U-M NOTEBOOK: QB Mallett thrown to the Badgers -- frosh struggles as sub for ailing Henne
MADISON, Wis. -- This is not the season Ryan Mallett imagined.
Michigan's freshman quarterback was thrilled to be named Chad Henne's backup, knowing he'd get a chance to play a bit. But he never imagined it would be this much and in such adverse situations.
While Henne started Saturday's 37-21 loss to Wisconsin, his separated throwing shoulder wasn't strong enough to continue past the first two series.
That brought in Ryan Mallett, just like against Oregon and Illinois, at a time he never expected.
He threw three touchdowns. One was a short pass to Mario Manningham on which the receiver juked a defender and cruised in from 12 yards. One was a short route that Manningham busted 97 yards for a score. On the third, Adrian Arrington laid out and grabbed a pass in the end zone.
But Ryan Mallett also threw terrible balls into double coverage, often forcing his receiver to play defensive back. He threw a Hail Mary interception on the first U-M play after Manningham gave the team hope. And he ended the realistic chances for a comeback with another fourth-quarter pick, this one deep in his own territory.
The last one handed Wisconsin a walk-in, put-the-game-away touchdown, making it 30-21.
Not to mention that Ryan Mallett's sniping with Manningham on the sideline and his linemen in the huddle probably didn't motivate his teammates.
"When you're down 17 points and you're not able to run the football, you're in passing situations, and that makes it a lot easier for the defense," coach Lloyd Carr said. "He's a young guy. There's still a lot to learn in terms of progressions and where you're going with the ball. He made some mistakes, but that's not an easy situation to be in there today."
INJURY UPDATE: Defensive tackle Will Johnson played with a brace on his right knee. ... Special teams standout Anton Campbell left the field on crutches with his right knee wrapped. ... Left guard Justin Boren left late in the third quarter with left knee issue. Jeremy Ciulla replaced him until Boren returned.
NOTEBOOK: Manningham's 97-yard touchdown was the longest offensive play in Michigan history, surpassing Butch Woolfolk's 92-yard run in 1979, also against Wisconsin. ... The early kickoff time affected the Wisconsin student section, which was only half-full at the start and didn't fill up until three minutes remained in the first quarter. ... Despite throwing for only 28 yards, Henne set U-M's career yardage mark, passing John Navarre. He only needed nine yards.
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