Sunday, September 11, 2005

Henne makes no excuse for loss

Quarterback says his poor decision making in the second half was the key to defeat to Irish.

By Jim Spadafore / The Detroit News

Steve Perez / The Detroit News Wide receiver Jason Avant says that Chad Henne was not the reason that Michigan lost on Saturday. Wolverines' road ahead What do you think are Michigan's chances of winning the Big 10 now? Bet on it! Pretty good Fair, considering the conference Poor Not a chance Get results and comments Related links  NCAA football scores and stats Big Ten Talk Big Ten Weblog U-M schedule U-M roster U-M stats Big Ten schedule Big Ten standings Big Ten stats AP Top-25 poll USA Today / ESPN Top-25 poll Sports Challenge: Pick the college winners weekly, win prizes Game photo galleries U-M 33, N. Illinois 17 Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan sophomore quarterback Chad Henne didn't duck the questions and he made no excuses.

Henne struggled Saturday in the 17-10 loss to Notre Dame. He was 19-of-44 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown.

His one interception came on second down on the Irish 12-yard line midway in the third quarter. He also lost a fumble at the goal line with 5:21 left in the fourth quarter and the Wolverines losing, 17-3.

"I had a lot of opportunities out there but I didn't execute," said Henne, who completed 60.2 percent of his passes last season while throwing for 2,743 yards and 25 touchdowns. "I didn't play to my ability. It wasn't the pressure. I'm used to that. I wasn't throwing the ball where it was supposed to go. Some (passes) were high, some low."

Henne's worst decision came on the Irish 12 with 9:09 left in the third and the Wolverines trailing, 14-3, when his intended pass to Tyler Ecker in the right corner of the end zone was intercepted by strong safety Tom Zbikowski.

"Notre Dame has a great defense," Henne said. "But I was too inconsistent. I didn't see my reads. Today, I made bad decisions.

"It was a poor decision (the interception). I figured they would have man-to-man coverage on Tyler.

"I figured he would cross his space, but the safety made a great play.

"The only good thing about this game is we get to see how we'll bounce back. We have to bounce back and show what type of team we have."

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr wouldn't comment on Henne's day other to say "it wasn't his best performance."

Henne had his problems but the Wolverines still had plenty of chances to win. Their defense held the Irish to 244 offensive yards.

"We have no excuses," Carr said. "We never make excuses. But we've had some injuries."

The Wolverines have had to overcome injuries to their offensive line but Henne spoke like his coach.

"We can't make excuses," Henne said. "People just need to step up and play their role. Injuries aren't a factor. We were prepared this week and we just didn't come out and execute."

U-M wide receiver Jason Avant said Henne's performance isn't the reason the Wolverines lost.

"Chad made some mistakes but you can't blame him," said Avant, who had five catches for 90 yards. 'We had many opportunities."

The next opportunity comes Saturday when the Wolverines host Eastern Michigan and then their next two games are on the road at Wisconsin and Michigan State.

"It's not always how you start," Avant said, "but how you finish."

You can reach Jim Spadafore at (313) 223-4638 or jim.spadafore@detnews.com.