Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 40

8C The Detroit News Sunday, October 31, 2004 Michigan 45, Michigan State 37, 3 0T SUMMARY Answers to bi ggest questions 'of 2WD41; Louisville, Jeff Tedford at Caf and Pete Carroll at USC have" enhanced their reputations None more than Tubervillet however. i 1 Worst coaching Job: Not, to pile oti, but Florida's RorrJ Zook earned his firing by misV managing endings against Ten-wj nessee and LSU, and by losing at Mississippi State. It's hard believe a team as talented as Florida could wind up with aJ losing season, 5 Other bummers: Bill Calla 3 han at Nebraska, Joe Paterno a Auburn, One year after his bosses went behind his back to inquire about hiring another coach, Tommy Tuberville has the Tigers on the national championship track everyone expected. As with the biggest disappointment of 2004 (see below), Auburn proves that those making preseason predictions too often ignore the schedule. Runner-up surprise: When Phillip Fulmer declared in preseason camp that two true freshmen would man the quarterback position, only the most orange of Vol fans could have anticipated a trip to the SEC title game.

Biggest disappointment: Gotta be LSU. Most everyone expected the Tigers to at least contend for the SEC and national titles, but this is a team fortunate not to have a losing record right now. Another bunch of Tigers, those from Memphis, are teetering on a cliff built with high expectations; anything less than seven wins and that is far from guaranteed at this point would be very Penn State, Tommy Bowden at Clemson, John Thompson at win out) to a BCS bowl, but shouldn't an undefeated team with obvious strengths get a real shot at the national title? Louisville and Boise State have their own reasons to gripe, though, of course, Louisville is headed to a BCS league. Best anti-BCS scenario: The season ends with USC, Oklahoma, Auburn, Miami, Wisconsin, Utah and Boise State, all undefeated. For those who say everything always works itself out, you are wrong.

It hasn't. Except for Virginia Tech-Florida State in 1999 and Miami-Ohio State in 2002, the BCS has managed to present a flawed grand finale. Best coaching job: In only two years, Urban Meyer has turned Utah from a nobody in college football into a team that might have a legitimate claim for the national title come January (whether the Utes actually get to play for it is doubtful). Plus, he has Utah playing exciting, entertaining football. Other notable coaches: Tuberville at Auburn, Fulmer at Tennessee, Bob Stoops at Oklahoma, Bobby Petrino at Heisman hopefuls: Your guess is as good as anyone else's.

Is it true freshman Adrian Peterson at Oklahoma (146 yards per game)? Or his teammate, 2003 winner Jason White (ridiculous numbers again 17 touchdowns to 4 interceptions)? Or the best player in the land, Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers (who has completed 75 percent of his passes and has 14 touchdowns)? Or USC quarterback Matt Leinart (16 touchdowns, four interceptions, won game vs. Cal and Rodgers)? Or rugged Texas running back Cedric Benson (fourth straight season, and 165 rushing yards per game)? Still too early to tell. Deserves mention: In the revamped Auburn offense, Jason Campbell has been magnificent, throwing for 1,490 yards and 13 touchdowns (to two interceptions). Of course, he might only be the third-best player on his offense, though that didn't seem to hurt Jason White a year ago. Best reason to hate the BCS: Utah.

Sure, the Utes will likely get an invitation (if they By Zack McMillin Scripps Howard News Service Going into the fifth Saturday of October, in this the fourth college football season of the new millennium, there are things that we know. We know that USC did not need Mike Williams to make a run at another national title. That Oklahoma's late 2003 stumbles did not presage anything, and that Bob Stoops can recruit as well as he can and (see Peterson, Adrian, for exhibit A). That LSU, another of the defending national champs, had no business in anyone's preseason top 10 nor, perhaps, their top 25s (see State, Troy, and State, Oregon, and also Hedges, Between The for exhibits and C). That it really was impossible to exaggerate how much Eli Manning meant to Ole Miss.

