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Henne Leads No. 6 Michigan Past Wisconsin

POSTED: Saturday, September 23, 2006

(Sports Network) - Chad Henne tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Mario Manningham as No. 6 Michigan scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to drop Wisconsin, 27-13, in the Big Ten opener for both clubs.

Henne ended 18-of-25 for 211 yards with the two touchdowns and three interceptions for Michigan (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten), which was coming off an eye- opening 47-21 victory against Notre Dame.

Manningham hauled in seven receptions for 113 yards while Mike Hart rushed for 91 yards with a touchdown on 23 carries.

"It feels great to get out here and win four games in a row, but we have to keep winning," said Hart. "If we start off 4-0 and lose the rest of the games then 4-0 doesn't mean anything. We just want to come out here week by week and be ready to go."

John Stocco went 22-of-42 for 236 yards with a touchdown for the Badgers (3-1, 0-1), who have dropped 16 of their last 19 against the Wolverines. P.J. Hill finished with five receptions for 64 yards and a score.

The Wolverines assumed command in the second half, and took their first lead of the game with 3:11 left in the third quarter on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Manningham. Michigan started that drive on its own 44 and slowly worked downfield before Henne threw a perfect dart down the right sideline that Manningham hauled in between a pair of defenders for the score.

Stocco was unable to get anything going against a stifling Wolverine defense, helping Michigan to start regularly with good field position. Steve Breaston also helped in that cause, breaking off a 27-yard punt return early in the fourth to set his team up at the Wisconsin 33. The offense needed just four plays to get into the end zone from there, with Hart's five-yard run capping the efficient drive for a 24-10 advantage.

"They have some quality players," said Wisconsin defensive back Joe Stellmacher. "Manningham is a tough receiver. We knew that they were going to him in the red zone, we just came up a step short. He's a quality receiver. Hart is a quality running back. And Henne is a quality quarterback."

Garrett Rivas added a 32-yard field goal with 5:29 remaining in the game to make it a 17-point Michigan lead.

Taylor Mehlhaff countered with a 26-yarder in the closing minutes, but the Badgers got no closer.

Wisconsin capitalized on a Wolverine turnover to assume an early 7-0 lead. Allen Langford picked off Henne to set the Badgers up at their own 40, and they cashed in 10 plays later when Stocco and Hill connected for a 29-yard touchdown strike.

Michigan countered with a TD of its own early in the second stanza, as Henne hit Manningham for a 24-yard score to cap a three-play, 36-yard march. The quality field position was set up by Breaston, who returned Ken Debauche's punt 29 yards.

The Badgers claimed a 10-7 edge with a 39-yard Mehlhaff field goal with 5:37 remaining in the half, then forced a Michigan three-and-out on the ensuing series. Zach Hampton fumbled on the punt return, however, and Michigan took over at its opponent's 18. Rivas booted a 31-yard field goal moments later to knot the game at 10-10 heading into intermission.

Game Notes

Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr has a 7-1 mark against Wisconsin, including a 4-0 record at Michigan Stadium...The Wolverines are 75-24-2 in conference openers all-time, and have won 37 of their last 39. The only losses during that stretch came against Wisconsin.

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