Weekly Release #2
9/6/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
at
#5/#6 Michigan (1-0)
Saturday, September 11, 1999 (12:10 p.m. EDT)
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Projected Attendance: 110,000-plus
Radio Coverage: WJR (760 AM Detroit) will originate the game on the Michigan Football Network. Frank Beckmann handles play-by-play, Jim Brandstatter is the analyst and Dan Dickerson provides sideline reports and analysis. WUOM (91.7 FM) has Tom Hemingway doing play-by-play and Tom Slade as analyst.
TV Coverage: ESPN2 will broadcast the game to a national audience. Rich Waltz will handle the play-by-play duties with Don McPherson providing commentary. Gino Torretta provides sideline reports and analysis.
Series History: This will be the first meeting between Michigan and Rice. The Wolverines have a 5-1 record against schools that have played in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
Live Stats Via Internet: Live in-game statistics and photographs are available during every home Michigan football game, via the University of Michigan Athletic Department internet website (mgoblue.com). Log on to the web site for the latest and most comprehensive news and notes on Michigan football.
QUICKLY ON COACH CARR ...
Lloyd Carr (Northern Michigan, 1968)
Fifth season as Michigan Head Coach
40-11 overall record at Michigan
Carr has a 1-0 record in his fifth year as Michigan's head coach and his 20th season with the University of Michigan football program. He led the Wolverines to a 10-3 overall record, back-to-back Big Ten titles and a 45-31 victory in the CompUSA Florida Citrus Bowl last season. In 1997, Carr led the Wolverines to a 12-0 record and a share of the national title that earned him national Coach of the Year honors. Carr, previously a Michigan assistant coach for 15 years, began his college coaching career as a defensive backs coach at Eastern Michigan (1976-77) before joining Gary Moeller's staff at Illinois in the same role (1978-79). Carr came to Michigan in 1980 as Bo Schembechler's secondary coach. Carr served as defensive coordinator (1987-94) and was assistant head coach (1990-94).
Did You Know
-- Lloyd Carr is one of only nine current Division I-A coaches who have won a national title. The others are: Joe Paterno, Penn State (2, 1982 and 1986); Dennis Erickson, Oregon State (2, 1989 and 1991 at Miami, Fla.); Bobby Bowden, Florida State (1, 1993); Lavell Edwards, Brigham Young (1, 1984); Steve Spurrier, Florida (1, 1996); Lou Holtz, South Carolina (1, 1987 at Notre Dame); John Robinson, UNLV (1, 1978 at Southern Cal); Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee (1, 1998). Carr was the quickest to win his national title though, winning college football's top team honor in only his third year as a collegiate head coach.
-- Lloyd Carr has the best winning percentage of all the previous Michigan coaches at Michigan Stadium. Carr is 24-3 (.889) in his career at the "Big House" and ranks fifth among all-time Michigan coaches in terms of winning percentage at home.
MICHIGAN TEAM AND PLAYER NOTES ...
Wolverines Vault into Top 5 in Coaches Poll; Sixth in AP Poll
Michigan climbed two spots in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' poll, moving from No. 7 in the preseason rankings to No. 5 in this week's poll. The Wolverines climbed one spot to No. 6 in the Associated Press poll released on Monday (Sept. 6).
Michigan in the 1990s
Entering the final year of this decade, the Wolverines have compiled an impressive 84-24-3 (.770) record during the 1990s. Michigan is tied for eighth (Miami also has 84 victories) among Division I-A institutions in terms of wins this decade. The Wolverines need six victories to reach 90 wins in a decade for only the third time in school history (1970s and 1980s). The school record is 96 victories (96-16-3 from 1970-79), while the best-ever winning percentage by decade was .898 (82-8-3 record), set during the 1900-09 seasons.
Wolverines at Home in 1990s
The University of Michigan has an impressive 46-11-1 record (.798) at Michigan Stadium in the 1990s. Michigan's home mark ranks 10th among all Division I-A football in terms of winning percentage, and lists tied for ninth in victories with Miami (46-9).
Finishing the Way You Started
The Michigan football team looks to finish the decade the way it started it ... with three consecutive Big Ten titles. The Wolverines claimed Big Ten titles in 1990, 1991 and 1992, and have won back-to-back conference crowns (1997 and 1998) heading into the 1999 season. Michigan leads the Big Ten with five titles during the 1990s, followed by Ohio State (three), Wisconsin (two) and Northwestern (two). The Wolverines' school record for most conference titles in a decade is seven, set during the 1970s (1971-72-73-74-76-77-78).
