2005 FBL vs. Northern Illinois -- Postgame Notes
9/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Today's announced crowd of 110,971 fans is the fourth largest for a home opener since Michigan Stadium was expanded prior to the 1998 season.
The Wolverines have drawn in excess of 100,000 fans for 187 consecutive games.
U-M improved to 19-0 against Mid-American Conference schools with today's victory and is 11-0 against MAC teams in home openers.
Today's game marked the 125th career game for U-M head coach Lloyd Carr.
Carr is 9-0 against Mid-American Conference teams. Michigan scored 30-plus points in all nine games.
Carr has claimed victories in 20 of his last 25 regular-season games against non-conference opponents. Carr is 30-7 all-time against regular-season non-conference foes.
Michigan won for the 105th time in 126 season openers (105-18-3 all-time). The Wolverines own a 12-1 record in home openers at the "Big House" over the last 13 games, including seven straight wins.
The Wolverines boast a 16-game winning streak at Michigan Stadium, dating back three seasons. Michigan's last home loss came against Iowa on Oct. 26, 2002. U-M also owns a perfect 14-0 home record since installing FieldTurf prior to the 2003 season.
With Leon Hall's fourth-quarter interception, Michigan has intercepted a pass in the season-opening game in three consecutive years. The Wolverines intercepted Miami (Ohio) four times last season (2004) and Central Michigan once in 2003.
The Wolverines' 21 pass completions are the fourth most in season-opening game history. Michigan completed 22 against Central Michigan in 2003.
The 81 offensive plays by the Wolverines rank fourth in all-time total plays in season-opening games, and the 29 first downs tie for the most in season-opening history. Michigan earned 29 first downs in 2000 against Bowling Green.
Senior fullback Brian Thompson served as the Wolverines' special teams captain for today's game.
With a five-yard rush in the second quarter, sophomore tailback Mike Hart surpassed the 1,500-yard career-rushing mark. He ended the game with 1,572 career rushing yards.
Senior receiver Jason Avant corralled a four-yard reception early in the first quarter to mark the 24th consecutive game played that the Wolverine captain has tallied a reception. Avant ranks sixth on Michigan's consecutive games with a reception list, tied with 1991 Heisman winner Desmond Howard. He has scored a touchdown in the last four straight games he has played.
Sophomore quarterback Chad Henne has thrown for a touchdown in 13 straight games, each contest of his Michigan career. He has boasted multiple touchdowns in nine career games, including five straight.
Freshman Kevin Grady rushed for three yards in the first quarter for his first career gain. He finished with nine carries for 42 yards and one touchdown on the day.
Sophomore fullback Mike Hart's 34-yard first-quarter touchdown reception was the second receiving touchdown of his career as well as the longest. He caught a 25-yard pass for a touchdown last season against Purdue.
Senior tackle Adam Stenavich made his 28th career start in the opener against Northern Illinois, more than any other current U-M player. Senior defensive tackle Pat Massey started his 22nd straight game and is the active leader on the Wolverine defense.
Chad Henne gained sole possession of ninth place on Michigan's career touchdown passes list, breaking a tie with John Wangler (25, 1976-80). Henne has 27 career touchdown passes.
Henne passed for 227 yards against Northern Illinois, moving him into eighth place on the Wolverines' list of most games with 150-plus yards passing with 11. He shares the spot with Scott Dreisbach (1995-97). He is also the fifth Michigan quarterback with more than 20 completions in a season-opening game. John Navarre completed 22 of 38 passes against Washington on Aug. 31, 2002.
Henne also registered his eighth game with 200-plus yards (227) passing and moved to sixth on Michigan's most games with 200-plus yards passing list. He shares the spot with Brian Griese (1994-97). He is the 13th U-M quarterback to earn 200 passing yards in a season opener.
Scoring on a two-yard run in the second quarter, sophomore tailback Mike Hart earned his second career multi-touchdown game. He rushed for three touchdowns last season against Northwestern.
Junior center Adam Kraus earned his first career start on the U-M offense, junior safety Brandent Englemon earned his first career start on the defense, and senior punter Ross Ryan and senior long snapper Turner Booth each started on the Wolverines' special teams for the first time in his career.
Brandent Englemon earned his first fumble recovery of his career in the second quarter. He tallied his second career fumble recovery in the third quarter. He also recorded a career-high five tackles.
Senior receiver Jason Avant recorded the second 100-plus receiving game of his career (127) after an 18-yard reception in the second quarter. He registered 175 yards at Iowa in 2003.
Avant earned a career-high nine receptions against Northern Illinois, bettering his previous mark of seven at Iowa in 2003.
In his career debut, senior punter Ross Ryan punted once for 41 yards and earned his first career fumble recovery late in the second quarter.
Kevin Grady recorded his first career touchdown on a one-yard rush in the second quarter. Grady rushed nine times for 42 yards in his U-M career debut.
Chad Henne's five-yard pass to Tim Massaquoi on the first play of the game was the 400th pass attempt of his career.
Henne earned the 250th pass completion of his career with a 13-yard connection to Jason Avant in the second quarter.
Jason Avant surpassed 1,300 receiving yards in his career with his eight-yard catch in the second quarter. He ended the game with 127 receiving yards on nine receptions.
Sophomore tailback Mike Hart ran for 117 yards against Northern Illinois to earn his seventh career game with 100-plus rushing yards. He is the 23rd U-M running back to record 100 rushing yards in a season opener.
Sophomore linebacker John Thompson earned his first career field-goal block on Northern Illinois' 35-yard attempt in the third quarter. It was Thompson's first career appearance for Michigan. He also tallied three tackles.
Junior cornerback Leon Hall earned his sixth career interception in the third quarter. He also recorded his 17th career pass breakup.
Sophomore receiver Doug Dutch earned his first career reception on a two-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
With his 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, junior kicker Garrett Rivas moved into the 15th spot on U-M's career scoring list with 180 points. Rivas moves up to fifth in career field goals (30) with his successful 23-yard attempt in the fourth quarter against Northern Illinois.
Junior LaMarr Woodley had his first career fumble recovery in the fourth quarter. He also forced the fumble with a sack on the play.
Senior quarterback Matt Gutierrez saw his first action at quarterback since his sophomore season against Northwestern on Nov. 15, 2003. His first pass attempt was a 12-yard completion to Jason Avant.
Sophomore linebacker Chris Graham registered a career-high 10 tackles in the game. He also earned his first career tackle for loss, earning three TFL in the game.
Fifth-year senior cornerback Grant Mason notched his first career tackle for loss against Northern Illinois.
Sophomore defensive tackle Will Johnson saw his first action for Michigan and tallied two tackles.
