The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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but the results can't be denied. "Blake seems more and more comfortable every game that he's in there," defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "There's some times where you see him just a lot tighter on a guy. That comes from having confidence. That comes from just really feeling comfortable out there. For Blake to come back from a whole year off and to do what he's doing, I'm pleased with that." Through four games, the redshirt sophomore has picked off three passes. In the Wolverines' 41-30 win over Notre Dame, he jumped on a route with less than two minutes to go in the first half, setting Michigan up for a back-breaking touchdown. He also made a diving interception in the end zone on Notre Dame's final drive, effectively closing the door on any possibility of a comeback. "It was good to get the ball back, and I'm glad Blake was the one who got it back," Michigan head coach Brady Hoke said. "It's 180 degrees difference when he's lying there in Texas Stadium, knowing that his year's over with. "I think what Blake has done from a personal level is terrific. I'm going all the way back from the surgery to the rehab and really starting to engage in the fall with the other corners and coach a little bit." ❏ pass in a season-opening 42-14 win, returning it 45 yards. The next week, he tallied two takeaways in a 45-7 rout of Washington. Curtis finished with three more interceptions, completing his final year in the Maize and Blue with six. Outside linebacker Rodney Lyles (1980-84) is the lone non-defensive back on the list. He recorded three interceptions in the 1984 season opener, a 22-14 win over Miami. Lyles is one of just four players who have recorded three picks in a game: Curtis (versus Illinois in 1967), Andy Moeller (versus Wisconsin in 1986) and Marty Huff (versus Purdue in 1969). No Michigan player has picked off more than three passes in a single game. It was the game of Lyles' life. He didn't tally a single pick before or after that Miami game in his career. The most recent player to accomplish the feat before Countess was cornerback Markus Curry (2001-04), who picked off three in the first two games of the 2004 season. Curry collected two interceptions against Miami (Ohio) in a season-opening 43-10 win. The next week, Curry picked off Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn at the Fighting Irish 37-yard line, setting up the Wolverines for a short field goal. Unfortunately, Michigan dropped that game 28-20. There are 17 players tied for 19th in Michigan single-season program history with four interceptions, and Countess will become the 18th with one more pick. Ten players have picked off five passes in a season, and six players have finished the season with six picks. Just Curtis (10 in 1968) and Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson (eight in 1997) have picked off more than six passes in a season. — Andy Reid