Most Big Ten Conference Titles in a Decade
| No. | School (Years) |
| 8 | Ohio State (1970-72-73-74-75-76-77-79) |
| 7 | Michigan (1971-72-73-74-76-77-78) |
| 5 | Michigan (1980-82-86-88-89) |
| 5 | Michigan (1990-91-92-97-98) |
| 5 | Michigan (1901-02-03-04-06) |
| 5 | Minnesota (1903-04-06-09-10) |
| 5 | Minnesota (1933-34-35-37-38) |
Michigan Against the WAC
The Wolverines have an impressive 5-1 record against schools that have played in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Michigan's most recent game against a WAC school was a 48-17 victory over Hawaii at Aloha Stadium on Nov. 28, 1998. The Rainbows are the only school from the conference the Wolverines have played more than once (twice), with two of the other four matchups coming in Holiday Bowl (Brigham Young in 1984 and Colorado State in 1994).
| School | W | L | T | Pct. |
| Air Force | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Brigham Young | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Colorado State | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Hawaii | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Southern Methodist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Totals | 6 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
Big House Packs Them In
Michigan set a new NCAA single-game attendance record of 111,523 fans in the season opener against Notre Dame. The former NCAA record was 111,238 fans for the Michigan-Michigan State game last season, while the previous series high was 106,851 for the 1993 battle in Ann Arbor.
Carr Wins 40th Game, Looks for 25th Win in "Big House"
Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr claimed his 40th career victory in the Wolverines' 26-22 win over No. 16 Notre Dame. Carr has a 40-11 career record (.784) and boasts a 25-7 Big Ten record in four seasons. He has compiled a 24-3 record at Michigan Stadium, with his .889 winning percentage ranking as the best of any Wolverine coach at the "Big House." Carr has guided Michigan to an impressive 13-2 record in the month of September and looks to collect his 25th win at Michigan Stadium against Rice.
Michigan on Sept. 11
The Wolverines have a 3-1 record all-time on Sept. 11. Michigan has entered each of the previous four games ranked in the Associated Press poll and was ranked in the top five on three of those occasions.
| Year | Rank* | Opponent | Site | Result |
| 1971 | 4/20 | Northwestern | A | W, 21-6 |
| 1976 | 2/-- | Wisconsin | H | W, 40-27 |
| 1982 | 12/-- | Wisconsin | H | W, 20-9 |
| 1993 | 3/11 | Notre Dame | H | L, 23-27 |
150th Consecutive Game with 100,000 or More Fans
Michigan will play its 150th consecutive game with more than 100,000 fans against Rice. The string of consecutive 100,000 or more crowds began 24 years ago on Nov. 8, 1975, when Michigan defeated Purdue 28-0 before a crowd of 102,415 fans. This year's Michigan-Notre Dame game marked the 149th consecutive time the Wolverines have drawn at least 100,000 fans in Michigan Stadium.
Thomas Goes '32 for 32'
Junior tailback Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, La./Winnfield HS), who wears jersey No. 32, heads into the Rice game eyeing his fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance dating back to last season. Thomas needs one reception for 40 in his career. He paced the ground game against Notre Dame (Sept. 4), rushing a career-high 32 times for 138 yards and two TDs (his previous high in carries was 21 on two different occasions -- Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1999, and against Baylor on Sept. 2, 1997). Thomas scored the game winning TD on a one-yard plunge with 1:38 remaining in the game. His other touchdown came on a two-yard run on the Wolverines opening possession of the third quarter. Thomas made his fifth career start and played in his 25th career game in Notre Dame game.
A Dr Pepper Doak Walker Award candidate, Thomas has rushed for 100 or more yards in three consecutive game dating back to last year and has reached the 100-yard mark in four of his last five contests. Thomas had the seventh 100-yard rushing game of his career, the second best game of his career and his best ever game in Michigan Stadium. He surpassed the 1,500-yard rushing mark for his career in the first half of the Notre Dame game and tied for the sixth-highest rushing effort by a Michigan running back in the season opener (equaled Glenn Doughty's 138-yard game against Vanderbilt in 1969). He added one reception and a kickoff return for 20 yards against the Irish.
Thomas Running into Rushing TD Record
Anthony Thomas' two rushing touchdown game against Notre Dame pushed his career total to 22 rushing TDs in 25 career contests. He needs four rushing TDs to tie for eighth on the school's all-time career rushing touchdowns list with Ron Johnson (1966-68), Ed Shuttlesworth (1971-73) and Rob Lytle (1973-76). The school record of 47 career rushing TDs is held by Tyrone Wheatley (1991-94). Thomas has nine rushing TDs in his last three games.