That kickers are imperfect beings, even from 17 yards away. That fireronzook.com needs to be retired. That true freshmen can put the Vols on a championship path. That, talented as they are, DeAngelo Williams and Danny Wimprine can't do much for Memphis'! problems at linebacker, on the defensive line or in the secondary. That bad breaks can happen to Ohio State after alL That Utah, barring a massive upset, won't be coming back to the Liberty Bowl (replaced by Notre That Louisville, barring a massive upset, will.

That college football is, as ever, unpredictable. With all that in mind, here's a look back at the season that has beea And some peeks ahead to the season to come Best game: Nationally, Miami's 41-38 victory over Louisville had a little bit of everything the Hurricanes overcame a 17-point deficit and twice had to come from behind in the fourth quarter. In the south, Tennessee's tension-drenched upset at Georgia totally changed the dynamic in the SEC. Best upcoming game: Georgia at Auburn on Nov. 13.

Biggest surprise: Has to be East Carolina, Keith Gilbertsoit at Washington, ttich Brooks at? Kentucky. Old dogs, new tricks: Miket Price might have left Alabama as a discredited arid defamed coach, but he has rebuilt hisv reputation at future Conference USA member UTEP. The Miners, 14-34 fronfJI 2000-03, are and 24tn in the latest BCS standings. Another?" former Alabama coach also isl doing well Dennis Franj chione has1 Texas 6-1 and chasing a Big 12 title. Dak Voung The Detroit News DeAndra Cobb scoots 64 yards for a touchdown with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter to give Michigan State a 27-10 lead.

Scoring summary Michigan St. 14 3 0 10 3 7 0 37 Michigan 7 3 0 17 3 7 8 45 MSU DeAndra Cot 72 run with 1L2S left Dm Rayner kick- DnVa: 80 yards, 4 plays, 1:37. MSU 7, U-M 0. U-M Micharl Hart 7 run with 7:50 left Garrett Rtvas kick. DrtVK 80 yards.

8 plays. 135 Key play: Braylon Edwards 22 run to MSU's 20. U-M 7, MSU 7. MSU Drew Stanton 5 run with 2:56 left Rayner kick. Orlvr 79 yards.

11 plays. 4:54 Key play: Interference against Grant Mason gave MSU a first down at MSU 14, U-M 7. MSU Rayner 22 field goal with 9:10 left DrM 84 yards. 10 plays. 9:10.

Kay play: Jason Randall 29 pass from Stanton to U-M's 19. MSU 17, U-M 7. U-M: Rivas 34 field goal with 0 49 left Drive: 38 yards. 7 plays. 2:21.

Kay play: Edwards 19 pass from Chad Henne to MSU's 17 MSU 17, U-M 10. swttourwsriESSia Nosconnq. MSU Rayner 19 field goal with 13:30 left. Drt-vae 43 yards. 8 plays.

3:25. Kay play: Aaron Alexander 22 pass from Damon Dowdell to U-M's 23. MSU 20, U-M 10. MSU Cobb 64 run with 8:43 left Raynerkk. Drtvc 73 yards.

4 plays. 2:18. MSU 27, U-M 10. U-M Rivas 24 field goal with 6:27 left Drive 86 yards. 9 plays, 2:16.

Kay play: Edwards 46 pass from Henne to MSU's 12. MSU 27, U-M 13. U-M Edwards 34 pass from Henne with 6:12 lea Rivas kick. Drfw 62 yards. 2 plays.

0:15: Kay play: Brian Thompson recovered on-side kick at U-M's 38 MSU 27, U-M 20. UM Edwards 21 pass from Henne with 2:59 left Rivas kick Drive 47 yards. 2 plays. 0:14 Kay play: Hart 26 run to MSU's 2L U-M 27, MSU 27. FIRST OVERTIME U-M Rivas 34 field goal.

U-M 30, MSU 27. MSU Rayner 23 field goal. U-M 30, MSU 30. MSU Jason Teague 3 run. Rayner kick.

MSU 37, U-M 30. U-M Jason Avant 5 pass from Henne. Rivas kick. U-M 37, MSU 37. U-M Edwards 24 pass from Henne.

