The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Tuesday, November 15, 2011- 7 'M' prepares for unfamiliar team, familiar style By STEPHEN J. NESBITT Daily Sports Editor A quick glance at the stat sheet is telling- the Michigan football team and Nebraska are lined up side-by-side in nearly every cat- egory across the board. Team A boasts an 8-2 overall record, 4-2 in the Big Ten. NOTEBOOK Team B lays claim to an identical record. Team A scores 32.5 points per game on 421.5 yards of offense.. Team B scores 32.9 points on 404.1 yards. Team A has totaled 2,313 rush- ing yards, led by a two-headed monster backfield. Team B has 2,327 rushing yards with, you guessed it, a pair of beasts in the backfield. TeamAis Michigan. Team B is Nebraska. But that really doesn't matter. Come Saturday, it's going to be some smash-mouth, ground 'em and pound 'em football at Michigan Stadium. "Nebraska's always been a very physical football team for numbers of years," said Michi- gan coach Brady Hoke. "They take great pride in their football. "You look at the statisti- cal information between both teams, which I'm not real big into, but there's a lot of similari- ties in their rushing offense and scoring and defensively - they're a team that's going to play with great passion." The Cornhuskers are led by Athletic Department officials are urging fans to arrive to the game early to participate in a card stunt project. During the national anthem, fans will hold up 65,000 cards that will com- bine to form an American flag. The cards will be affixed to seats in sections 1-23, circling around the south endzone from east of the 50-yard line to west of the 50-yard-line. "We're keeping (the cards) away from the students, so they don't turn into boomerangs," a military representative joked on Monday. The national anthem will also feature a flyover from four F-16 fighter jets out of Pope Air Force Base in South Carolina. The jets will be launching from Self- ridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemons, Mich. and fly- ing south to north over the sta- dium - and the card stunt. The head pilot for the flyover is a Michigan graduate. Plans are to have a live video feed from the lead jet play on the stadium's vid- eoboards to show the card stunt from overhead. Pregame hospitality for veter- ans will also be held at Ooster- baan Fieldhouse. "Let me tell you, it's awe- some," Hoke said. "We all are thankful for those who have served this country and those who are serving. "Coming from San Diego and havingthe relations we were able to have with the Marine corps and the Navy, it's humbling what they do for our country and what they do for us to be able to sit here to today and get asked ques- tions, some good and some not so good." ROBINSON CHARGED: Soph- omore safety Marvin Robinson has been accused of breaking into a West Quad room in Sep- tember. He was arraigned last week on a charge of second- degree home invasion. "We are aware of the report," Hoke said in a statement. "We will let the legal process run its course, and we will not have any further comment until that time." Robinson was released on a promise to appear in court. He will appear at the Washtenaw County 14A District Court on Wednesday. If convicted, Rob- inson could face up to 15 years in prison. Robinson has col- lected nine tackles in four career appearances with Michigan. NOTES: Van Bergen was named Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, College Football Performance Awards's National Defensive Performer of the Week and Defensive Line- man of the Week after collecting a career-high 2.5 sacks and seven tackles on Saturday.... Freshman kicker Matt Wile was named CFPA Kickoff Specialist of the Week after tallying five touch- backs on six kickoffs in the swirl- ing wind at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. MARISSA MCCLAIN/Daily Michigan defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen earned Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors yesterday. quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead. The pair combines for 184 rush- ing yards per game. The Wolver- ines' duo of junior quarterback Denard Robinson and red- shirt sophomore running back Fitzgerald Toussaint averages 174 rushing yards. Point. Counterpoint Nebraska is in its first season in the Big Ten, but the Michigan defense isn't concerned with fac- ing an unfamiliar offense. "Nebraska presents a chal- lenge unlike any other team in the Big Ten, I think," said fifth- year senior defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen. "The only other team that might present a chal- lenge like them would be us." Still, even with Toussaint, Hoke will use running backs Jihad Rasheed and Michael Cox in practice this week to simulate Burkhead's power. The Wolverines have played the Cornhuskers just six times, with Michigan holding a 3-2-1 edge in the series. By every indi- cation, Nebraska, which Hoke called "one of the traditional football powers in this country," will be right at home in the Big Ten. "From what I've heard, they're a tough team, they're