Thompson out for season

'M' loses two starters in Navarre's impressive debut

By Stephanie Offen

Daily Sports Editor

The Wolverines gained nine yards, but they lost something much more valuable. After tight end Shawn Thompson brought Michigan to its own 20 yard line, he took a bad fall over the opponent - injurying his knee.

Thompson will miss the remainder of the season.

"He will have surgery sometime next week," coach Lloyd Carr said. "Thompson is a coach's dream. He is a tremendous football player, as good a blocking tight end at Michigan since I have been here. He is a great leader, a real tough guy that brings a lot to the team."

Junior Bennie Joppru will start next Saturday's game versus Rice in place of Thompson.

The other backups, seniors Eric Rosel and Bill Seymour, have missed much of training camp with injurys.

Rosel was hampered with a pulled hamstring and Seymour with a groin injury.

Both have recovered from their injuries but aren't ready to take over the starting postition.

Carr said they will both see ample amount of playing time this season after they have some time to rest. They should both see time this weekend against Rice.

Joppru competed in nine games last season and recorded four catches for 51 yards.

Another blow: The Wolverines also lost senior Jake Frysinger in last weekend's game. Frysinger reinjured a foot that he had surgery on last season. Carr says he is out indefinitely.

Dan Rumisek will replace Frysinger at defensive end, but many guys will see time at that postition.

Sophomore Norman Boebert also saw many snaps at that position and will see more playing time with the loss of Frysinger.

But none of the Wolverines saw much time on the defensive side of the ball against Bowling Green. So the defensive line enters next weekend with not as much experience as Carr would like.

"The one thing I do not like about a week ago is we got a lot of guys the opportunity to play but we did not have a lot of snaps," Carr said. "I think the most snaps anybody had was 42.

"Rice is going to be very well condidtion football team. We are going to have to play a lot more snaps this week, so we are going to play more people."

A healthier note: Freshman John Navarre impressed his teammates and the nation with his performance against Bowling Green. His four touchdowns tied a school record for most in a game.

But next weekend will be more of a test for the rookie. Rice is a much quicker team with an experienced defense.

The Owls will also defend Navarre with eight or nine men on the line of scrimmage. They also blitz more, and the Wolverines are eager to see how Navarre responds to the pressure.

The Wolverines had trouble with the run last season against Rice, finishing the game with ten less rushing yards than the Owls.

"It is going to be a much different challenge (for Navarre)", Carr said. "The good news is he can go into this game confident in his performance last weekend."

Quarterback Drew Henson is still participating in rehabilitation and Carr has not confirmed when he will return.

Carr did say that the wound is healing nicely and Henson has been making strides. But the expected return date has not changed - fans can still look to Illinois or Wisconsin for his return.

MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily

True freshman Chris Perry burst onto the offense scene with 103 yards on 10 carries against Bowling Green. He also scored his first touchdown.