Sept 22, 2001

By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - B.J. Askew put up big numbers, then put them into perspective.

Askew scored three touchdowns, ran for a career-high 112 yards and caught five passes for 66 yards as No. 20 Michigan beat Western Michigan 38-21.

"We take everything for granted," Askew said. "We think we're going to wake up every morning and think we're going to work. But things happen. We all felt like, 'We're living, we're out here, let's live it to the fullest."'

The stadium was packed before kickoff as fans followed the university's wishes to arrive early because bags and purses were searched and electronic items were checked to ensure a safe venue for 109,837 fans.

"It's been uneventful," Michigan athletic director Bill Martin said.

Both teams, with U.S. flags stitched on their jerseys, were on the field during a rousing rendition of the national anthem.

Few fans seemed to buy a hot dog or a drink at halftime as both marching bands played patriotic songs, capped by "America the Beautiful."

Michigan sold 6,000 special-edition programs for $10 each and donated half of the proceeds to a relief fund and student-athletes from other sports collected over $5,000 in donations.

"Football wasn't the first thing on my mind," Michigan's Walter Cross said. "It took awhile to get back into things."

Michigan scored on two of its first three drives, but led just 10-7 midway through the second quarter.

Two touchdowns late in the first half and another to start the third quarter gave the Wolverines a comfortable 31-7 lead.

John Navarre completed 16 of 28 passes for 240 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for the Wolverines (2-1). Calvin Bell caught four passes for 86 yards.

The Broncos (1-2) had nearly 400 yards through the air, but were held to 13 rushing yards as Michigan totaled seven sacks.

"The sacks were the tough thing," Western Michigan coach Gary Darnell said. "I probably wont' think about them until (Sunday) and then I'll throw up."

Jeff Welsh was 36-of-58 for 374 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and a touchdown run. Welsh's completions and attempts broke school records.

"We gave him some good shots, but he kept getting back up," Michigan linebacker Larry Foote said.

Western Michigan's Mobolaji Afariogun caught eight passes for 90 yards.

"I think everybody was happy to finally play a game," Welsh said. "There were a lot of people here making a lot of noise, so I think the game was good for a lot of people."

Chris Perry, Michigan's starting running back, left the game late in the first quarter and had his left knee wrapped in ice on the sideline. Askew, who rotated with Perry over the first two games, had 15 carries as the Wolverines primary back, who ran over, around and past the Broncos.

Perry said his knee hurt, but said he's not worried about it.

Michigan took a 7-0 lead on a well-executed screen. Askew caught a short pass from Navarre and ran 41 yards untouched.

Hayden Epstein's 27-yard field goal gave the Wolverines a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter on the same possession that Perry was hurt.

Western Michigan gained 81 yards on the ensuing drive, but Marlin Jackson intercepted a pass at Michigan's 7.

The Broncos did break through on their next possession with a touchdown, cutting their deficit to 10-7 with 7:45 left in the half. Welsh threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Micah Zuhl, one play after Philip Reed ran for 30 yards.

Michigan responded with a touchdown on the ensuing drive to take a 17-7 lead. A 47-yard pass from Navarre to Bell setup Askew's 8-yard touchdown run, which was finished with a dive from the 4.

The Wolverines were aggressive when they got the ball at their 35 with 1:06 left in the half - and it paid off. Navarre threw a perfect 40-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Walker with 44 seconds left to give Michigan a 24-7 halftime lead.

Askew ran 26 yards untouched for his third touchdown to cap the first drive of the second half, giving Michigan a 31-7 lead.

Western Michigan scored on the ensuing possession on a 4-yard pass from Welsh to Brandon Johnson to make it 31-14.

David Underwood's 1-yard run put Michigan ahead 38-14 with 4:04 left. Welsh ended the game with a 2-yard touchdown run.