The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
3B - October 31, 2011
The ichian aily- mchigndalyco 3B- Ocobe 31,201
GAME
STATISTICS
Penalty kill counteracts Michigan
penalties, Brown gives thumbs up
First Dows
Rush/Yds,
Passing Yards
Ofensive Plays
Total Offese
Kick returns/ Yds
Punt returns/ Yds .
Comp/Att/Int
Punts/Avg
Fumbles/lost
Penalties/Yards
Time of Poss
PASSING M
Player C-A
Robinson,D. 9-14
Gardner, D. 1-
Totals 10-17
RUSHING
Toussaint 20 -U
Robinson, D. 15 i
Gallon 1
Gardner 3
Totals 53 3_
RECEIVING N.'
Gallon 3 7
Roundtree 2 t
Moore 1
Jackson 1
Totals 10 1
PUNTING
Player N
KICKOFF RETURNS
Player No.
Totals 3
PUNT RETURNS
Player No.
Gallon 1
Totals 1
TACKLES
Morgan
Gordon
Den
Roh
Van Bergen
Woofolk
Countess
Floyd
Hawthorne
' Avery
Campbell
Robinson, T.
Clark
Cavanaugh
Gordon
Totals
PASSING CA
Marve 8-14
TerBush 9-13
Totals 17-227
RUSHING
MICH
25
53/339
196
70
535
3/81
1/H
10/17/2
2/40.5
0/S
5/51
36:25
I C H I G A N
Yds TD
170 0
26 0
0 0
PURSUE
222
35
4/98
2/25
17/27/1
6/38.7
0/0
8/86
23:35
int
1
2
TD
2
1
0
0
Yds
175
76
56
28
11
9
2
1
358
Yds
79
61
16
26
9
5
196
Avg
8.5
4.2
11.2
4.7
11
3
2
1
6.4
Avg
26.3
30.5
8
26
9
5
19.6
2
5
4
4
4
Lg
s9
28
5
Wolverines shut down
Ferris State's seven
power-play chances
By LIZ VUKELICH
Daily Sports Writer
Michigan coach Red Berenson has
been pleasantly surprised by many fac-
ets of his team's perfor-
mance this season, with NOTEBOOK
the exception of one
thing - the number of penalties Michigan
has amassed.
In Friday's game against Ferris State
the Wolverines took every type of penalty
imaginable from elbowing and tripping
to face-washing, a call that earned junior
forward Lee Moffie a five-minute major.
Michigan spent more than a third of the
game in the penalty box - plenty of time
for the penalty kill to get some practice.
"(The penalty kill) was important,"
Berenson said. "We got some luck, and I
thought our penalty killers were better."
The defensive corps led by senior
defenseman Greg Pateryn, shut down
seven Bulldog power-play opportunities.
But no one led the penalty kill unit more
than than fifth-year senior goalie Shawn
Hunwick, who ensured the Michigan
shutout.
And it wasn't just Hunwick's physical
skills that kept the Bulldogs from scoring
on Friday - his emotional skills played a
big role too.
Since his ejection against Northern
Michigan, Hunwick has made extra effort
to stay away from any scuffles around the
net.
The teams exchanged shoves around
the crease multiple times on Friday, and
referees had to separate Michigan and
Bulldog players more than once.
While his teammates went to the pen-
alty box, Hunwick just sat quietly in his
net, waiting for the altercations to end.
"I learned my lesson from last week,"
Hunwick said. "It wasn't like Ferris State
was coming at me. I didn't get bumped too
much, so that was alright."
THUMBS UP: Berenson has been care-
ful to keep some players off the ice to
recover from injuries.
Junior forward Kevin Lynch sat out
early games because of back problems,
and Berenson made sure to keep him
away from game action until the spasms
stopped.
But junior forward Chris Brown's bro-
ken thumb hasn't kept him out of games.
All season, he has shoved his cast into his
glove and skated as if he were as healthy
as anyone else.
Brown's cast keeps his hand in a
thumbs-up position. This optimistic
gesture reflects the positive impact that Junior fort
Brown has had on the team, despite the the way h
injury. ering him
Brown tallied four points in the two- KEEPIN
game series, and Berenson has been gan playe
pleased with the performance from one of nate they
his top junior players. The cast is sched- front of ar
uled to come off within a week after But on
Brown goes through another round of series ma
X-rays. happy - t
"(Brown) is fine," Berenson said. "(The ed to the'
cast) takes a little while to get used to, but weekend.
