Kicker getting the 'Feel' of game

As the final kickoff of the Eastern Michigan game sailed through the uprights last week, Jay Feely must have wondered, 'Where does this leave me?'

Freshman kicker Hayden Epstein had just stolen Feely's kickoff duties with seven deep kickoffs.

And Feely's regular field goal opportunities were few and far between.

What a difference a week makes.

With former competitor Kraig Baker effectively out of the picture - he hasn't kicked since the Notre Dame game - Feely was left alone to seize the field goal and extra point duties.

On Saturday, he capitalized, booting three field goals (38, 47, and a career-long 51 yarder) to improve the status of Michigan's kicking game - at least for a week.

All three kicks proved Feely worthy of the job.

"Anytime you keep making kicks," Feely said, "you know you have to make them in a big game where it counts a lot. I'm very thankful that I had the opportunity."

Banged up: Michigan has waited all season to field a healthy team and, until the fourth quarter, it appeared next week might be the first instance.

But then offensive lineman Chris Ziemann was carted off with a broken leg, and those hopes were dashed.

"He's potentially an outstanding football player," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said after the game.

Carr said Ziemann, a junior right guard, will probably miss the rest of the season.

Saban's fury: Usually a mild-mannered sort, Michigan State coach Nick Saban unloaded after the game, taking potshots at Michigan and their supposed abuse of the rules.

"I think that college football is really screwed up," he said. Michigan "has guys running in and out (of the offen

Football

Notebook

09-28-98