Henson uplifts Blue offense, leads second half comeback

By Mark Francescutti

Daily Sports Editor

CHAMPAIGN - Drew Henson waited anxiously on the sidelines in the first half Saturday.

He paced back and forth. He listened to his headset. He played catch with backup quarterback Andy Mignery.

Drew Henson wanted to play.

And finally, he did.

The real Drew Henson era began with 1:42 left in the first half, when Dr. Stan Wojtys cleared him for 30 minutes of play.

After fighting through the surgery and rehabilitation of a broken foot, plus missing three games, Henson returned just in time - Michigan down 14-7 in a crucial Big Ten opener.

"When he went out in that two minute series, he definitely gave us a lift," offensive coordinator Stan Parrish said. "We're glad to have him back."

Right off the bat, Henson hit Marquise Walker for nine yards, then a sideline pass to wide receiver (yes receiver) James Whitley for 11.

Two plays later he hit Anthony Thomas for 14. Then he ran up the middle and quickly slid for 11 more.

In the first 25 minutes, redshirt freshman John Navarre was 4-of-11 for 31 yards. In just over a minute, Henson was 3-of-4 for 34 yards, with an 11-yard run.

It's like Michael Jordan returned to the Bulls, as everything seemed better with the ball the hands, especially for David Terrell.

"He came in and said 'Let's get it going,'" Terrell said after he caught six passes for 116 yards including a 57-yard touchdown. "We've practiced all week. We knew what he could do."

What he could do is successfully turbocharge the V-12 Michigan engine that sputtered in the first half. He also gave receivers and coaches alike some confidence in running Michigan's offensive scheme, as his came out and looked like he never left.

"He's a veteran player," Parrish said. "He played in a lot of critical situations for us a year ago. You sense a guy's vigor in wanting to come back."

Henson went full force against the Illini, ignoring the oncoming defensive assault on one play and diving into the endzone for an eight-yard touchdown.

And, for the most part, the coaches didn't cringe.

"You know as a young player he learned to take care of himself," Parrish said. "He took some big shots the last couple of years."

But before the ego builds to NBA star levels, Henson has the task of piloting this team for the rest of the season at the same efficient speed of Saturday's victory.

Henson must also give credit to Thomas and the offensive line, who helped move the ship. Henson had plenty of time and didn't get sacked, while Thomas averaged 6.5 yards per carry on his way to a career-high 228 yards.

As for next week, Henson expects to start against Wisconsin, especially after he felt almost 100 percent prior to Illinois.

"The foot is all fine," Henson said. "When you get out in a normal game setting, it has its bumps and bruises. It's sore, but my whole body is sore. I haven't been hit like that in months. I'll just pack some ice bags on it."

Henson had surgery on Aug. 24. He returned at about the same time the original prognosis of three to six weeks predicted.

"It was disappointing when I got hurt, because I thought I had paid my dues," Henson said. "But I realized if I waited two years for this job, I can wait a few weeks more."

ALEX WOLK/Daily

The controversy and secretism are over. Drew Henson is back as the Wolverines starting quarterback. The Henson-Terrell combination returns as well.