2004 FBL vs. Northwestern -- Postgame Notes

Michigan Notes

Today's announced attendance was 111,347. The crowd is the third largest in Michigan stadium history and marks the 185th consecutive game with a crowd of more than 100,000.

The Wolverines drew 666,149 fans to their six-game home slate in 2004, for an average of 111,025. The average is the largest in Michigan history.

Today's special teams captains were senior inside linebacker Joey Sarantos and senior long snapper Ross Mann.

Junior defensive end Jeremy Van Alstyne and senior inside linebacker Joey Sarantos made their first starts of the 2004 season.

The Chevrolet players of the game were Michael Hart from the University of Michigan and Noah Herron from Northwestern. Hart finished the game with 23 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns while Herron had 23 carries for 156 yards and one score.

Eighteen Wolverine seniors made their final appearance at Michigan Stadium today: Offensive lineman David Baas, running back Tim Bracken, quarterback Spencer Briton, Zia Combs, cornerback Marcus Curry, fullback Kevin Dudley, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, punter Adam Finley, tight end Jim Fisher, wide receiver Jermaine Gonzales, cornerback Marlin Jackson, tight end Mike Mandich, long snapper Ross Mann, linebacker Roy Manning, kicker Troy Nienberg, linebacker Jeremy Read, tight end Matt Studenski, and running back David Underwood.

With 42 points in today's contest, the Wolverines put up their highest total score in regulation play. Michigan bettered that when the Maize and Blue reached 45 points in its overtime victory against Michigan State (Oct. 30).

With a six-yard reception in the first quarter, senior wide receiver Braylon Edwards went over 1,000 receiving yards for the season and for the third time in his career. He became just the ninth player in NCAA Division 1-A history to go over 1,000 receiving yards three times in a career. Edwards currently has 1,049 yards on the season.

Senior defensive tackle Patrick Massey's blocked field goal in the second quarter was Michigan's second blocked field goal this season. Massey also had U-M's other block at Purdue (Oct. 23).

Junior Jason Avant's touchdown reception in the third quarter was his second of the season and also marked his second straight game with a touchdown.

Sophomore wide receiver Steve Breaston had 272 all-purpose yards including: five receptions for 49 yards, three punt returns for 79 yards and three kickoff returns for 112 yards.

Breaston's 20-yard rush during Michigan's first touchdown drive in the third quarter was his longest run of the season.

Breaston's 67-yard punt return for a touchdown marked the third time in his career he returned a punt for a touchdown. The 67-yard run was also his longest punt return of the season.

Breaston ran for a career-best 112 total punt-return yards in today's victory over Northwestern. His previous high was 105 yards against Notre Dame (Sept. 18, 2003).

With 112 punt return yards today, Steve Breaston tied Anthony Carter (1979-82) for first place on U-M's career punt return yardage list. Breaston now has 67 returns for 904 yards in his career.

Breaston completed 49 receiving yards in today's win for a single-game best this season. His five receptions tied a season high.

Freshman running back Michael Hart's 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to put Michigan up 7-3 marked the longest touchdown run by the Wolverines this season. It was also Hart's longest run of his young career.

Hart's three touchdowns against Northwestern marked the most U-M rushing touchdowns in one game since Chris Perry had three in Michigan's 56-14 win over Illinois last season (10-18-03).

With his 151 rushing yards, Hart became the first player in Michigan history to rush for at least 150 yards in four straight games. He also becomes the eighth player in Wolverine history to rush for at least 150 yards four times in a season, and the 13th player to accomplish the feat four times in a career.

Hart's three touchdown runs in today's win was the first time the freshman recorded multiple touchdowns in a single game. He currently has eight touchdowns for the season.

Sophomore cornerback Leon Hall tied a career high with seven tackles today. He also had seven stops against Michigan State (Oct. 30).

Northwestern Notes

Terrell Jordan's 33-yard kickoff return to begin the game was the longest of his career.

Joel Howell's 23-yard field goal in the first quarter was the first of his career. His 32-yard field goal in the second half is his career long. Howell's previously had one field goal and one PAT attempt last season against Wisconsin.

NU's two field goals in the game ties its season high.

Taylor Jones' 30-yard catch in the second quarter was the longest in his career.

Northwestern's three receivers from Detroit Country Day (Ashton Aikens, Brandon Horn and Kim Thompson) all caught passes in a game for the second time this season.

Noah Herron's 68-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was a season-long for Northwestern. The run was one yard shy of his career long.

Herron's 156-yard effort is his sixth 100-yard game of the season and his fifth in NU's last six games. He now has 10 100-yard games for his career.

Kim Thompson's four catches for 46 yards are both career high numbers.

Marvin Ward entered the game leading the Big Ten in passes defended. He added another two breakups today to bring his season total to 13.

Horn's touchdown catch in the fourth quarter was the fifth TD reception of his career.

Tim McGarigle entered the game leading the nation in solo tackles while ranking second in total stops. He added 14 total tackles today with a career-best 12 solos.