Martin's 1st start memorable

Michigan's Max Martin runs through EMU's Duane Bracy, left, and Jereme Perry to his 2nd TD.

ANN ARBOR - Michigan sophomore running back Max Martin made the most of his first career start.

Martin had career highs in carries (26), yards (117) and touchdowns (3). He scored on runs of one and 10 yards to give UM a quick 14-0 lead en route to a 55-0 drubbing of Eastern Michigan yesterday.

Martin, who started for the injured Mike Hart, averaged 4.5 yards per carry overall. Hart, who is nursing a leg injury, did not dress for the game.

"There are things I'll learn from this and get better next week. I just needed to cut down on my mistakes," Martin said. "Thankfully the coaches thought I had a good week."

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said he was particularly pleased with Martin's pass protection.

"He came in and gave the team a lift," Carr said.

Martin had been hampered by an undisclosed injury during the first two games of the year.

"Max made the coaches believe and he proved it out there today," quarterback Chad Henne said.

BREASTON BREAKS ONE: Senior receiver Steve Breaston returned the first punt of the day 72 yards to the Eastern Michigan 10, setting up the first of four first-quarter touchdowns.

Breaston, who already holds the Michigan record for punt-return yardage with 1,014 yards, came into the game averaging just 5.2 yards per return. Breaston has returned three punts for touchdowns in his 26-game career. The 72-yarder was the second-longest of his career.

Breaston moved past Ohio State's David Boston in career Big Ten punt-return yardage and is now ranked seventh.

CARR CONNECTIONS: Michigan coach Lloyd Carr was a defensive backs coach at Eastern Michigan in 1976-77. Carr collected his 60th win at Michigan Stadium yesterday, and his record at home is 60-7 in 11 seasons as the Wolverines' coach.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS: Scott High School graduate Willis Barringer, Michigan's starting free safety, made three tackles yesterday.

Barringer has started in all four of the Wolverines games and has made 11 tackles.

Rogers High School alum Steven Lewis, a senior defensive back for Eastern Michigan, had his hands full with the Wolverines' receiving corps. Lewis ranked third on the Eagle team with seven tackles and also made a touchdown-saving stop on Martin.

ODDS AND ENDS: Michigan's 28 first-quarter points tied the school record for most points in a quarter. The last time the Wolverines put up that many points was in 2000 against Rice. .●.●. Four running backs combined to rush for 220 yards, including senior Jerome Jackson (40) and true freshman Kevin Grady (30). .●.●. It was Michigan's biggest blowout since crushing Indiana 58-0 in 2000. .●.●. The Wolverines' last shutout came two years ago against Notre Dame (38-0). .●.●. Jason Avant had a game-high eight catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. .●.●. Eight different players scored for Michigan. Receiver Antonio Bass became the first true freshman to start for the Wolverines this season. Bass, a high school quarterback, handled two snaps at QB yesterday. .●.●. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley and cornerback Grant Mason tied for the team lead with seven tackles.