2006 FBL vs. Vanderbilt -- Postgame Notes

9/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football

#14 Michigan 27, Vanderbilt 7
Saturday, Sep. 2, 2006 -- 12:00 p.m.
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Postgame Notes

Today's attendance of 109,668 marks the 194th straight Michigan Stadium crowd over 100,000 fans.

Today's win moves Michigan to 106-18-3 all-time in season openers. U-M also improves to 90-13-2 in season openers in Ann Arbor.

The Wolverines won their 13th straight season opener at Michigan Stadium. Michigan has not lost a season opener at home since Sept. 12, 1987, against Notre Dame. Michigan also extends its record in home openers to 106-16-2.

U-M is 22-5-1 all-time against the Southeastern Conference and 10-0-1 against Vanderbilt. Michigan defeated Vanderbilt in its first game against the Commodores since the 1969 home opener.

In his 12th season as head coach, Lloyd Carr upped his record to 35-9 in September and 103-34 overall.

Senior offensive tackle Jake Long started at left tackle for the first time, having played right tackle previously.

Junior tailback Mike Hart extended his streak of touches without a fumble to 450. In addition, Hart took sole possession of 10th place in school history in career games with 100-plus yards on the ground (11). His 31 carries for 146 yards earned him ESPN Player of the Game honors.

Wideout Steve Breaston caught four passes for 68 yards, putting him over 100 catches for his career. His 102 career catches have gone for 1,094 yards.

Fifth-year senior defensive back Darnell Hood represented Michigan as special teams captain in today's game.

Fifth-year senior tight end Tyler Ecker's 14-yard touchdown reception gives him three touchdowns in Michigan's past four games dating back to last season.

Junior quarterback Chad Henne made his 25th consecutive start, having posted a 17-8 record over that span. His touchdown score to Tyler Ecker in the third quarter moved him into third place at U-M in career passing touchdowns. He passed Rick Leach (48, 1975-1978) with 49 scoring throws in his career. He later added his 50th on a 27-yard strike to Mario Manningham. Henne was 10-of-22 for 135 yards and two touchdowns on the day.

Chad Henne also surpassed Tom Brady (1996-99) for fifth place all-time in passing yards with 5,404, which places him 45 yards behind Jim Harbaugh (1983-86) in fourth place.

Freshman wideout Greg Mathews, freshman tight end Carson Butler, and junior offensive lineman Alex Mitchell each made his first career start on offense.

Adam Kraus started at left guard for the first time, having played center previously.

Sophomore tailback Kevin Grady scored the first points of the 2006 season for the Wolverines on a 19-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter on his first carry of the season. His score is his fifth in the past five games dating back to last season. Grady's first two attempts of the game resulted in first downs.

Junior cornerback Charles Stewart, senior linebacker Shawn Crable and sophomore defensive lineman Terrance Taylor each made his first career start on defense, while sophomore cornerback Johnny Sears, freshman safety Stevie Brown, sophomore fullback Andre Criswell, sophomore wideout LaTerryal Savoy, and sophomore defensive end Eugene Germany all contributed on special teams in their first career games. Starting on special teams, Stevie Brown recorded his first career special teams tackle.

Charles Stewart equaled his career high with four tackles, and Shawn Crable matched a career best with four.

Sophomore punter Zoltan Mesko registered his first career punt. The fourth-down kick went 45 yards with no return.

Freshman tailback Carlos Brown lined up at quarterback in the first quarter, rushing for four yards in his first collegiate play.

Terrance Taylor snared a loose ball in the first quarter for the first fumble recovery of his career.

Freshman tailback Brandon Minor ran for 24 yards on his first career carry in the second quarter.

Senior kicker Garrett Rivas connected on a career-long 48-yard field goal in the second quarter; Rivas' previous long was 47. The field goal moved him into a tie for second place all-time in career field goals made of at least 40 yards (11).

Fifth-year senior Rondell Biggs notched a career-high two sacks, six tackles and four tackles for loss.

Junior safety Jamar Adams collected his first career sack in the fourth quarter.

Senior cornerback Leon Hall earned his fourth career sack and his first since he recorded two against Notre Dame in 2005.