By Michael J. Happy
CBS SportsLine Staff Writer
Oct. 24, 1998

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- They had seen this twice before this season -- option quarterbacks turning the Michigan Wolverines defense into the maize 'n cheese.

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Images of Donovan McNabb and Jarius Jackson ripping off big gains and handing the Wolverines back-to-back losses to start the season won't go away until spring.

So it wasn't surprising when one homecoming guest in the Michigan press box turned to his wife early in the first quarter Saturday and said, "I hope he gets tired."

The Michigan alum was talking about redshirt freshman quarterback Antwaan Randle El, who led the Indiana Hoosiers to an early 7-0 on a perfect day for football at Michigan Stadium.

HE LOOKED BETTER THAN MCNABB AND Jackson on the Hoosiers' initial drive, on one play eluding the pass rush, putting a nifty move on safety Sam Sword and streaking down the right sideline for 12 yards to the Michigan 28.

Later in the drive, Randle El showed off his arm, rolling right and throwing across his body to the opposite sideline to running back Frankie Franklin, who sidestepped two would-be tacklers before getting tripped up by Sword at the 2. Fullback Chris Gall plowed his way into the end zone two plays later.

You could hear the collective sigh by the 110,000 Michigan faithful, who feared the worst -- a replay of Notre Dame and Syracuse.

But this isn't the same Wolverines defense from earlier this season. It seems they learned from those defeats.

The Michigan defenders stayed in their lanes vs. the Hoosiers, got some penetration, rendered El Option ineffective for most of the game and got just enough offense to earn a 21-10 victory.

"Michigan

Indiana's option QB Antwaan Randle El was Michigan's primary target on Saturday. (AP)

came out and did a great job of stopping the option," Randle El said. "They did what they had to do to win this game."

This was no small task, mind you. Randle El came into the game on a roll, leading all Indiana rushers with 452 yards and seven touchdowns on 117 attempts. And when he wasn't advancing the ball with the run, he was passing it downfield (1,139 yards and four TDs).

His efforts had the usually woeful Hoosiers playing .500 football -- their three losses coming by a combined 15 points.

"It was like Tom and Jerry and I was the big cat chasing the little (5-foot-10, 177-pound) mouse," said defensive tackle Robert Newkirk after his Michigan State Spartans escaped with 31-28 double-overtime victory over Randle El and the Hoosiers Oct. 10.

BUT THE WOLVERINES (5-2 OVERALL, 4-0 Big Ten) had an answer for that little mouse. In addition to having lived through the Notre Dame and Syracuse games, Michigan spent the past week preparing for the option as well. They used freshman running back Julius Curry -- a speedster in his own right -- at QB and senior safety Marcus Ray -- ineligible until Nov. 7 because of contact with an agent this summer -- at tailback.

"This whole week we stressed option," linebacker Ian Gold said. "The coaches did a great job in preparing us."

After a shaky start, the preparation showed. The Wolverines held Randle El to 110 yards -- 41 on one play early in the second quarter -- on 26 carries

Nine times, the Wolverines got to Randle El before he could get past the line of scrimmage. Linebackers Gold, Dhani Jones, James Hall, free safety Tommy Hendricks and tackle Rob Renes each dumped Randle El for a loss.

"We just went out after him," Gold said. "That's how you play option teams. That's how you beat option teams."

Now if the Michigan offense could only get on track, Ohio State might have something to worry about in November.

First the Wolverines couldn't find a way to move the ball Saturday. Then, when they did get into striking distance, they often made crucial mistakes: