Michigan defense poses challenge for Boilers

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Although Michigan has the worst pass defense in the Big Ten, the Boilers are still highly concerned with the challenge that Michigan will give the young Boiler offense.

"I think they're going to try to confuse the hell out of us because we've got some young guys there," senior tight end Tim Stratton said. "It's just a game-time adjustment we'll have to make."

No. 12 Michigan (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) will present an array of pass coverage packages for the Boilers (4-0, 2-0) when the teams meet at 11:10 a.m. Saturday in Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Purdue wants you to play man coverage because they know where to go with the ball," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said earlier this week. "You have to play man, but you hope to mix it. You're constantly trying to disrupt the quarterback's reads and what he's thinking because that's how you stop an offense like that."

Stratton said the Wolverines are highly effective when they disguise their defense each play. They do so by showing blitz and then backing off or by placing safeties far away from the line of scrimmage and bringing them up to the line just before the snap.

"They create a lot of confusion," Stratton said. "I think that was evident a couple of years ago (when Purdue lost 38-12 in Ann Arbor). Granted, we had a lot of dropped balls, but they played well. They've got a lot of speed on defense and it's hard to play against a team that has a lot of team speed, especially in their linebackers and their secondary."

Michigan often uses a zone blitz, in which players from the defensive backfield rush the quarterback while linemen drop back into pass coverage. It is often hard for offensive linemen to recognize blitzes from safeties and cornerbacks.

"Our line ought to do all right," Stratton said. "For me, it kind of sucks because you catch a crossing route and you've got a defensive tackle right there to kill you. It's something to deal with and hopefully it doesn't happen that often."

Stratton, who has 21 catches for 182 yards this season, said Purdue might try to take advantage of Michigan's run-oriented linebackers by running plays that call for short crossing routes.

Michigan's linebackers are the strength of Michigan's defense, which leads the league in run defense, allowing just 51.8 yards rushing per game — the third lowest total in the nation. That's bad news for Purdue, which averages just 138.2 yards rushing per game.

Michigan linebacker Larry Foote, a 6-foot-1, 237-pound senior, leads the team in tackles with 29 and leads the nation in tackles for loss with 14.

"I don't think anyone has run the ball real well against us," Carr said. "Philosophically, that's what you want."

Despite Purdue's inefficiencies in its 23-14 win over Iowa Saturday (70 yards rushing, 147 passing), quarterback Brandon Hance, a redshirt freshman, said he feels good about the offense.

"I don't think we've jelled quite as much as we would have liked at this point," Hance said. "Then again, we are 4-0. We want to keep that going, keep improving week to week and keep winning."

Michigan defensive tackle Shawn Lazarus, a 6-foot-4, 297-pound junior, said he knows Michigan will have to play its best game of the season to beat the Boilers.

"They are a powerful offense and they have a bunch of big, strong guys up front and a good running back," Lazarus said. "Their quarterback looks good, too, so it's going to be a tough one."

The Boilers have lost 14 straight games in Michigan Stadium and haven't won there since 1966. But the Wolverines, who are 37-4 at home in seven years under Carr, aren't taking Purdue lightly.

"Purdue is undefeated in the Big Ten and we are undefeated in the Big Ten," Lazarus said. "Come Saturday at 3:00 one of those teams is going to be knocked out, so it's a big game."

Stratton knows this game will go a long way toward proving whether Purdue can contend for another Big Ten championship.

"Like Coach Tiller says, you've got to bring your 'A' game to the table," Stratton said. "We certainly need to do that this weekend."

Weekend Update :

No. 12 Michigan 24, No. 17 Purdue 10

Purdue-Michigan Statistics

Friday Coverage:

Michigan defense poses challenge for Boilers

Purdue soccer team to play in key game today

Volleyball team aims high in future games

Upsets may transpire this weekend

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