Raj I> S t !G @ ti S A Sources: University of Michigan 2013-14 Budget, University of Michigan Base Salary Report, University of Michigan Deparatment of Athletics Schedule of Revenues and Expenses Submitted to the NCAA for the Year Ended June 30, 2012. 'M' to B-Dubs in spicy match- up with K-tState Senior middle blocker Jennifer Cross was one of five seniors to have their season come to an end against LSU on Friday. SWolverines eliminate in s By LIZ VUKELICH Daily Sports Editor Last year, it was the Bloomin' Onion. This year, it's boneless wings. The Michigan football team will conclude its season in Tempe, Ariz. when it takes on Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadi- um on Dec. 28. The game kicks off at 10:15 p.m. EST. "We are excited to represent the Big Ten Conference in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and to face a challenging Big 12 Confer- ence opponent in Kansas State," said Michigan coach Brady Hoke in a statement. "This is a greatopportunity for Team 134, and we relish the chance to play one of college football's most successful programs. "Our team is focused on fin- ishing the season right and sending our seniors out with a victory in their last game in a Michigan uniform." The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl matches up the third selec- tions from the Big Ten and Big 12. Since the two conferences started competing in the post- season game in 2006, the Big 12 leads the series, 5-2. It will be the first-ever meeting between Michigan and Kansas State. The Wolverines haven't played a bowl game in Arizo- na since the 1986 Fiesta Bowl, where they defeated Nebraska. It will also be just the seventh time in 42 bowl appearances that Michigan plays in Decem- ber. Though the Wolverines concluded their season with a strong showing in a loss against, Ohio State two weeks ago, they finished with a 7-5 record, a far cry from their stated goals of a Big Ten championship and a 10-win season. "I don't know if you ever wipe the season clean," said defensive coordinator Greg Mattison on a conference call Sunday eve- ning. "You emphasize why you didn't win the game you felt you should've won and make sure during these extra bowl practic- es that you emphasize that and don't allow it to happen again. "You get a chance to get so many more practices. We're a very young football team, and it gets our guys another 15 prac- tices to get better and improve onthe mistakes thatthey made." The Wildcats also finished with a 7-5 record and lost four conference games, including Oklahoma State and Baylor. The Wolverines are 1-1 in bowl games under Hoke, having beaten Virginia Tech in the 2012 Sugar Bowl and lost to South Carolina in last year's Outback Bowl. Michigan will begin selling bowl tickets Monday morning, with prices ranging from $30- $100. St Of L SU'S late be a foregone conclusion. Toon and senior middle irge bounces blocker Jennifer Cross entered the locker room with plenty Michigan in of reasons to be confident. After all, the Wolverines (18- ening round 4) had survived a grueling Big Ten schedule against many of By JACOB GASE the nation's top teams just to For the Daily reach the tournament. As No. 24 Michigan carried a com- hen senior outside hitter manding lead at the break, it 'Toon recorded a thunder- seemed like Friday night would econd-set-ending block to end with a much-needed first- LSU into the locker room round victory after an up-and- g, the outcome of the No. down regular season. ichigan volleyball team's But that confidence was ound NCAA Tournament short-lived as the Wolverines hup in Seattle appeared to dropped the next three sets to the Tigers (19-12). "It's no question this was a disappointing loss for us," said Michigan coach Mark Rosen. "This team has high goals and high expectations, and we cer- tainly are disappointed that we didn't advance." Coming off a Cinderella run to a Final Four appearance a year ago, a first-round loss is tough for the Wolverines to swallow. They returned most of their starters but struggled to click as a team. "It's very easy to fall into the trap of comparing it to last year," Cross said. "For us, at Michigan, culture and family is everything, so I think that's kind of why, as a cornerstone of our program, we struggled if that wasn't solid." With the momentum com- pletely shifted from the start of the match, Michigan entered the decisive fifth set fighting to keep its season alive. But this year, it was not to be, as LSU continueditsoffensiveroll from the two sets prior and stormed to an 8-2 lead before the teams switched sides. Michigan man- aged a small rally before its season ended a few plays later, when an emphatic block sealed a 15-10 victory for LSU. See VOLLEYBALL, Page 3B WI Molly ous s' send reelin 24 M first-r match FIRST PLACE U The Michigan men's swimming team took top honors at the AT&T National Championships this weekend. Page 2B SWEET CONSOLATION For the Big Ten, the conference cham- pionship is the peak, at least for now. But that doesn't make the chase any less excit- ing. SportsMonday Column: Page 2B