Wolverines notebook: Injuries pile up for UM, especially on defense

The Michigan defense can't catch C.J. Jones, who scores Iowa's first touchdown.

ANN ARBOR - Michigan not only got beat yesterday, but beat up too against Iowa in Michigan Stadium.

Injuries continue to plague the Wolverines, especially on defense, where they incurred two more serious afflictions yesterday in a 34-9 setback.

Starting free safety Cato June and defensive end Dan Rumishek each incurred what appeared to be serious injuries on the same play with 11:50 remaining in the game.

June was taken off the field strapped to a stretcher after being knocked unconscious. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said June was conscious and able to move all of his extremities as he was being taken from the field.

The fifth-year senior had re- corded a season-high eight tackles. His previous high was six stops against Washington and Notre Dame.

It was the second time in three games a UM defensive back suffered a head injury and left the field strapped to a stretcher. Cornerback Zia Combs is out for the season after suffering a head injury two weeks ago against Penn State.

Rumishek had to be helped off the field by two teammates, evidently suffering a right knee injury.

Carr would not comment on the injuries.

Michigan has also lost two starting offensive linemen to injury, tackles Adam Stenavich and Matt Lentz. Also out is starting strong safety Julius Curry.

Linebackers Lawrence Reid and Roy Manning, who saw action in every game, are also sidelined with undisclosed injuries.

“We're not making excuses or feeling sorry for ourselves,” Carr said of the injuries. “We're just going to go out and be the best we can be.”

MAIZE AND BLUES: The 34-9 loss was Michigan's worst homecoming setback since the Wolverines fell 39-6 to Minnesota in 1937. It was also the second straight time that Iowa has won Michigan's homecoming game, the last time in 1990, 24-23. ... Carr said sophomore punter Adam Finley will continue to be UM's kicker too following Finley's 40-yard field goal early in the third quarter. ... Iowa's defense against the rush was second in the nation, holding opponents to just 67.4 yards per game. The Hawks held Michigan to a meager 22 yards rushing. ... The Hawkeyes won the toss and started on offense instead of deferring until the second half, as most teams do if they win the toss. The Hawkeyes have started on offense in 37 of their last 38 games. ... Michigan quarterback John Navarre had a career-long 39-yard run in the third quarter. The play led to Finley's field goal.