9 4
Lg TD
2 0
9 0
9 0
5 0
9 0
Lg gT
TD 0
33 0
ADAM GLANZMAN/Daily
ward Chris Brown tallied four points in MiChigan's weekend sweep over Ferris State.
No. Yds Avg
2 1 4.
he shoots the puck, it's not both-
NG UP WITH THE KIDS: Michi-
rs kept talking about how fortu-
were to shutout Ferris State in
n enthusiastic home crowd.
e other group that attended the
ade the Wolverines particularly
their parents, who were present-
Yost crowd as a part of parents'
The families flocked to Ann Arbor from
as far away as Maine and Arizona and as
close as Bloomfield Hills, Mich. to watch
their sons sweep the weekend. Their
presence was greatly appreciated by the
players who don't often get the chance to
showcase their talents for their parents.
"I miss home, and every time I get to
see (my parents) it's nice," said Brown, a
Flower Mound, Texas native. "It gives me
that little sense of being home."
Y Avg
81 27
Yds Avg Lg TD
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
Solo Asst
4 5
4 3
2 5
1 4
2 2
2 2
1 3
1 3
2 1
2 1
2 0
2 - 0
1 1
0 2 .
0 2
4
4
4
4
3
23
2
2
1
1
66
0
0
28
0
1
1
38
P UR DU E
Yds
66
156
222
TD
- 1
1
2
Int
1
0
1
RUNNING GAME
From Page 1B
safety since 2003. The seventh
ended in an interception.
Maybe even more impres-
sive is that this came without
redshirt junior safety Jordan
Kovacs, who missed the game
due to a knee injury.
"I don't think that we played
near as physical inside with
our offensive line," said Pur-
due coach Danny Hope, whose
words sounded exactly like
Hoke's after his team lost 28-14
against Michigan State.
"Michigan has a very big
strong defensive front, and we
didn't manufacture much run
game inside, and I thought that
slowed us down some."
Sounds like Michigan foot-
ball. What about the offense?
From the first snap of the
game - when Toussaint sprint-
ed for 15 yards - it was clear
Michigan would be able to run
the ball. Meanwhile, Robinson
found his groove in the short-to-
intermediate passing game, con-
sistently finding open receivers.
Borges continued to sprinkle in
Devin Gardner at quarterback,
but he yielded mediocre results.
Robinson's lone intercep-
tion came on the second drive
when he didn't account for Pur-
due linebacker Joe Holland,
who jumped a short pass. On
the day, Robinson completed
9-of-14 passes for 170 yards,
but was aided by 91 yards via
two deep passes in which both
wide receivers, Jeremy Gallon
and Roy Roundtree, made great
efforts.
Ultimately, Robinson took a
backseat in the offense because
the only sure thing was Tous-
saint and the offensive line.
After Robinson and Gardner
ended back-to-back drives with
interceptions, and after Martin
rejuvenated the defense with
his safety, Borges abandoned the
tricks. He abandoned Robinson.
He abandoned Gardner.
He just fed Toussaint the ball,
running the power play down
the Boilermakers' throats.
The oft-injured tailback
looked refreshed and rejuve-
nated. After the game, he said
he was able to get off his feet and
get treatment to "help heal his
body" during the bye.
Toussaint's 20 carries on the
afternoon were the most for a
Michigan running back since
2009. His 8.5 yards per carry
was Denard Robinson-esque.
The offense finally revolved
around a power running game,
and maybe in particular, a pow-
erful offensive line.
"Sometimes we're a little - I
don't want to say tentative - but
it looked like on film we did not
get it done," Hugye said. "We
needed to go out and play as hard
as we could."
Martin pointed to the physi-
cal practices the Wolverines
had during their bye week as a
reason for the offensive line's
improvement. Despite Lewan
being hobbled and Barnum's
absence, the line helped fuel 339
rushing yards.
The performance was that
much more powerful, consider-
ing Hoke publicly challenged
the unit after the Michigan State
game.
