toledoblade.com + THE BLADE: TOLEDO, t WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 SECTION C, PAGE 3 + UM BY THE NUMBERS UM SCHEDULE TALKING WITH Wolverines Sep. 5 Western , 3:30 with Elliott Mealer Continued from Page 1 Sep. 12 Notre Dame, 3:30 Pet peeve: People who talk themselves up too much Sep. 19 Eastern Michigan, Noon 3 “He’s really big on tackling and Favorite Toledo-area restaurant: Shorty’s True American Sep. 26 Indiana, Noon t True freshmen scholarship I feel like last year we had a lot of Oct. 3 at Michigan St., TBA Roadhouse — best ribs players from Detroit Cass, missed tackles,” senior end Bran- Oct. 10 at Iowa, 8:05 Best friend on the team: including fi ve-star defensive Do you manually control Elliott Mealer don Graham said. “I just believe Oct. 17 Delaware St., TBA Oct. 24 Penn St., TBA William Campbell. on NCAA 2010? I just go with the quarter- we have 11 guys — more than 11 guys — that are going to go out Oct. 31 at , 3:30 back. I don’t want to mess myself up. They’ve Nov. 7 Purdue, TBA got me a little better on the game than I am there and do what the coach tells Nov. 14 at Wisconsin, TBA in real life. us.” Nov. 21 Ohio St., TBA 4 Last big purchase: PlayStation 3 and TV It’s not unreasonable to think t Rose Bowl coaching victories for apartment UM could win as many games Favorite comedian: Jim Carrey in the fi rst month as they did all year, three in which Michigan will by defensive coordinator Greg Brand of deodorant: Old Spice of last year. Western Michigan, be favored. A quick start could be Robinson, whose resume in- Weight room junkie or fi lm junkie: Weight room junkie expected to contend in the Mid- the magic elixir to boost morale cludes stints at Texas and UCLA. Teammates would vote you the best/worst at: Best at American Conference, visits the on a team that hasn’t had much impersonations (especially some of the coaches) Big House Saturday in a matchup reason to grin lately. Bed time during camp: 11 p.m., if not before that could be more compelling “We have to deserve it and I How much of a head start would be required for you to feel like we’re going to deserve it,” 6 than what is expected most years t beat Usain Bolt in the 100? I think I’d have to be fi ve meters when these teams meet. The Wol- senior Carlos Brown Starters that need replaced on from the fi nish line. verines follow with three more said. a defense that ranked 10th in the home games, fi rst against No. 23 “We’re working hard right now Big Ten a year ago. Notre Dame and then versus East- and we’re going to make a turn- ern Michigan and Indiana, both of around.” which are perennial also-rans in Contact Ryan Autullo at: MICHIGAN DEPTH CHART [email protected] 7 OFFENSE their conferences. t Four home games to start the or 419-724-6160. Las Vegas’ over/under projec- X: (13) Greg Mathews, sr., 6-3, 209 , Orlando. (22) , tion for UM wins in 2009. soph., 6-2, 196, Stafford, Texas. (6) Je’Ron Stokes, fr., 6-0, 181, Phila- delphia. LT: (71) , sr., 6-7, 284, Klein, Texas. (79) Perry Dorres- back appears to be OK. Senior tein, jr., 6-7, 306, Plainfi eld, Ill. LG: Carlos Brown (6-foot, 210) has 18 (52) , jr., 6-5, 304, Bellevue, Wash. (57) Elliott Mealer, fr., 6-6, 209, Wauseon — or — (56) Ricky Barnum, fr., 6-2, 275, Minor had a productive camp and is said t The believed number of verbal Lakeland, Fla. to be healthy after playing in just commitments UM has received Continued from Page 1 C: (50) , soph., 6-2, 275, Lemont, Ill. (63) Rocko Khoury, fr., fi ve games last year. Also expected in the 2010 recruiting class. 6-5, 283, Traverse City, Mich. was experiencing headaches to receive carries are Florida fresh- RG: (60) , sr., 6-5, 292, Libertyville, Ill. (74) John Fer- stemming from an offseason man Vincent Smith and sopho- rara, jr., 6-4, 279, Staten Island, N.Y. car accident. Rodriguez has said more Michael Shaw (5.1 yards RT: (72) Mark Huyge, soph., 6-6, 288, Wyoming, Mich. (65) Patrick Minor wants desperately to par- per carry average in 2008). That 46 Omameh, fr., 6-4, 276, Columbus. says nothing of fullbacks Mark t Number of years since TE: (86) Kevin Koger, soph., 6-4, 249, Toledo — or — (80) Martell ticipate in every practice drill Webb, jr., 6-4, 245. (88) Brandon Moore, fr., 6-6, 243, Trotwood, Ohio. and that interjection from the Moundros and , who Michigan fi nished