Defense not perfect, but lessons were learned

By Chris Duprey

Daily Sports Editor

Facing a program of lesser esteem such as Bowling Green on Saturday isn't going to silence those who feel the defense will be Michigan's ultimate weakness this season.

It's tough to face lower-echelon programs for precisely that reason - if you do well, it's because you're supposed to; if you don't do well, you're worthless.

That's the learning process for playing opponents like the Mid-American Conference Falcons. Win big, make a few mistakes that don't kill you, learn from them, and move on.

Given those boundaries, the defensive unit survived its first test. The Wolverines allowed just 58 yards rushing, their most prolific achievement of the day.

Even more impressive was Bowling Green's obvious intent to establish the run - at some points the Falcons seemed to use the pass to set up the run, rather than the other way around - but Michigan stopped them almost single every time.

"We thought they were going to come out and run a little bit more than they did, but I guess they were trying to catch us off-guard with substitutions and passing the ball more," said linebacker Larry Foote, who led the Wolverines with six unassisted tackles.

After Justin Fargas' fumble on the first drive of the game, the defense pulled together, played a little tougher, forcing a three-and-out and showing some promise for the future.

But Michigan wasn't faultless on the day.

There were missed assignments, errors that would've gone for big gainers against a higher breed of team. That's where the learning must come into play.

On Saturday, coverage errors by Michigan weren't exploited at all. Overthrows by Bowling Green quarterback Andy Sahm and dropped balls by a host of receivers made Michigan's mistakes virtually invisible on the stat sheet.

Carr was an equal-opportunity blamer, finding fault on both sides of the ball.

"It was a sloppy game in a lot of ways," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "I am very unhappy with all the penalties and we turned the ball over twice and got a field goal blocked. Those are things that you just can't do."

At least the Wolverines recognized their shortcomings.

They have vowed to work on them in time for this Saturday's home game against Rice, a more disciplined opponent.

Given his track record, defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann and his players tend to make the necessary adjustments in short order.

The intangibles seem to be in place. The emotion is there. The defense is capable of laying big hits on opponents, as witnessed by Bowling Green running back Godfrey Lewis, who felt the wrath of Foote in the second quarter.

The challenges will increase in difficulty as September marches on. The Wolverines can take pride in not getting stuck on the ground floor.

GAME RECAP

First Quarter:

John Navarre converts his first third down to get Michigan rolling early, but a fumble by Justin Fargas turns the ball over to Bowling Green at the Michigan 45. The Michigan defense forces a three-and-out, earning the ball back for the Wolverines.

Later in the quarter, Michigan took control at the Bowling Green 49. Helped by two solid runs by Anthony Thomas, Navarre finds David Terrell open in the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown strike.

Michigan 7, Bowling Green 0

Second Quarter:

Bowling Green punted to Michigan early in the second quarter, pinning the Wolverines back at the 10. After a false start, Michigan proceeded to move 95 yards in five plays, culminating in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Navarre to Ron Bellamy.

Michigan 14, Bowling Green 0

Again Michigan takes advantage of good field position. Starting on the Bowling Green 42, the Wolverines roll for another score. Navarre escapes an interception in the end zone with his pass to Bellamy, as Bellamy makes a leaping grab.

Michigan 21, Bowling Green 0

Michigan tries to get another field goal before the half, but Hayden Epstein's 48-yarder is blocked with 44 seconds to play. For Epstein, that was his second consecutive field goal that he had blocked, dating back to the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.

Third Quarter:

Starting on their 23 with 8:51 to play in the third, the Falcons put together their most impressive drive of the day. It stalls out at the Michigan 17, so Bowling Green settles for a field goal attempt. But Mike Knapp's 34-yard try is wide, and the Falcons come up empty.

Fourth Quarter:

Michigan begins to break the game open with an 80-yard drive in 12 plays. Navarre threw his fourth touchdown of the game, a four-yard slant to Marquise Walker, as Michigan extended the lead.

Michigan 28, Bowling Green 0

Anthony Thomas' longest run of the day, a 28-yarder down the sideline, was good enough for another score.

Michigan 35, Bowling Green 0

Bowling Green quarterback Andy Sahm got his only measure of satisfaction from Saturday's game on this drive. The Falcons took over at their own 10 and went 90 yards in 10 plays. A lofting pass from Sahm to Andre Pinchem was good for 24 yards and Bowling Green's only touchdown.

Michigan 35, Bowling Green 7

Freshman Chris Perry gave the remaining fans at Michigan Stadium something to stick around for. Perry cut around a few would-be tacklers and broke for 42 yards and Michigan's final score of the day.

FINAL: Michigan 42, Bowling Green 7