One of the many question marks for the Michigan offense coming into the season was how would it replace the Wolverines" career rushing leader Anthony Thomas? Three games into the season, Michigan looks like it has found his replacement in junior B.J. Askew.

One of the many question marks for the Michigan offense coming into the season was how would it replace the Wolverines" career rushing leader Anthony Thomas? Three games into the season, Michigan looks like it has found his replacement in junior B.J. Askew.

Askew and sophomore Chris Perry split most of the carries this season, with freshman David Underwood and senior Walter Cross also seeing time.

Perry looked like he had established himself as the focus with starts at Washington and against the Broncos, but when he went down in the first quarter, Askew became the go-to guy in the running game.

"It is an advantage to have two running backs that can run the ball really well," Askew said. "We wanted to alternate all four of us me, Chris, Walter and Underwood and the coach said from there we will find out who is really chugging away and that will be probably be the starter from here on out. I guess when (Perry) went down, the game plan changed."

Askew took advantage of the opportunity Perry"s injury created. He rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries against the Western Michigan defense.

The versatile Askew kept the Broncos off guard by doing a little bit of everything. In addition to being the leading rusher, he was also Michigan"s leading receiver with five receptions and another touchdown. Much of the yardage was picked up in one 41-yard screen pass a Michigan trademark.

"You never know what exactly I am going to do back there," Askew said. "Is he going to run, is he going to block or is he going catch the screen pass?"

In the past two years, Askew had played fullback. The majority of his touches came as a receiver out of the backfield and he did not get many carries.

But without a clear heir to the position, he has found a larger role in an offense that relies heavily on the run.

Askew has earned the respect of quarterback John Navarre through three games this season and seems to have built a good relationship with him something that bodes well for Askew.

"My confidence in B.J. is 100 percent all the time," Navarre said. "When you go into a game, you don"t have to worry about B.J. You are confident that when you hand him the ball he is going to break some tackles and make really good runs."

Askew"s hard work has also played a role in his success this season.

"He always works hard," Navarre said. "If he keeps working hard then good things are going to happen, like they did today for him."

With the status of Perry still unknown, Askew"s role may get larger and he will be expected to step up in Perry"s absence. He will be helped by an improving offensive line, which is gaining confidence by the game.

"I see a lot of improvement," Askew said. "They feel a lot more confident about what they are doing I can definitely sense that."