Taking the pressure off Rob-
inson, Toussaint added the
exclamation mark on his domi-
nant game midway through the
third quarter. Gardner faked a
handoff to Robinson and pitched
the ball to Toussaint.
Two linemen had already
sealed off a few defenders down-
field, allowing Toussaint to run
free. The shifty back bounced
inside and looked for daylight.
He sidestepped another defend-
er who over-pursued, then
another and finally charged
up field, slipping between two
defenders. Fifty-nine yards later,
Michigan led 29-7.
After the game, Toussaint
praised the offensive line and
Hoke praised the receivers
blocking down field. That was
Michigan football.
Together, Martin said, the
offense and defense are starting
to "complement" one another.
"Offensively, them holding
onto the ball, time of possession,
putting points of the board," he
said. "And then us, getting the
ball back to the offense."
Leading up to this game,
unsolicited, Hoke kept repeating
that the Wolverines had to "get
back to playing Michigan foot-
ball." His words must've been
echoing between their ears, like
their cheers in the tunnel after
the game.
The defense was on its way.
Finally, the runninggame looked
the part too.
"Gosh I wish - I wish it
looked like that every week,"
Hoke said.
Player Att Yds Avg Lg TD
ti Ter uh 3 43 12. 41 0
Crank 4 18 4.5 14 0
Edison 2 11 5,5 7 0
Gravesande 1
I Totals 2 1 S 3.1 41
RECEIVING
Player 'No. Yds Avg Lg TD
Siller 5 58 M1.6 28 0U
Edison 2 2 5.5 4 0
Bush 4 1 H 1
WrCHhtR 1 1 U5 1
Gravesande 1 4 4 4 0
Totals 17 22 13 48 2
PUNTING
Player No. Yds Avg Lg
Webster 4 151 37.8 42
KICKOFF RETURNS
Player No. Yds Avg L
Hunt 2 54 27 30
Totals 4 98 24.5 48
TACKLES
Player Solo Asst Tot
Holland 3 7 10
Becktord 2 7
Johnson 3 5 8
Allen 3 4 7
acas 1 5 e
Short 3 2 5
Gaston 1 2 3
Gooden 1 1 2
tCottomn 1 0 1
Feichter 1 0 1
Totals 34 52 86
FOL LOW US ON
TWIT TE R
mChdailyf ball
@cmichdailyhoCkey
mC h d ail y bba ll
NOTEBOOK coordinator Al Borges continued
From Page 1B to use junior quarterback Denard
Robinson in several ways.
Robinson lined up at wide
Kovacs has been a valuable receiver and running back multi-
piece to the defense's puzzle this ple times, with sophomore quar-
year - without him, Michigan terback Devin Gardner under
would be in bigtrouble. Or not. center.
Against the Boilermakers, Oftentimes, Gardner faked the
senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk pitch to Robinson, then pitched
movedto safety in place ofKovacs it to the running back or ran it
and freshman Blake Countess himself. Other times, Gardner
started at left cornerback. handed it off to Robinson, who
Woolfolk has played safety would run or hand it to the run-
before - he made six starts at ningback.
the position as a junior in 2009. With both quarterbacks in
Regardless, Hoke didn't want the game, the possibilities were
Kovacs's injuryto be an excuse. endless. According to Purdue
"The expectations are for the linebacker Joe Holland, it's not a
position so if you're in there, pleasant sight seeing both Robin-
there's a way we expect you to son and Gardner on the field.
play," Hoke said. "I hate seeing Denard at wide
On the first drive of the game, receiver," he said. "You know
the defense looked shaky, allow- he's gonna move, you know he's
ing Purdue to score on a 48-yard gonna motion one way or the
pass from Caleb TerBush to soph- other. It just gives you that extra
omore receiver Gary Bush. weapon to worry about.
Bush beat Countess to the "He makes defense difficult
inside, then sprinted past Wool- because he's such a valuable
folk and into the endzone. weapon for their offense. You can
Kovacs's absence was obvious. putchim anywhere on the field."
