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Thursday, November 09, 2000

Michigan does not have the recruiting base of Ohio State or Penn State, but the Wolverines continue to get top recruiting classes, which usually translates into winning teams.

Michigan is successful because it has been able to recruit nationally.

A look Michigan's starting lineup last week against Northwestern shows that among the Wolverines' 22 starters were players from 15states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and California. Penn State's 22 starters last week hailed from seven states.

The state of Michigan produces some quality players. Quarterback Drew Henson is one, for instance, but it does not produce the number of quality players Ohio and Pennsylvania does.

Michigan receiver David Terrell is from Richmond, Va. Flanker Marquise Walker is from Syracuse, N. Y. Running back Anthony Thomas is from Winnfield, La. Offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson, an Outland Trophy finalist, is from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Jeff Backus, another four-year starter on the offensive line, is from Norcross, Ga.

"One of the things that has changed recruiting in the past 10 years is transportation," Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr said. "It has become economically feasible to get people to different destinations very quickly. And the thing we have at Michigan is a tradition, a great academic opportunity, and we've had visibility that we've been able to attract young men from all over the country."

Hutchinson was offered scholarships from the three big schools in Florida -- Miami, Florida and Florida State.

"I've always followed Michigan," Hutchinson said. "It has tradition, it has the academic aspect, and it was a chance to play Big Ten football."

Three of the top players from Western Pennsylvania turned down the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State this summer to make an oral commitment to Michigan. Dan Simelis of Montour High School, Scott McClintock of Belle Vernon and Marlin Jackson of Sharon, Pa., all committed to the Wolverines this past summer. In the past, other top area players also have gone to Michigan, including Baldwin's Damon Denson, Aliquippa's Ty Law, Laurel Highlands' William Peterson and North Hills' T.J. Osman.

Call him Kojak

Last week in this space, we chronicled the trials and tribulations of Illinois junior quarterback Kurt Kittner, who had thrown six interceptions in his past four games and watched the Illini lose four of their previous five.

Kittner decided a change of hairstyle was in order to change his and the team's luck. So, after practice last Wednesday, at center Luke Butkus' house, Kittner had his head shaved.

Whether it was the new 'do, or just the fact that Illinois played Indiana, the worst defensive team in the conference, Kittner got back on track. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns. And his 1-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds to go completed a 15-play, 78-yard drive that gave the Illini a 42-35 win and kept their hopes alive for a bowl game.

"I felt like maybe if I got a haircut it would get us focused," Kittner said.

The barber is a nephew of former Illinois great and NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus.

Mason shoulders blame

Minnesota Coach Glen Mason made a rather curious call late in the second quarter Saturday against Wisconsin, and it might have cost him the game. Leading, 12-3, with 1:20 remaining before halftime, Mason opted to try a 57-yard field goal instead of punting and pinning the Badgers deep in their territory.

Kicker Dan Nystrom's attempt did not reach the end zone, and Wisconsin scored a touchdown before halftime and went on to win, 41-20.

The call might have gone unnoticed if Minnesota had a good defense. But in the previous two games, the Gophers had given up 1,154 yards and 92 points in losses to Indiana and Northwestern.

"Bad decision; my fault," Mason said after watching his team surrender 31 second-half points.

In the past three games, Minnesota has given up an average of 44 points and 524 yards per game. Maybe Mason can hire Bud Carson away from the St. Louis Rams.

Not so fast

Purdue needs to beat Michigan State and Indiana, two teams that have combined for three conference wins, to go to the Rose Bowl. But the Boilermakers aren't overlooking the Spartans, who have the nation's No. 4 pass defense, which yields just145 yards per game. Purdue has the nation's No. 5 pass offense (327 yards per game).