consecutive Y: (9) Martavious Odoms, soph., 5-9, 172, Pahokee, Fla. (18) Kelvin coaching staff is often needed to combined for 17 attempts last seasons below .500 (1962-63). Grady, soph., 5-9, 168, Grand Rapids, Mich. (7) Terrence Robinson, convince Minor to sit out. year. fr., 5-9, 171, Klein, Texas — or — (12) , fr., 6-0, 170, “What I like about Brandon, “I told them if you come to work Trotwood, Ohio. and I’ve said this to numerous pro every day, if you work hard every Z: (21) , soph., 6-1, 220, Conway, S.C. (82) LaTer- scouts, if you go around and ask day, I’ll fi nd a way to get you all on 81 ryal Savoy, sr., 6-3, 214, Mamou, La. (18) James Rogers, jr., 6-1, 182, players on the team, he’s one of the fi eld,” Jackson said. t Combined freshmen and Madison Heights, Mich. the toughest players on the team,” As a whole in 2008, UM rushed sophomores on UM’s roster of QB: (5) , fr., 6-1, 188, — or — (8) , for 17 and 1,771 jr., 6-1, 218, Saline, Mich. — or — (16) , fr., 6-0, 185, said Jackson, who was a University 124 players. Deerfi eld Beach, Fla. of Toledo assistant from 1979-81. yards on 453 attempts (3.9 aver- FB: (44) Mark Moundros, jr., 6-1, 233, Farmington Hills, Mich. (24) age). Its second leading rusher, Kevin Grady, sr., 5-9, 230, Grand Rapids, Mich. freshman Sam McGuffi e, trans- SB: (4) , sr., 6-1, 218, Richmond, Va. (23) Carlos Brown, What I like about ferred to Rice but any blow in- 252 sr., 6-0, 210, Franklin, Ga. (2) Vincent Smith, fr., 5-6, 168, Pahokee, Fla. Brandon‘ [Minor]...if curred to the program because t Number of millions of dollars — or — (20) Michael Shaw, soph., 6-0, 178, Trotwood, Ohio. of his departure may have been invested in the construction of softened by the recruitment of the Al Glick Fieldhouse and the DEFENSE you go around and ask Smith. Considered a three-star renovation of the Big House. DE: (55) , sr., 6-2, 263, Detroit. (39) Will Heininger, players on the team, prospect by both Rivals.com and The Fieldhouse is open and soph., 6-6, 261, Ann Arbor. (99) Adam Patterson, jr., 6-3, 263, Colum- Scout.com, Smith has impressed bia, S.C. the stadium project should be in camp with an uncanny act of DT: (53) Ryan Van Bergen, soph., 6-6, 271, Whitehall, Mich. (92) Greg he’s one of the toughest completed in time for the start of seamlessly changing direction on Banks, jr., 6-4, 266, Denver. next season. NT: (68) Mike Martin, soph., 6-2, 292, Redford, Mich. (95) Renaldo players. the fi eld. For that, Jackson says Sagesse, jr., 6-4, 279, Montreal, Quebec. (73) William Campbell, fr., Michigan running backs’ coach Smith reminds him of former UM 6-5, 318, Detroit. Fred Jackson great Mike Hart. OLB: (58) Brandon Herron, soph., 6-2, 220, Stafford, Texas. (88) Craig “Very, very physical runner. 18,856 Roh, fr., 6-4, 238, Scottsdale, Ariz. (81) Steve Watson, soph., 6-4, 257, Very, very physical blocker,” Jack- Cherry Hills Villago, Colo. Should Minor need time off t Combined passing yards by this season, a staple of solid son said of Smith. “Very sharp MLB: (45) Obi Ezeh, jr., 6-2, 243, Grand Rapids, Mich. (42) J.B. mentally, cuts on a dime. Out- , and Fitzgerald, soph., 6-3, 232, Princeton Junction, N.J. (25) Kenny De- backs await. On a team otherwise Andy Schmitt — the fi rst three saddled with considerable depth standing player.” mens, fr., 6-1, 236, Oak Park, Mich. Michigan will op- WLB: (8) Jonas Mouton, jr., 6-2, 228, Los Angeles. (52) Kevin Leach, issues, the situation at running —Ryan Autullo soph., 6-1, 206., Kentwood, Mich. (4) Brandon Smith, fr., 6-3, 209, pose this year. New Brunswick, N.J. SLB: (3) , sr., 6-0, 211, Columbus, Ind. (27) Mike Jones, fr., 6-2, 203, Orlando. (23) Floyd Simmons, fr., 5-10, 190, Detroit. LCB: (6) , jr., 6-0, 185, Long Beach, Calif. (2) J.T. Rodriguez sued for $3.9M in Turner, fr., 6-2, 187, Massillon, Ohio — or — (14) Teric Jones, fr., 5-8, 193, Detroit. SS: (29) Troy Woolfolk, jr., 6-0, 193, Sugar Land, Texas. (31) Jared Van Slyke, soph., 6-3, 197. (22) , fr., 5-10, 194. failed condominium project FS: (40) Mike Williams, soph., 5-11, 188, Santa Yuez, Calif. (5) Vladimir Emilien, fr., 6-1, 198, Lauderhill, Fla. RCB: (33) Boubacar Cissoko, soph., 5-9, 177, Detroit. (12) J.T. Floyd, fr., 6-0, 183, Greenville, S.C. Michigan coach’s lawyers say he was victim of an alleged Ponzi scheme SPECIALISTS By RYAN AUTULLO