Brady Drives Wolverines to Victory
Senior quarterback and co-captain Tom Brady (San Mateo, Calif./Serra HS) had his streak of games with a touchdown pass snapped at 12 against Notre Dame, but Brady put Michigan in a position to score. The Wolverines had to punt just once in his eight drives (two touchdowns, three field goals, two missed field goals and one punt). Brady was 17-for-24 (.708) for 197 yards and led the Wolverines on a seven-play, 58-yard drive in 2:30 during the final four minutes of action for the winning touchdown drive to record his 11th win as a starter in two seasons. He was named ABC's Chevrolet Player-of-the-Game against the Irish, marking the fourth time in the last two seasons he has won the weekly honor.
Terrell Doubles Best Game Statistics
Michigan sophomore David Terrell (Richmond, Va./Huguenot HS) had a standout performance against Notre Dame. On offense, Terrell established career highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (115), while making his career debut on defense with second half appearances at cornerback (his previous best receiving game came as a freshman on four receptions for 65 yards vs. Eastern Michigan). Terrell became the first Wolverine to play on both sides of the ball since Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson (1995-97) did so during the 1997 National Championship season.
Knight Moves Up Michigan Record Books
Senior wideout Marcus Knight (Sylacauga, Ala./Comer HS) hauled in four receptions for 73 yards against Notre Dame. Knight, who had five receptions for 126 yards in last season's opener at Notre Dame, became the 34th Wolverine to record 50 career receptions with his 10-yard catch early in the second quarter. He enters the Rice game with 53 career receptions for 787 yards. The 787 receiving yards are the 23rd highest total in Michigan history, trailing Paul Staroba (818 yards, 1968-70), Chris Calloway (826, 1987-89) and Ron Kramer (880, 1954-56) for a slot in Michigan's top-20.
Shea Eyes 10th Career Start
Senior fullback Aaron Shea (Ottawa, Ill./Ottawa HS) heads into the Rice game looking to make his 10th career start. Shea started his seventh career game at fullback in the season opener with Notre Dame (Sept. 4), with his other two starts coming at tight end (Michigan State in 1997 and Penn State in 1996). He caught four receptions for 19 yards against the Irish, and assisted Thomas' 138-yard rushing effort with his blocking. Shea has 34 career receptions for 304 yards.
Del Verne Impressive in Debut
Senior/junior placekicker Jeff Del Verne (Sylvania, Ohio/St. John's HS) enters the Rice game after making an impressive collegiate debut against Notre Dame. Del Verne connected on four of five field goals attempts and added two PATs for a total of 14 points against the Irish. He hit field goals of 21, 35, 37 and 27 yards. His five field goal attempts tied the school record (equaled for the eighth time) and his four field goals made are tied for third-best all-time at Michigan (equaled for the seventh time). Former Michigan placekicker and the school's only All-America kicker Remy Hamilton was the last player to achieve both feats, connecting on four-of-five field goals against Illinois on Oct. 22, 1994. Del Verne's 14 points are the most by a Michigan kicker since Hamilton scored 16 points vs. Michigan State in 1994 (four FGs and four PATs in a 40-20 victory over the Spartans).
Sargent Earns Stripes in Punting Debut
Senior/junior punter Cory Sargent (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon HS) enters the Rice game after performing well in his career debut against Notre Dame (Sept. 4). A left-footed kicker who switched from jersey 17 to 23 prior to the start of the season, Sargent punted three times for an impressive 48.3-yard average (145 yards). He punted a 39-yarder out of the end zone in his first collegiate kick (fair caught), then added two booming 53-yard kicks later in the game.
Epstein Booming in Return
Sophomore kicker Hayden Epstein (Cardiff, Calif./Torrey-Pines HS) returned from off-season surgery on his right leg to make a major impact in the season opener with Notre Dame (Sept. 4). Epstein kicked off seven times in the games, booting five kicks into or through the end zone for touchbacks. He also attempted a 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that hit the left upright.
Henson Looks for 10th Career Appearance
Sophomore quarterback Drew Henson (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) heads into the Rice game looking for 25 career pass completions and 300 career passing yards. Henson completed three-of-eight passing attempts for 40 yards in the second quarter against Notre Dame (Sept. 4), moving his career passing numbers to 24-of-55 for 294 yards. He led the team to a second quarter go-ahead field goal by Jeff Del Verne (37-yarder for a 9-7 lead) on his first drive of the season. Henson has played in nine career games entering the Rice contest. He has led Michigan for scores in his first drive of both seasons (TD at Notre Dame in 1998 and FG in 1999).
