'M' backups get their chances

HONOLULU - The stars were shining for Michigan on Saturday - but in most cases, just for one half.

While Anthony Thomas (183 yards, four touchdowns) racked up career numbers and Tom Brady (9-for-10) and Tai Streets (five catches, two for touchdowns) continued to connect, most of the second half of Michigan's 48-17 trouncing of Hawai'i belonged to the guys who don't always make the headlines.

Drew Henson - admittedly, a headline-maker, if not for his play this season - showed flashes of the talent that has him bearing the label of Michigan's Next Great Quarterback.

The freshman's numbers (3-for-9, 33 yards) weren't outstanding, but his athleticism showed up in the form of four scrambling runs for 41 yards.

WARREN ZINN/Daily With Michigan building up a quick 28-3 lead, many of the Wolverines' reserves saw extended action against Hawai'i on Saturday.

Most impressive was a 34-yard touchdown run around left end.

With any other Michigan signal-caller behind center, it would likely have been little more than a coverage sack.

And while Thomas and senior Clarence Williams (18 carries, 80 yards) handled the bulk of the workload in the backfield, freshman Walter Cross got eight carries of his own, and also turned a screen pass from Henson into an 33-yard gain, 15 of which were negated because of a holding penalty.

Yet Cross' biggest mark may have been made returning kicks in the second half - his two returns netted a total of 59 yards.

"It's really good to see guys like Walter go out and do well," said Michigan receiver Diallo Johnson, who himself added punt returning to his repertoire, taking one back 13 yards. "You just tell them to keep working hard, and maybe they'll even break one off like A-Train sometime."

In addition to Henson and Cross, several other little-used Wolverines saw action. Rudy Smith (15 yards), Aaron Richards (nine yards) and Marquise Walker (six yards) caught one pass apiece.

With the starting offensive line resting, Jason Kapsner and Scott Dreisbach each completed passes in fourth-quarter action.

Special teams regulars Tate Schanski and Andy Sechler contributed even more this week, with three tackles each. Jeff Smokevitch - cleverly disguised, in a No. 99 jersey, as Jake Frysinger - had a pair of tackles. In all, 29 different Wolverines made tackles.

"We had an opportunity to play a lot of guys, which was good," Lloyd Carr said. "It's always helpful to their development, and to their experience."

Move over, Desmond: While Tai Streets' success this season has been well-documented, his most recent accomplishment will likely raise eyebrows of even the most astute stat watchers.

With his third catch of the game, a two-yarder with 12 minutes left in the second quarter, Streets passed former Heisman winner Desmond Howard to claim third place on Michigan's all-time receptions list.

Howard played just three seasons for the Wolverines, but was one of the most celebrated receivers in school history.

Streets, in his fourth and final season, finished the game with five catches for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

11-30-98