Thomas grabs game attention; Duckett drops ball

By Mark Francescutti

Daily Sports Editor

The limelight is finally reaching Anthony Thomas.

Even Drew Henson couldn't keep reporters interested on Saturday. At the postgame press conference three quarters of the media left the room in the middle of Drew Henson's response to a question, as soon as it was announced that Thomas was in the Crisler Arena tunnel.

Anthony Thomas doesn't usually cause a ruckus, but Saturday, everyone wanted to talk to the usually quiet, running back, especially after his 175-yard, two touchdown performance.

Thomas ran 25 times, on a day when Michigan wanted and needed to establish the run.

The senior captain broke out for several big gallops, including the 30-yard touchdown scamper that dodged Spartan after Spartan.

"He's unbelievable," quarterback Drew Henson said. "That last touchdown run, I saw the whole thing from behind. I couldn't believe how many guys he was making miss."

Thomas' first touchdown gave him 48 rushing touchdowns for his career, surpassing Tyrone Wheatley (1991-94) for a new school record. Thomas also is one 100-yard game away from tying Wheatley's 20 career 100-yard performances.

Thomas still hasn't received the national attention like that of Henson and wide receiver David Terrell.

He was also recently voted off Fox Sports Heisman Island, after national reporters lost interest.

"I don't really look for" the media attention, Thomas said after the game. "Winning games is what matters to me most."

But quietly, Thomas has carried the Wolverines all season. Halfway through this season, the Wolverines had more rushing yards (1,697) than they did the entire 1999 campaign (1,462).

While pundits may equate the success to a healthy offensive line, or a passing attack that's opened the running game, Thomas hasn't made any costly mistakes to take anything away from the Wolverines.

"Anthony Thomas is a special guy," Carr said. "When Tyrone Wheatley left here, I never thought someone would score more touchdowns than he did. (Thomas) is as unselfish as anyone."

Duckett drop: T.J. Duckett left the game with a shoulder injury after his third quarter fumble that cost the Spartans a sure scoring opportunity.

"I just lost it," Duckett said. "I didn't get control of the ball. It was a option pitch that I wish I could have back. It's kind of frustrating because I wasn't able to redeem myself after that play because I got hurt and wasn't able to get back in and make a play."

Victor Hobson caused the ball to pop loose, as Larry Foote tried to keep it inbounds. Eric Wilson recovered.

"I knew I was out of control," Foote said. "I saw the ball pop loose and just tried my best to keep it inbounds."

"That was an incredible play," Carr said. "I couldn't believe he kept the ball inbounds. It was some kind of effort."

Foote did not see whether he was out of bounds when he slapped the ball. The call went in Michigan's favor much to the chagrin of Bobby Williams.

"To me, the play was a fumble that was not recovered. He didn't seem to have possession of the ball before it went out of bounds," Williams said. "Afterwards they went the length of the field and scored. We didn't score and it seemed to take the air out of us."

Duckett opened strong in the third quarter with four rushes and 35 yards before leaving.

"He's the most powerful back I've every tackled," Foote said.

I broke a nail!: After a blistering opening touchdown drive, the Michigan offense fluttered for the rest of the game. One cause of that frustration was Henson's hand. The quarterback's nail tore off when he hit his hand on a helmet.

"There are a couple throws that I'd like to have back," Henson said.

Cause No. 2 - Carr said that Henson had trouble planting his feet, as Michigan State pressure pushed him out of the pocket.

Shutout heaven: Michigan's second consecutive shutout was the first time the Wolverines blanked two teams in a row since a pair of 49-0 wins over Long Beach State and Wisconsin in 1987.

"Will still owe this team - not even after two shutouts," linebacker Larry Foote said. "The Purdue game really hurt, the ride home, the whole week. We just felt bad."

Bye bye injuries: Momentum or not, the off week before Northwestern will hopefully repair the Wolverines' ailing wounds. Offensive lineman David Brandt was in a sling after the game. Norman Boebert returned to the defensive line, but didn't play every snap. A few others have nagging bumps and bruises to heal as well. The team will still work out and of course, watch plenty of Northwestern film before they travel to Evanston on Nov. 4.

Courtesy of AlL-SPort

Victor Hobson crushes Michigan State running back T.J. Duckett, knocking the ball loose in the third quarter.