Thompson Contributes on Game-Winning Drive
Junior/sophomore tight end Shawn Thompson (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel HS) made his first career start in the Notre Dame game (Sept. 4), recording a career-high two catches for 24 yards. He caught a career-long 15-yard pass from Tom Brady on the second play of the team's game-winning scoring drive. Thompson had one career reception entering the season.
Players from the State of Texas
The Wolverines have a group of seven players from the state of Texas on the roster, including four players who started in the season opener with Notre Dame. Fifth-year senior defensive end Josh Williams (Houston, Texas/Cypress Creek HS), senior strong safety Tommy Hendricks (Houston, Texas/Eisenhower HS), senior/junior outside linebacker Grady Brooks (Dallas, Texas/Lincoln HS) and fifth-year senior offensive lineman Steve Frazier (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood HS) made starting assignments in the opener. Sophomore fullback Evan Coleman (Houston, Texas/Alief-Elsik HS) played in a reserve role against the Irish. The team's other two players from the state are senior Kenneth Jackson (Houston, Texas/Cypress Creek HS) and freshman tailback Ryan Beard (Houston, Texas/Cypress-Fairbanks HS).
Freshmen Debuts in the Opener
Three true freshmen made their debuts in the opener vs. Notre Dame on special teams, including running back B.J. Askew (Cincinnati, OH/Colerain HS) and defensive backs Jeremy LeSueur (Holly Springs, Miss./Holly Springs HS) and Brandon Williams (Omaha, Neb./Central HS).
Six redshirt freshmen also made debuts in the opener, including Julius Curry (Detroit, Mich./Bishop Gallagher HS), Victor Hobson (Mt. Laurel, N.J./St. Joseph's Prep), Cato June (Washington, D.C./Anacostia HS), Kirk Moundros (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington HS), Dan Rumishek (Addison, Ill./Addison Trail HS) and Dave Petruziello (Mentor, Ohio/Lake Catholic HS). Hobson contributed one tackle from his outside linebacker position.
LeSueur ... First From Mississippi
True freshman cornerback Jeremy LeSueur became the first player from the state of Mississippi to play for the Wolverines as he saw action on special teams in the Notre Dame game (Sept. 4). Michigan has had players don the maize and blue from 49 states, with Alaska being the only state not represented. LeSueur hopes to trim the list of states without a lettermen to five (Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Nevada and Vermont) by season's end.
Askew Has Special First Game
True freshman tailback B.J. Askew made a contribution in his first career game as a Wolverine. Askew tallied two special teams tackles in the Notre Dame game (Sept. 4), with both stops coming on the team's only punts of the game that were returned. He is a reserve tailback who looks to receive his first offensive action in the Rice game.
Renes Solid in Middle
Senior co-captain and nose tackle Rob Renes (Holland, Mich./West Ottawa HS) finished tops among defensive lineman with six tackles (five solo, one assist) against Notre Dame. Renes has come up big against the Irish in his career, boasting a career-high eight-tackle performance against Notre Dame during the 1997 national championship season and a six-tackle effort in last year's game. He enters the Rice game looking to make his 27th consecutive starting assignment at nose tackle. Renes has 111 career tackles (68 solo, 43 assists) and needs one TFL for 20 in his career (19 for 53 yards).
Hendricks Leads Team in Tackles
Senior strong safety Tommy Hendricks enters the Rice game after posting his second career double-digit tackle game with a 10-tackle performance in the season opener with Notre Dame (Sept. 4). A Jim Thorpe Award candidate, Hendricks equaled his career-high 10-tackle effort made in last year's Syracuse game (Sept. 12, 1998). He also recorded one TFL and tallied the team's only interception against the Irish, returning the pick 12 yards. Hendricks secured Michigan's victory by tackling Notre Dame's Raki Nelson at the Michigan 12-yard line on the game's final play. He has 163 career tackles in the secondary and needs 48 stops to reach Michigan's top five in career tackles by a defensive back. Don Dufek Jr. (1973-75) holds the school record with 249 career tackles in the secondary.
