2001 FBL vs. Western Michigan -- postgame notes
9/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Navarre Collects Third Straight 200-yard Game
Sophomore quarterback John Navarre (Cudahy, Wis./Cudahy HS) was 16-of-28 for 240 yards, pushing his season total to 693 yards to surpass in just three games his 2000 total of 583 yards. Navarre has thrown for more than 200 yards in each of his three 2001 starts, giving him four 200-yard passing games in seven career starts. Navarre's two touchdown passes mark the second consecutive game he has thrown multiple touchdown passes.
Rushing Defense
The Michigan defense held Western Michigan to 13 yards rushing. The fewest yards a Michigan team has ever allowed on the ground was -19 against Oregon State in 1986.
Michigan Following a Loss
With their 38-21 win over Western Michigan, the Wolverines improved their record to 14-3 after suffering a loss under head coach Lloyd Carr. Michigan has lost back-to-back games only three times under Carr, and it won all three games last year after a defeat.
U-M vs. Mid-American Conference Teams
Michigan has never lost to a team currently in the Mid-American Conference. Their 38-21 win over Western Michigan improved the Wolverines' record to 15-0 against MAC teams.
First-Quarter Dominance
By outscoring Western Michigan 7-0 in the first quarter, the Wolverines have outscored opponents in the initial quarter 19-0 this season. Since Lloyd Carr has been head coach at Michigan, the Wolverines have outscored opponents 444-197 in the first quarter.
First Pick
Freshman Marlin Jackson (Sharon, Pa./Sharon HS) ended a Western Michigan drive when he made his first career interception on Michigan's own seven-yard line in the second quarter. Senior Todd Howard (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) also made his first interception of the season and seventh of his career late in the second quarter.
Career Day for Askew
Junior running back B.J. Askew (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS) set a career high for yards rushing and touchdowns scored on Saturday afternoon. Askew scored multiple touchdowns -- two rushing and one receiving -- in a single game for the first time in his career, while his 41-yard touchdown catch was the second longest reception of his career. In 2000, Askew had a 58-yard reception against Bowling Green. Askew has two of the Wolverines' three longest receptions on the year as he also reeled in a pass for 30 yards against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 1. On the ground, Askew established a new career high with 112 yards on 15 carries. It marks the first time Askew has rushed for over 100 yards in a game.
Walker Continues to Roll
Senior wide receiver Marquise Walker's (Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger HS) nine-yard reception with 7:23 left in the first half marked the 27th straight game in which he has caught a pass. Over the last two games, Walker has 18 receptions for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Walker's three receptions against WMU also give him 111 catches for his career, which ties for 10th place all-time with Greg McMurtry (1986-89).
Carr Wins 60th Game
Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr claimed his 60th career coaching victory in today's game against Western Michigan. Carr has compiled a 60-17 career record. The win also improves Carr's record to 19-4 against regular-season non-conference opponents.
Bell Gets First Start
Sophomore wide receiver Calvin Bell (Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley HS) earned his first start on Saturday afternoon and responded by making the Wolverines' first reception of the game, a six-yard pass from quarterback John Navarre. With his third reception resulting in 47 yards, Bell more than doubled his output from the first two games of the 2001 season in which he had seven receptions for 35 yards. By finishing the day with four receptions for 86 yards, Bell set a career high, surpassing his previous high of one catch for 40 yards against Ohio State in 2000.
Kicking Off
Sophomore Philip Brabbs (Midland, Mich./H.H. Dow HS) handled the opening kickoff for Michigan for the first time in his career on Saturday against Western Michigan, while redshirt freshman Adam Finley (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) made his debut as punter. Finley's first punt traveled 42 yards, and he finished the day with four punts for an average of 43.3 yards.
Over and Under
Freshman running back David Underwood (Madisonville, Texas/Madisonville HS) scored his first collegiate touchdown late in the fourth quarter and also established a career high with 27 yards on seven carries.
Western Michigan Notes
Senior quarterback Jeff Welsh, with his career-best total of 374 passing yards, moved into fifth place in Western Michigan's career record book. His total is now 3,951 yards for his career. Welsh set single-game WMU records for passing attempts (58) and completions (36) . . . Cornerback Ronald Rogers made his 38th consecutive start . . . The crowd of 109,837 is the largest Western Michigan has ever played in front of. The previous record was 85,322 at Florida in 1995.
