Night time is the right time for Michigan this weekend

October 5, 2:07 PMMichigan Wolverines ExaminerFrank Benson

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Darryl Stonum and Tate Forcier (ight) celebrate for Michigan/ AP photo

The University of Michigan football team doesn’t play a lot of night games but this week will take on unbeaten Iowa in a showdown set for prime time on Saturday night.

“Traditionally, we haven’t done that,” said Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez at his weekly press conference on Monday. “I think they can be exciting. Some of the fans have been celebrating all day waiting for the kickoff.”

Michigan sophomore wide receiver Darryl Stonum would certainly agree.

Stonum has been Michigan’s top receiver most of the season. He caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from Tate Forcier in last Saturday’s overtime loss to Michigan State. The catch ignited a late rally that almost won the game for the Wolverines.

“I really had to catch that one to make up for a couple I dropped earlier,” he said.

The game was played in wet conditions and played havoc with Michigan’s offense.

“We just didn’t execute,” said Rodriguez. “After looking at the film you could see we just weren’t sharp. As coaches we can’t let that happen again.”

Michigan’s first loss dropped them out of the national top 25 polls and was a bitter one. But not like last year when the Wolverines suffered through a nine-loss campaign, worst in the school’s history.

“No one anticipated this loss,” said offensive lineman Mark Huyge. “I looked at the film tape three times yesterday I still can’t explain it.”

Huyge said he is aware the strength of Iowa lies in its front four and he sees a strong battle up front.

“Iowa takes control of games up front and that’s what we have to stop,” said Rodriguez.

Stonum could be a big weapon for the Wolverines. He returned a kickoff 94 yards against Notre Dame. Michigan has had some big-name kickoff returners in the past including Heisman winners Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson.

 “There’s nothing like breaking open a long return, I just love it,” said Stonum, who hails from Stafford, Tex. “I’m used to playing under big crowds in night games, you know, Friday Night Lights.

Stonum played at John Foster Dulles High along with current Michigan teammate Troy Woolfolk.

While most Michigan players look forward to the night games, Huyge would rather play in the afternoon.

“I think it all just adds to the pressure of playing the games,” he said. “You don’t want to do anything out of the ordinary. With some of our young guys you have to dial them back down. You try to stay loose all day and do a walk-through but it’s not easy. You can lose your focus if you aren't careful.”

One of the reason Stonum has played well this year is because of the play of true freshman quarterback Tate Forcier.

“With Tate in there you know he’s always looking to make a play, always looking to throw down field, so you do what you can to get open any way you can,” Stonum said. “It’s a lot different than it was last season.”

Forcier, who injured his shoulder against Eastern Michigan earlier this season, missed some practice time last week and will be watched closely on Monday. He should practice as normally the rest of the week.

For more info: mgoblue, Detroit News