Tim Mas-saquoi pass from Henne. U-M 45, MSU 37. MSU Failed to score. Michigan: Notebook lairt surpasses 10B yards; 1 1 -ii .1 'U, I i.i i i ii i. 111.609 This week's schedule MIDWEST Toledo at Miami (Ohio), 7:30 p.m.

SOUTH South Florida at UAB, 7 p.m. U-M tailback is the first freshman in school history to reach century mark. By Angelique S. Chengelis The Detroit News ANN ARBOR Freshman tailback Michael Hart continues to be the consistent bright spot for the Michigan Wolverines. Hart became the first Michigan freshman tailback to rush for more than 1,000 yards, hitting that mark with a 13-yard carry early in the game.

Entering the Michigan State game, Hart had rushed for 440 yards combined in the previous two games. In the first half of Saturday's game, Hart gained 107 yards on 13 carries to average 8.2 yards a carry. Clearly, Michigan's plan was to run the ball against a Michigan State defense ranked ninth overall in the Big Ten against the run, yielding an average 164 yards. Hart gave the Wolverines their first points on a seven-yard touchdown run with 7:50 left to make it, 7-7. Hart was ranked 13th nationally in rushing entering the Michigan State game and was third among true freshmen in rushing offense, trailing Jamario Thomas of North Texas and Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma.

Gutierrez at game Michigan backup quarterback Matt Gutierrez, who underwent right shoulder surgery last week, was on the sideline Saturday, his arm in a sling and listening to the offensive play-calling through a headset. Gutierrez is expected to require at least six months recovery, but he could be throwing lightly in about three months. Gutierrez said he believes he suffered the injury during preseason camp but can't pinpoint when it happened. He had been named the starter the week of the season-opener when it became clear the soreness in his shoulder was hampering his throwing ability. I Ie was the holder on field-goal and extra-point attempts this season.

Punter Adam Finley is now the holder. Richard's future baseball? Quarterback Clayton Richard, backup to starter Chad Henne, apparently will play some baseball next spring. That's according to his father, Barry, a policeman in Lafayette, recently interviewed by the Indianapolis Star. Clayton Richard was the 2002 Indiana Mr. Football, but he also is considered a potential major-league baseball I 1 L1j i-- i I SOUTH Louisville at Memphis.

7:30 p.m. riiMii hr--- fmvww IwB'ilP'W MIDWEST Marshall at Akron, 7 p.m. SOUTH North Texas at Louisiana-Lafayette, 10 p.m. EAST Massachusetts at Northeastern. Noon Northwestern at Perm Noon New Hampshire at Rhode Island, Noon Pittsburgh at Syracuse.

Noon Yale at Brown. 12:30 p.m Lafayette at Colgate. 12:30 pm. Lehigh at Georgetown. C.

12:30 p.m. Columbia at Harvard. 12:30 p.m. Air Force at Army. 1 p.m.

Fordham at Bucknell. 1 p.m. Stony Brook at Cent. Connecticut 1 p.m. Dartmouth at Cornell.

1 pm. Manst at Holy Cross. 1 p.m. St. Peter's at lona.

1 p.m. Duquesne at La Salle. 1 pm Sacred Heart at Monmouth. N.J., 1 p.m. Perm at Princeton, 1 p.m.

Wagner at St Francis. 1 p.m. Temple at West Virginia. 1 p.m. Kent St at Buffalo.

1:30 p.m Albany. NY at Robert Moms. 1:30 Hofstra at Maine, 2 p.m. Rutgers at Boston College, 3:30 p.m. SOUTH Georgia Tech at N.C.

State. Noon or 3:30 p.m. Virginia Tech at North Carolina. Noon or 3:30 p.m. Maryland at Virginia, Noon or 3:30 p.m.

Duke at Florida Noon Savannah St. at Coastal Carolina. 12:30 p.m. SE Louisiana at Jacksonville, 12:30 p.m. Arkansas at South Carolina.

12:30 p.m. Georgia at Kentucky, 1 p.m. Charleston, W.va. at Morehead 1 pm. Morgan St at Norfolk St.

1 p.m. Towson at Richmond, 1 p.m. E. Kentucky at 1 p.m. Liberty at VMI.

