The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.comh Thursday, April 8, 2010 -5A Position battles aplenty for 'M' in spring practice By JOE STAPLETON Daily Sports Writer While depth is a concern at most positions for the Michigan football team, running back is not one of them. The Wolver- NOTEBOOK ines lost Bran- don Minor and Carlos Brown - the team's two leading ballcarriers last year with 96 and 81 carries, respectively - but they still have plenty of talent at the position. As of now, sophomore Mike Cox and junior Michael Shaw are split- ting the majority of the reps with the first team. Shaw is more experi- enced and had 29 more carries last year'than Cox, but Cox made the most of his opportunities - his 8.7 yards per carry led the team. Michigan coach Rich Rodri- guez said on Tuesday that the two front-runners are relatively even. "Mike Cox has been pretty solid," Rodriguez said. "Mike Shaw has had a couple really good days and a couple days where we expected more out of him, but he's worked extremely hard." Shaw and Cox are merely two parts of what should be an impressive running back triumvi- rate with the addition of Vincent Smith, who tore his ACL in Michi- gan's final game last season and has been limited in spring prac- tice so far. On top of that, even the fresh- men are making an impression. Rodriguez said freshman Stephe freshm are co; could p offens "Ste and w (Brand Grady said. " freshm to help play sc saint)I spring, "(S PC WE th and str offense Rod the coa some o ning ba Gradya rence R SAF ize the tion, R "Gn Rod man C switch n Hopkins and redshirt safety, was performing very well an Fitzgerald Toussaint in his debut at the position. ming into their own and "There's no question that move lay a significant role in the was one of the better moves we've e. made, personnel-wise," Rodri- phen Hopkins is a big guy, guez said. "I think he's a natural e needed a big back with there." on) Minor and (Kevin) Sophomore Vlad Emilien's graduating," Rodriguez sprained knee has hurt the team's And I think, even as a true depth, but Rodriguez has confi- an coming in early, is going dence in redshirt sophomore Jor- him get some chances to dan Kovacs's ability to play either me in that role. ... (Tous- safety position. has had a very productive Still, Rodriguez said "comfort- I think he's gotten bigger able" wouldn't be the word to describe the Wolverines' situation at safety. "We have concerns at the safety afety is) not a position," Rodriguez said. "It's not a position where we feel solid at )sition where the two-deep." INJURY NOTES: Redshirt e feel solid at junior Will Heininger tore his ACL in practice last week and will ie two-deep" undergo surgery. Rodriguez speculated that the defensive end may be able to return by late September or early onger, and his grasp of the October. gets better each practice." Junior wideouts Martavious riguez also mentioned that Odoms and Junior Hemingway cching staffhas beei rotating are both working their way back f the slot receivers to run- into practice after being out most ack - redshirt junior Kelvin of the spring, and hope to be at full and redshirt sophomore Ter- strength by the week's end. Sopho- 2obinson, in particular. more wide receiver Je'Ron Stokes, ETIES: Asked to character- who injured his ankle two weeks situation at the safety posi- ago, also hopes tobe back by then. odriguez had one word: Redshirt sophomore Jared Van going." Slyke, Emilien and redshirt fresh- riguez said redshirt fresh- man Quinton Washington hope to ameron Gordon, who was be back practicing sometime next ed from wide receiver to week. Senior Nick Urban drove in two runs with the bases loaded in the third inning of yesterday's 13-7 win over Central Michigan. The two RBI ignited the rest of the Wolverines' offense, as Michigan scored six runs in the ning. Blue defeats Central Michigan in Ryan LaMarre 's return I I DECIDE WHA 7, GOES HZJW The Michigan Daily Advertising Design Department is hiring a Layout Designer. Applicants should have a knack for spacial relationships and a distinct attention to detail. Experience with Adobe InDesign is a plus. Begin this summer and work a couple hours every weekday. E-mail mahakiaj@umich.edu EVEN By CAITLIN SMITH Daily Sports Writer It was redshirt senior outfielder Nick Urban who made the play with the bases C. MICHIGAN 7 loaded in MICHIGAN 13 the third inning. He belted a line drive to center field, bringing in both red- shirt junior Anthony Toth and sophomore Coley Crank for two runs. The stage for Urban's double and the Wolverines' big third inning was set up just before Michigan began its six-run rally, eventually culminating in its 13-7 win Central Michigan yesterday. Toth started off the scoring with a single to right center that brought in freshman shortstop Derek Dennis. A wild pitch by Chippe- was left-hander Bryce Morrow allowed freshman outfielder Pat- rick Biondi to run in for the score. "Usually, the team that scores more than three runs in one inning is going to come out with the win," Michigan coach Rich Maloney said. "So any time you get the double is great. We were struggling getting that man in from third base and Nick was able to do that for us." With Toth on third and Crank on second, it was the perfect time for a big hit. Senior first baseman Mike Dufek attempted, but struck out looking and junior outfielder Ryan LaMarre walked. So, Urban provided the answer when he drove home two runs. Dennis and senior third baseman Mike Kittle followed suit, tally- ing one RBI each, and Michigan ended the third inning with a five- run lead. But Central didn't let down, responding with two quick runs in the top of the fourth. With only a three-run advantage, Michi- gan switched up its pitchers in an effort to hold off a Chippewa comeback. Junior right-hander Travis Smith took the mound in relief of redshirt junior pitcher Matt Gerbe. Although Smith didn't throw particularly well, the Wolverines still managed to get the next out on a ground ball. Michigan then scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to regain a comfortable lead. Both teams scored another four runs, but the Wolverine lead was never in serious jeopardy. LaMarre brought in one of those Michigan runs on a single to center field, in his first game back in the lineup since late February due to a broken thumb, which he suffered against Texas Tech. "It was a lot of fun to get out there and get a few at-bats under my belt before the weekend," LaMarre said. "Really, I just tried to loosen things up, but it definite- ly was a lot better than watching the game." As expected, LaMarre was a little rusty to start, striking out on his first at-bat. But he showed his resiliency by getting a hit, a run and an RBI on the day. "Ryan hasn't seen any game pitches in five or six weeks," Malo- ney said. "He has been hitting at balls thrown by me in practice, but by no means are those break- ing balls." While he may not be at 100 per- cent, LaMarre is making progress. He was fortunate to return to the lineup against Central - a team that is not a Big Ten competitor, but has established a recent histo- ry with the Wolverines. Michigan has lost two games to the Chippe- was in the past two seasons. "We haven't beat Central since I've been here, so it was good," LaMarre said. "These games are kind of tough, especially when you don't know, with the weather, if you're going to be able to play or not. It was good focus and we just got on top early and stayed there." HORS WANT TO WRITE FOR DAILY SPORTS? e-mail rkartje@umich.edu All Inclusive Self-Sto rae Packages! 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