'M' shuts down 'Eraser Man'

By Chris Duprey

Daily Sports Editor

Throughout last week, the Michigan defense made sure it paid proper attention to the big-play potential of Wisconsin running back Michael Bennett.

At each practice, time was spent on wrapping up Bennett early in his runs, leg-tackling him as opposed to grabbing at his arms and not allowing him to gain steam into the secondary. There was no lack of respect for the Big Ten track champion in the Michigan camp.

The Wolverines even gave him a nickname - Eraser Man. "Any bad play he can erase, because of his speed," Michigan safety DeWayne Patmon explained.

Eraser Man almost erased a Wolverines victory. Part of the concern with Bennett was that he would wear down Michigan's already-thin defensive line, and that as the fourth quarter drew on, he could break a run that could decide the game.

On Wisconsin's last full drive, the Wolverines clinging to a 13-10 lead with over five minutes remaining, Bennett began to take the game into his own hands.

A 17-yard run, followed by a 15-yarder, put the Badgers into position at the Michigan 31-yard line to either tie or take the lead. Both could have turned into big-gainers, but the Michigan secondary pursued well and kept Bennett from finding daylight.

Bennett had just one more carry in the game, for no gain on the next play. And that was it for Wisconsin's ground threat.

He had no impact on the final series of the game. The Wolverines had taken him out of the contest, just like they had wanted.

"It was tough," Bennett said, in a statement that seemed to sum the afternoon for himself and for the Badgers. "They say I'm a big-play running back, and if I can't break it, I'm in the dumps about that."

Bennett was gracious in giving credit to the Michigan defense, which allowed him just 123 yards on 30 carries.

Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez was befuddled, however, by the slippery nature of the Prescription Athletic Turf. Saturday's game was Wisconsin's first on grass this season - the Badgers had played four games at home on the artificial surface of Camp Randall Stadium, and none on the road.

"On a beautiful day like that, I can't understand why it's slick," Alvarez said, adding that he didn't think Bennett's lack of footing decided the game in any way.

Bennett did everything he could to master the Michigan Stadium grass. He even changed cleats in the second quarter to try and get a better grip for cutting and slicing. Still, "three or four times" he slipped as he was about to hit a large hole.

Patmon thought the turf was playable.

"Grass isn't too secure, but it's good enough," he said.

On any other day, Bennett would have been just a part of the Wisconsin offense. Saturday, he was all of it.

Wisconsin's most prolific receiver was Nick Davis, whose one catch was good for 34 yards. The highly touted Chris Chambers finished with three catches for 27 yards. Quarterback Brooks Bollinger struggled in the red zone and everywhere else, throwing for just 98 yards.

That made Bennett the only viable option as the fourth quarter went on. And for a while, it appeared that Bennett could win the game all by himself.

"He struggled with the footing, but I thought he played pretty well," Alvarez said.

No matter how well Bennett played, Saturday turned into a memory he'd like to Erase.

PETER CORNUE/Daily

Julius Curry and the rest of the Michigan defense allowed Wisconsin one touchdown, but basically shut down star running back Michael Bennett.