a good team, they're a solid team," Molk said. "They're very much like us. But then again, I've never played them. Looking forward to something new." Especially when that some- thing new is what you see in practice. MILITARY APPRECIATION: There won't be jetpacks at the Big House, but that's about all that will be missing from Michi- gan's Military Appreciation plans on Saturday. Wolverines dethrone Spartans, finish in inth place at Nationals Chiasson leads freshmen By ALEXA DETTELBACH For theDaily Meet Michigan's Big Ten. champion men's club water polo team. Led by senior captains Kenichi Osawa, Benjamin Hubbard and Patrick Trabert, the Wolverines finished their season with a Big ® Ten title and a ninth-place finish at Nationals this past weekend in Atlanta. The team started the season without knowing much about its new coach, but it was clear by the end that Michigan had landed a gem. Long-time Ann Arbor native Tony Ander- son led the ninth-ranked Wol- verines to a 7-1 regular-season record and their first conference championship in seven years. "(Anderson) fits the personal- ity of the team really well," said senior Matthew Woelfel. "He's a great guy and the team dynamic is very friendly. It's a lot of fun, but we do a lot of serious work at the same time." Added Osawa: "It's been a good adjustment, a good change, kind of like a breath of fresh air. We've been able to work really closely with Coach and develop strategies and plans for games that really fit the personnel that we have on our team." The change wasn't all easy, but after a slow start Michigan moved in the right direction. With important wins over Indi- ana and Michigan State, the Wol- verines put themselves in prime position to win the Big Ten Tour- nament. "Over the last two tourna- going to let it become seven. ments, we really came together After a back-and-forth battle, and played some really good freshman Michael Abell-Venit water polo, which led us to win- scored the winning goal with ning the No. 1 seed for the Big just 30 seconds to play, putting Ten Tournament," Woelfel said. Michigan past the Spartans 8-7 "That guarantees (a) spot to go to and ending Michigan State's Nationals, which is really what reign. we're working for." "The Michigan State game For the last three years, the was just an unbelievable feel- team placed second in the con- ing to win, and at the same time ference tournament. a relief to finally get over the "As a senior, it has been really hump," Woelfel said. frustrating," Woelfel said. After the thrilling victory over their rivals, the Wolverines had little time to rest before Nation- als. Entering as a No. 3 seed, "There are a Michigan lost its opening game against Columbia before defeat- lot of exciting ing St. Louis and Villanova. On Sunday, the Wolverines opportunities ended their season with a vic- tory against No. 10 Oregon in ahead for (us)." the ninth-place game. Michigan has a lot to look forward to under the leadership of Anderson. But the Wolverines will have a lot to He wasn't the only one frus- overcome with the graduation of trated. Michigan returned five five seniors and their captains. seniors, making it hungrier than "They really set the tone and ever for a coveted spot at Nation- did a really good job of keeping als. And with a new coach and a us steady and getting us hyped talented veteran roster, the Wol- up for practice and games," verines were as poised as ever to Woelfel said of the captains. win back the Big Ten title. "(They) make us work hard and The tournament began and have been really great." ended in dramatic fashion. After Michigan will look to its tal- opening with an 8-7 overtime ented crop of juniors - Kevin victory against Illinois, Michi- Jensen, Ray Viviano, and Sam gan beat Purdue 8-5 before meet- Rosen - to lead the team next ing the Spartans in the finals year. for the third consecutive year. "There is a lot of leadership," Michigan State had claimed the Osawa said. "There are a lot of past six Big Ten championships, exciting opportunities ahead for but Anderson's team wasn't this team." By MATT SLOVIN Daily Sports Writer One of the Michigan hockey team's defensive anchors is a patient man. Freshman Mike Chiasson stayed patient in Omaha, Neb., where he played three seasons for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL before beginning his col- lege career. "It was a great developmental league," Chiasson said. "It really helped to advance my game to where it is today. Not only did they teach me to be a good hock- ey player, but just being a good human being off the ice." He's patient on the bench because he knows his shifts will come. In fact, he's become some- thing of a staple on the blue line for the seventh-ranked Wolver- ines. He's patient on the penalty kill, stabilizing the unit by deliv- ering a timely clearing of the puck or forcing a streaking forward to the outside. The 20-year-old Chiasson sim- ply knows that when you wait, good things happen - like offers from Michigan and early playing time. "I stayed really patient and was looking for the right fit," Chiasson