Detroit Free Press October 19, 2004 Tuesday 2 EDITION Not facing Badgers could be thorn in U-M's side BY JOHN ELIGON, FREE In all likelihood, Wisconsin lightly," Jackson said. The PRESS SPORTS WRITER must lose a game for Michigan Purdue game "is a key step to have a shot at the Rose toward (the league title). We It has been one of Michigan's Bowl. But even if the Badgers can't afford to lose a game, or mottos the entire season: "I finish the season unbeaten, you're out of the race." think you're wasting energy U-M still could qualify for the and time if you concern your- Rose Bowl if Wisconsin gets WOODS TO START: Line- self with things that you have an invitation to the Orange backer Pierre Woods, who no control over," coach Lloyd Bowl -- this year's Bowl Cham- has not started since the Carr said Monday. pionship Series title game. Sept. 4 season opener against Miami (Ohio), was Unfortunately for the Wolver- It is conceivable that both listed as a starter on the ines, an undefeated Big Ten Michigan and Wisconsin could team's depth chart, released football season might not be win the rest of their games Monday. good enough for a Rose Bowl and play in BCS bowls, which berth. include the Orange, Sugar, Woods has been hampered Fiesta and Rose. all season by an injury, and in Wisconsin won Saturday at his absence, sophomore La- Purdue, making the Badgers After Purdue, U-M finishes off Marr Woodley has made 27 and Wolverines the only the season with home games tackles -- sixth most on the teams still unbeaten in Big against Michigan State and team. Woods will return to the Ten play. But Wisconsin and Northwestern and a show- starting lineup, Carr said, be- Michigan don't play each down at Ohio State, which is cause he has made big other this season, which 0-3 in the Big Ten. strides. means that should both squads finish undefeated in Wisconsin's road might be a "He's continued to work hard league games, the Badgers bit tougher. The Badgers' and he's a guy that's been would be first in line for a Rose next two games are at home around," Carr said. Bowl berth because they against Northwestern and would have a better overall Minnesota. But they finish the "He's done a great job in record. season with road games at every area. He's getting a little Michigan State and Iowa, both bit healthier." No. 6 Wisconsin is 7-0 overall, of which have played well 4-0 in the conference. No. 13 lately. Woods, who led the team with Michigan is 6-1, 4-0. seven sacks last season, has The Spartans are coming off a only 14 tackles this year and "It would be nice to play 51-17 thrashing of Minnesota, no sacks. against the other undefeated and Iowa beat Ohio State, 33- team in the Big Ten," corner- 7, on Saturday. DURABLE HART: Freshman back Marlin Jackson said. "But tailback Michael Hart has we don't. We need to focus Michigan, the defending con- touched the ball more than 40 on the task at hand, and Pur- ference champion, knows the times in two consecutive due is that task right now." stretch run will be difficult. games, making him the first player in U-M history to do so. The Wolverines play Saturday "There's so many teams in the at No. 12 Purdue (5-1, 2-1). Big Ten, you can't go out one Against Minnesota two Satur- week and take anybody days ago, Hart rushed 35 CompetitivEdge 1-888-881-EDGE www.clipresearch.com Electronic Clipping times for 160 yards -- both including eight solo, a fumble ries for 269 yards and six TDs freshman records -- and return for a TD and an inter- vs. Northwood); Saginaw caught six passes for 53 ception vs. Purdue); Michigan Valley State junior linebacker yards. Hart broke his own re- State senior placekicker Dave John DiGiorgio of Utica cords at Illinois on Saturday, Rayner of Oxford (three field Eisenhower (13 tackles, in- gaining 234 yards on 40 at- goals and six extra points). cluding five solo and two for tempts. He also caught three Mid-American Conference loss, and a forced fumble vs. passes for 23 yards. East -- Miami (Ohio) junior Grand Valley State). Michigan Josh Betts (25-for-36 passing Intercollegiate Athletic Asso- Players of the week: Big Ten - for 306 yards and two TDs vs. ciation -- Olivet freshman full- - Michigan State sophomore Buffalo); Akron junior defen- back Drew Nielsen of Belding quarterback Drew Stanton of sive tackle Kiki Gonzalez (two (35 carries for 251 yards and Farmington