Michigan at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 1 vs. Miami (Ohio) Sept. 8 at Washington Sept. 15 vs. W. Michigan Sept. 22 vs. Illinois Oct. 6 at Penn State Oct. 13 vs. Purdue Oct. 27 at Iowa Nov. 3 at Michigan State Nov. 10 vs. Minnesota Nov. 17 at Wisconsin Nov. 24 vs. Ohio State 2000 results (9-3, 6-2 in Big Ten) Bowling Green W 42-7 Rice W 38-7 UCLA L 23-20 Illinois W 35-31 Wisconsin W 13-10 Purdue L 32-31 Indiana W 58-0 Michigan State W 14-0 Northwestern L 54-51 Penn State W 33-11 Ohio State W 38-26 Auburn W 31-28

OFFENSE
Stepping into starting roles with big shoes to fill are QB John Navarre, RB Chris Perry, WR Ronald Bellamy, LT Tony Pape, C Kurt Anderson, OG Dave Petruziello and RT Demeterius Sullivan.

While Henson's loss is huge, it's interesting to note that last year at this time Lloyd Carr entered the 2000 season without a QB who had ever started a game at the collegiate level. This time, he has two signal callers who have been under center. Navarre early on last year, while subbing for the injured Henson, gained starting experience. And competing with Navarre for the No. 1 job will be lefty Spencer Brinton, a transfer from San Diego State who started five games for the Aztecs in '97 and two in '98. In the backfield, Perry will open as the starter and there will be opportunities for a true freshman to work his way onto the field as well, most notably 6-0, 220-pounder David Underwood out of the prep ranks in Texas.

Even without a star like Terrell, the Wolverines receiving corps should be a strong suit. Marquise Walker has proved to be a top-echelon performer, while Bellamy and Tyrece Butler are also potential standouts in the Big Ten. Tight end figures to be the deepest position on offense. In addition to Shawn Thompson, Bill Seymour and Ben Joppru, ILB Phillip Brackins has shifted to tight end. The versatile sophomore actually came to Ann Arbor as a DB. Thompson is coming off the injury list. The 6-4, 256-pound senior suffered a knee injury in the 2000 season opener against Bowling Green and was out the rest of the year.

Of the offensive lineman, 6-5½, 305-pound third-year sophomore Tony Pape will be under a great deal of pressure stepping in for Jeff Backus at LT. Remember, Backus had started 49 straight games for the Wolverines at that spot.

DEFENSE
Early on next season, the Wolverines' defense is going to have to carry this team. The unit returns just about every key performer from last year. Safety Cato June and DE Jake Frysinger are looking to return to pre-injury form. The strength of the Wolverine defense will definitely be the linebacking corps that features Larry Foote and Eric Brackins on the inside along with Victor Hobson at an OLB spot. Along the defensive front, junior Dan Rumishek should be a force at tackle, while in the deep patrol Julius Curry is a big hitter from his SS position.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Veteran Hayden Epstein will handle the kicking and punting duties.

Overview: Early on, defense will be the key. Led by the exceptional play of linebackers Foote, Brackins and Hobson, this unit has to keep the score down and allow the new-look offense a chance to work through the growing pains. The defense allowed 54 points to Northwestern last season, while both Illinois and Purdue scored over 30 points; but it also delivered back-to-back shutouts against Indiana and Michigan State, while holding four other opponents to 11 or fewer points.