But from there, Countess and ROCKET MAN: Before the
Woolfolk played a big part in game started, there was a man
putting the Purdue offense in flying above Michigan Stadium.
lockdown - the Boilermakers Literally, flying.
finished with just 311 yards of Attached to a jet pack, the
total offense - 48 of which came Superman-wannabe flew into the
on the final drive of the game stadium. At first, it appeared that
against the Michigan backup he was out of control and about
players. to take a dangerous spill into the
"Troy's got some make-up student section.
speed that other guys don't have, But he knew what he was
and that's good," Hoke said. doing all along. He calmly jetted
"They tried to tempo us a little away from the stands and toward
bit, so he did a good job of getting the field, landing rightcin the mid-
us in and out of what we need to dle of the block 'M'.
be looking like back there." And it's a good thing he made
Countess, who has replaced a safe landing inside the stadium.
Woolfolk at cornerback several He had a present for the referees
times this season, now may have - the game ball.
his chance to permanently claim INJURY UPDATE: After Satur-
the starting position with Kovacs day's game, Kovacs isn't the only
out. Hoke also said he was plan- player nursing an injury.
ning on moving Woolfolk to safe- Redshirt junior offensive line-
ty anyway, which seemed to be man Ricky Barnum, who has
a move motivated by Countess's already missed time this season
play. because of an ankle injury, had to
"With the emergence of how leave the game because of what
Blake's been playing it's worth - appeared to be another ankle
I always believe you put your best injury.
players on the field and Troy's His status remains unclear.
probably in the top 11, 12, 13 guys Redshirt sophomore offensive
on defense," Hoke said. lineman Taylor Lewan injured
Hoke said Kovacs will return his leg during the game, and his
at some point this season, but his status is unclear as well.
status for next weekend's match- "Taylor, his leg hurts," Hoke
up against Iowa is uncertain. said. "That's what I know right
One thing is certain though: If now."
Cavanaugh needed a Halloween Hoke also revealed that junior
costume, he's got one now. running back Vincent Smith had
A SCARY SIGHT: Throughout been playing with an ankle inju-
the game, Michigan offensive ry.
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MARTIN
From Page 1B
23 Michigan State. In that game,
the Spartans exposed gaping
holes at the line of scrimmage
and rushed for 213 rushing
yards.
Against the Boilermakers, the
Wolverines collected four sacks
and held the running backs to 89
yards.
And three Michigan linemen
finished in the top five for tack-
les. It was a game won up front.
"They're real big, and they're
real strong and they do a great
job of penetrating the line of
scrimmage," said Purdue coach
Danny Hope. "We knew coming
into the game they were a big
strong defensive front. There's
no question about that. You can
look at them and see."
After allowing the opening-
drive touchdown, the defense
held Purdue scoreless for the
next 58 minutes.
According to Hoke and his
players, it was all about get-
ting back to good old-fashioned
Michigan football.
"Michigan football as I know
it is playing defense," Hoke said.
Holding Purdue scoreless for
nine consecutive drives certain-
ly looked like textbook Michi-
gan defense, but what exactly
does that look like?
"Michigan defense is domi-
nating in every aspect of life,"
Roh said with a smile. "That's a
rough definition."
Speaking a little less tongue-
in-cheek, Martin pointed to
stopping the run as the staple of
a Michigan defense he expects
to see every Saturday.
Hoke holds the belief that
there are between six and eight
individual plays that determine
the outcome of each game. The
safety was one. Sophomore cor-
nerback Courtney Avery's red-
zone interception was another.
But another crucial play
occurred late in the game, when
Purdue quarterback Robert
Marve hit a short screen pass.
Martin was on the pass rush, but
instead of stopping his pursuit of
the play when Marve let the pass
fly, Martin went on the hunt.
Martin caught his man 16
yards downfield.
Did that play determine the
outcome of the game? Maybe
not. But the effort was all that
mattered.
"I think it sets the tone for
the defense," Hoke said. "When
you see a guy who's lining up
over the football and rushing
the passer ... and 16 yards down
the field he's making the tackle
- that means somethig'."
Martin ended the game with
a season-high seven tackles.
Even with the win and a 7-1
record firmly in check, Mattison
and Hoke won't let up.
"I don't know if the defense is
getting better," Hoke said.
From 110th-best defense in
the nation a year ago to a top-25
spottoday? It's clearthis defense
is improving. The players just
use Hoke's words as motivation.
"There's always going to be
people saying different things
about our defense, but the most
important things are the guys in
the locker room," Martin said.
"Every week's going to be a
test for us."
4