at an Ann Arbor fastg food restaurant, and the corner- s back said that he didn't travelN SAM WOLSON/Daly Senior Brandon Minor had 95 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns against the vaunted Lowa defense. six times for 34 yards and som- third straight start at center, David overshadowed Graham's efforts. ersaulted forward for his first Moosman anchored an offensive "The frustrating part defen- downs. line that contained the Hawkeyes' sively is that we seemed like we'd "When Brandon Minor is highly touted defensive line and get two, three good plays in a row healthy, I think we're a different allowed Michigan to establish its and then we'd give up a big one," offensive team," Michigan coach run game. Rodriguez said. Rich Rodriguez said. GRAHAM CRACKERS: Senior With two sacks Saturday, Part of the reason Minor could defensive end Brandon Graham, Graham is now fourth in career break through was the improved who finished seventh in the nation sacks at Michigan with 22. He play of the offensive line. Last last season with 10 sacks, had not needs four more this - season week against Michigan State, leveled any quarterbacks behind to eclipse former Wolverine Minor and fellow senior tailback the line of scrimmage in Michi- James Hall (1996-99) and move Carlos Brown combined for just gan's first four wins of the season. into second place. Mark Mess- 17 yards on 10 carries. Left tackle Two losses later, Graham has ner (1985-88) holds the career Mark Ortmann said last Monday three, including two in Iowa City. record with 36. that he rewatched the game three Graham's defensive play has CAMPBELL CALLING: Michi- times trying to find a solution to picked up when the Wolverines gan wide receiver Greg Mathews Michigan's nonexistent running have needed it most. He contribut- is one of just a few Wolverines game. ed 3.5 tackles for loss Saturday, for who played under former wide Even with center David Molk a total of 18 yards. But the Michi- receivers coach Erik Campbell. still sidelined, the offensive line gan defense's woeful third-down On Saturday, Mathews finished found its groove Saturday. In his play (8-of-18 against Iowa) has the game with a huge fumble on a punt return. Campbell, now Iowa's wide receivers coach, was given the Hawkeyes' game ball. "He's our rookie coach right now on the staff, only been here two years, but I'll tell you what - we don't have anybodythat's more of a Hawkeye than him," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said, Campbell was deserving of the recognition as the Hawkeye receivers finished with 284 yards on 20 catches, highlighted by two touchdown receptions from tight end Tony Moeaki. During his time at Michigan, Campbell coached some of great- est receivers in Michigan history and some of the NFL's top play- ers, including Charles Woodson, Jason Avant, Braylon Edwards, Steve Breaston and Mario Man- ningham. "'m thankful to Lloyd (Carr) that he retired - otherwise we wouldn't have Eric here right now," Ferentz said. PUNTING FAR AHEAD: Fifth-year senior punter Zoltan Mesko's 53.8 average yards per punt Saturday earned him Big Ten special teams Player of the Week honors. Mesko became Michigan's all-time leader in total punt- ing yards after Western Michi- gan. After Saturday's game, he's just 240 yards short of reaching 10,000 yards. Mesko is currently the NCAA active leader in career punting. Mesko's 61-yard punt was a relief for Michigan after the Wol- verines went three-and-out from their own one-yard line early in the fourth quarter. But Mesko's bomb easily beat Michigan's cov- erage, and Iowa's Colin Sandeman returned the ball 20 yards to the Michigan 42-yard line. The Hawkeyes took all the momentum after the return, when Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi connected with Moeaki on a 42-yard touchdown pass to give the Hawkeyes a 30-21 lead. "Zoltan kicked the heck dut of the ball - I thought it was justtre- mendous," Rodriguez said. "But he kicked it so well, I think some of the things in our coverages weren't as good as I'd like because they returned some of those. "We spend a lot of time on it, but I've really got to see what we're doing and making sure we're doing a better job of special teams." had a shot at