I I A Th o AKPhiegn fn;iiv -Mnnvdx Ainos't 9 A CM 4 - I IItz ivlat rIIFO!I; uariy -- IVIVIl"Cly, fciy6y;'t . 1 Blair who? Kicking game could put Carr zi corner sPs I By Chris Grandstaff Daily Sports EAitor "Tell me where you are Hayden!" These days the only thing scarrier than heading out into the woods to make a documentary could be the Michigan kicking game. With the departure of fifth year seniors Jay Feely and Craig Baker to graduation, the kicktrg duties for this season seemed to fall squarely onto the shoulders of sophomore Hayden Epstein. But Lloyd Carr and the rest of the Michigan coaching staff soke up one spring morning with a pile of stones on their front steps when news broke that Epstein would be unable to play for the Wolverines in 1999. Epstein, who coming out of high school was listed as the No. I place- kicker by The National Recruiting Advisor and who as a freshman last season wooed Michigan fans with his booming kickoffs, will miss the entire season due to torn ligaments in his right knee. The injury occurred while Epstein was working out at his California home. Junior walk-on Jeff Del Verne, who has yet to see any game action, 1 it" " d 9ce |d S. I $1.00 off Meal lire p 1Smoothie or Fruit Shake 1 I .50 off Snack Size i 1 Smoothie or 1 1 Fruit Shake i 1 Expires 8/31/99 1 522 E. Williams 1 (Next to Cottage Inn) 0 - -0 3C K The Wolverines may ask their star- studdedsopooeqatrak o ;, IhQ M f g g g f ~ f 3 C , Drew Henson, to handle punting. will likely replace Epstein as close, if they want to get on the Michigan's placekicker. board this season. Del Verne will be challenged by Michigan's punting situation does- senior Brandon n't look too Kornblue and much better junior Jared -and will be Chandler. more like a But regardless walk in the of who wins the woods of job, the Burkit sville Wolverines enter than a walk in the season com- the park. With pletely in dark at fifth year the place kicker senior Jason position and the strange sounds that Vinson gone, the Wolverines may they hear all around them will be the ask their star-studded sophomore snickering of opposing coaches. quarterback Drew Henson to handle Unless Del Verne and company the punting duties. can execute at a higher level than Henson was named to the USA they have been able to so far in their Today All-American team as a punter college careers, the Wolverine after his senior season in high offense will be faced with the addi- school, but the Wolverines may tional pressure of always scoring decide that there is too much risk in touchdowns, or getting pretty darn putting the future star on the field as a punter. If that's the case, expect junior Corey Sargent, who has never punted in a collegiate game, to assume the punting role. The Wolverines should have enough talent to overcome their inexperienced kicking game, but already the experts have identified it as Michigan's biggest weakness. Recently in Ann Arbor ESPN ana- lyst Lee Corso was asked to predict Michigan's opener against NotreDame. "It depends on if the situation with Michigan's kicking game comes about," Corso said. "That Epstein kid got hurt and that really puts the pressure on them, but I really like Michigan's chances this year." In the clutch Michigan will not be able to rely on its kicking game to win. A fact that does not bode well for the Wolverines, who face the always horrifying Big Ten schedule. If the outcome of a game comes down to a kick don't be surprised if cameras find Carr standing in the corner, facing the wall - shudder- ing. Icers: Don't judge pro decision Players see fans' perspective, but stress importance of the 'long term' By David Den Herder Daily Sports Editor faced with the greatest dilemma in col- lege athletics. He has the chance, now, The best time of your life. to pursue a lucrative career in the pros. Preparation for a career. If he stays, he may improve his status, What are two things that define col- and he'll have the chance to 'finish his lege? And what if you had the option experience' - but he runs the awful to trade part of one to enhance the risk of injury. other? "From a fan's perspective, you hate The situation is anything but black to see them go," said Michigan for- and white. Many say they attend col- ward Mike Comrie. "But you can't lege so they can make money later in hold a kid back if he's ready to go." life. But for some, opportunity knocks. Michigan icers don't buy into the Now. often-critical conventional wisdom of Mike Van Ryn is the latest to be leaving college early. "I don't think it's fair for anyone to make judgements," said defenseman Jeff Jillson. E E PPME Instead, perhaps as contemporaries, players seem more concerned with each individual scenario. "If you feel like you're ready - If you're mature enough, mentally and physically to play at such a high level - then you do." You do. Not, players say, because the money somehow blinds you, but because it is the rational choice - for anyone. "He'd like to stay, and we'd sure like him to stay," forward Mark Kosick said. "But if the money's right, he's got to think long term. Long term indeed. What, after all, is anyone here for? "He's a good friend of mine, Kosick said - "we all knew that he would have to make a decision," Jillson said - and "if Mike decides to leave," said Comrie, "I will support him." Sanders (20), with Lions great Billy SIms Lions attempt to regroup as Sanders retires, second all-time PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -When the Lions reported to training cam Thursday at Saginaw Valley State, the dazzling one-man highlight film was somewhere in England. In a statement released Wednesday the game's most explosive runn back said he was leaving because, "My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it" Lions general manager Chuck Schmidt said Sanders would be wel- come back any time. He retired without speaking to Detroit coach Bobby Ross or anyone else on the team. After 10 years with the Lions Sanders was the NFLs second all-time leading rusher - 1,458 yards shor4 Walter Payton's record. He also hel the second-highest all-time single-sea son rushing total with 2,053. Cleaves suing Taylor over Explorer misha Michigan State basketball sta Mateen Cleaves has sued forme Michigan plyer Maurice Taylor and hr aunt oser injuries suffered in a 1996 traf ftc accident. Ceas es alleges h.' "has hen renderei rempnrasrilv rioust deabled and sufteect g -atubyssa;3piiand menta itgts sa result he rolloser acit He ir to iilstoaFrd Lxplorer driven bh tayloIr and owAeceJl by his aunt, I~ Y1 oytd of Detroit. Cleases was in his senior season a Flint Nhern High when he traveled Ann Arbhor on a recruiting toip witd Taylor and four other Michigan player' The Explorer crashed about 4:50 an on Feb. 17, 1996 The lawsuit, which seeks at leat $25,000 in damages, alleges Cleaver injuries resulted from Taylor's negligee operation of the Explorer and Lloyd's negligence in allowing Taylor drive the vehicle. - Compiled from wire report .. '.', , to F'= r . f'. . i :. , _ , -9l2 'as .r . ON AFTf ItS MONTH YOUNG'S GAlMEAL STOUT N s RON ALE DETROJT ACKINAC BLACK SAM ADAMS CHERRY WHEAT GOOSE ISLAND- HONKERS ALE PAULANER HEFE-WEIZEN BLUE MOON FUMPKIN & MANY OTHERS NO COVER CHARGE 31O MAYNARD 995.01o00(U of M CENTRAL CAMPUS) 21 &OVER - ' 'ceve You;raxium xm ~re!? At EXCEL, we focus upon the key distinctions that result in great scores. You will score higher because you'll know what the test is looking for. More than shortcuts and test- taking techniques, you'll master the principles of the test. Prepare Now and in Sept. for the Fall GRE, DAT, LSAT, GMAT, & College Entrance Exams I17 South Univers5it Test Pre aration 996-1500 _.