construct upscale condomini- be imminent, which would clear PK: (92) Jason Olesnavage, sr., 6-5, 213, Ferndale, Mich. — or — (34) BLADE SPORTS WRITER ums near the football stadium Rodriguez of the $3.9 million he Brendan Gibbons, fr., 6-0, 229, West Palm Beach, Fla. — or — (43) If foot- Bryan Wright, jr., 6-1, 217, Salem, Ohio. at Tech. The promissory is accused of owing Nexity Bank. P: (41) Zoltan Mesko, sr., 6-5, 231, Twinsburg, Ohio. (43) Bryan Wright, ball coach is the note was modifi ed on Sept. 19, Interest is accruing on the princi- jr., 6-1, 217, Salem, Ohio. victim in a failed development 2008, and the principal balance pal balance of Rodriguez’s loan by LS: (91) Tom Pomarico, soph., 6-4, 245, Jackson, Mich. (54) Jareth project in Virginia, he still owes was reduced to $3.6 million for $933.07 each day. Glanda, fr., 6-3, 265, Rochester Hills, Mich. — or — (53) Ryan Van $3.9 million to Nexity Bank of Rodriguez’s share. Rodriguez has “This lawsuit is just about as Bergmen, soph., 6-6, 271, Whitehall, Mich. Alabama for defaulting on a loan, not made payments on the loan’s simple as a lawsuit gets, to be KO: (43) Bryan Wright, jr., 6-1, 217, Salem, Ohio. (34) Brendan Gib- the bank’s lawyer, Wesley Few, said principal balance nor its late fees honest with you,” Few said. bons, fr., 6-0, 229, West Palm Beach, Fla. yesterday. or accumulated interest. Asked why Rodriguez is the PR: (9) Martavious Odoms, soph., 5-9, 172, Pahokee, Fla. (13) Greg Rodriguez and four other Rodriguez’s fi nancial adviser, only guarantor of the group who Mathews, sr., 6-3, 209, Orlando. (7) Terrence Robinson, fr., 5-9, 171, guarantors, whom he joined to Mike Wilcox of Toledo, issued a has been sued, Few said, “He’s Klein, Texas. fi nancially back a condominium statement which claimed that his probably the only one that has the KR: (33) Boubacar Cissoko, soph., 5-9, 177, Detroit. (9) Martavious project, were listed in a lawsuit client is the victim of an alleged ability to pay the money back, but Odoms, soph., 5-9, 172, Pahokee, Fla. (18) Kelvin Grady, soph., 5-9, fi led against Rodriguez last month Ponzi scheme. I don’t know that for sure. This is 168, Grand Rapids, Mich. in U.S. District Court in South Bill Gearhart, the principal bro- the starting point.” Carolina. It is alleged that one of ker for Coldwell Banker Townside Other members in the invest- Rodriguez’s partners mishandled Realtors in Virginia, which was ment group include Ronald West, players have the drive to excel, the group’s funds, which led hired by The Legends of Blacks- Floyd Elliott, Lamar Greene, and much like their fellow students to a rift between the partners. burg to market the failed condo- Jeffery Greene. Reaction on campus. Payments on loans have not miniums, believes Rodriguez was It’s been a tumultuous week “I think deep down kids want been made, and Rodriguez was duped. for Rodriguez, who is also being served with a lawsuit on Aug. 24 Continued from Page 1 to work hard,” he said. “Not let- “I do think the investors are accused of breaking NCAA rules in his offi ce at the UM football the victims. I don’t think Mr. by working his players beyond required compliance forms to ting them would be like telling facility. Rodriguez did anything wrong,” several thresholds placed by the our med students, we’re going document how practice time is “It’s irrelevant to our loan be- Gearhart said. “I’m on the outside governing body of college athlet- to close the library — you’ve got spent, and how much time the cause [Rodriguez] still owes us looking in. [Rodriguez] was not ics. Rodriguez has denied those team is working out. to let them go to the library, and money,” Few said yesterday by managing the project; our com- accusations. He said his coaching staff also phone from South Carolina. pany had no contact with him The Wolverines open their honors the no-contact periods Tressel said the fl ap in According to court documents, whatsoever.” season Saturday at home against and does not mandate extra The Legends of Blacksburg, LLC Rodriguez’s agent, Mike Brown, Western Michigan. practices. Ann Arbor would not executed a guaranty agreement is the manager of The Legends of “What’s important is — A. we’re Contact Ryan Autullo at: take anyone’s attention to Banc Capital for $26.1 million Blacksburg. Gearhart said a sale of [email protected], not around, and, B. we don’t pre- in September, 2007, in order to The Legends of Blacksburg could or 419-724-6160. scribe things,” Tressel said. “Do away from preparing kids ask, ‘hey, what do I need to do to get better?’ Okay, son, you for Navy, a team that need to work on your foot work, Troy presents a tough test for BGSU you need to do these things and has led the nation in so forth, and if they go out and do By DONALD EMMONS upcoming season the Falcons are for the Falcons before they begin them ...” rushing the past BLADE SPORTS WRITER fi nally focusing this week on a sin- MAC play. They follow up Troy Tressel said that during his four years BOWLING GREEN — Dave gle objective — the Troy Trojans. with a game at Missouri (Sept. eight seasons at Ohio State, and Clawson’s coaching debut at “I think they’re anxious and I 12), followed by a road game at his previous 15-year stint as head you’ve got to let them train. There Bowling Green State University think they’re confi dent,” Claw- Marshall (Sept. 19) before return- coach at Youngstown State, he is a fi ne line, but the safeguards comes tomorrow night against son said of his team. “They know ing home to face Boise State (Sept. has never had a player comment we have are we have set sched- Troy at Perry Stadium. they’ve gotten better and they’ve 26). that too much was being asked ules and forms that we fi ll out, Facing Troy, the three-time watched the fi lm. They see where But fi rst it’s preparing for Troy, a of them. just like everyone.” defending Sun Belt Conference they are right now.” team coming off an impressive 8-3 “Oh, I think we all have those Tressel said his only knowledge champions, is not exactly the kind Even Clawson admits he’s ex- season that included a 30-27 over- moments in our lives that we feel of the Michigan allegations was of opponent one would prefer to cited about the season and the time loss to Southern Mississippi a little bit like, maybe, more is what he had heard in the news. deal with in a home-opener, espe- season-opener scheduled to kick in the New Orleans Bowl. asked of me than is fair or what- He said the fl ap in Ann Arbor cially for a new look- off at 7 p.m. “I’m sure we’re going to see ing to make a memorable start. ever, but I haven’t seen it,” Tressel would not take anyone’s atten- “You work all year for what some good things out there on “This is clearly the class of the said. tion here away from preparing comes down to 12 opportunities Thursday and I’m sure we’ll see Sun Belt and there are a lot of to play,” he said. “Every thing a handful of mistakes,” Clawson “In fact, honestly, I’ve taken for Navy, a team that has led the BCS teams that would be a much that we do — from recruiting, to said. “I think in openers the key over two programs and been an nation in rushing the past four easier fi rst [opponent] than Troy,” the work in the weight room, to is really eliminating mistakes and assistant for a third and when- seasons. ever you go to a program and you said Clawson, during a press con- the work with the morning runs, you don’t beat yourself. It’s critical “No, the only distraction we ference . and the spring football and all the that we take care of the football interview each kid that comes have right now is Navy, and fi gur- in, he says, ‘Coach, we lost our Yet, it’s the schedule Clawson planning and all that we do — it and we play well on special teams, ing out how to stop that option took over when he accepted the boils down to 12 games. we play the fi eld position battle discipline, we lost our toughness, and all that stuff,” Tressel said. we need to work harder, we didn’t coaching position back in Decem- “If you can’t get excited for [the and we play assignment football. spend enough time at it — all ber after former Falcons coach schedule] then there’s something “Against a team like Troy — with those things — and we need to Contact Matt Markey at Gregg Brandon was fi red follow- wrong with you.” the type of skill they have — the work more at it.’ ” [email protected] ing a 6-6 campaign. After months It’s the fi rst of four straight chal- assignment breakdowns could of transition and preparing for the Tressel said college football or 419-724-6510. lenging non-conference contests become big plays in a hurry.” + +

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