2001 FBL vs. Miami (Ohio) -- postgame notes
9/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Reception Streak
Marquise Walker's five-yard catch in the first quarter marked the 25th straight game in which he has recorded a reception.
Offensive Defensive Backs
Starting defensive backs Todd Howard and Julius Curry made their debuts as punt and kick returners. Howard's 27-yard kickoff return with 9:53 left in the second quarter marked the first kickoff return of his career, while Curry debuted with a nine-yard punt return.
Interceptions = Touchdowns
Sophomore linebacker Carl Diggs, junior cornerback Brandon Williams and sophomore cornerback Jeremy LeSueur all made their first career interceptions, and all three set up Michigan touchdowns. The Wolverines' fourth-quarter touchdown by Walter Cross was the only Michigan score not set up by an interception.
35-4
With a 31-13 win over Miami, head coach Lloyd Carr claimed his 35th career win at Michigan Stadium while improving his overall home record to 35-4. Carr's head coaching record at Michigan now stands at 59-16.
35 Million
With a crowd of 109,676, U-M easily surpassed 35 million fans in attendance for its 75-year history at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines have drawn 35,107,918 fans in 450 games in the "Big House."
Perfect Against the MAC
With today's 31-13 victory over Miami, the Wolverines are now 13-0 against teams from the Mid-American Conference, including a 3-0 mark vs. the RedHawks.
Season Openers
Michigan's 31-13 win over Miami gives the Wolverines a 101-18-3 mark in season openers. Michigan is 9-1-1 in its last 11 season openers, with the lone loss coming against Notre Dame (36-20) in 1998.
Home Win Streak
Michigan owns a nine-game winning streak at home, with the last loss at Michigan Stadium coming on Oct. 23, 1999, in a 35-29 loss to Illinois. The Wolverines are 23-2 at home since the beginning of the 1997 season.
450th Game at Michigan Stadium
Today's 31-13 win by the Wolverines over Miami was the 450th game played at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines have compiled a 334-101-15 all-time record at Michigan Stadium.
Askew Sets Career-High Rushing Performance
Junior tailback B.J. Askew set a career-high in rushing yards on his 10th carry when his 16-yard run gave him 38 yards on the game. That total surpassed his previous personal best of 34 yards, which he accomplished against Northwestern in 1999. Askew also collected his second touchdown of his career and first since 1999 (Purdue) in the first quarter to give Michigan a 7-0 advantage. Askew finished the day with 20 carries for 94 yards and one touchdown, including a career-long 30-yard run.
Bell Scores First Career Touchdown
Sophomore wide receiver Calvin Bell set a career high in catches with five while also recording his first collegiate touchdown on a 12-yard reverse in the fourth quarter.
100 and Counting
Senior linebacker Victor Hobson recorded four tackles (three solo) against Miami to give him 102 for his career.
Offensive Line Starters
Four Wolverines made their first career starts on the offensive line for Michigan on Saturday afternoon -- senior Kurt Anderson, sophomore Tony Pape, and juniors Demeterius Solomon and Dave Petruziello. Petruziello, who started at right guard, started three games last year on the defensive line, while Anderson (C), Pape (LT) and Solomen (RT) earned their first career starts.
True Freshman Starts
By starting in the defensive backfield as a nickel back, Marlin Jackson became the fourth true freshman to start in a season opener under head coach Lloyd Carr. The last player to start as a true freshman was Alain Kashama in 2000 vs. Bowling Green. The other two were DeWayne Patmon in 1997 vs. Colorado and David Bowens in 1995 vs. Virginia. Other true freshman to start under Carr, but not in the season opener, include Charles Woodson (1995), Evan Coleman (1998) and Larry Stevens (2000).
Freshmen Appearances
Twelve players made their debuts in the Maize and Blue on Saturday, including five true freshmen: receivers Braylon Edwards and Tim Massaquoi, running back David Underwood, and cornerbacks Marlin Jackson and Markus Curry. The redshirt freshmen to play against Miami were: receiver Zia Combs, linebacker Roy Manning, offensive linemen Andy Christopfel, David Baas and Jeff Gaston, tight end Jim Fisher and quarterback Jermaine Gonzales.
Quarterback Duo Debuts
Sophomore Spencer Brinton and redshirt freshman Jermaine Gonzales both made their Michigan debuts this afternoon in the last minute of the game. Gonzales completed his only pass attempt for nine yards while Brinton was 0-1.
Television Game
Today's game broadcast by ESPN Regional TV is the 70th consecutive on television for the Wolverines, and their NCAA-leading 295th all-time. The last non-televised U-M game was a 38-19 victory against today's foe, Miami (Ohio), on Sept. 30, 1995.
First-Quarter Dominance
The Wolverines carried a trend into the 2001 season that they set last year. By outscoring Miami 10-0 in the first quarter, Michigan has now outscored opponents 65-3 in the initial quarter at home since the season opener in 2000. Last year the Wolverines outscored opponents at home 55-3 in the first quarter.
