0 8A - Thursday, November 5, 2009 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 0-line again facing changes By ANDY REID Daily Sports Editor The argument could easily be made that the Michigan football team lives and dies with the play of its offensive line. The Wolverines controlled the line of scrimmage against Notre Dame, rackingup almost200 yards on the ground and giving quarter- back Tate Forcier plenty of time to throw - which came in handy when he tossed the game-winning pass to Greg Mathews. In Michigan's win over Eastern Michigan, the offensive line domi- nated almost every snap, easily opening huge holes for the run- ning backs. The Wolverines post- ed nearly 400 rushing yards and cruised to victory.. But the line has been just as critical in Michigan's losses. The Penn State defense was in the backfield all day. Excluding the Wolverines' smooth game- opening drive, Michigan managed just 74 rushing yards, and Forcier was sacked five times. And the line's influence on the game was never more apparent than last weekend. Against Illi- nois - which, statistically, has the worst rushing defense in the Big Ten - Michigan had a first and goal from the one-yard line, with a chance to grab a touchdown and push its lead to 20-7. Four plays later, the Fighting Illini took over on downs. "Coming off the sideline not converting on those four plays was rough, and obviously was the turn- ing point in the game," left guard Steve Schilling said at Monday's press conference. "We could have been a lot more physical. It defi- nitely wasn't scheme." The line must make a commit- ment to play more physically this weekend, when Purdue comes to the Big House for a game that could determine both team's bowl fates. Although the Boilermakers, have right guard Mark Huyge shift out to'tackle and have Omameh fill in at guard. Omameh will continue to take reps at both positions. Yesterday, Rodriguez confirmed that the latter may be more prob- able, saying, "We're looking at Pat- rick Omameh more at guard than tackle." "The game was kind of new to him," Rodriguez said. "He was kind of a late developer coming out of high school, and obviously last year he redshirted and has got- ten bigger and stronger. I'm really excited about the future with Pat- rick." The backups' increased role doesn't mean they're necessar- ily seeing more action in practice, though. Because of the tempo that Rodriguez likes to bring to his practices, he's able to give all of his linemen equal reps throughout the week. "Our second group gets as many reps as our first group, anyway," Rodriguez said. "It's just some- times we haven't rotated some of those second guys in with the first group. We've done a little more this week out of necessity and try- ing to find the right mix." The line isn't the only position group that could see changes. Rodriguez has maintained all seasonthat whoever earns the spot will play, which has allowed walk- ons like safety Jordan Kovacs and linebacker Kevin Leach to crack the starting lineup. Players, specifically on defense, may get more opportunities for playing time this week and moving forward this season. "There are some spots that guys are still battling," Rodriguez said. "We're trying to get more depth defensively. That's been the big issue. We have not played nearly as many guys as we've liked to, but again, sometimes that's because the guys behind the guys that are start- ing aren't quite ready yet. That's something that we've tried to devel- op, but they're just not there yet." ARIEL BOND/Dai ly Junior Bryan Hogan is glad the games against Miami aren't in Goggin Ice Arena. 1" " abudding rivalIry By RYAN KARTJE Tohear Red Berensonand Daily Sports Writer his playerstalk more about thisweekend's matchup, visit 0 Redshirt sophomore Mark Huyge may switch from right guard to right tackle. who give up almost 170 rushing yards every game, shouldn't pose too many problems for the Michigan offense, the Wolverines will want to keep Purdue's potent passing attack off the field for as long as possible. But finding that physical play might be an issue - the Wolverines have struggled to find consistency up front since center David Molk, who anchored the line for the first three games of the season, was side- lined with injuries to his foot and anterior cruciate ligament. The Wolverine offensive line has had four different starting lineups, and a fifth could be employed this weekend. At yesterday's press conference, Rodriguez announced that right tackle Perry Dorrestein, who has started the last six games, has been having issues with his back that could keep him from playing on Sat- urday. "(His back problem) has been ongoing," Rodriguez said. "He's been fighting it every week, and it flared up a little with him in last week's ballgame. He's been battling that the last couple weeks, really." Dorrestein's injury has forced backup players like Patrick Omameh and Ricky Barnum to step up - and Omameh may start this weekend against the Boilermakers. Omameh may replace Dorrestein at right tackle, or Rodriguez may With the distinction as the No. 1 team in the country and an appearance in the NCAA Tour- nament championship game last season, the Miami (Ohio) hockey team certainly has high hopes. But nothing will compare to what The Miami Student - the school's student newspaper' - had to say in Oct. 2007 about the team. "Miami has all the necessary components to become a dynasty in the world of collegiate