THE BLADE: TOLEDO, OHIO t FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2004 2004 SECTION C, PAGE 7 UM’s expectations high MICHIGAN t Coach: t Year at school: 10th (86-26) t 2003 result: 10-3 t The skinny: The running game must provide stability for the offense Wolverines are looking to defend Big Ten title with rookie QB Matt Gutierrez at the helm. With three of fi ve starters on the line returning, that shouldn’t By RON MUSSELMAN be a problem. The defense is led BLADE SPORTS WRITER by senior cornerback Marlin Jack- ANN ARBOR — Michigan will son, one of six returning starters have a new and a from a unit that last season gave new tailback this season, but the up 18.8 points per game. Jackson same expectations. moves back to his natural position The Wolverines’ unoffi cial at corner after a year at safety. Lloyd Carr’s team has 13 starters motto is “contend and defend.” returning overall, which is why the They are the defending Big Wolverines start the season in the Ten champions and the media’s top 10 of both polls and have the preseason pick to repeat as inside track on a second consecu- league champs. tive conference championship. But “Knowing this group and getting to another Rose Bowl will speaking for the tradition of mean playing well away from home. Michigan, our expectations are All three losses last season came away from the friendly confi nes of high,” coach Lloyd Carr said. Michigan Stadium. Big road tests “I always believed champion- this season are at Purdue and arch- ship football starts on defense. rival Ohio State. Michigan is looking If we’re going to make a run at to become the fi rst team since Wis- championship, then we’re go- consin in 1998-99 to repeat as Big ing to have to play outstanding Ten champs. defense.” Lofty expectations are nothing 2004 SCHEDULE new at Michigan. Date Opp. Time Carr has guided the Wolver- Sept. 4 Miami (Ohio) Noon ines to a bowl berth in each of his Sept. 11 at Notre Dame 3:30 nine seasons, and his teams have Sept. 18 San Diego State Noon claimed four Big Ten crowns and Sept. 25 Iowa TBA an 86-26 overall record. Oct. 2 at Indiana TBA Overall, UM has made 29 con- Oct. 9 Minnesota TBA secutive bowl appearances, the Oct. 16 at Illinois TBA Oct. 23 at Purdue TBA second longest streak in NCAA Oct. 30 Michigan State TBA history. Nov. 13 Northwestern TBA “Michigan is a big-time foot- Nov. 20 at Ohio State 1 ball school,” receiver said. “Every year we’re a good team. We always try to 2003 RESULTS better ourselves and uphold the Opponent Score Michigan tradition, which is Central Michigan W, 45-7 winning Big Ten championships. Houston W, 50-3 We strive to meet those expecta- Notre Dame W, 38-0 tions every year.” Oregon L, 31-27 The eighth-ranked Wolver- Indiana W, 31-17 ines, who open their season to- Iowa L, 30-27 morrow at home against Miami Minnesota W, 38-35 (Ohio), return 17 starters from Illinois W, 56-14 last year’s 10-3 team that lost to Purdue W, 31-3 Michigan State W, 27-20 Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. Northwestern W, 41-10 However, two key offensive Ohio State W, 35-21 players are missing from that Rose Bowl team. Southern Cal L, 28-14 Quarterback and All-American tailback Chris Perry have both moved on to the 2004 ROSTER NFL. No. Name Pos. Ht./Wt. Yr. Navarre fi nished with six 1 Braylon Edwards WR 6-3/206 Sr. 2 Shawn Crable LB 6-5/234 So. career and seven single-season 2 Mark Spencer P 6-0/215 So. passing records in three years 3 CB 6-1/199 Sr. as a starter at Michigan, and he 3 Ross Ryan P 6-0/210 So. 4 Darnell Hood CB 5-11/191 So. became the fi rst player in school 5 Charles Stewart S 6-1/184 Fr. history to throw for more than 5 David Underwood RB 6-0/227 Sr. 6 Prescott Burgess LB 6-3/223 So. 9,000 yards. 7 Spencer Brinton QB 6-5/223 Sr. Perry fi nished fourth in the 7 QB 6-3/215 Fr. Heisman voting, won the Doak 8 WR 6-1/209 Jr. 8 Matt Wilde QB 6-2/202 So. Walker Award as the nation’s top 9 Anton Campbell S 5-11/192 So. , was team MVP 10 Troy Nienberg K 6-2/171 Sr. and Big Ten offensive player of 10 Clayton Richard QB 6-4/227 So. 12 Matt Gutierrez QB 6-4/230 So. the year. He rushed for 1,589 THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY 12 Landon Smith WR 5-8/162 So. yards and scored 17 touch- 13 Jeff Kastl QB 6-3/218 So. Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards had 85 receptions for 1,138 yards and 14 last season. 13 Grant Mason CB 6-0/194 Jr. downs. 14 Tyron Jordan II WR 5-10/185 So. “We lost an outstanding tail- 14 Morgan Trent WR 6-1/175 Fr. back from a year ago in Chris candidate. Jackson leading the way. Jackson 15 WR 6-1/181 Jr. 15 Chip Cartwright LB 6-1/226 Jr. Perry, an outstanding quarter- “I think we have a great offen- has moved back to cornerback, 16 Adrian Arrington WR 6-2/172 Fr. back in John Navarre, and an sive line, tremendous receivers where he earned second-team 17 James Bloomsburgh K 5-10/195 Jr. outstanding defensive line,” and a solid group of running All-American honors in 2002. He 17 Carl Tabb WR 6-2/193 So. 18 Jermaine Gonzales WR 6-2/210 Sr. Carr said. “Those three position backs that will all play hard and has played in 33 career games for 19 Willis Barringer S 6-0/201 Jr. are really the focus.” do their best to get the job done,” the Wolverines, making 27 starts. 20 Mike Hart RB 5-9/185 Fr. 20 Quinton McCoy DB 5-9/167 So. Matt Gutierrez, a redshirt Gutierrez said. “I think has a 21 S 6-1/209 So. sophomore, will replace Navarre, Defensively, the Wolverines chance to be one of the greatest 22 Jamar Adams S 6-2/190 Fr. and senior David Underwood are switching to a 3-4 defense. 22 Kyle Plummer CB 5-10/161 So. safeties we’ve had here,” Carr 23 Max Martin RB 6-2/210 Fr. will take over for Perry. Senior end Pat Massey is the said. 24 Jerome Jackson RB 5-11/198 So. Gutierrez, a 6-4, 230-pounder, only returning starter from a line Shazor likes the makeup of 25 Ernest Shazor S 6-4/226 Jr. completed 13 of 19 passes for that lost Larry Stevens, Grant 26 Alijah Bradley RB 5-6/171 Jr. the Wolverines defense, which 26 Mike Carl S 6-0/208 Jr. 153 yards and one Bowman and Norman Heuer to ranked second in the Big Ten last 27 Pierre Rembert RB 6-0/213 So. last season in 12 games of lim- graduation. Massey, Larry Harri- year in points allowed per game 28 Dan Moore LB 6-0/226 So. ited action as the backup. He has son, Alex Ofi li and Gabe Watson 28 Jacob Stewart S 6-0/212 Jr. and yards allowed. 29 Leon Hall CB 5-11/193 So. not lost a game since his fresh- are all vying for playing time. “I feel that this defense is even 30 Markus Curry CB 5-11/183 Sr. man year at De La Salle Catholic UM is solid at 31 Brandent Englemon S 5-11/197 So. better than last season’s group,” 31 Craig Moore K 5-10/178 So. High School in Concord, Calif. with Lawrence Reid, Scott Mc- he said. “We’re quicker than we 32 Kevin Dudley RB 6-1/237 Sr. He said he learned a lot from Clintock, , LaMarr 33 Keston Cheathem S 6-3/183 Fr. were last season and we have Navarre. Woodley, Roy Manning, Shawn an extra year of experience now. 33 Scott Hammel RB 5-10/200 Jr. “John was a great player and 34 Joe Leoni LB 5-11/220 So. Crable, David Harris, Prescott Michigan defenses will always 35 Brian Thompson RB 6-2/235 So. a great person who showed a lot Burgess, Joe Sarantos and fresh- be great, but we have an excel- 36 Scott McClintock LB 6-2/243 Jr. of poise last year when we were man Chris Graham. 37 Chris Graham LB 5-10/205 Fr. lent secondary, great behind,” Gutierrez said. “I really Reid led the team in tackles 38 B.J. Opong-Owusu S 5-11/197 So. and a strong defensive line. 38 K 5-9/210 So. appreciate the opportunity I had last year with 82. 39 Adam Finley P 6-4/209 Sr. to learn from him.” “I think Lawrence Reid is a “I think the defensive line will 40 Obianna Oluigbo RB 6-0/243 So. be the surprise. They’re under- 41 Tim Bracken RB 5-9/206 Sr. UM also returns three tal- wonderful football player,” Carr 42 Lawrence Reid LB 6-1/219 Jr. ented receivers in Edwards, said. “He’s always around the rated and I think they’ll make a 43 Roger Allison RB 6-1/228 Fr. big impact this season.” 