Saturday, September 3, 2005

U-M brings more varied offense into opener

By Larry Lage / Associated Press

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ANN ARBOR -- In recent years, Michigan's opponents have had a good idea of where the ball was going when the Wolverines' offense was on the field.

Braylon Edwards had a school-record 97 receptions last season -- 59 more than any of his teammates -- and he caught enough passes in each of the two previous years to rank among the all-time leaders.

Mike Hart had 282 carries last year -- almost nine times more than any other Wolverine -- a year after Chris Perry set a team record with 338 rushing attempts, following his 267-carry season in 2002.

No. 4 Michigan won't be as predictable on offense this season, as Northern Illinois will find out Saturday in the opener for both teams.

Chad Henne will have two experienced wide receivers -- Jason Avant and Steve Breaston -- a pair of tight ends -- Tim Massaquoi and Tyler Ecker -- and with a handful of promising underclassmen as targets.

"We will have a lot of different guys catching the ball rather than maybe three guys out of the whole year like the last couple of years," Avant said.

When the Wolverines run, Hart is expected to share the load with Kevin Grady, Max Martin and perhaps even two more running backs.

"We have a loaded backfield," guard Matt Lentz said. "Every time you're in the huddle, it's somebody different it seems.

"The defense never knows what to expect and neither do we up front."

Despite losing two All-Americans on offense -- Edwards and center David Baas -- the Wolverines don't foresee a dropoff.

"I'm expecting us to be one of the best offenses in the country," Avant said.

Coach Lloyd Carr said Henne should be able to spread the ball around a season after being the first freshman quarterback to start every game for the Wolverines.

"He's not in the same world that he was a year ago," Carr said. "We had some issues in early games particularly where we didn't get into the right play, we didn't get into the right formation, we didn't get into the right check all because of his youth. That's not going to be a problem right now."

Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak said losing Edwards doesn't make Michigan worse, just different.

"Everybody knew that they were going to get Edwards the ball. I would've too, so would anybody," Novak said. "I think they're going to be a more balanced team. I know they're going to want to mix it up, and spread the ball more than they did with Edwards."

The Huskies hope to win the time-of-possession battle, to stymie Michigan's attack.

"It's good to be able to have the ball to take chances away from the other team from scoring," running back A.J. Harris said. "We have to control the clock, but we also have to put up points."

Northern Illinois might have a chance to do that with Garrett Wolfe and Harris, who combined for 2,478 yards rushing last season.

"They've got the best tandem I've seen," Carr said.

Michigan didn't have problems scoring last year, but they did struggle against mobile quarterbacks in the last two games, losing both after giving up 37 and 38 points.

Northern Illinois has averaged nine wins over the past three years, including victories at Alabama and against Maryland, not long after losing 23 straight.

"Northern Illinois could compete in our conference and do pretty well," Lentz said. "MAC teams are on the rise and Northern Illinois will be a great challenge for us. Northern Illinois has what it takes. They're quick, tough and physical."