The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/362774
his senior season. Michigan went 10-3 that year, re- bounding from an 8-4 campaign in 2001, and Perry believes Askew's self- lessness went a long way in building a stronger team. "You see what he's willing to do for the team, and it taught everyone a les- son," said Perry, who rushed for 1,110 yards in 2002. "Our coaches had con- fidence in him and believed he would accept that change because he was such a good teammate earlier in his career even when he wasn't playing. "So they pay attention to that stuff, and the way it unfolded, it worked out for me, for B.J. and for the team." SEPARATING FROM THE PACK David Underwood was the opening- day starter in 2004, having patiently bided his time for three years behind Perry. He won the job with a strong fall camp, but he averaged only 2.8 In Their Own Words: Starting At Tailback Tshimanga Biakabutuka (1995), Chris Perry (2002-03) and Mike Hart (2004-07) combined to start seven seasons at tailback, and each of them recalls what it felt like to start. Biakabutuka: "My sophomore year, I was behind Tyrone Wheatley and Ed Da- vis on the depth chart, but Tyrone got hurt, Ed went in, and then I played some and my performance was a little better than he was, and I ended up starting. "I thought in my heart I was the best running back on the team. True or false, but that was my belief, so when I started, I didn't feel like it was a fluke or I didn't deserve it. I had so much confidence in myself, and the best part was there was no animosity from Ed. That helped me a lot because I could just practice and go play." Perry: "My sophomore year, when we were 8-4, the coaches were juggling B.J. Askew and me at tailback and neither of us could really get into rhythm. So my junior year, before camp, Coach [Fred] Jackson told me: 'You're starting this year as long as you keep doing what you're doing.' "I think that helped me and B.J. because it both gave us roles that we could embrace. There was so much uncertainty and then they gave us certainty, and it gave us both confidence." Hart: "When you really have a chance to play, it's so much fun preparing and showing up to practice every day because you know that today is a day to prove yourself so you're hungry. "I went into week three my freshman year with that chance and I was so mo- tivated because this is what you dream about — being the guy in Michigan Stadium that's moving the chains and crossing that goal line. I know that first game I started, it was pure joy." — Michael Spath