PAUL SHERMAN/Daily
De'Veon Smith appeared in just four games last year but figures to be an integral part of offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier's running-back-by-committee offense when the football team opens its season Aug. 30 against Appalachian State.
. i 1 GIL

 sA
ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
Senior defensive end Frank Clark lined up against freshman Mason Cole in the Spring Game on Saturday afternoon.
Fortunately for 'M, 'five
months to make strides

PAUL SHERMAN/Daily
Sophomore running back Derrick Green lost weight over the winter, and he will feature in Michigan's run-first offense.
An early look at the
Nuss m eier offense

Though generic,
Spring Game
offers hints at new
5 schemes, tactics
By ALEXA DETTELBACH
Daily SportsuEditor
Michigan football's biggest
story this spring, sans the
-offensive line, has been the
rebuilding of its offense. The
chief signing this offseason
wasn't the No. 3 overall prospect

in defensive back Jabrill Peppers,
but it was former Alabama
offensive coordinator Doug
Nussmeier.
So, when Michigan held its
Spring Game on Saturday, fans
and media alike came to watch
the offense, and whatever magic
Nussmeier could bring from
Tuscaloosa.
"All I can say is (Nussmeier's)
done an excellent job in teaching
(the new offense)," said Michigan
coach Brady Hoke. "Obviously,
he's here because we think he's
an awfully good football coach
in all areas. ... (But) room for

improvement? Oh my gosh,
there's no question, we need a lot
of improvement - but the way
it's being taught has been real
positive."
As Hoke has been saying since
practice began a few weeks ago,
only remedial plays would be
unveiled to the public this spring.
And the fourth-year coach was
telling the truth, as most of what
the Wolverines showed Saturday
was "vanilla," as quarterback
Devin Gardner called it.
The "vanilla" offense kicked
off with a less-than-inspiring
See OFFENSE, Page 2B

The children were
waiting for autographs,
but they didn't know
how to ask.
Derrick Green passed. Then
a slew of quarterbacks: Russell
Bellomy, Wilton Speight, Shane
Morris.
Then a
group
of wide
receivers,
all walking
off the
Michigan
Stadium
turf into ALEJANDRO
the tunnel ZUN&IGA
to the
locker
room.
The children yelled numbers,
not names. They didn't know

them, not until
back of the jers
out last namesc
was too late. TI
Howard jogged
screamed. The'
But this isn't
team anymore,
Charles Woods
stood on the ot
This is Michiga
that hasn't won
Championship
This is Mich
less of a househ
year.
Saturday, sei
fans filed into I
Stadium, not to
pop music over

they saw the though there was plenty - but
ey and blurted for answers.
only, when it After the disappointment
hen Desmond of the 2013-14 campaign,
i by, and they the Spring Game was an
y knew him. opportunity for Michigan to
Howard's showcase the improvement it
nor is it has made since then, and the
on's, who freshman talent who might star
her sideline. this year. It was a chance to
an, a program quell the fears that last year's
a Big Ten 7-6 record and restaurant-
in a decade. sponsored bowl game was part
igan, less and of a trend, not an aberration.
told name every Instead, as Michigan coach
Brady Hoke said afterward,
the scrimmage was "generic."
*** The Wolverines didn't unveil
many wrinkles of coordinator
veral thousand Doug Nussmeier's new offense.
Miichigan The defense dominated, and
listen to stale not because of some newfound
the speakers - See FIVE MONTHS, Page 2B


BRANDON AND BO
E If Bo Schembechler's statue came to
life, what would its conversation with
Athletic Director Dave Brandon be like?
SportsMonday Column, Page 2B

STREAK REACHES 15
The Michigan softball team continued
its rampage with a weekend sweep of
Ohio State, surrendering only one run in
all three games combined. Page 4B