By Mark Snyder
Daily Sports Editor
If Drew Henson possesses the Golden Arm among freshmen on the Michigan football team, then kicker Hayden Epstein must have the Golden Leg.
Epstein, whose long-distance leg was approaching mythical status the more it remained in hiding, finally got a chance to kick in a game situation against Eastern Michigan and confirmed the hints.
"Hayden Epstein did a tremendous job," said Carr, who considered starting Epstein against Syracuse until just before the kickoff. "He's going to be our kickoff guy."
Though mostly relegated to kickoffs - he attempted just one extra point which he converted - Epstein won the job in dramatic fashion.
And Lloyd Carr couldn't have chosen a better day to make the switch from Jay Feely. Michigan's 59 points gave Epstein 10 opportunities to kick off and he capitalized, booting seven into the end zone.
Well, actually, only six of them were caught by the opposition.
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| MARGARET MYERS/Daily With many Michigan players "banged-up," freshmen like Justin Fargas have been shouldering more of the offensive load. Six newcomers saw considerable playing time in Saturday's victory. |
Eastern's success rate against him was horrid. On the three kicks they were able to return, the Eagles mustered just 35 yards on the runbacks.
His first kicking opportunity didn't come until a minute of game time passed as Eastern Michigan deferred its choice on the opening coin toss to the second half, but he made a quick impression, sending the ball deep into the end zone.
And Carr's praise continued.
"Absolutely, he's got a strong leg," Carr said. "That's a tremendous asset; he boomed the ball."
Injury Update: Lloyd Carr's "banged-up" team is beginning to improve it status week by week.
Cornerback William Peterson unexpectedly returned to action, and on his first defensive play he returned a Walt Church offering for a touchdown. Though he only carried the ball five times on offense, Clarence Williams also returned early, immediately bring back the opening kickoff 31 yards.
But linebackers Ian Gold and Clint Copenhaver, as well as fullback Aaron Shea, remained mere spectators.
Carr said he probably won't get a further update on their status until today.
Wide receiver Marquise Walker also can be added to the list of walking wounded, but his ailment - a broken finger - did not keep him from practicing last week or catching a pass on Saturday.
Taking The Fifth: While suspended safety Marcus Ray was not on the sidelines on Saturday, Michigan compliance director Derrick Gragg did attend the game.
Gragg said he could not release details regarding the investigation into Ray's alleged dealings with an agent, but did redefine the terms of the suspension.
Ray cannot attend team functions or participate in team events (such as strolling the sidelines), even if he's not in uniform, as long as he is declared ineligible, which is his current state.
In his postgame press conference, Carr refused to address the issue, saying that he doesn't want to talk about Ray's status until after the Michigan State game.
L.A. Story: Putting a man in motion on an offensive play is intended to confuse a defender.
On Saturday, Eastern put their entire team in motion, confusing Michigan's entire defense.
Using a play called 'Anaheim,' Eastern coach Rick Rasnick had his team line up in a traditional formation.
Then, to rattle the Wolverines, the whole offense - except the quarterback and the four linemen necessary - shifted to the far right side of the line spreading the defense.
Eastern quarterback Walt Church calmly ran the play and found tailback Ethan Vannoy in the left portion of the end zone for the Eagles' final score.
"I thought our defense did a great job (of defending it)," Carr said. "That was an interesting play.
"We've got to put it in ourselves."
09-21-98
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