Sophomore QB, RB to lead Michigan football into '05 season
New jerseys welcome addition to U-M tradition
Ryan Schreiber
Issue date: 7/12/05 Section: Sports
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Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr seems quite excited about the prospects of the team he'll put on the field for the 2005 season. And that's not a regular sight from a guy with a demeanor that rivals a cloistered monk.
The Wolverines finished with a 9-3 record in 2004 and ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Texas Longhorns in the Rose Bowl, 38-37. It was the second consecutive loss for the Maize and Blue in the New Year's Day bowl game.
But bouncing back from a somewhat disappointing season shouldn't be too tall of a task for a team returning 16 of its 22 starters. Athleticism, speed and experience run rampant throughout the lineup, causing Michigan fans to get excited all over again.
Sophomore Mike Hart was the first freshman in school history to rush for 200 yards in three consecutive games last year and QB Chad Henne is coming off a year in which he tied the season record for touchdown passes. Combine that with outstanding receivers Steve Breaston and Jason Avant, and the Wolverines hope to have another potent offense.
"I think the biggest improvement Chad made is that he is much stronger through the hips, through the legs than he was a year ago. As a result of that he is throwing the football better because he is stronger," said Carr in a press release after spring practice. "I think he's improved significantly."
Michigan opens its season with three non-conference home games, hosting Northern Illinois on Sept. 3 followed by Notre Dame one week later. The Fighting Irish should prove to be the toughest challenge before the Big 10 season begins. The Wolverines finish against intra-county foe Eastern Michigan on Sept. 17.
The Maize and Blue will travel to Madison, Wisconsin to open the Big 10 schedule for a nationally-televised night game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Michigan then travels to East Lansing to take on the rival Michigan State Spartans. Two home games against Minnesota and rising threat Penn State are next followed by away games at Iowa and Northwestern.
The Wolverines finished with a 9-3 record in 2004 and ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Texas Longhorns in the Rose Bowl, 38-37. It was the second consecutive loss for the Maize and Blue in the New Year's Day bowl game.
But bouncing back from a somewhat disappointing season shouldn't be too tall of a task for a team returning 16 of its 22 starters. Athleticism, speed and experience run rampant throughout the lineup, causing Michigan fans to get excited all over again.
Sophomore Mike Hart was the first freshman in school history to rush for 200 yards in three consecutive games last year and QB Chad Henne is coming off a year in which he tied the season record for touchdown passes. Combine that with outstanding receivers Steve Breaston and Jason Avant, and the Wolverines hope to have another potent offense.
"I think the biggest improvement Chad made is that he is much stronger through the hips, through the legs than he was a year ago. As a result of that he is throwing the football better because he is stronger," said Carr in a press release after spring practice. "I think he's improved significantly."
Michigan opens its season with three non-conference home games, hosting Northern Illinois on Sept. 3 followed by Notre Dame one week later. The Fighting Irish should prove to be the toughest challenge before the Big 10 season begins. The Wolverines finish against intra-county foe Eastern Michigan on Sept. 17.
The Maize and Blue will travel to Madison, Wisconsin to open the Big 10 schedule for a nationally-televised night game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Michigan then travels to East Lansing to take on the rival Michigan State Spartans. Two home games against Minnesota and rising threat Penn State are next followed by away games at Iowa and Northwestern.