Error processing SSI fileMichigan focused on defending Big Ten title
Michigan tight end Tyler Ecker celebrates his 31-yard game-winning touchdown from quarterback Chad Henne, in the fourth quarter against Minnesota on Oct. 9, 2004, in Ann Arbor.Related links
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ANN ARBOR -- Michigan has gotten its Big Ten loss out of the way.
The two-time defending Big Ten champion Wolverines don't think they can lose another conference game and defend their title.
They lost at Wisconsin and won at Michigan State, leaving six must-win games to claim a third straight championship, according to coach Lloyd Carr.
"Every game that we play in the Big Ten at this stage is a championship game," Carr said. "We're in the race. But to win is paramount because the way I look at it right now is it's hard to think that anybody is going to lose twice."
The Badgers and Penn State are 2-0 and Ohio State is 1-0 in the conference.
The 21st-ranked Wolverines (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) hope to stay near the Big Ten leaders after playing Minnesota (4-1, 1-1) Saturday at home and retain the Little Brown Jug in the oldest trophy game in Division I-A football.
After losing 44-14 at Penn State, the Gophers face a team they haven't knocked off since 1986.
"We haven't beat Michigan in a long time, so it would be a great way to get back on track," quarterback Bryan Cupito said.
Michigan fullback Brian Thompson expects Minnesota to respond like the Wolverines did after losing at Wisconsin.
"I think they are going to come out fighting with everything they've got," Thompson said. "They did not play as well as they thought they should have."
Star running back Laurence Maroney was held to 48 yards against the Nittany Lions after running for nearly 700 in Minnesota's first four games.
Michigan cornerback Darnell Hood doesn't anticipate Maroney having another lackluster game.
"He is one of the best running backs that I have seen since I have been in college," the redshirt junior said. "With a guy that is (205) pounds and very explosive off a cut and is able to take pounding and pounding and keep on coming, that's a back you have to worry about."
The Wolverines gave their fans less to worry about last week against the Spartans.
With the overtime win, Michigan salvaged a promising season by avoiding its worst start since 1967 as an unranked team for the first time in seven years.
"It was a confidence-builder for us both offensively and defensively," Thompson said. "I think it was the first game that we came out and had the whole package. It was huge for us and came at a time when we needed it, and we are going to use as we move on the rest of the season."
The Wolverines started the season ranked fourth, but eventually dropped out of The Associated Press poll for a week. The Gophers weren't in the poll when they beat then-No. 11 Purdue in double overtime, then were 18th before being routed at Penn State.
Michigan has beaten Minnesota 67 times -- its most wins against any school -- so it makes sense that the Gophers will be the Wolverines' homecoming opponent for a 32nd time, more times than any other team.
The Gophers have lost 16 straight games in the series, but they were close to winning each of the last two meetings.
In 2003 at Minnesota, Michigan trailed by 21 in the fourth quarter before pulling off the biggest comeback in school history with a 38-35 win. Last year at home, the Wolverines overcame a seven-point deficit early in the fourth and won on Chad Henne's 31-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Ecker with 1:57 left.
"When it comes to the fourth quarter, whether we're winning or losing, you better watch," Cupito said. "Anything can happen. It's exciting for the fact that our chance to get back on track is against them. I think that really excites the guys."
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