Michigan freshman Mike Hart makes a living by overachieving.

The first time Hart touched a ball in a high school game as a freshman at Onondaga Central High School in Nedrow, he faked out several defenders and ran into the end zone untouched. Hart visited the end zone many times after that, scoring 204 touchdowns in his high school career.

He soared above the expectations of his high school coach, Bill Spicer. Hart frequently found the ball in his hands and he almost always did something special.

Hart’s lore grew as he rushed for 11,232 yards and into the Onondaga Central record books. Fans joke that Hart was tackled just four times in high school. The joke isn’t far from the truth.

The heavily recruited local product continues to exceed expectations in college. Once thought to be a second- or third-string running back, Hart now finds himself starting for No. 9 Michigan. Unafraid of the Big Ten competition, he runs like he did against high school defenses.

‘I knew he was a good running back, but I never realized what he’d turn into,’ Spicer said. ‘I don’t think anybody thought he was going to elevate his game so quickly. We knew it was a matter of time until it happened, though. He’s pretty special.’

Hart’s rare athleticism made him a top recruit last year. Offers from schools around America flooded his mailbox. Crowds of scouts watched him play each week.

While colleges constantly pursued him, Hart looked to fulfill his dream of playing for a college with a rich and winning tradition. With the promise of immediate playing time and the tradition Hart was looking for, Michigan grabbed the star running back.

And while no one was sure if Hart would have significant playing time this year, he continued to impress Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. Only a few months into his freshman year, he put Carr in the same position Spicer was in four years ago. Hart gave Carr no choice. The running back needed the ball in his hands.

‘It comes down to the ability to adjust to college football,’ Carr said. ‘If a guy’s mentally ready, emotionally ready, physically ready, I don’t have any problem with it. Freshmen are better equipped (now).’

Hart proved he was ready. He’s played in all nine of Michigan’s games so far this season, including five starts, and leads the Wolverines with 1,160 rushing yards.

Playing against tough Big Ten defenses, Hart is running like a veteran. He rushed for more than 200 yards in the last three games, the first time in Michigan history a player posted three consecutive 200-yard rushing games.

‘He’s outstanding. I don’t see any weaknesses,’ Illinois head coach Ron Turner said. ‘It’s amazing for a true freshman to be able to step in and do what he does with the poise he has. You’re waiting for him to put the ball on the ground, but you don’t see him doing that.’

Yet Hart doesn’t let the success spoil him. He does his school work, even though he thinks it’s hard. He calls Spicer once a week to ask for advice. And he always keeps a smile on his face.

Maybe Hart smiles because once again he shattered the expectations placed on him. The starting running back job is his. Michigan is winning. And Hart has three more years to look forward to.

‘In Michigan’s offense, the running back is key,’ Michigan State head coach John L. Smith said. ‘He’s a quality kid and a big plus for them. He’s going to be a threat for the next three or four years. He’s a good football player – I mean real good.’

Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett is back again and causing trouble.

Clarett told ESPN the Magazine that Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel, assistant coach Dick Tressel and OSU boosters violated NCAA regulations during the 2002 season, the year Ohio State won the national championship.

Clarett said he was provided with cars, money and illegal academic help in his freshman year at Ohio State.

Boosters allegedly would pay Clarett for his performances and he received more money for better performances. Clarett also said he was provided with jobs where he was paid for doing little or no work. Tressel allegedly arranged for free vehicles to be given to Clarett.

The football staff also arranged for professors to pass football players even if the players skipped class, Clarett said.

Both Tressel and Andy Geiger, the athletic director at OSU, denied the charges. Geiger wanted to remind the public that Clarett left Ohio State on bad terms and vowed to hurt the program.

It was an eventful Saturday for Georgia’s David Greene and Hawaii’s Timmy Chang.

Georgia’s 62-17 win over Kentucky improved Greene’s record as starter to 40-9, breaking former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning’s record for most wins in a career.

Chang passed former Brigham Young quarterback Ty Detmer for most career passing yards with 15,303 in Hawaii’s 34-23 win over Louisiana Tech. The old record was 15,031 yards.

Chang also holds the record for career passing attempts, career completions, total offense and interceptions. The only major passing record left is career touchdowns. Chang has 79. Detmer, the current owner of the mark, threw 121 touchdowns in his career.

Published on November 10, 2004 at 12:00 pm