beating Iowa." But that shot at a win was jeop- ardized by excessive turnovers. Though fumbles and interceptions were two of last year's fatal flaws, they hadn't been a major issue this season - until Saturday. Exclud- ing Robinson's game-sealing inter- ception with 46 seconds left in the game, the other four turnovers accounted for six of the Hawkeyes' 30 points. But the damage could have poten- tially been worse. Three of the Wol- verines' turnovers gave Iowa (2-0 Big Ten, 6-0 overall) the bal in Michigan territory, but Iowa kicker Daniel Murray missed a field goal on one possession and the Hawkeyes couldn't convert on a fourth-and- goal from the Michigan 1-yard line on another. Those missed opportunities helped keep Michigan (1-2, 4-2) in the game. But in the end, the extra chances only fueled the Wolverines' second straight heartbreak. "I would like to say many of our games won't go down to the wire, but I have a feeling a whole bunch of them will," Rodriguez said after Michigan's 36-33 comeback win against Indiana. "At least I hope they do." Even after losing two last-minute road games by a combined eight points, it's clear Rodriguez has got- ten what he hoped for. Att 10 13 31 2 Yds 70 21 12 103 Yds 105 63 36 37 12 16 7 5 3 284 Avg 7.0 16 Avg 175 6.0 16.0 7.0 142 Lg 19 7 Lg 42 47 9 16 7 47 TD 0 1 0 1 7D 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 N6 238 39.7 49 6 238 39.7 49 No.' Yds Avg Lg TD 1 4 2. 4 0 3 81 26.3 34 0 No. Yds Avg Lg TD 1 9 .0 9 0 s so 91 20 0 because he was "banged up." But after the game, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said the Detroit native was suspended for a viola- tion of team rules. "When he comes back, it's eally up to him," Rodriguez aid. "He's got certain things se's got to do, on and off the field, academically and all that, and if "(Cissoko has) certain things he's got to do, on and off the field." he does that, he'll be back sooner rather than later." Cissoko hasn't seen the field since the early goings of Michi- gan's win over Indiana. He was pulled in the first quarter after he gave up a 57-yard bomb. Redshirt freshman J.T. Floyd subbed in and then recorded his first career start against Michigan State. "He's been solid in camp and n practice, and we've been kind of waiting for him to produce in a game, and he's made some great strides," defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen said of Floyd after the Indiana game. "And it's great to have a third corner going ... through the Big Ten schedule." Floyd played well enough against the Spartans, but he was clearly the least aggressive of the three corners, giving a ten-yard cushion in some instances and not charging receivers on passes to the flats. But Woolfolk's switch to corner, his position before this season, put Floyd back on the bench and raises more questions about the most maligned unit on the team. The Wolverines are dead last in the Big Ten in pass defense, giving up almost 250 yards a game through the air, and the constant lineup shifts are proof that the coaching staff is still searching for an answer. After all was said and done, the secondary gave up 284 yards Saturday, 50 more than the Hawkeyes' season average. Going forward, Michigan seems to be taking the secondary situationonaweek-to-weekbasis. Woolfolk said he had no idea whether he'll play corner next week against Delaware State. "I just play whatever they want me to play," he said. "I have a good aspect to bring to the team because Ican (be) versatile,. so I'll go to corner, safety, even quarterback if you need me to.," HAWKEYES From page 1B was the last player to leave the Kinn- ick Stadiumvisitors' locker room, his head down, averting eyes and obey- ing orders from his coach not to talk to the media. The coach himself was short and sarcastic during his postgame press conference when asked about the quarterback situation, and therest of his players either pleaded ignorance or didn't want to talk about it. "I've got two outstanding quar- terbacks, three quarterbacks, and we did it," Rodriguez said. "That's not the story of the game. All right, next." Quarterback questions aside, even with the cadence of the first 58 min- utes similar to that against Michi- gan State, Saturday's