Hills Harrison (20- forced fumbles and two sacks three TDs vs. Adrian); Adrian for-31 passing for 308 yards vs. Central Florida); Buffalo sophomore middle linebacker and three touchdowns, 13 freshman cornerback James Taz Wallace of Adrian Madison carries for 102 yards vs. Min- Evans (eight tackles, includ- (32 tackles, including 27 solo nesota); Iowa sophomore ing two sacks, and an inter- and three for loss). quarterback Drew Tate (26- ception vs. Miami, Ohio). for-39 passing for 331 yards Great Lakes Conference -- Contact JOHN ELIGON at and three TDs vs. Ohio State); Michigan Tech sophomore 313-222-2503 or eligon Wisconsin senior cornerback running back Lee Marana of @freepress.com Scott Starks (nine tackles, Ishpeming Westwood (44 car- CompetitivEdge 1-888-881-EDGE www.clipresearch.com Electronic Clipping St. Cloud Times October 18, 2004 Monday SPORTS; Pg. 2D Huskies' tough loss at USD not the end of the world Mick Hatten, Staff are 3-0 in the NCC, 6-1 in the re- Third-ranked Northwood (Mich.) gion and 6-2 overall. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and got pounded 54-7 at sixth-ranked girls, remain calm. Michigan Tech (7-0). Nebraska-Omaha has not played well in St. Cloud in the series, I know you bought your first tick- Look for Michigan Tech, the going 2-8. The Mavericks have a ets to a St. Cloud State football last unbeaten team in the region, loss to Western Washington (4- game this fall, got excited by the to make a big leap this week. 3), a team that St. Cloud State 7-0 start, little Joey was all set to beat. be a Huskies player for Hallow- Get the calculators and a bunch een and you were even trying to of calculus formulas out to figure The Mavericks also do not have figure out how to come up with out who will be ranked where this the schedule in their favor. After the money to finish off Husky week, but the top six teams in the playing the Huskies, they play Stadium's locker rooms. region at the end of the season host to North Dakota (2-1, 6-1) will make the playoffs. and then finish at Minnesota Then you saw that the Huskies State-Mankato (1-2, 4-4). got beat 37-21 on Sunday at There are a few other things South Dakota. Suddenly you're helping St. Cloud State. The The Huskies have a week off calling your cousin Irv and asking Huskies, Northwood (7-1) and after playing Nebraska-Omaha him if he wants your tickets for Michigan Tech are the three and then finish at Minnesota- this week's game against Ne- teams with seven wins in the re- Duluth (0-3, 3-5). braska-Omaha, Joey's been in gion. Everyone else has six or tears for the last two days and fewer. Wins in the region have a South Dakota's remaining NCC you're realizing that paying your greater bearing in the rankings. games are against Minnesota- electric bill may have priority in Duluth and then the Coyotes fin- your life. There's a points system and ish at North Dakota. while the Coyotes will move up in Again, I urge you, remain calm. the region, it's not likely to be in Things are better than they may The Huskies did not play well the top four. South Dakota (7-1) have appeared to the Huskies or against the Coyotes, but they went into last weekend ranked their fans early Saturday night. A still have a shot at home field No. 11 because it has a win over big step back into the thick of advantage for the playoffs and a Division III team (Wisconsin- everything would be beating Ne- they can still win the North Cen- LaCrosse) and a win over an braska-Omaha. tral Conference title. NAIA school (Peru State) and those wins are worth almost First place in the NCC is on the For Huskies fans, Saturday may nothing in the points system. line. Tell your cousin to go have seemed a tough day, but pheasant hunting. It's a big St. Cloud State got some help in So with three weeks left in the game. the region. regular season, the Huskies still have a shot at getting one of the This column is the opinion of Grand Valley State, the defend- top two spots in the region, which Times sports writer Mick Hatten. ing NCAA Division II champion, will get them at least one home He can be reached by phone at went into Saturday ranked No. 1 game. 255-8741 or by e-mail at mhatten in the Northwest Region. The @stcloudtimes.com Lakers (7-1) got beat 31-20 at A huge step toward achieving ninth-ranked Saginaw Valley that would be a win over Ne- State (5-2).