The Wolverine

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL yet ready. "He has tremendous speed, and he can be a big factor in this offense," redshirt junior tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint said. "He's just inexperi- enced, young, but in the future he'll be a big key for this team. "He has to study a little bit more. Freshmen have a lot of things going on off the field, and if he can get in here a little bit more to watch film, he'll be ready." him being athletic and having a line- backer on him, it's a mismatch. He's doing a great job so far, and there's a lot for him to still learn." Funchess has been a revelation this season, but not to his teammates, who saw his prowess on display in fall camp and expected a big year from him. True freshman Dennis Norfleet has looked good on kickoff returns, averaging 24.1 yards per runback through Michigan's first four games. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN FRESHMAN IMPACTS Michigan has played 12 true fresh- men this season — linebackers James Ross III and Joe Bolden, cornerback Terry Richardson, safety Jarrod Wil- son, defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins, defensive end Mario Ojemudia, wide receiver Amara Darboh, tight ends A.J. Williams and Devin Funchess, kick returner Dennis Norfleet, and special teams performers Royce Jenkins-Stone and Sione Houma — and while head coach Brady Hoke has said that number won't likely go up any more barring injury, some of those that have yet to play, including safety Jeremy Clark, will be athletes to keep an eye on in the future. "He's on the scout team right now, but I think he has lot of potential," senior quarterback Denard Robinson said. "I say, 'Make sure you don't get a big head. Just stay calm and your time will come.' freshmen is to never give up on them- selves. If you mess up one time, don't beat yourself down. That's something that I used to do as a freshman. You kind of dig yourself in a hole." Norfleet has impressed on kickoffs, averaging 24.1 yards per return, and he has one carry for 14 yards. Michi- gan fans have been clamoring to see more of the freshman on offense, but his veteran teammates know he's not "One of the things I always tell our 48 THE WOLVERINE OCTOBER 2012 "When I had my [knee] injury in camp, I watched practice and saw him do things that I hadn't see done before," fifth-year senior wide re- ceiver Roy Roundtree said. "That first week he was getting in some plays. The second week, we saw him have to step up and learn more, and that's when I started noticing him. "I thought he was a wide receiver because he's big, tall and fast. It helps Great Game Performances Past UCLA In 1989 Night Game Win For this month's "Greatest Game Performances" we looked at night game contests John Carlson Boots Michigan — U-M is 23-12 overall in night affairs, including its losses to Alabama and Notre Dame this fall — to see who had that individual effort we'll never forget. While there were a bevy of contenders, including quarterbacks Denard Robinson (2011 Notre Dame), Tom Brady (2000 Alabama), Jim Harbaugh (1985 Minnesota) and Steve Smith (1983 Minnesota), placekicker John Carlson made a dramatic contribution in the Wolverines' 24-23 victory over UCLA in 1989, improving U-M's record to a perfect 3-0 against the Bruins in night games. The Tallahassee, Fla., native spent his first season in uniform as a backup to All-Big EMERGING FROM NOWHERE If junior wide receiver Devin Gard- ner can maintain his pace, finish- ing as Michigan's leading receiver this season, he will become just the eighth Wolverine in school history to lead his team in catches a year after recording five or fewer receptions; Gardner made one grab in 2011. Fifth-year senior Roy Roundtree and former receiver Martavious Odoms are the most recent two to have done so, each leading the Maize and Blue in receptions as freshmen. Roundtree had 32 grabs in 2009 af- ter redshirting in 2008, while Odoms had 49 catches in 2008 as a rookie. Braylon Edwards (2002, three to 67), Derrick Alexander (1992, three to 50), Sim Nelson (1983, three to 41), Eric Kattus (1985, four to 38) and Tai Streets (1996, five to 44) also accom- plished this feat. u field goals in one game (he is currently one of only three to connect on five in a single contest), and he would capitalize on that day, going on to make 12 of 13 field goals on the year en route to the first of three first-team All-Big Ten accolades. — Michael Spath and he came through for U-M, with the ball dropping into safety Vada Murray's hands. Seven plays later, Carlson lined up for the game-winning 24-yard field goal, connecting with 0:01 on the clock for an improbable, come-from-behind, 24-23 win. At the time, Carlson was just the fourth Wolverine in school history to make four attempt and a 36-yard try in the second quarter, accounting for all of the Maize and Blue's first-half scoring, while they trailed UCLA 14-6 after 30 minutes of play. Carlson booted another 40-yarder, good from 43 yards, early in the third, but the Wolverines still trailed 23-21 with 1:35 left following a two-yard touchdown. With the Bruins expecting an onside kick, Carslon had to have perfect placement, Ten performer Mike Gillette, but was the heir apparent and assumed the starting job as a sophomore in 1989. Carlson's very first kick — an extra-point attempt in a 24-19 loss to Notre Dame — missed, and Michigan's fans may have been excused for thinking his errant shot was an ominous sign. Carlson responded confidently a week later, splitting the uprights on a 46-yard

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