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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Chad Henne is growing up in the
Michigan offense. Four weeks into his freshman season, Henne has started learning
a quarterback's tough lessons -- how to avoid sacks, how to prevent
turnovers, what it takes to win in the Big Ten. "Experience is a wonderful thing, but it's hard to get without
suffering," Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr said. "So you're going to
have to learn some things the hard way." Henne has already taken his share of hard knocks. He threw three interceptions against San Diego State, was sacked
four times by Iowa and was hit by a defensive end on a kneeldown in
Michigan's 30-17 victory over the Hawkeyes last week. On Saturday, Henne faces the next major test -- a conference road
game at Indiana. Fortunately for 19th-ranked Michigan, the Hoosiers have been
gracious hosts over the years. The Wolverines have won 27 of the last 28 meetings, are 13-1
all-time at Memorial Stadium and haven't lost to Indiana since a
14-10 defeat in 1987. Henne will have some help in getting adjusted, too. There's Braylon Edwards, the Big Ten's top receiver, and Michael
Hart, another freshman and the likely starter at tailback. For youngsters, like Henne and Hart, it's an opportunity to
demonstrate their progress and a chance for Carr to extend the
learning curve. "The way he played Saturday, you have to feel really
comfortable with where he is after four games," Carr said of
Henne. "How much further can you go? You've got to say, 'Well, who
are we playing this week, what kind of system is he going to
face." On paper, it looks like a lopsided matchup. Indiana (2-2, 0-1) is last in the Big Ten against the run,
allowing 222 yards per game, and was shredded the past two weeks by
quarterbacks who each ran for more than 100 yards. The Hoosiers'
pass defense has allowed 969 yards, second most in the Big Ten. The offense has its own issues. Last week, Indiana blew a 20-7
halftime lead against Michigan State by gaining just 41 yards in
the final two quarters. It's been a persistent problem. Indiana has
totaled just 264 yards and one offensive touchdown in the second
half the last three weeks. To compete with Michigan (3-1, 1-0), the Hoosiers know there
must be a change. "I think we got complacent last week," Indiana receiver
Courtney Roby said. "At Oregon, we acted like we wanted to win the
game in the second half. Last week, we just died. It's completely
up to us to get it turned around."
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