two-point loss to Iowa was more poignant. Led by senior Brandon Minor and a running game that returned to form Satur- day (195 yards, 10 first downs and 3 touchdowns) after hibernating in East Lansing (28 yards, 4 first downs and 0 touchdowns), the Wolverines seemed to be in control against Iowa more often than they were against the Spartans. "We didn't deserve to beat Michi- gan State," senior offensive lineman David Moosman said. "I think we Solo 3 3 4 2 S 2 2 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 33 Asst 9 9 5 7 2 5 3 3 1 3 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 55 Tot 12 12 9 9 7 7 5 5 4 4 3 2 2 t t 1 t t t 1 as Michigan served bitter defeat in Hoosier state BIG TEN STANDINGS Team Ohio.State Iowa Wisconsin Minnesota Michigan State Penn State Northwestern Michigan Indiana Purdue Illinois Big Ten 3-0 2-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-2 0-2 0-3 Overall 5-1 6-0 5-1 4-2 3-3 5-1 4-2 4-2 3-3 1-5 1-4 Last-ditch shot falls short in Wolverines' shutout loss to Indiana By JAKE FELDMAN DailySports Writer As Saturday's Michigan men's soccer game wound down, the Wolverines trailed Indiana 1-0. With three seconds remaining, freshman forward Alex Marti- nez slipped through traffic in the oppos- ing box MICHIGAN 0 and sent INDIANA 1 the ball toward the net. Indiana goal- keeper Luis Soffner extended his long arms and deflected the ball away, thwarting Michigan's final attack. The fans at the U-M Soccer Complex fell silent as they real- ized the disheartening outcome. And as the final whistle sound- ed, several Wolverines crumbled to the ground in agony. "There's two different types of pain that players feel after losses - the pain of discipline and the pain of regret," Michigan coach Steve Burns said. "The pain of regret is when you cut corners and you take chances and it doesn't pay off for you. The pain of discipline is playing with a lot of effort, playing hard, and unfor- tunately not getting the result. And I thought it was really the pain of discipline." The loss was deflating for a Michigan team that dominated the possession battle and out- played the 14th-ranked Hoo- siers. Indiana owns a 13-1-1 record against the Wolverines and knocked Michigan out of the NCAA Tournament last year. In past seasons, the Hoosiers (2-0 Big Ten, 6-4-1 overall) have fielded more talented squads than their counterparts in Ann Arbor. On Saturday, the Wolverines (1-2, 8-3-1) allowed that history to dic- tate the outcome of the game. "For the first half, we were clearly the dominant team," Burns said. "But it took us the entire half to come to grips with that. Had we been playing an opponent that didn't have seven stars on their jersey, I think that we would have absolutely won the game in the first half." Despite numerous Michigan scoring opportunities, the game remained scoreless until the 54th minute. Indiana forward Andy Adlard intercepted a Michigan pass in the middle of the field and sent the ball into the top right cor- ner, netting the game's lone goal. The Hoosiers didn't threaten to score again and relied on stellar play from Soffner to preserve the win.' Senior forward Mauro Fuzetti was. a nonfactor, facing double teams for much of the game. The Wolverines are 1-3-1 when Fuzetti doesn't score, as the star forward's goals often provide his teammates with the momentum and confidence to score. The loss all but removes the Wolverines from contention for the Big Ten Championship, since they now trail four teams in the conference standings. Nevertheless, players remain confident that they will thrive in the postseason and vindicate Saturday's defeat - if given the chance. "We would love to play Indiana again," senior captain Julian Rob- les said. "They pretty much stole one away from us. If we played them again, our intensity would be even higher than it was. I think everyone on our team would just love that opportunity" 0 Big Ten Results Iowa 30, Michigan 28 Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 13 Virginia 47, Indiana 7 Minnesota 35, Purdue 20 Michigan State 24, Illinois 14 0 Penn State 52, Eastern Illinois 3 Northwestern 16, Miami (OH) 6 SAID ALSALAH/Daily Freshman Alex Martinez missed a potential game-tying shot in Michigan's loss. I I i