44 Jason Eldridge RB 5-8/175 Jr. Steve Breaston and Jason Avant football and he makes some THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY 45 Brad Cischke WR 6-4/202 Jr. and three starters on the offen- great plays.” Contact Ron Musselman at: 45 David Harris LB 6-2/246 So. sive line, including senior guard UM’s secondary is its strong [email protected] Sophomore quarterback Matt Gutierrez has not lost a game 46 James Presley RB 6-2/231 So. since his freshman season at De La Salle Catholic High School. 49 Kyle Myers LB 6-0/213 Sr. , an All-American suit, with Shazor and Marlin or 419-724-6474. 49 John Thompson LB 6-0/214 Fr. 50 Jeremy Van Alstyne DE 6-4/258 So. 51 Jeff Jansen LB 6-2/240 So. SCOUTING THE BIG TEN 52 Ross Mann LS 6-1/242 Sr. 53 David Hull DT 6-1/264 Fr. Changeup back , t The skinny: Coach John L. run roughshod over the Lions again. 54 Mark Bihl OL 6-4/301 So. IOWA t t the 2003 Big Ten freshman of the Smith won Big Ten coach of the year 55 Jeremy Read LB 6-1/221 Sr. Coach: Coach: year, gained 1,121 yards and scored honors last season when he doubled ILLINOIS 56 LaMarr Woodley DE 6-2/268 So. t t t Year at school: sixth (32-29) Year at school: 15th (99-67-4) 10 times. The defense is bolstered the Spartans’s victory total from 2002. Coach: Ron Turner 57 Adam Kraus OL 6-6/291 So. t t 2003 result: 10-3 2003 result: 7-6 by the return of junior linebacker Ter- More improvement will be diffi cult t Year at school: eighth (32-49) 58 Roy Manning LB 6-2/240 Sr. t t t 59 Joey Sarantos LB 6-3/231 Jr. The skinny: It’s a testament to The skinny: Armed with one of to attain with a new cast on offense. 2003 result: 1-11 rance Campbell, who had 56 tackles t 61 Turner Booth LS 6-2/260 Jr. the job coach Kirk Ferentz has done the top running backs and one of the and a sack last season. The Gophers Smith must replace quarterback Jeff The skinny: Illinois has seven 63 Derek Bell OL 6-4/276 Jr. the past two seasons that the Hawk- top offensive lines in the conference, have two tough road tests at Michigan Smoker, the owner of most Spartans home games for the fi rst time in 64 Grant DeBenedictis OL 6-4/267 Fr. eyes are expected to fi nish among the Wisconsin looks to make waves in the and Wisconsin, but if they steal one passing records. A nagging knee in- school history and the Illini will need 65 Leo Henige Jr. OL 6-4/331 Jr. league for the fi rst time since winning top three in the conference with only 10 of those games they could be a dark jury to projected starter a good home record to save Ron 66 Paul Sarantos DL 6-3/261 So. returning starters — three on offense the . Senior running Turner’s job. He is 6-18 over the past 67 Matt Lentz OL 6-6/316 Jr. horse contender because they don’t means either senior Damon Dowdell and seven on defense. Sophomore back Anthony Davis, who missed two seasons and has just two winning 68 Patrick Sharrow OL 6-4/287 So. fi ve games last season with an ankle have to play Ohio State. or freshman Stephen Reaves will start seasons in his seven seasons at the 69 David Schoonover OL 6-3/276 Jr. Drew Tate is the new quarterback, re- the opener against Rutgers. Only three 70 Jeremy Ciulla OL 6-5/275 Fr. placing the effi cient Nate Chandler. The injury, is a back with game-breaking helm. Take away Illinois’ 10-win sea- ability. He has 3,703 yards in his ca- starters will surround the new quarter- son in 2001 and Turner is averaging 71 Tom Berishaj OL 6-4/328 Jr. defense is led by senior end Matt Roth, NORTHWESTERN back on offense. The defense, with six 72 Rueben Riley OL 6-3/311 So. reer and averaged 5.9 per carry in his t Coach: fewer than four wins per season with who has 22 sacks in his past 26 games. Randy Walker starters returning, will have to carry the the Illini. Turner changed defensive 73 Alex Mitchell OL 6-5/315 Fr. Ferentz has gotten more out of less injury-riddled junior campaign. Davis t 74 Brett Gallimore OL 6-6/302 Fr. Year at school: sixth (24-35) team while the offense gets situated. coordinators in the offseason with than perhaps any coach in the country and the line should make it easier on t 2003 result: 75 David Baas OL 6-5/307 Sr. the quarterback, either junior John Mike Mallory taking over for Mike 76 Mike Kolodziej OL 6-7/319 So. in the past two years, going 20-6 with t The skinny: Northwestern re- Cassity. Mallory is charged with turn- two New Year’s Day bowl games. Stocco or sophomore Tyler Donovan. 