1p.m. ViHanova at William Mary. 1 p.m. Allen at Charleston Southern, 1:30 p.m. Delaware at James Madison.

1:30 p.m. Howard at Carolina 1:30 p.m. Gardner-Webb at Wofford. 1:30 m. Eton at Appalachian St.

2 p.m. Davidson at Austin Peay. 2 p.m. Georgia Southern at Furman, 2 pm Bethune-Cookman at Hampton, 2 pm Alcorn St at MVSU. 2 p.m.

Chattanooga at The Citadel. 2 p.m. Florida at Vanderbirt, 2 Alabama St. at Grambling 2:30 p.m. Cincinnati at Southern 3 p.m.

E. Illinois at Tennessee Tech, 3 pm. Florida Atlantic at Troy, 3 p.m. Notre Dame at Tennosftea, 3:30 p.m. Ohio at UCF, 4 pm Alabama at Jackson St.

5 p.m. Samford at Jacksonville 5 m. Texas State at Northwestern 5 p.m. Mississippi St. at Alabama, 6:30 p.m.

avy at Tulane. 7 p.m. Utah St at Louisiana-Monroe, 7:30 p.m. Stephen F.Austin at Nicholts 7:30 p.m. Clemson at Miami.

7:45 p.m. SE Missouri at Tennessee 8 pm MIDWEST Ohio St at Michigan Noon Kansas St. at Missouri. 12:30 p.m. Upper Iowa at Drake.

1 p.m. Butter at Valparaiso. 1 pm. N. Iowa at Indiana 1:30 m.

Colorado at Kansas. 1:30 pm Indiana at Illinois. 2 pm Nebraska at Iowa St. 2 m. Augustana.

I at S. Dakota St. 2 m. W. Kentucky at SW Missouri St.

2 pm Youngstown St at Minon. 2 pm IWnoia at IMnori St. 2:30 pm Purdue at Iowa. 3:30 pm Minnesota at Wisconsin. 3:30 m.

W. Michigan at Bowkng Green. 4 pm Cent Michigan vs. E. Michigan at Detroit.

4:30 pm SOUTHWEST Oklahoma St at Texas. TEA Oklahoma at Texas TBA Baylor at Texas Tech. 2 pm Prairie View at Ark. Pine Buff. 3 pm Fresno St.

at Rice, 3 pm Tulsa at SMU. 3pm McNeese St. at Sam Houston 3 p.m. East Carolina at Houston. 5 FAR WEST San Diego St.

at BYU. TBA Wyoming at UNIV. TBA Colorado St. at Utah. TBA N.

Arizona at Montana. 2 pm S. Utah at N. Colorado. 2 m.

N. Dakota St. at Weber 3 pm. Oregon at California. 3: 30 p.m.

Washington St at UCLA. 3 30 m. Arizona at Washington. 3:30 Ca Poly SLO at E. Washington.

5pm Arkansas St vs. Idaho at Puffman. 5 m. Idaho St at Portland St. 6:30 pm Photos David Guralnick The Detroit News Michigan freshman Chad Henne threw touchdown passes of 34 and 21 yards to Braylon Edwards late in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 27.

SW" ww change. "My indication is that I think you're going to see Clayton devote a lot more time to baseball after the bowl game," Barry Clayton told the Star. "I would suspect to see him on the pitching mound (at Michigan) next spring." MV YfJM gai fie ,1 tali 27. 23- 37- tin 1" Te yat Jas gai sa I He 1 tot I sac Zoi I po: 'I i lea i i f. 33 tail Career kick Finley, a fifth-year senior, had a career-long punt of 67 yards in the second quarter.

Finley was kicking with a strong wind. His previous long was 56 yards in the season-opener against Miami (Ohio). Celeb sightings at game Michigan alum Mike Wallace of CBS' 60 Minutes attended Saturday's game, watching from the president's box. Wallace, 86, is a 1939 graduate of Michigan. Former Michigan football Coach Gary Moeller was also at the game, as was former athletic director Tom Goss.

-f 1 1 4, pitcher. Richard didn't play baseball last spring, because of football spring practice, but his father said that just might Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards (1) runs a reverse from running back Michel Hart,.