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m i c h i g a n ( c o n t i n u e d ) Funchess, who 2012 RESULTS 2013 SCHEDULE (8-5 overall, 6-2 Big Ten, 2nd Legends) DateGame scored on a third of DateOpponent Result 8/31 CENTRAL MICH. L, his 15 catches as a 9/1 vs. Alabama* . . . . . . . . W, 14-41 9/7 NOTRE DAME 9/8 AIR FORCE . . . . . . . . 31-25 9/14AKRON 9/15MASSACHUSETTS . . W, 63-13 9/21 at Connecticut true freshman. 9/22 at Notre Dame . . . . . . . . L, 6-13 10/5MINNESOTA But Robinson's 10/6 at Purdue . . . . . . . . . . W, 44-13 10/12 at Penn State 10/13ILLINOIS . . . . . . . . . . . W, 45-0 10/19INDIANA loss will require the 10/20 MICHIGAN STATE . . . W, 12-10 11/2 at Michigan State 10/27 at Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . L, 9-23 11/9NEBRASKA running backs to 11/3 at Minnesota . . . . . . . W, 35-13 11/16 at Northwestern (OT) 11/23 at Iowa factor much more 11/10N'WESTERN . . . W, 38-3142-17 11/30 OHIO STATE 11/17IOWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . W, into the ground 11/24 at Ohio State . . . . . . . . L, 21-26 1/1/13 vs. South Carolina^ . . . L, 28-33 Stadium, game, specifically *CowboysBowl Arlington, Texas ^Outback Fitzgerald Touissaint provided he's fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered against Iowa. Whoever's carrying the ball — elite running back recruit Derrick Green is an option, also — will run behind the Big Ten's top pair of tackles in Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield, with center being the biggest question mark on an offensive line breaking in three new interior starters. Injury struck the defense this offseason when leading tackler and defensive star Jake Ryan — "He might have been an All-American," per Balas — was lost to a knee injury. But it is hoped the outside linebacker might return during the Big Ten season, which would be a boon to a defense that stands a chance to be quite strong after allowing fewer than 20 points per game in 2012. "This is the most athletic defense (Hoke's) had," Balas said, "and might have the most potential." Defensive end Frank Black might be a budding star at defensive end for a D-line that's being overhauled. It'll need to support a secondary that's relatively unproven and thin aside from safety Thomas Gordon. When the Big Ten broke into divisions, much was made of Michigan being put in the Legends, opposite Ohio State in the Leaders. The legitimate ambition at Michigan this season is to play in Indianapolis come December. "Michigan has as good a shot as anybody to win the Legends Division," Balas said, "and this might be one of those years they play Ohio State twice, once at the end of the regular season, then again a few weeks later in the Big Ten Championship." — Brian Neubert t s 31-poin rg t ast year' f NoigaewL s the largestomsa-Adin O Mich n a e s at R nes loss to e Wolveri efeat to th of d rs. in 35 yea 112 • Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 2013 PREVIEW • Not on Purdue's schedule P Minnesota Golden Gophers hilip Nelson was unbelievable in the first half of Minnesota's emphatic win over Purdue in 2012, as the freshman quarterback tore the Boilermakers up. That half — the Minnesota freshman QB comDefensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman is pleted 11 of his considered one of the Big Ten's best infirst dozen passes terior linemen. The Gophers will need for 226 yards and him to be the anchor up front. touchdowns of 34, 38 and 63 yards — represented a level of play Nelson never again reached in 2012 but hopes to in 2013 and beyond. That's Minnesota's hope, at least, as it builds around the sophomore. TOM'S TAKE "He's the guy," said "In his third season at his last Zach Johnson, who two jobs, Jerry Kill enjoyed covers Minnesota for breakouts, 10-2 at Southern GopherIllustrated. Illinois and 10-3 at Northern Ilcom. "The coaching linois. This is his third season staff has him penin the Twin Cities. You thinkciled in as the face of ing what I'm thinking? The the program for the offense is improving but still next three years and needs playmakers. Ra'Shede … when he's a junior Hageman is the best defensive and senior, everyone tackle in the Big Ten." in the Big Ten will — Tom Dienhart, Big Ten know who he is. Network "He's the quarterback they handpicked for this system and a quarterback who can kind of do everything." So when Coach Jerry Kill and his staff pulled Nelson out of redshirt midseason, it was with the future in mind. "You get questioned when you pull off a redshirt," GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com