hockey," beat writer Mike Zoller wrote. Since then, the phrase has caught fire in Oxford. But the Michigan hockey team, who has reached just as many Frozen Fours (one) as Miami in the past two years, hasa few con- tentions with that claim. "A dynasty, huh?" said junior forward Matt Rust, baffled by the claim. And although a hockey dynasty at Miami may be a bit of a stretch, the fact remains the Michigan- Miami matchup is slowly becom- ing one of college hockey's most anticipated weekend series. Last year, in Michigan's first series against the RedHawks, the Wolverines came up with just one goal on the weekend and were swept in Oxford. But back in Ann Arbor two months later, Michigan gave Miami a taste of their own defen- sive medicine, sweeping the Red- Hawks in convincing fashion and only allowing one goal on the weekend. The budding rivalry has been gaining steam ever since the Wolverines' 14-game winning streak (1998-2003) against the RedHawks snapped. Although Michigan holds a 43-3-1 record against the RedHawks atYost Ice Arena, the Wolverines are hesi- tant to get too confident - espe- cially against the No. 1 team in the country. For junior goaltender Bryan michigandaily.com. Hogan, not having to play at Miami's Goggin Ice Arena this year is a lucky break for the Wol- verines and especially for him as Michigan's netminder. "Those fans are ruthless," Hogan said. "And the warm-ups were the worst part of the game. Every time your own guy scored on you, they'd cheer. So our team had a little thing, I'd tell them, 'Make sure .you guys hit me and don't score during warm-ups.' They're crazy." That intensity surrounding the matchup has contributed to the creation of the CCHA's new- est rivalry. And although the game doesn't hold the same sig- nificance as an in-state or Big Ten rivalry game might, the fact that these teams are often in the con- ference's top few slots has made it competitive in itself. "You can tell that (the Red- Hawks) just believe in them- selves now," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They've got the record to go with it, and there's been some good games between us. It's another real strong pro- gram in our league. Just like Notre Dame has emerged, Miami has been emerging for some time." This year, with the two teams separated by just three spots in the national rankings, the sig- nificance of this weekend's series is paramount for the rest of the conference slate. And since Miami is not in the Wolverines' conference cluster this season, Michigan will only get two shots at defeating what they call "the best offense in the country." "Obviously, you want to beat the No. 1 team in the country," freshman forward Chris Brown said. "As far as a rivalry goes, it's going to be a bloodbath on the ice." 0 S 0 Jordan ready to step up in freshman year By ZAK PYZIK contributions will be her desire to Daily Sports Writer succeed. "I think they want to win," Jor- It could be intimidating for dan said. "I just want to do good freshman forward Nya Jordan. for my team. Freshmen will play The former high school star will a big part this year, being that it's be thrust onto the Crisler Arena half of the team." stage as one of six freshmen on One worry is that Jordan and the Michigan women's basketball the other five freshmen will strug- team. gle to adapt. Being back at the bot- With a strong presence on the tom is typically a difficultthing for floor, the six-foot-tall Jordan may recruits to adjust to, but Jordan not be able to have much of an disagrees. adjustment period, since she will "I play better at the bottom," likely play a prominent role in the Jordan said. "I don't like being Wolverines' season opener against on top, because I feel like there is Ball State next Friday. nobody to go against." "There is going to be a big dif- This year, the team hopes to ference between college and high restructure its offense with the school," Jordan said. "Once I start help of Jordan and the other the game, I gain confidence and freshmen. that makes me playbetter." Michigan was ranked dead Jordan attended Detroit Com- last in the preseason Big Ten munityHighSchoolandaveraged media and coaches' polls. The more than 15 points per game. freshmen-filled roster's chance For her dominant high school for success has been considered performance, she was selected doubtful by many outlets, except for the Detroit Free Press All- for one - its coach. Detroit team. Michigan lost two "Those kids have to be ready to senior forwards in Carly Benson be a presence," Michigan coach and Stephany Skrba, and it needs Kevin Borseth said. "I think someone to step up. Like in high the freshmen are ready to play. school, Jordan is expected to But I don't think it's fair to put heavily contribute to the Wol- the weight of the world on their verine offense as a leader of this shoulders." year's newest class. In the Wolverines' first game "The coaches did a good job at next week, the Cardinals also hope bringing (the freshmen) in and to capitalize on Michigan's expect- making them feel welcome," senior ed last-place conference finish. center Krista Phillips said. "They "They are going to compete," all want to play well. They all want junior guard Veronica Hicks to win." said. "This year, we are just going And Michigan has struggled to go out. We're not gonna do too to do just that in recent years, so much talking - we're just going one of Jordan's biggest trpmediate to act on it." 0 0 t I1