Michigan Defensive Backs All-Time Tackles
| | Player | Tackles | Years |
| 1. | Don Dufek Jr. | 249 | 1973-75 |
| 2. | Marcus Ray | 242 | 1995-98 |
| 3. | Tripp Welborne | 238 | 1987-90 |
| 4. | Garland Rivers | 222 | 1983-86 |
| 5. | Thom Darden | 211 | 1969-71 |
Striking Gold
Senior inside linebacker Ian Gold (Belleville, Mich./Belleville HS) tied for second on the team with eight tackles (four solo, four assists) against Notre Dame. He started his 10th career game at linebacker against Notre Dame and played in his 30th career contest. Gold also recorded one TFL (four yards) and forced a fumble that was recovered by senior defensive tackle Eric Wilson (Monroe, Mich./Monroe HS) in the game. He heads into the Rice game with 116 career tackles and 12 TFL (44 yards).
Hall Eyes 20th Career Sack
Senior rush linebacker and Butkus Award candidate James Hall (New Orleans, La./St. Augustine HS) enters the Rice game needing one sack to become the fifth player in school history to reach 20 career sacks. Hall recorded six tackles (four solo, two assists) against Notre Dame, including one sack for eight yards. He started his 25th career contest in the Notre Dame game and heads into the Rice game with a string of 22 consecutive starting assignments. His sack against the Irish tied Robert Thompson (1979-82) for fifth all-time in career sacks with 19. Hall needs five sacks to reach a group of three players for second all-time in Michigan history.
Career Sacks (Since 1980)
| | Player | Sacks | Years |
| 1. | Mark Messner | 36 | 1985-88 |
| 2. | Chris Hutchinson | 24 | 1989-92 |
| | Jason Horn | 24 | 1992-95 |
| | Glen Steele | 24 | 1995-97 |
| 5. | Robert Thompson | 19 | 1979-82 |
| | James Hall | 19 | 1996- |
Jones Makes 20th Career Start
A Butkus Award candidate, senior inside linebacker Dhani Jones (Potomac, Md./Winston Churchill HS) enters the Rice game needing one tackle to reach 175 in his career (174 career stops; 114 solo, 60 assists). Jones had a big game against Notre Dame, starting his 20th career contest and tying for second on the squad with eight tackles (five solo, three assists) while forcing one fumble. He recorded a clutch sack on the second-to-last play of the game, dropping Jarious Jackson for a 10-yard loss. Jones has eight career sacks (54 yards) and 21 TFL (93 yards).
Patmon Tallies Career High Tackles
Junior free safety DeWayne Patmon (San Diego, Calif./Patrick Henry HS) heads into the Rice game after recording a career-high eight tackles (all solo) vs. Notre Dame. Patmon started his 12th career game in the season opener against the Irish and finished second on the squad in tackles, trailing only safety partner Tommy Hendricks. Patmon surpassed his previous career-best seven-tackle performance against Michigan State last year (Sept. 26, 1998).
Steady Williams Reaches 110 Career Tackles
Senior defensive tackle Josh Williams (Houston, Texas/Cypress Creek HS) enters the Rice game with 110 career tackles from the defensive line. Williams recovered one of the team's two fumbles against Notre Dame and contributed three tackles (two solo, one assist).
Foote Has Career Day
Sophomore linebacker Larry Foote (Detroit, Mich./Pershing HS) had the best performance of his young Michigan career against Notre Dame, starting his first career game at outside linebacker. He tallied a career-best two sacks and two TFLs against the Irish, recorded five solo tackles. He came within two stops of equaling his career-high seven-tackle performance against Hawaii last year. Foote has 22 career tackles and four TFLs entering the Rice game.
Brooks Sets Career High in First Career Start
Senior/junior outside linebacker Grady Brooks (Dallas, Texas/Lincoln HS) started his first career game in the season opener against Notre Dame, contributing a career-high seven tackles (three solo, four assists) and one PBU. Brooks' seven-tackle game surpassed his previous career high four-tackle efforts set last season against Notre Dame (Sept. 5) and later equaled against Michigan State (Sept. 26). Brooks has played in 23 career games and recorded 41 career tackles.
Whitley Looks for 75th Tackle
Junior cornerback James Whitley (Norfolk, Va./Norview HS) heads into the Rice game needing one tackle for 75 in his career (74; 54 solo, 20 assists). The Notre Dame game was Whitley's 25th career game played and 13th career start. He contributed two solo tackles against the Irish.
Howard Make First Career Start
Sophomore cornerback Todd Howard (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) made his first career start in the Notre Dame game, contributing one solo tackle and pass break-up.
Wolverines Prefer Opponent Turnovers
Michigan won the turnover battle in the season opener, causing three Notre Dame miscues while not committing a turnover. The Wolverines collected a pair of Irish fumbles (recovered by defensive linemen Eric Wilson and Josh Williams) and Tommy Hendricks recorded the team's first interception of the year.
Michigan's Tentative Depth Chart
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
