Sept. 4, 2004
Final Stats | Notes
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Freshman Chad Henne threw two touchdowns in a surprising start for Michigan, helping the eighth-ranked Wolverines to a 43-10 victory over Miami University on Saturday that ended the nation's longest winning streak.
Matt Gutierrez was supposed to start, but he was relegated to holding on kicks because of a sore arm, creating an opportunity for Henne. Rick Leach is the only other quarterback to start as a freshman for the Wolverines. Leach led Michigan to a victory on Sept. 13, 1975, at Wisconsin.
Henne, wearing the same No. 7 Leach and Drew Henson wore, was 14-of-24 for 142 yards with one interception. Braylon Edwards caught six passes for 91 yards and two TDs, and David Underwood gained 61 yards with two touchdowns on 22 carries.
The RedHawks (1-1) had won 14 straight games, 13 times last year with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger, a first-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, saw his replacement have a rough day as he watched from the sideline.
Josh Betts was 18-of-36 for 201 yards with four interceptions and a fumble. He accounted for four TDs last week in a 49-0 rout over Division I-AA Indiana State.
Martin Nance and Michael Larkin combined for nine receptions and 108 yards, but Miami struggled to run the ball. Luke Clemens had 13 carries for 32 yards.
After a scoreless first quarter, Michigan led 24-0 midway through the third quarter.
The RedHawks then made it interesting with a field goal, Mike Smith's 1-yard TD run and a drive deep in Michigan territory.
With a chance to pull within a score, Ernest Shazor returned an interception 88 yards for a TD to give the Wolverines a 30-10 lead with 9:01 left to play.
Turnovers were a problem for Betts throughout the game.
Betts' first turnover led to points midway through the second quarter. Ryan Mundy intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 38 yards to set up Garrett Rivas' 31-yard kick.
On Betts' next attempt, cornerback Markus Curry stepped in front of the intended receiver for his first of two interceptions. Underwood dove over a pile of a lineman on fourth-and-1 to put the Wolverines ahead 10-0.
Betts fumbled on the opening drive of the second half and four plays later, Underwood scored on another 1-yard run.
Edwards' 20-yard TD, a crossing route that led to a dive into the end zone, gave Michigan its 24-0 lead. He leaped for a 13-yard TD midway through the fourth.
Two of Michigan's standout players - cornerback Marlin Jackson and linebacker LaMarr Woodley - were on the sideline without shoulder pads after halftime, but it wasn't known why they didn't play in the second half.
The Big Ten's version of instant reply was available for the game, but play was never stopped to review a play.