said of his recruiting process. "I don't regret it." Michigan coach Red Beren- son, too, is happy his defenseman waited before jumping into col- lege hockey. "Chiasson's a little older ... and that has shown a little bit," Beren- son said. "(He's) playing every night." When the Wolverines score a goal, look near that blue line. Chances are Chiasson will be there. Perhaps he started the CHRIS DZOM5AK/Daily Freshman defenseman Mike Chiasson has recorded a plus-14 plus/minus. attack with a slapshot from the point. Perhaps he brought the puck up the ice. Even if he wasn't instrumental in a Michigan goal, Chiasson has an uncanny knack for being on the ice at opportune moments for Michigan. He leads the team in plus/minus at plus-14. Chiasson gained most of the experience that makes him such a valuable member of the defense from his USHL time. "I think it's helped him a lot," Berenson said of Chiasson's junior hockey experience. "He's used to being a key player on a defense that's had some success." Delaying his college hockey start has been a blessing for Chi- asson because Berenson expects a lot of his defensemen. And while they learn to be the type of "hon- est" players Berenson wants them to be each week in practice, the more advanced skater they come in, the better. Chiasson is also one of the main freshmen that Berenson consistently trusts on the penalty kill. And while his coach readily admits it's a "challenge," it's one that Chiasson has been happy to take on. He's been around the sport for his entire life. His pedigree is impeccable - his father isthe late Steve Chiasson, who was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1985. Chiasson will stop at nothing after working his whole life to get here. And if Berenson finds some- thing he can do better, Chiasson's all ears. "I've always been just one of these guys who's trying to get bet- ter everyday," Chiasson said. As for his future, Chiasson can't wait to see where the sport takes him. In the meantime, he'll be patient - killing those penal- ties and setting up tallies. "(It's) a great journey and I wouldn't change it," he said. Feeley, Ryan reach final round at US Grand Prix in Minneapolis M' swimmers compete against Phelps, Lochte at Grand Prix By ISABELLA ACHENBACH For the Daily The Michigan men's swim- ming and diving team spent this past weekend getting pruney in a pool alongside Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and some of the top swimmers in the world at the 2011 US Grand Prix in Min- neapolis. "(The US Grand Prix) gives these guys exposure," said Michigan coach Mike Bottom. "They understand what it's like to swim against the best in the world." The Wolverines also swam in the meet last year. This time, two Michigan swimmers - junior Ryan Feeley and sopho- more Sean Ryan - worked their way into the finals. "If one of our guys makes it to the finals, it's awesome," Bottom said. If two guys make it, it's cause for celebration. Feeley earned fourth place overall with a time of 15:36.65 in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Ryan came in two spots behind with a time of 15:45.51 to earn a sixth- place finish. "I didn't even know I got fourth until I got back in Ann Arbor around 1 a.m.," Feeley said. "It's pretty nice getting those times this early in the sea- son. My teammates are pushing me everyday in practice." After finding out his score, Feeley celebrated by getting some much-needed sleep. The Wolverine swimmers entered this event after topping Texas and Indiana, their first Big Ten competitor, last Saturday. Michigan (1-0 Big Ten, 5-0 over- all) entered this week ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to the College Swimming Coaches Associ - Tex, "Th "I to 1 last wi tions said. Mic ation of America (CSCAA) tion as the best collegiate swim- as now trails at No. 2. mers in the country at the US e swimming that we did Grand Prix. The meet was not scored, but many swimmers got their career-best times, Bottom said. If one of our "We knew we could swim ,' with the best after fighting with uys m akes it Texas," Feeley said. .l i Six Grand Prix's are held the finals, it's every year across the nation, each drawing hundreds of swim- awesom e. mers. Michigan and Minnesota were among the participating colleges, but the majority of the swimmers were either alums or eek elevated our expecta- professionals. of who we are," Bottom The races were "long course," meaning an Olympic configu- higan kept up its reputa- ration 50-meter pool length as opposed to the typical 25 meters. Michigan usually swims a 25-meter pool, which gives the swimmers an extra turn. But Bottom's swimmers practice long course as well. "Part of what Michigan does is, we are training people to make Olympic teams," Feeley said. "That's something we pro- mote within the team and the club. Swim against the best in the world." The Wolverines will soon take on some of the other highest- ranked Big Ten schools: Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana. The next Michigan swim meet, the Hawkeye Invitational, will be Dec. 2-4 in Iowa City.