Overthrows, batted balls and passes thrown behind receivers. These are the things most Michigan fans will remember about John Navarre's performance in the Wolverines' 25-23 loss at Notre Dame.

But Navarre, who completed just 19-of-42 passes for 230 yards, could have completed many more with a little help from his receivers.

In Michigan's final drive with less than two minutes to play, both Navarre and the Michigan receivers failed to make a play to win the game.

After a nine-yard completion to fullback B. J. Askew, Navarre overthrew a wide-open Ronald Bellamy. The junior quarterback then ran for a first down to keep the drive alive.

On the ensuing play, receiver Tyrece Butler found a hole in the Notre Dame zone, and Navarre put it right on the numbers at the Irish 35-yard line. But Butler couldn't hold onto the football, keeping the Wolverines out of field goal range.

"As a receiver, I'm supposed to make big plays, and I didn't make big plays," Butler said. "That's what I'm here to do."

Players were adamant that Navarre shouldn't receive the lion's share of the blame for the loss.

"If we had won the game, everyone would be talking about how great John Navarre is," Joppru said. "The fact we lost, everyone will look for someone to blame, and that's who they're going to blame. It's too bad for Johnny that he has to take a lot of heat.

"I think he played a good game."

Those are refreshing words for Navarre, the greatly scrutinized quarterback who was nearly run out of town last season after throwing nine interceptions in the last five games. Fans and media clamored for a coup by junior transfer Spencer Brinton, or even highly-touted true freshman Matt Gutierrez.

But Navarre was unfazed by all of it. He just worked with new quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler to learn everything possible about offensive coordinator Terry Malone's new scheme.

"John's come a long way from last year, taking all the criticism," receiver Braylon Edwards said. "He's played well this year, and even (Saturday) he played pretty well. If his teammates catch the ball, he'll be alright."

Navarre, known for taking sacks too often last season and not being able to get rid of the ball, didn't take one sack Saturday.

"I thought he moved particularly well in the pocket and made some great throws," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "I thought he made very good decisions. I thought he threw the ball to the right people with a couple of exceptions."

Notre Dame defensive tackle Cedric Hilliard talked after the game about how he didn't expect Navarre, who hit 19-of-42 passes for 230 yards, to be so tough to sack.

"He was a big guy and he was able to move up into the pocket," Hilliard said. "I think we rattled him some."

It's rare that anyone wishes the 6-foot-6, 228-pounder to run, but down 16-7 in the third quarter with his team inside the 10-yard line, Navvare could have made a play to bring his team within two. He rolled left on third-and-goal, and for an instant, had a touchdown staring him in the face. But he waited for a receiver to break open instead of making a break for the goalline, giving the Irish defenders a chance to bring him down. The Wolverines were forced to settle for a field goal.

"There were some plays that we would expect him to make that he did not make," Carr said.

With the extra time given by his line and improved pocket presence, Navarre was able to go through his reads and pick out his receivers accordingly - something fans didn't see last season with Navarre looking for Marquise Walker in most situations.

Notre Dame was giving Michigan the pass to the tight end, and to Joppru's delight, Navarre saw it and exploited it up and down the field for 80 yards and a touchdown.

"He went through his reads and I happened to be the right read," Joppru said. "John's grown a lot as a quarterback."

Malone's offense has simplified the game for Navarre, allowing him to make reads he might not have made last season.

"He can look at all sides of the field and get a look at a lot of different receivers," Joppru said.

Navarre didn't get a chance to do much of anything in the first half. He completed his first pass to fullback B.J. Askew, who then fumbled the ball away.

On the next possession, Michigan ran three times and punted. Then, the offense missed a chance to have the ball when Marlin Jackson returned an interception for a touchdown, forcing the defense immediately back onto the field.

At the end of the half, Navarre hit Butler in the two-minute drill, but he fumbled, turning it over to the Irish again. In all, Michigan ran just 23 plays in the first half, leaving Navarre no chance to find a rhythm.

"What can you do with 23 plays?" Joppru asked.