Hart will play for Michigan, at least on 'money downs'

Bill Callahan, left, is in his second season as Nebraska s coach. Lloyd Carr is in his 26th season at Michigan 11 as head coach.

SAN ANTONIO - Michigan sophomore running back Mike Hart has recovered from a high ankle sprain and will play in tonight's Alamo Bowl.

It is not known if Hart will be in the starting lineup against Nebraska, but he will be a big part of the game plan, offensive coordinator Terry Malone said.

"He's as healthy as he's been," Malone said. "He will play. It doesn't matter to us if he starts or not. He'll play on money downs."

Hart, who has struggled with ankle and hamstring injuries, has rushed for 588 yards in 2005 after gaining 1,455 yards as a freshman.

HIGH STANDARDS: UM coach Lloyd Carr spoke about the pressures facing the Wolverines since winning a national championship in 1997.

"I think the thing that is a goal for every team since then is to win the national championship," Carr said. "And I think we all recognize how difficult that is to do, and yet is certainly a goal worth pursuing. And I think we are trying to prove that every day."

NOT HERE: Running back Max Martin, wideout Adrian Arrington and defensive lineman Eugene Germany are not on UM's Alamo Bowl roster and did not travel to San Antonio.

All three players committed unspecified violations of team rules.

Martin rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns this season. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry and had a long run of 28 yards.

Arrington, who played on special teams, had one kickoff return for 15 yards.

Germany has been suspended since November.

"I'll keep my comments to the players that are here," Carr told reporters yesterday. "I assume that they'll all come back [next season]."

INSTANT REPLAY: For the first time, instant replay will be used at the Alamo Bowl. It will be available at all bowl games this season.

Replay officials at each bowl game will follow Big Ten procedures. The Big Ten is the first conference to use instant replay.

THIS AND THAT: Michigan and Nebraska shared the 1997 national championship. Michigan won the Associated Press poll, while Nebraska won the coaches poll. .●.●. Michigan is 16-6-2 against Big 12 Conference schools. .●.●. Nebraska has started and played 29 freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores this season. .●.●. UM's last two bowl opponents, Texas and USC, will play in the Rose Bowl for the national championship. .●.●. UM is seeking to win its NCAA-leading 850th game. The Wolverines are 849-279-36 in 126 seasons. Michigan and Nebraska both have .500 bowl records. The Wolverines, who have lost their last two bowl games, have an 18-18 all-time record. Nebraska is 21-21.