Carr pulls Epstein for Del Verne

By David Den Herder

Daily Sports Editor

CHAMPAIGN - Saturday night was no normal football Saturday for the Fighting Illini. Memorial Stadium was overflowing and buzzing like it hadn't in years. Some compared the atmosphere to Illinois' Rose Bowl season of 1983. Fireworks even thundered off the towers during pregame festivities.

What fireworks went off in the Michigan lockerroom during halftime, only the Wolverines know. But however it happened, when the Wolverines came out for the second half, they had a new kicker.

After missing two field goals and a PAT last week and botching another 32-yarder in the first half Saturday, kicker Hayden Epstein was pulled for senior Jeff Del Verne.

"I have a lot of confidence in Hayden," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "But I think anytime you've been around a while and you miss a few field goals, you're pressed a little bit. So I went with Jeff."

Epstein's powerful leg did handle kickoffs in the second half, but anything requiring accuracy was up to Del Verne.

Epstein's punting duties were also called into question when the junior bobbled a low snap in his own endzone, and instead of throwing the ball backward for a safety, tried to punt while being tackled. The kick made it out to the Michigan three-yard line and Illinois quickly scored on the next play.

Michigan never punted in the second half, but senior punter Cory Sargent could be seen practicing with long snapper Jeremy Miller on the sideline after the break.

As for who will start next week against No. 17 Wisconsin, Carr said, "We'll just see in practice."

Fake and bake: The thin smile that creeps across Carr's face after a successful gimmick play made an inconspicuous return Saturday at Memorial Stadium. With the Wolverines showing punt on their first drive of the night, Epstein very convincingly flailed his arms in panic - as if the snap had sailed over his head.

In reality, the snap went straight to Walter Cross, who went straight up the middle 41 yards to set up Michigan's first touchdown.

"That's not unlike Lloyd to do that," Illinois coach Ron Turner said. "We had some one assigned to the fullback, and they blocked him."

Raise the foot: Carr's gimmick grin was replaced with a furious rage late in the fourth quarter Saturday when officials penalized Larry Foote for excessive celebration. After stopping Illinois on third down and seemingly forcing a punt, the Wolverines were penalized 15 yards and the Illini kept the ball.

After the stop, Foote waved his arms in celebration.

"I never knew that was a penalty," Foote said. "I've done it 100 times."

The officials did not give an explaination.

"He just said, 'You guys can't do that," Foote said.

Switch hitter: Drew Henson wasn't the only new addition to the Michigan offense late in the first half Saturday. Cornerback James Whitley once again tried his hand at iron man football, checking in at receiver for Henson.

"Wherever they need me, I'll play. I know what it's all about, and I'm just trying to help the team," Whitley said.

The senior had one catch for 11 yards.

"If they need me to play center, I'll play it. I just want to win," Whitley said.