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Steve Breaston returns a punt 21 yards in the second half in Michigan's victory over Northwestern.Michigan: Notebook
Carr: We are ready for a break
U-M, tired after rough stretch, gets its bye week at the perfect time, will face Indiana on Nov. 12.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Following a difficult five-game stretch in October, Michigan gets a week off.
The Wolverines went 4-1 this month. They finish the season beginning Nov. 12 against Indiana with back-to-back games at Michigan Stadium.
They play Ohio State in the season-finale on Nov. 19.
"There's never been a bye week for anybody that's come at a better time than this one is for us," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said after his team defeated Northwestern, 33-17, on Saturday night.
"We're tired. We've found a way to rise to the occasion here against a very good offensive football team (Northwestern). This is a long season. You look at the teams we've played in the month of October, and I don't ever remember a schedule any tougher than that. We need a rest, and I'm glad we're getting one."
The Wolverines have dealt with a multitude of injuries and Carr said the extra time will help prepare the injured players for the final two-game stretch.
Even the healthy players say they welcome the break.
"My legs are tired right now," defensive lineman Alan Branch said. "It couldn't come at a better time than this."
Hart out again
Mike Hart, who sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of the Iowa game, dressed but did not play at Northwestern.
"I didn't rule him out because even though he didn't practice, we knew he knew what to do, and he got better," Carr said. "He was better Thursday and he was better (Friday). I think he could have probably played some, but I don't know that he could have played well. He'll be ready to go against Indiana."
Hart remained animated and an active cheerleader on the sideline. He frequently addressed the offensive linemen and talked to the tailbacks who replaced him, Kevin Grady and Jerome Jackson.
Rush linebacker LaMarr Woodley also was held out for the second straight week with a deep bruise in his right forearm. Woodley was in uniform and the arm was heavily taped.
Injury update
Center Adam Kraus made his ninth career start against Northwestern, but he left the game with 6:30 left in the first quarter with an apparent injury to his right knee.
Mark Bihl replaced Kraus. Carr said he expects Kraus will be ready for the Indiana game.
The Michigan line took another hit earlier in the line when starting left tackle Adam Stenavich hobbled off the field protecting his right ankle. But Stenavich returned later in the first quarter.
Hall gets on the board
Michigan junior cornerback Leon Hall did double-duty early in the first quarter. He forced Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton to fumble and then he recovered the fumble, returning it 83 yards for a touchdown.
Career firsts
Freshman cornerback Brandon Harrison got his first interception of the season when he picked off Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez with about five minutes left in the first quarter.
Harrison, however, fumbled after a 26-yard interception return, and Northwestern recovered.
It was only the second interception of the season for Basanez, until he was picked off again in the first half by Grant Mason.
Tight end Mike Massey scored his first career touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Chad Henne with three minutes left in the first half.
Falk breaks streak
Long-time Michigan equipment manger Jon Falk, whose left leg was broken when he was hit on the sideline during the Iowa game last week, remains hospitalized and did not make it to the Northwestern game.
Falk had worked 384 straight Michigan games. He underwent surgery last Monday at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti, where he will remain until mid-week.
"We're just happy we can take the (game) ball back to him," Carr said. "He's had a thousand visitors and that has really helped him."
Carr said Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz signed a football and sent it to Falk. He has had several calls from Big Ten coaches and other equipment managers from around the league.
It's been a while
It had been 46 years since Northwestern entered its game with Michigan with the higher ranking. The Wildcats were No. 21 and the Wolverines No. 25.
Quotable
Branch on the fact Northwestern went to the air in the fourth quarter: "I love pass rushing, and they had to get back in the game, so the best way for them was to throw the ball. So all I did was tee off on Basanez every time."
You can reach Angelique S. Chengelis at angelique.chengelis@detnews.com.
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