Wide receiver Mario Manningham extended his 100-yard-receiving game streak to six contests Saturday, racking up 113 yards on three catches for two scores. But aside from a 97-yard touchdown reception against zone coverage, Manningham was shut down by cornerback Jake Ikegwuonu and the Badger defense.
- Brian Merlos
- Wide receiver Mario Manningham managed just two catches for 16 yards against man coverage Saturday. (PETER SCHOTTENELS/Daily
Wisconsin threw a variety of schemes at the explosive wide receiver. After making a couple of mistakes in zone coverage, the Badgers switched back to man coverage and had great success against one of the nation’s most explosive players. Manningham had just two catches for 16 yards against man coverage.
“He’s a hell of a player,” said Ikegwuonu, whose blanket coverage and interception did nothing to hurt his All-American chances. “He made me work on every play. We knew they wanted to get him the ball, he’s their big play guy.”
Part of the problem might not have been Wisconsin-specific, though. Manningham and Mallett verbally sparred on a few separate occasions. The two were caught bickering on the sidelines by ESPN cameras, and both appeared annoyed when the other would make in-game mistakes.
Ikegwuonu admitted he saw some dissension on the Michigan side of the ball, but also said it’s a more common occurrence than most think.
“When you’re down, the frustration builds, but you just gotta move on,” Ikegwuonu said. “I’m sure they’re fine. Things just got a little heated on the field.”
History repeats (and repeats) itself: Senior captain Shawn Crable – who picked up a costly helmet-to-helmet hit late in Michigan’s game against Ohio State last season – collected a pair of early personal fouls in Saturday’s contest.
On the Badgers’ third drive, Crable hit Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan after Donovan released a pass safety Jamar Adams picked off. The penalty negated the interception and kept the drive alive. Two plays later, the linebacker was flagged again for roughing the quarterback.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr had to be restrained on the sideline following the second call, since Crable’s hit on Donovan came after a pitch during an option play, not on a pass. Wisconsin went on to score a touchdown later in the drive, picking up a lead it would never relinquish.
A frustrated Crable didn’t agree with the calls, especially the second one.
“That was some bullshit,” Crable said. “They just tried to take the aggression from us right away, but it was cool. They cheated a little bit, but it’s all right.”
A calmer Carr had a more reserved response when asked about the personal fouls following the game.
“I thought the second penalty is the wrong interpretation of the rule, because it is not intended for option football,” Carr said.
No. 7 becomes No. 1: Chad Henne may have only been on the field for two drives Saturday, but he played long enough to put himself atop a pretty impressive list.
The fourth-year starting quarterback became Michigan’s all-time passing yardage leader when he connected on a seven-yard pass to wide receiver Adrian Arrington in the first quarter.
Henne passed John Navarre to become No. 1 on the list – one that includes players like Tom Brady, Jim Harbaugh and Elvis Grbac, among others.
Henne tied the record on his first completion of the game, an eight-yard connection to Greg Mathews.
The Wyomissing, Penn., native didn’t talk to reporters following the game, he talked about the prospect of breaking the record earlier in the week.
“Having played four years and definitely having been around a lot of great players when you get to this point, it’s a team game,” Henne said. “I’m doing a lot to help myself, but there are a lot of other guys making plays for me.”