Michigan Finds the Time to Kid Around at Purdue

Michigan is proving that sometimes experience isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Freshman Michael Hart rushed for 206 yards, and Garrett Rivas kicked a 35-yard field-goal with 2 minutes 45 seconds to go to lift the No. 13-ranked Wolverines to a 16-14 victory over No. 12 Purdue on Saturday.

Hart surpassed Ricky Powers’ record for yards rushing by a Michigan freshman and also caught a touchdown pass from freshman Chad Henne to help the Wolverines (7-1, 5-0 Big Ten Conference) keep pace with No. 6 Wisconsin atop the conference.

“Michael Hart certainly has done his share,” Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr said. “He’s a special kid. He has a durability that is just amazing for a kid who just graduated from high school a few months ago.”

Michigan’s talented freshmen, Hart and Henne, outplayed Purdue’s standout seniors, Kyle Orton and Taylor Stubblefield.

Orton completed 14 of 30 passes for 213 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and Stubblefield had only a 10-yard reception. Henne threw for 190 yards and a touchdown.

The scene was all too familiar for Purdue (5-2, 2-2), which again had a costly fumble late to lose its second game in a row after starting the season with five consecutive victories for the first time since 1945.

After Rivas’ field goal, Orton connected with Dorien Bryant on a crossing pattern that moved the Boilermakers into Michigan territory.

But Michigan defensive back Markus Curry sent Bryant flying with a low hit and Ernest Shazor hit him high, forcing a fumble that Leon Hall recovered to secure the victory. The play was reviewed by replay officials and stood as called.

“It hurts, obviously,” Bryant said. “Coaches and guys on the team preach that a football game never comes down to one play, but when something like that happens, you feel like it’s all on your shoulders.”

Last week against Wisconsin, Purdue led, 17-13, in the fourth, but Orton fumbled on a similar high-low hit and Scott Starks returned it 40 yards for the game-winning score.

“This was a very tough football game, and now we’ve had two heartbreakers,” Orton said. “There’s not much to say.”

Rivas missed a 38-yard try in the third quarter, and Bobby Iwuchukwu blocked a 32-yard try in the fourth. The sophomore said Carr asked him whether he was ready for another shot.

“I told him that he can always count on me,” Rivas said. “I don’t think he was losing faith; he was just making sure I was still on point.”