77 OL 6-7/331 So. Eight starters return on a defense that bounded from a 3-9 campaign with PENN STATE ing around a unit that gave up 33.2 78 Gabriel Watson DT 6-4/333 Jr. t Coach: features lineman Anttaj Hawthorne, an a respectable 6-7 mark last season. points and 426 yards per game. 79 Adam Stenavich OL 6-5/313 Jr. With eight starters back on offense t Year at school: 39th (339- 80 DT 6-6/326 Fr. PURDUE Outland Trophy and Nagurski Trophy candidate, and safety , and nine on defense, the Wildcats are 109-3) 80 Chris Matsos WR 6-0/209 Jr. t Coach: Joe Tiller looking to take a leap in the confer- t 2003 result: 3-9 INDIANA 81 Doug Dutch WR 6-0/190 Fr. t who also returns kicks. t 82 Mike Mandich TE 6-3/245 Jr. Year at school: eighth (55-32) ence standings. Junior quarterback t The skinny: It can’t get any Coach: Gerry DiNardo 84 Kevin Murphy TE 6-5/253 Jr. t 2003 result: 9-4 Bret Basanez had a tough 2003 sea- worse for the Nittany Lions, can it? t Year at school: third (5-19) 85 Michael Massey TE 6-4/216 Fr. t The skinny: MINNESOTA son in which he threw 12 Last season they bottomed out with a t 2003 result: 2-10 86 Jim Fisher TE 6-5/255 Sr. candidate Kyle Orton gives Purdue an t Coach: Glen Mason and four touchdowns. Senior running 3-9 record, the worst in school history. t The skinny: The Hoosiers return 88 TE 6-4/249 Sr. offensive edge over the rest of the con- t Year at school: eighth (44-40) back Noah Herron averaged 5.7 yards Coach Joe Paterno wants to prove he 10 starters on offense and nine on 89 Tyler Ecker TE 6-6/249 Jr. ference contenders. He is one of only t defense, but that experience means 90 Tim Jamison LB 6-3/230 Fr. 2003 result: 10-3 per carry in a backup role last season still has it, but much will depend on 91 Rondell Biggs DE 6-2/268 Jr. four returning QBs in the conference t The skinny: The Gophers played and averaged 12 yards per catch. his offensive and defensive lines. Se- little considering how bad the Hoo- 92 William Paul DT 6-3/264 So. and the only one who plays on a team in their fourth in the past Coach Randy Walker must shore up nior quarterback Zack Mills leads an siers were last season. They ranked 93 Alex Ofi li DT 6-4/289 Jr. with serious Rose Bowl aspirations. fi ve seasons last year by riding a a defense that allowed 417 yards and offense that is not settled at running last in the league in scoring offense 93 Chris Rogers LB 6-3/242 Fr. Orton completed 60.6 percent of his strong running game that averaged 25 points per game last season. back or . The line returns (14.8 ppg) and total defense (429.7 94 Patrick Massey DT 6-8/276 Jr. passes for 2,885 yards and 15 TDs with 289.2 yards per game, third among all four starters, but the linemen will have ypg). Coach Gerry DiNardo is still in 94 Matt Studenski TE 6-3/227 Jr. only seven INTs last season. Coach Joe NCAA Division I schools. Coach Glen to step up their play. The defense has a rebuilding mode in his third season, 95 Marques Walton DT 6-0/275 Fr. Tiller will put the season on Orton and Mason returns four of fi ve starters on MICHIGAN STATE a few playmakers in senior cornerback trying to get some depth and confi - 96 Larry Harrison DT 6-3/313 So. t dence in a program that hasn’t seen a 97 Will Johnson DT 6-4/285 Fr. six other starters returning on offense. the line and all-Big Ten running back Coach: John L. Smith and sophomore line- 97 Max Pollock LB 6-1/215 So. The defense is more of a concern with Marion Barber III, who rushed for 1,196 t Year at school: second (8-5) backer Paul Posluszny, but an under- winning season since 1994. 99 Pierre Woods LB 6-5/248 Jr. only three players back. yards and 17 touchdowns last season. t 2003 result: 8-5 sized line must play better or teams will — Block News Alliance

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